Eagle Airways "trooper" UK-Singapore 1961
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: uk
Age: 69
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Left Blackbush in an Airwork Hermes and landed Paya Lebar New Years Day 1959. We stopped at Brindisi, Ankara, Abadan, Karachi, New Delhi, Calcutta, Bang Kok and finally arrived a bit shattered after 2 or 3 days in an unpressurised aircraft! I do remember we had a spot of bother with an engine at Karachi which necessitated a nightstop in "Min Wallahs" . Not recommended. However we returned to the UK in style (1961) in the Oxfordshire, a Bibby Line troopship.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: UK/Philippines/Italy
Age: 73
Posts: 557
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My first overseas flight was to Singapore in 1951.
Not strictly speaking a 'Trooping Flight' but my mother and I joined my Dad flying on 45 Sqn.
The aircraft: Argonaut.
Return was made in an RAF Transport Command Hastings.
Not strictly speaking a 'Trooping Flight' but my mother and I joined my Dad flying on 45 Sqn.
The aircraft: Argonaut.
Return was made in an RAF Transport Command Hastings.
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: london
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
uk - Singapore - uk
...
Hi folks
Today speed is of the essence - but thought I'd just add memories of a bye gone age.
Having experienced the Singapore trip by air and by trooper then given the option I would take the steamer every time.
In addition to having a months free holiday and cruise each way and the various ports of call at HM expense - I met up with some great RAF types outgoing on HMT Dunera (1951) where we got together and formed a scratch dance band that opened the door to sharing the privileges of NCOs and lots of free beer. Most of the RAF types were destined for Seleter Tengah or Changi. Happy Days they were indeed.
...
Hi folks
Today speed is of the essence - but thought I'd just add memories of a bye gone age.
Having experienced the Singapore trip by air and by trooper then given the option I would take the steamer every time.
In addition to having a months free holiday and cruise each way and the various ports of call at HM expense - I met up with some great RAF types outgoing on HMT Dunera (1951) where we got together and formed a scratch dance band that opened the door to sharing the privileges of NCOs and lots of free beer. Most of the RAF types were destined for Seleter Tengah or Changi. Happy Days they were indeed.
...
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern California
Age: 83
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flew by British Eagle Britannia from Heathrow in 1966 to Singapore (final destination; Labuan). Refuelling stops were at Kuwait and Colombo, Ceylon. Arrival at Kuwait was at night, and flare stacks from the oil wells could be seen long before we actually touched down. On the ground, the refreshments served at a small hole-in-the-wall were far from appetizing. A few shifty looking locals hung around the area, eyeing up everyone, but especially the women passengers, which added to the generally uncomfortable atmosphere. We arrived at Colombo in the middle of the day....hot and humid. As with Kuwait, everyone had to deplane. Local Tamil male waiters, wearing waist to ankle sarongs, served us with very welcome glasses of Ceylon tea, but everyone was suffering jet lag by this time and only wanted to sleep. Arrival at Paya Lebar was at night. I had never seen a major city from the air at night before, and recall mentally comparing the overall view of the Singapore island to that of a beautiful jewelled brooch. After a couple of days in Changi transit billet, I continued the journey to Labuan by 45 Sqdn. Hastings.
My return to Blighty, 2 years later and after a posting from Labuan to Changi, was in a VC10, which was wonderful by comparison to the British Eagle Britannia that brought me out . My wife was with me by this time, because I was able to bring her out to Changi. The return flight was via Gan, Akrotiri, Lyneham.
Commenting on larssnowpharter's post -
All I can say is, you poor sod!!!
My return to Blighty, 2 years later and after a posting from Labuan to Changi, was in a VC10, which was wonderful by comparison to the British Eagle Britannia that brought me out . My wife was with me by this time, because I was able to bring her out to Changi. The return flight was via Gan, Akrotiri, Lyneham.
Commenting on larssnowpharter's post -
Return [to the UK] was made in an RAF Transport Command Hastings.
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Spain
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
UK-Singapore trooping flights.
I flew out to Singapore on 05 Jan 1965 with my wife. We left from LHR around 22:00 and staged IST and BOM arriving at Paya Lebar in the early morning, local time 24 hours later. All I remember about the flight really was a hole in the wall shop in IST, and the guy was standing there tapping the glass counter with a coin five times, tap tap tap tap tap then saying "Posscars".
Next memory was of stepping outside at Paya Lebar and thinking, "We are gonna like this!" We did.
Fast forward to 1990, I was then flying as a Loadmaster. Crew drinkies in Rome and I related the above to the rest of the crew. My Captain said he used to fly for Brit. Eagle. Next time we met, he showed me his logbook from 1965. On 06 January 1965, he was First Officer on a British Eagle trooping flight from Istanbul to Bombay.....
Coming back was on a 10, Gan-Muharraq-Akrotiri-Lyneham, but I think we overflew Muharraq.
Go well.
Next memory was of stepping outside at Paya Lebar and thinking, "We are gonna like this!" We did.Fast forward to 1990, I was then flying as a Loadmaster. Crew drinkies in Rome and I related the above to the rest of the crew. My Captain said he used to fly for Brit. Eagle. Next time we met, he showed me his logbook from 1965. On 06 January 1965, he was First Officer on a British Eagle trooping flight from Istanbul to Bombay.....
Coming back was on a 10, Gan-Muharraq-Akrotiri-Lyneham, but I think we overflew Muharraq.
Go well.
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Dyce, Aberdeen
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
UK-Singapore trooping flights.
Amazing what you keep in a box in the loft but I discovered this and thought I would put it on here.
I was on 58 Squadron, Canberra PR7's at RAF Wyton and in 1966 we were detached to Tengha, Singapore.
This was the first time I had ever flown.
Left Heathrow after hanging around for two days for the a/c to become serviceable.
Stop over in the middle of the night at Abadan where some local with an old 303 sat outside the toilets.
Think there was a charge of 2/6d but not many of us paid!
Next stop was Colombo where the picture was taken. After take off the crew brought round fresh pineapple slices, quite delicious.
Arrived Singapore in the evening and after the bus trip to Tengha to dump the kit it was taxis to Bugis Street to be introduced
to place by the lads who had frequented the place on previous detachments.
Sorry this is in two halves.
At Columbo Airport
Return was via Gan, Cyprus, Lyneham on a VC10.
I was on 58 Squadron, Canberra PR7's at RAF Wyton and in 1966 we were detached to Tengha, Singapore.
This was the first time I had ever flown.
Left Heathrow after hanging around for two days for the a/c to become serviceable.
Stop over in the middle of the night at Abadan where some local with an old 303 sat outside the toilets.
Think there was a charge of 2/6d but not many of us paid!
Next stop was Colombo where the picture was taken. After take off the crew brought round fresh pineapple slices, quite delicious.
Arrived Singapore in the evening and after the bus trip to Tengha to dump the kit it was taxis to Bugis Street to be introduced
to place by the lads who had frequented the place on previous detachments.
Sorry this is in two halves.
At Columbo Airport
Return was via Gan, Cyprus, Lyneham on a VC10.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Trooping memories
A fascinating thread - thanks to all contributors.
Enlarging the subject slightly, I was brought up on trooping flight stories - my father having been based overseas throughout the 40s and 50s.
Our favourite was the epic 1953(?) return from Singapore of my mother and elder brother in a Skyways York. I would never tire of hearing my mother tell of the delights of watching the world go by from 11,000' before night-stops in exotic en route stations. At Beirut they were treated to several go-arounds while the co-pilot practised low-altitude overshoots.
As a concession to my toddler sibling, our mother was allowed to sit aft away from the noise of the engines. Imagine today declining the chance to experience Merlins at close range!
This contrasted with her outbound flight in the lap of luxury aboard a BOAC Constellation (G-ALAK - she memorised the reg). I was always entertained by her impression of an American passenger looking for the loo who "always confused the Connie with the Stratocruiser..."
Arriving in Singapore she was moved by the sight of the charred remains of a less fortunate L-049 which had hit the sea-wall on landing.
While in Singapore she enjoyed the Saturday ex-pat ritual of trekking out to RAF Changi to watch the weekly Comet service arrive on the base's long runway. Apparently picnics were taken as part of a great day out.
It's hard to think of a more golden age. Mind you, I just got off the Emirates A380 and that fantastic experience was only enhanced by hearing my mother's voice in my head: "Always judge an airline by the stewardesses' make-up!"
OK I'm going back to the Jurassic right now...
Enlarging the subject slightly, I was brought up on trooping flight stories - my father having been based overseas throughout the 40s and 50s.
Our favourite was the epic 1953(?) return from Singapore of my mother and elder brother in a Skyways York. I would never tire of hearing my mother tell of the delights of watching the world go by from 11,000' before night-stops in exotic en route stations. At Beirut they were treated to several go-arounds while the co-pilot practised low-altitude overshoots.
As a concession to my toddler sibling, our mother was allowed to sit aft away from the noise of the engines. Imagine today declining the chance to experience Merlins at close range!
This contrasted with her outbound flight in the lap of luxury aboard a BOAC Constellation (G-ALAK - she memorised the reg). I was always entertained by her impression of an American passenger looking for the loo who "always confused the Connie with the Stratocruiser..."
Arriving in Singapore she was moved by the sight of the charred remains of a less fortunate L-049 which had hit the sea-wall on landing.
While in Singapore she enjoyed the Saturday ex-pat ritual of trekking out to RAF Changi to watch the weekly Comet service arrive on the base's long runway. Apparently picnics were taken as part of a great day out.
It's hard to think of a more golden age. Mind you, I just got off the Emirates A380 and that fantastic experience was only enhanced by hearing my mother's voice in my head: "Always judge an airline by the stewardesses' make-up!"
OK I'm going back to the Jurassic right now...
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern California
Age: 83
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
At that time 45 Sqn were Canberras at Tengah. Maybe it was 48 Sqn?
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Near Bridport, Dorset UK
Age: 76
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Haven't got around to posting any pics of 48 Sqdn Hastings so here's one.
TG569 at the Changi Maintenance Flight in August 1962. Still wearing the old callsign code 'GPD', which had been dropped on transport aircraft by then.
Plenty more 60's Singapore aircraft pics at www.focalplanes.co.uk
David
TG569 at the Changi Maintenance Flight in August 1962. Still wearing the old callsign code 'GPD', which had been dropped on transport aircraft by then.
Plenty more 60's Singapore aircraft pics at www.focalplanes.co.uk
David
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Over the rainbow
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Goofer - Trooping memories
I remember my mother telling me of the time that she, with my 2 elder sisters, my brother and while she was pregnant with me. were all evacuated from RAF Peshawar (In todays Pakistan) in 1947. My father had to remain at Peshawar for a further 6 months. They were flown back to UK in a RAF York transport aircraft. There were many people in the aircraft but no seats, 'Just sit where you can', and they could only bring one suitcase with them. Somewhere on the third day of their journey (I cannnot recall where she said where the overnight stops were) one of the engines packed up. They flew for a further 2 days mainly on 3 engines. Then on to the joys of the Personnel Transit Camp at Croft (Warrington) until my father could come home.
(There are shades of future Ryan Air method of air travel here!!)
The journey out to Peshawar immediately after the war in the Far East was over was even more horrendous - Troopship out out to Bombay then a 4 day train journey up to Peshawar with my father being allowed to meet her half way. All this with 3 children under the age of 6.
- And then there was the time we were evacuated from Egypt in 1952 but thats another story.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: St Ives, Cambs
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't remember much about the flight out to Singapore, I was 6 at the time, but my dad said we left in a Britannia from London Airport ,as it was known then, in 1959 and touched down in Singapore in 1960.
We returned home in a Brittania in 1962 and refueled at Bombay and I remember the locals at the top of the air stairs spraying us with aerosols as we stepped out of the plane. In the terminal a comotion at the womens toilets as they were just holes in the floor and nothing to sit on.
Also stopped at Ankara, and there was nearly a riot as there was no milk in the terminal for the tea. Watered down tinned condensed milk from the plane calmed the situation. Strange the things you can remember from that age.
Arrived back at London Airport and had to circle for a while as the nose gear had to be wound down.
Brian
We returned home in a Brittania in 1962 and refueled at Bombay and I remember the locals at the top of the air stairs spraying us with aerosols as we stepped out of the plane. In the terminal a comotion at the womens toilets as they were just holes in the floor and nothing to sit on.
Also stopped at Ankara, and there was nearly a riot as there was no milk in the terminal for the tea. Watered down tinned condensed milk from the plane calmed the situation. Strange the things you can remember from that age.
Arrived back at London Airport and had to circle for a while as the nose gear had to be wound down.
Brian
Trooping Memories
My "elderly" friend George tells a very amusing story, the short version of which is that during the Korean War, he travelled by BOAC to Tokyo, US Army bus to Kobe, a much delayed USAF flight to Korea, and finally a British Army lorry to join his Gunner regiment somewhere near the front line.
He pulled himself together, marched smartly into the Orderly Office, saluted, and announced, "Gunner H XXXXXX reporting!", only for the Battery Sergeant Major to retort, "Hall, where the bloody hell have you been? You're on the troopship to the UK tomorrow!"
And so after just over 24 hours in Korea, he was on his way back to UK, and yes, he has the UN Korea medal to prove it .....
Jack
He pulled himself together, marched smartly into the Orderly Office, saluted, and announced, "Gunner H XXXXXX reporting!", only for the Battery Sergeant Major to retort, "Hall, where the bloody hell have you been? You're on the troopship to the UK tomorrow!"
And so after just over 24 hours in Korea, he was on his way back to UK, and yes, he has the UN Korea medal to prove it .....
Jack
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: South Africa
Age: 87
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oct '62.
Only a short flight, but for the married for 4 months Mrs 16th, it was her 1st flight and 1st time out of the UK. A BUA Brittania, for an overnight flight Stanstead to RAF Nicosia.
It immediatly killed off all preconceptions of the glamour of the 'jet set' and even she thought that the airbourne waitress' were somewhat dowdy.
Me? I didn't think that it was too bad, definitly better than a Transport Command Beverley
Only a short flight, but for the married for 4 months Mrs 16th, it was her 1st flight and 1st time out of the UK. A BUA Brittania, for an overnight flight Stanstead to RAF Nicosia.
It immediatly killed off all preconceptions of the glamour of the 'jet set' and even she thought that the airbourne waitress' were somewhat dowdy.
Me? I didn't think that it was too bad, definitly better than a Transport Command Beverley
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Frankfurt/Main
Age: 81
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dear Spanish,
you wrote...'My Captain said he used to fly for Brit. Eagle. Next time we met, he showed me his logbook from 1965. On 06 January 1965, he was First Officer on a British Eagle trooping flight from Istanbul to Bombay.....'
I may well have worked on the aircraft that took you down, Jan 65 having been about halfway through my term at EG. I was what was called Progress Assistant, and my job consisted of arranging to extract from Stores any part that was demanded by any of the several engineers on duty. A fresh set of wheels was standard and were rolled out one by one to the aircraft, smaller parts were put on a trolley hacked together out of Dexion (think that's the stuff - big boys' Meccano), and a rudder change was something special, and usually had to be robbed from a serviceable aircraft that was off-duty. The Power...! So that you had a clear view out of the window the 'punka louvres' had to be replaced - believe they were silica gel crystals contained in a plastic phial inserted in between the window panes. Toilet pumps were the curse of whomever had to change them....
I recall my supervisor Charlie (Hammond?) always referring to things like BOMAPEG, ISTAPEG etc and it wasn't until I had to use the system in my next life that I knew it was our SITA address in Bombay, Istanbul, etc (SITA - airline comms system).
Happy to have perhaps been of service! Wonder who your Captain was...
brgds
Alan
you wrote...'My Captain said he used to fly for Brit. Eagle. Next time we met, he showed me his logbook from 1965. On 06 January 1965, he was First Officer on a British Eagle trooping flight from Istanbul to Bombay.....'
I may well have worked on the aircraft that took you down, Jan 65 having been about halfway through my term at EG. I was what was called Progress Assistant, and my job consisted of arranging to extract from Stores any part that was demanded by any of the several engineers on duty. A fresh set of wheels was standard and were rolled out one by one to the aircraft, smaller parts were put on a trolley hacked together out of Dexion (think that's the stuff - big boys' Meccano), and a rudder change was something special, and usually had to be robbed from a serviceable aircraft that was off-duty. The Power...! So that you had a clear view out of the window the 'punka louvres' had to be replaced - believe they were silica gel crystals contained in a plastic phial inserted in between the window panes. Toilet pumps were the curse of whomever had to change them....
I recall my supervisor Charlie (Hammond?) always referring to things like BOMAPEG, ISTAPEG etc and it wasn't until I had to use the system in my next life that I knew it was our SITA address in Bombay, Istanbul, etc (SITA - airline comms system).
Happy to have perhaps been of service! Wonder who your Captain was...
brgds
Alan
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Salisbury
Age: 71
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Troup[ing Flights
Dear all
Fantastic
..I had not been on thsi site for a while but i am so pleased to see so much on the British Eagles and the Brits and the Trouping flights. My first trip to the Far East and Malaya was in 1955-return in1958. Flew from Stanstead in a Avro York with its Merlins with the Hunting Clan lLine.We sat going backwards. Our next trip was in 1966- return in 1968, Went out in a British Eagle GB-ARKA and i have a black and white box brownie photo of us in Colombo after a thunder storm. The Proteus engines were buy one get one free jobs. We had one catch fire in Kuwait going down the runway at V1 Pilot was pulling up off the ground but slamed it down again. We stayed over night in a Kuwait hotel while another was flown out and fitted.
I like the way that when the Brits are at the beginning of take off... the engines are run up to speed and the brakes are then let off..
The return was in a Brit but was registered to LLoyds. GB-AOVT which was last known as a Fire Training Wreck at Luton. Not much left of it at all now. I am pleased that a Brit is in Eagle colours at Liverpool Speeke airport in complete build and also the DC flying in Eagle Colours. I have as a momento two Charts from the trip home in the LLoyds Britannia with all the trip details on it..Captain, 2nd officer, crew and Height Speed Direction etc. We stopped at Istanbull on the way home. What memories... Cruise height 18000ft speed crusing 380kts.
Going to have a good read of the blogs...
Fantastic
..I had not been on thsi site for a while but i am so pleased to see so much on the British Eagles and the Brits and the Trouping flights. My first trip to the Far East and Malaya was in 1955-return in1958. Flew from Stanstead in a Avro York with its Merlins with the Hunting Clan lLine.We sat going backwards. Our next trip was in 1966- return in 1968, Went out in a British Eagle GB-ARKA and i have a black and white box brownie photo of us in Colombo after a thunder storm. The Proteus engines were buy one get one free jobs. We had one catch fire in Kuwait going down the runway at V1 Pilot was pulling up off the ground but slamed it down again. We stayed over night in a Kuwait hotel while another was flown out and fitted. I like the way that when the Brits are at the beginning of take off... the engines are run up to speed and the brakes are then let off..
The return was in a Brit but was registered to LLoyds. GB-AOVT which was last known as a Fire Training Wreck at Luton. Not much left of it at all now. I am pleased that a Brit is in Eagle colours at Liverpool Speeke airport in complete build and also the DC flying in Eagle Colours. I have as a momento two Charts from the trip home in the LLoyds Britannia with all the trip details on it..Captain, 2nd officer, crew and Height Speed Direction etc. We stopped at Istanbull on the way home. What memories...
Cruise height 18000ft speed crusing 380kts. Going to have a good read of the blogs...
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Salisbury
Age: 71
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
manxterberg reply
Hi Nice bolg..great photos and other stuff.
I wrote that we arrived in August 1966 aged 14, maybe our paths could have crossed with you returning and most likely in one of the Brits that flew this route back and forth. We stayed for two years and left in August 1968. Loved our time in Singas especially the different foods and fruit and was sad to leave. Still like curries even now..Nasi Goreng top of the list.
Nice to see so many experiences on this blog..
Regards to all..Andrew
I wrote that we arrived in August 1966 aged 14, maybe our paths could have crossed with you returning and most likely in one of the Brits that flew this route back and forth. We stayed for two years and left in August 1968. Loved our time in Singas especially the different foods and fruit and was sad to leave. Still like curries even now..Nasi Goreng top of the list.
Nice to see so many experiences on this blog..
Regards to all..Andrew
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Emeraldgreen52
You can find G-AOVT at Duxford intact Emeraldgreen52.
This a/c never operated with Lloyds.
It flew for BOAC/BRITISH EAGLE/MONARCH.
The a/c used on the fire dump at Luton was a Redcoat Britannia G-AOVS
which was operated by Lloyds at the time of your return to UK so suspect this was the a/c you flew in.
This a/c never operated with Lloyds.
It flew for BOAC/BRITISH EAGLE/MONARCH.
The a/c used on the fire dump at Luton was a Redcoat Britannia G-AOVS
which was operated by Lloyds at the time of your return to UK so suspect this was the a/c you flew in.
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Salisbury
Age: 71
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Singapore in December 1958
Hi Phil
It looks as if the dates are about right. Might have crossed over paths. We were in Jahore Baru in 1955 to 1958 so possibly returned in a Hermes. Most likely with Touping flight being taken care of the RAF! i do know that on this trip back we went on the northern route but strayed off course and were escorted away from the Russian border towards Istanbul. Lucky not to be shot down.
Regards Andrew.
It looks as if the dates are about right. Might have crossed over paths. We were in Jahore Baru in 1955 to 1958 so possibly returned in a Hermes. Most likely with Touping flight being taken care of the RAF! i do know that on this trip back we went on the northern route but strayed off course and were escorted away from the Russian border towards Istanbul. Lucky not to be shot down.
Regards Andrew.
Loads of replies but my twopennorth is Heathrow - Kuwait - Columbo - Paya Lebar , March 1967.
Total journey time just over 24 hours IIRC, but after Kuwait it was all a brandy soaked haze, so I may be wrong!
Total journey time just over 24 hours IIRC, but after Kuwait it was all a brandy soaked haze, so I may be wrong!