Indonesia 1960s
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Farestdriver:
Reference your post beginning "Helicopters went by ship....", In addition to using HMS Albion, I recall at least two 66 Sqdn Belvederes were also shipped from Labuan to Singapore on the MV Maxwell Brander, which looked like a regular cargo steamer but which I believe had some sort of MOD contract. This would be some time in 1966. On two occasions I was part of the ground-crew that assembled them on the dock-side prior to being flown to Seletar. Once, we ran out of daylight and left the aircraft on the dockside, I was detailed to be an (unarmed) 'aircraft guard' and spent the night on the ship which was a lot more comfortable that the helicopter. Next morning I left my pride-and-joy new Seiko watch, all S$40 worth, in the washroom and imediately went back to retrieve it, of course it had gone in a flash, so if anyone spots an old Chinese sailor wearing a Seiko watch with a clasp engrave with a Caucasion name please let me know.
Reference your post beginning "Helicopters went by ship....", In addition to using HMS Albion, I recall at least two 66 Sqdn Belvederes were also shipped from Labuan to Singapore on the MV Maxwell Brander, which looked like a regular cargo steamer but which I believe had some sort of MOD contract. This would be some time in 1966. On two occasions I was part of the ground-crew that assembled them on the dock-side prior to being flown to Seletar. Once, we ran out of daylight and left the aircraft on the dockside, I was detailed to be an (unarmed) 'aircraft guard' and spent the night on the ship which was a lot more comfortable that the helicopter. Next morning I left my pride-and-joy new Seiko watch, all S$40 worth, in the washroom and imediately went back to retrieve it, of course it had gone in a flash, so if anyone spots an old Chinese sailor wearing a Seiko watch with a clasp engrave with a Caucasion name please let me know.
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Thanks, old-duffer. I was mis-informed.(Maybe I was told he "should have got a decoration "...........??????
(I'm part way through a rather good book titled "The Savage Wars of Peace" by a historian, Charles Allen. The Malayan Emergency was very interesting and I'm now reading about the Borneo "confrontation" (in which I played a small part myself) Although it mainly concerns the army, there's lots of references to the RAF and RN in the support roles - particularly helicopters. (The book is thoroughly recommended to anyone interested in post world war 2 military history...........very easy to read a bit at a time)
(I'm part way through a rather good book titled "The Savage Wars of Peace" by a historian, Charles Allen. The Malayan Emergency was very interesting and I'm now reading about the Borneo "confrontation" (in which I played a small part myself) Although it mainly concerns the army, there's lots of references to the RAF and RN in the support roles - particularly helicopters. (The book is thoroughly recommended to anyone interested in post world war 2 military history...........very easy to read a bit at a time)
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
Just about to send the pages off to BB and woukld you believe it I found the rest of the magazine!!...missing a page :-(
As luck would also have it, I was looking at a pic on the wall in 'young sid' s room of an F-4G Wild Weasel during air to air refulelling and noticed the blu tack was about to give way. On looking on the other side of the pic there is the beginning of the article by AF Porter!
F4 AtoA Refuel
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...F4aarefuel.jpg
Begining of article.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...sid/borneo.jpg
XP444 (eventually to go to the School of Technical Training at Cosford) gathers speed on Kuching Airports runway with Gunong Serapi of the Matang Range in the background.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...id/borneo2.jpg
As luck would also have it, I was looking at a pic on the wall in 'young sid' s room of an F-4G Wild Weasel during air to air refulelling and noticed the blu tack was about to give way. On looking on the other side of the pic there is the beginning of the article by AF Porter!
F4 AtoA Refuel
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...F4aarefuel.jpg
Begining of article.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...sid/borneo.jpg
XP444 (eventually to go to the School of Technical Training at Cosford) gathers speed on Kuching Airports runway with Gunong Serapi of the Matang Range in the background.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...id/borneo2.jpg
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please believe me 26 was split in two.The 38 group detachment is noted in both RAF Kuching's and 66sqdn's ORB as comprising of 225(whirlwind )and 26 sqdn (Belvedere)I Know I was that airman To misquote .
Olly,I`m only going by what what the Squadron histories show,and that is that the 4 Belvederes of 26 went to Seletar,were amalgamated into 66; now 66 was a Far East based Sqdn, as was 103 ,and 110 Sdn,part of 224 Gp. 38 Gp involvement comprised 225 and later 230 Sdns as full-up tactical Sdns.225 disbanded,God knows why,but nobody else at the end of Nov `65,aircraft and crews distributed amongst 103,and110. It`s probably fair to say that this was as a result of having 2 38Gp. Sqdns ,`tresspassing` in someone elses yard..... we(on 225) had a helluva problem with spares,as they got to S`pore,then went to 103/110;engines/blades/g`boxes,as the Stores only sent them to Seletar. It took the intervention of the Inspectorate General,Sir Gus (one arm)Walker,on his visit,to kick arses and take names,literally,for Hastings and Allsoggys to arrive the following weeks with lots of spares from Seletar. It was probably the same for 230 Sdn in Labuan......224 Gp. did not recognise anyone else on `their patch`,were too busy with 0700-1200 hrs operating M-F,sailing/golf/swimming club,etc,and the Stn Cdr gets a medal,....
Last edited by sycamore; 25th Aug 2009 at 23:22.
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Do we all remember the Air Force poster "Don"t Assume Check" ?
Well as there are apparently so many "histories" of 26 Squadron floating about, I thought I would write one.
However before Assuming I knew because I was there, I became a reader at The National Archive at Kew,to Check.
The squadron was reformed at Odiham in 1962.Then in 1963 sent an advance party to Khormaksar.The remainder to stay at Odiham , the administation of groundcrew and aircraft taken over as from 1st March 1963 by 72 Squadron, to await the call from the parent unit. Please note no merger or any other word for joining .It can be read in TNA AIR 27/2940 Operations Record Book RAF Form 540 and from this day forward until November, that aircraft movements are reported in two entries one for each squadron.
However Fred (Su) Karno's army put paid to that plan and 26 went to Kuching with 3 Belvederes and 33 groundcrew ,well allright ,11 of 'em were 72 squadron's finest.As reported in TNA AIR 24/2682 the ORB for Kuching dated December 1963 "11. No.38 GroupDetachment. During December No.26 Squadron (Belvedere) and No.225 Squadron (whirlwinds) arrived at Kuching to operate as support in the Borneo Territories."
I now turn to TNA AIR 27 / 2949 the ORB for 66 Squadron which each month from December 1963 till May 64 religiously refers to XG 453,XG 464 & 466 as 26 Squadrons aircraft.Also for the finale, of the tour that never was, the Squadron Commander's notes for July 1964
" The last day of the month saw the repatriation to the United Kingdom of the first party of groundcrew from 26 Squadron. This occasion should not pass without record being made of the excellant work these men have done in support of No.66 Squadron in Kuching."
Finally the demise of 26 in Aden, the aircraft went To No.66 Squadron, groundcrew went to No.78 Squadron.
Well as there are apparently so many "histories" of 26 Squadron floating about, I thought I would write one.
However before Assuming I knew because I was there, I became a reader at The National Archive at Kew,to Check.
The squadron was reformed at Odiham in 1962.Then in 1963 sent an advance party to Khormaksar.The remainder to stay at Odiham , the administation of groundcrew and aircraft taken over as from 1st March 1963 by 72 Squadron, to await the call from the parent unit. Please note no merger or any other word for joining .It can be read in TNA AIR 27/2940 Operations Record Book RAF Form 540 and from this day forward until November, that aircraft movements are reported in two entries one for each squadron.
However Fred (Su) Karno's army put paid to that plan and 26 went to Kuching with 3 Belvederes and 33 groundcrew ,well allright ,11 of 'em were 72 squadron's finest.As reported in TNA AIR 24/2682 the ORB for Kuching dated December 1963 "11. No.38 GroupDetachment. During December No.26 Squadron (Belvedere) and No.225 Squadron (whirlwinds) arrived at Kuching to operate as support in the Borneo Territories."
I now turn to TNA AIR 27 / 2949 the ORB for 66 Squadron which each month from December 1963 till May 64 religiously refers to XG 453,XG 464 & 466 as 26 Squadrons aircraft.Also for the finale, of the tour that never was, the Squadron Commander's notes for July 1964
" The last day of the month saw the repatriation to the United Kingdom of the first party of groundcrew from 26 Squadron. This occasion should not pass without record being made of the excellant work these men have done in support of No.66 Squadron in Kuching."
Finally the demise of 26 in Aden, the aircraft went To No.66 Squadron, groundcrew went to No.78 Squadron.
Last edited by OLLY HOLBROOK; 26th Aug 2009 at 15:17.
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If anyone has any good quality 35mm colour slides of any aircraft taken in Borneo or Singapore during the '60s, I have a dedicated Nikon Coolscan slide scanner and can make good quality scans for you that I can put on a CD, so you can upload them here or make prints from them as you wish?
I am particularly looking for any slides of Belvederes, Pioneers, Twin Pioneers or literally any aircraft taken in this theatre. All I ask is you provide a blank CD. My reward is the priviledge and enjoyment of scanning your slides!
I am particularly looking for any slides of Belvederes, Pioneers, Twin Pioneers or literally any aircraft taken in this theatre. All I ask is you provide a blank CD. My reward is the priviledge and enjoyment of scanning your slides!
If I had a gizmo that would transfer 35mm slides to a computer I would show you lots more pictures
The pictures were taken between January to September 1966.
The main site in January. Much of Post 1 & 2s shacks have moved or have been blown away. The dark, square Japanese building is the continuity.
Two 230 Sqn Whirlwinds. The nose doors are pre-FEAF modded and the yellow thing on the starboard u/c swing arm is the mounting for the German Zwicky pump for emergency refuelling.
Rations and fuel coming out of the Beverly.
The DZ was not that far from the helicopter pads.
This was taken in September just before I left. The RAF and RN had swopped between Nanga Gaat and Sepulot. The Wessexs were on progressive servicing but their spares were not progressing fast enough so they were both AOG. I was there to do all their tasking for them. The nose door is now the FEAF type sand filter.
Sepulot village, some 500 yards down river. The only way there.
I post some more when I dig out some more slides.
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Well done 'fareastdriver', some great atmosphere shots there. As no one has responded to my offer to scan their Far East slides, I thought I would show a few Whirlwinds from my collection taken in Borneo during 1966-67.
First up is XK986 of 230 Squadron with an armed guard in a very tight jungle clearing
There we have a nice air-to-air of XP329 of 110 Squadron.
I guess safety and being seen become more important than camouflage as here we have XR456 of 110 Squadron heavily adorned with orange dayglo and also with the sand filter fitted to the nose.
Even more colourful was XP303 which not only has the dayglo strips but also
appears to have a replacement tailboom from a yellow 'Rescue' Whirlwind'..unless this one was actually used as a dedicated rescue chopper?
First up is XK986 of 230 Squadron with an armed guard in a very tight jungle clearing
There we have a nice air-to-air of XP329 of 110 Squadron.
I guess safety and being seen become more important than camouflage as here we have XR456 of 110 Squadron heavily adorned with orange dayglo and also with the sand filter fitted to the nose.
Even more colourful was XP303 which not only has the dayglo strips but also
appears to have a replacement tailboom from a yellow 'Rescue' Whirlwind'..unless this one was actually used as a dedicated rescue chopper?
Amos,thanks for the memories; flown all of those, `329 still has the 225 Sdn badge on the nose, 303 flew with 103/110,,same with `458 and later at Ternhill,and `986 was 230 Sdn..
Got photos ,but no slides..
Got photos ,but no slides..
You picture of 329 reminds me that we had the last of the NCO pilots out there. 230 Sqn had two brand new sergeant pilots and my old Master Pilot Piston Provost instructor was flying Single Pins at Labuan.
Not this time.
This Pioneer took off from Long Sumado and found that the topo exceeded its angle of climb. It was flopped into the trees and the occupants were back at Long Sumado looking for a cup of tea within thirty minutes of take off.
The local Murat clan boundaries bore no relation to political borders so when they a big meeting the Intelligence Officer (an ex-Colonial Office chap who had been there before the Japanese and who could speak the lingo) would go and see what was happening over the other side. It was a day trip and these pictures were taken at Kabu, a longhouse right on the border with Indonesia.
When we landed and took off the kids would all hold the roof down.
The chief plus wives and sons. I had lunch with him and the I O, monkey fillet and hill rice.
As I mentioned in a previous post Tawau was fairly laid back.
The flight line with RMAF Allouettes who did most of the work.
Tawau Officers Mess.
Back in Labuan the squadron accomodation was similar but the living accomodation was not because aircrew lived in the Membedai, the Shell Oil Holiday resort.
230 Sqn accomodation, Labuan.
The bedroom block.
The bar resturant from the outside.
The inside.
There is, of couse, a private beach. The dug out canoe was a squadron effort which floated successfully but difficult to navigate in waves.
Anybody can be miserable fighting a war, It takes very little effort to make it comfortable.
Not this time.
This Pioneer took off from Long Sumado and found that the topo exceeded its angle of climb. It was flopped into the trees and the occupants were back at Long Sumado looking for a cup of tea within thirty minutes of take off.
The local Murat clan boundaries bore no relation to political borders so when they a big meeting the Intelligence Officer (an ex-Colonial Office chap who had been there before the Japanese and who could speak the lingo) would go and see what was happening over the other side. It was a day trip and these pictures were taken at Kabu, a longhouse right on the border with Indonesia.
When we landed and took off the kids would all hold the roof down.
The chief plus wives and sons. I had lunch with him and the I O, monkey fillet and hill rice.
As I mentioned in a previous post Tawau was fairly laid back.
The flight line with RMAF Allouettes who did most of the work.
Tawau Officers Mess.
Back in Labuan the squadron accomodation was similar but the living accomodation was not because aircrew lived in the Membedai, the Shell Oil Holiday resort.
230 Sqn accomodation, Labuan.
The bedroom block.
The bar resturant from the outside.
The inside.
There is, of couse, a private beach. The dug out canoe was a squadron effort which floated successfully but difficult to navigate in waves.
Anybody can be miserable fighting a war, It takes very little effort to make it comfortable.
F-E-D,would I be right in suggesting the chap looking at the S-P wreck,was a loadie ,who later had an early E-Type at Odious..?
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SilsoeSid wrote :
The caption in the magazine reads
"Returning to RAF Kuching after supply dropping mission, No48 Squadron Hastings C2 WJ337 and No60 Squadron escort, Javelin F9 XH885 (on detachment to Kuching from Tengah) as they pass over the airport before landing on 4 April 1965"
My dad flew Javelins in Borneo around this time, so I checked his log book.... JACKPOT !! It looks like the Javelin pictured was being flown by my dad.
Here's his log book showing that he flew XH885 on the 4 April 1965 whilst escorting Hasting & Valetta's
So is his navigator F.L Thomas still around ?
& the article shows the photographer as being A.F. Porter. Does anyone have any idea how I can track him down ? ( I'll obviously write to the Magazine )
:-)
Amazing what you pick up from old air museums. In this case one of the guys from Wellsbourne Air Museum gave us a load of old aircraft mags.
....
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...d/DSC_0672.jpg
..........
Strange thing is, I was going to throw it away 2 days ago during a big clean out, but only kept it because I thought I would post a 'Who Is This' on the forum. I don't have the full mag left unfortunately, bu there is a lot of info on the pages and I'm sure there is a back issue/archive section at the Aircraft Illustrated office/British Library.
....
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...d/DSC_0672.jpg
..........
Strange thing is, I was going to throw it away 2 days ago during a big clean out, but only kept it because I thought I would post a 'Who Is This' on the forum. I don't have the full mag left unfortunately, bu there is a lot of info on the pages and I'm sure there is a back issue/archive section at the Aircraft Illustrated office/British Library.
"Returning to RAF Kuching after supply dropping mission, No48 Squadron Hastings C2 WJ337 and No60 Squadron escort, Javelin F9 XH885 (on detachment to Kuching from Tengah) as they pass over the airport before landing on 4 April 1965"
My dad flew Javelins in Borneo around this time, so I checked his log book.... JACKPOT !! It looks like the Javelin pictured was being flown by my dad.
Here's his log book showing that he flew XH885 on the 4 April 1965 whilst escorting Hasting & Valetta's
So is his navigator F.L Thomas still around ?
& the article shows the photographer as being A.F. Porter. Does anyone have any idea how I can track him down ? ( I'll obviously write to the Magazine )
:-)
Last edited by stevew62; 19th Feb 2010 at 12:21. Reason: date corrected
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raining beer
i remember a Beverley drop at Sepulot when the sky lite up,
our beer ration for the week had gone adrift. all we could do was run for cover.
848 SQN RN where next through and true to their word sent our TIGER the
following day.
i never got to thank you JOCK QUINN
our beer ration for the week had gone adrift. all we could do was run for cover.
848 SQN RN where next through and true to their word sent our TIGER the
following day.
i never got to thank you JOCK QUINN