(RAF) Seletar. End of an era.

[forget]

Redevelopment work has begun on Singapore’s secondary Seletar airport as part of plans to transform it into a centre for business aviation and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) in Asia........ Tenants at colonial era-bungalows within the camp have also been told that they have to move out by end-2008.

Great pity. I spent ten glorious years living in one particlular 'colonial bungalow', below.

What was known as the RAF's longest Officers' Mess - running East West, top right.

[Blacksheep]

Sad but not so sad at the same time. It is heartening to know that it will remain in aviation use.

They demolished all our old colonial barrack accomodation at Changi a couple of years ago, but the place is still recognisable. Many places retain their old atmosphere despite having been largley rebuilt. I always feel well at home at the Singapore Sailing Club for example.

[forget]

For anyone with an interest in Seletar there's a very good video at link below, produced by the current residents in an effort to delay 'progress'. Hard to believe it's lasted as long as it has! Where else could you live like this in Singapore? You'll need a fresh cup of coffee, it's thirteen minutes long.

I remember years ago thinking to myself as I watched three aircraft in circuit, a C-46, C-47 and a Grumman Albatross - could be the last time I'll ever see that sight - and it was.

http://seletar.wordpress.com/seletar...en/#comment-89

[Robert Cooper]

Seletar

Brings back some fond memories. Surpised it was still around.

Bob C

[prospector]

Blacksheep,
If you frequent the Singapore sailing club, perhaps you could find out for me for what was a pewter cup that has recently come into my possession was given for. It is Royal Singapore Yacht Club, Knowles Cup, 1952, with the Yacht Club burgee attached.
Perhaps someone can confirm that a memory of landing a DH82 from the Singapore Aero Club on a field at Sembawang, that was equipped with Marsden matting is a correct recollection, it would be in 1959, sure the field was Sembawang but is not noted in Logbook, only local flight from Paya Lebar with circuits is logged.

[Blacksheep]

prospector: The Royal Singapore Yacht Club was the "Posh" club and the British Army shared their facilities. Common RAF people from the Changi and Seletar yacht clubs weren't too welcome there. I do have a contact who may be able to assist in identifying the cup though and I'll PM you later once I've been in touch with them.

[prospector]

Many tks re the cup, still trying to recall the strip out that way that still had Marsden matting, it is a vivid memory from the days of DH82 instruction, it was not until the tail started taking a bit of weight and making a lot of noise, that the instructor remembered that it was equipped with a spoon and not a wheel, very fast power application was called for. It may have been Seletar but the name Sembawang keeps coming to mind, did Seletar have Marsden matting at that time?, was there a strip at Sembawang?. Hope someone recalls those times, would be 1959,60.

[tinpis]

What became of National Utility Helicopters and the G1 and Volpars?

[Robert Cooper]

Prospectro: as one of the "common RAF Seletar Yacht Club" types that black sheep refers to I can't shed much light on that cup. However, there was no marsden matting at Seletar in 1960. There may have been some at Sembawang, but that was a naval base and I don't know whether there was a landing strip there or not.

Bob C

[prospector]

Robert Cooper,
Thanks, must have been Sembawang, the matting was overgrown by grass, and its presence was not revealed till the metal tail spoon was not handling the metal matting at all well.

[forget]

What became of National Utility Helicopters and the G1 and Volpars?

NUH at Seletar continued until, at least, the early nineties. I well remember the GI and Volpar in the 70s. Gary Brown ring a bell?

There’s a 2003 PK NUH 212 at http://de.airliners.net/photos/small/4/9/0/0598094.jpg

[Krakatoa]

In the early fifties I was on a Sunderland squadron based at Seletar and can remember seeing the PSP strip by the Naval Base at Seletar. It was known as Sembawang.
Although I never flew from the airfield at Seletar I remember the runway was part paved and part PSP.

[forget]

From http://www.btinternet.com/~faahistor...brock_BGRD.htm



prospector - Here's your PSP strip. Pefolated Stee Prate.

(Now - Goggle Earth at 01° 25.53' N 103° 48.97' E )

Following the Japanese surrender a naval advance party returned to take control (of Sembawang) in September 1945. They found about 90 Zero fighters on the airfield and some 700 Japanese officers and men. The station was honeycombed with tunnels and foxholes and in a state of considerable disorder. Work on restoring the station to working order was started immediately and Japanese prisoners of war were employed filling in foxholes and tunnels and the laying of a 1,400 x 50 yard pierced steel planking runway.

[prospector]

forget,
Many thanks for that, a most interesting site, and a very good aide memoire.

[Old Hairy]

Seletar

What an interesting post. Having lived on "Birdcage Walk" 1952-53,whilst serving on 205 Sqn.Sunderlands.It brought back many happy memories.One I recall,I asked the chap who cut the grass,Kaboon?,if I could have a Hibiscious hedge in front of the bungalow.He duly appeared with a bundle of twigs which he inserted at intervals across the grass.by time I was tourex,it was 3ft. high.Posted to Changi in 1966,I was over at Seletar for a golf match and popped round to see the old place,the hedge was now 12-15ft and very lush!!!
Seletar was a very happy place.I am delighted to hear that its maintained its ambience throughout the years,It is such a pity that it may have to be demolished to become yet another souless site, what happened to Paya Lebar,surely, a better place for an enterprize of this sort. May I add that the young man in the film made his case in a most accomplished manner.

Old Hairyhttp://www.pprune.org/forums/images/icons//icon8.gif
Angry

[Dan Winterland]

A real shame. Part of the Asian philosophy which seems to be that old is bad, new is good and lets concrete everything over. We suffer it in abundance here in Hong Kong.

[India Four Two]

What surprises me is that there are still five airfields on such a small island (it's a little bit smaller than two Isle of Wights). Given the development pressures, I would have one or more would have gone a long time ago.

lets concrete everything over

Dan, in reference to your comment, I read an article the other day by an architect in Saigon, who referred to the concrete buildings from the 50s and 60s as being in the "Tropical Brutalism" style. A very apt description I thought.

[Old Hairy]

Seletar

It must be my age! but "Tropical Brutalism" seems a little far fetched.
Two years ago I had the opportunity to revisit a few of my old haunts,not to be recommended, if one wants to retain pleasant memories.Labuan was one,crushed coral strip,two tents,Flt.Lt.,six airmen,Varsitys for the use of.!!
Progress is inevitable I grant you, I cannot but agree with Dan,re the Asian love of concrete. I was given the honour of having a Life Membership of RAF Changi Golf Club bestowed on me for having served two years as Secretary. What happened? some b***tard covered it in concrete just as I got my handicap into single figures! However,Singapore was certainly the highlight of my career, spent six very happy years there.

Old hairy

[Load Toad]

Hold on - Singapore needs its land - look at the reclamation it does - to a country with minimal natural resources and a need for land you guys living in the sunset of a military career have no right to bemoan how that land is used. Go to Singers and see how they at least try to absorb the old with the needs of the new.

[Old Hairy]

Load Toad,Sir,
It was meant lightheartedly!! I first visited Singapore in 1950 to 53,again 1966 to 69 and several times since.I am more than aware of the vast changes that have taken place.My original abode on East Coast Rd, had the sea lapping the garden,next time I was there they had moved the sea two miles further out!
I played golf with Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew on several occasions at changi.he used to tell us of the problems facing the government to integrate three entirely different cultures.But he did,I place Singapores present affluence and vitality,directly as a result of his guidance and I have great respect for that which they have achieved.I still think the properties of Seletar could be spared.
I loved your phrase,"sunset of a military career ". I shall have it set to music,and donning my topee,sipping my Gin Sling,listen to it as the sun sets.
I remain Sir
your obedient Servant
Old Hairy