Thought this site might be of interest
pictures are pin sharp, except the two of Miss Bardot at Abingdon, camera shake?
Actually we only saw BB in her parachute dungarees, she was ushered out of her changing caravan and for publicity purposes paraded down a line of leering airmen to supposedly chat with us whilst the newsreel cameras rolled away in the background; I didn't think she'd stop by me but she paused when she saw the signals badge on my arm and asked in her delightful fractured French-accented English "What is thees?" Tongue tied I only mumbled I "it meant I was a radio operator". She came straight back "Just like me!" (She played the role of a radio opertor in the French Resistance in the film). Lovely.
I have a couple of faded press cuttings from the Oxford Mail showing her with us airmen and also a photo of her drinking a pint in the Sergeant's Mess - apparently the Officer's Mess didn't send her an invite, so their loss was the Sergeants gain!
Happy days, but sadly I've never been able to track down a copy of the film "Babette Goes to War" either for rental or purchase with the scenes shot at Abingdon in the summer of 1959.
Last edited by Warmtoast; 20th Aug 2007 at 22:27.
Here is the actual route and timings from my logbook
My timings came from the route promulgated by 2ATF at the planning stage a couple of weeks earlier.
One query: Was your squadron accompanied by a support aircraft with ground crew, spares etc for this exercise? The only note I have is that 266 were accompanied by a Hastings. But this could be wrong.
Tony
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Hi Tony,
Enjoyed the Seletar/Sunderland photos,except the breaking up ones.
Was on 205 until 54. Glugor,China Bay,brings back lots of memories. Went to see my old F/Eng. Ted Bevis recently,you may remember him,he was on 205/209 right up to the end.he is still going strong in his eighties!
All the Best
Old Hairy
Enjoyed the Seletar/Sunderland photos,except the breaking up ones.
Was on 205 until 54. Glugor,China Bay,brings back lots of memories. Went to see my old F/Eng. Ted Bevis recently,you may remember him,he was on 205/209 right up to the end.he is still going strong in his eighties!
All the Best
Old Hairy
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Yes Tony,
We had a Hastings and a Valetta bringing our groundcrews and equipment, including German two-stoke pumps and filters for refuelling from 40 gallon drums (pre-positioned at places like Juba).
Refuelling from 40 gallon drums.
We had a Hastings and a Valetta bringing our groundcrews and equipment, including German two-stoke pumps and filters for refuelling from 40 gallon drums (pre-positioned at places like Juba).
Refuelling from 40 gallon drums.
Peter, I apologise for the thread creep (although I will add here how much I've enjoyed looking through your pictures. My Dad called the early 50s the "couldn't care less" period, but it obviously had its compensations)... Tony, just off to the right of the 1st pic of Ike taxying-in was a 5-year-old Thud, with the rest of the Benson Primary School oiks, waving like mad. Lovely day it was, too. Many thanks for the reminder.
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Thanks for the interest gents...It has inspired me to do some more work on the site. I've just added six pages (had to relearn the software as it is so long since I used it 
).
I will try to add some each week now, to complete the military period in my logbook.
). I will try to add some each week now, to complete the military period in my logbook.
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PM,
I knew Bob after he immigrated to Oz, joined the RAAF and served with 9 Sqn in RSVN 68-69. Last time I saw him was '69. I believe he passed away a couple of years ago. Google up 9 Sqn RAAF and you may find a contact to confirm this.
GAGS
E86
I knew Bob after he immigrated to Oz, joined the RAAF and served with 9 Sqn in RSVN 68-69. Last time I saw him was '69. I believe he passed away a couple of years ago. Google up 9 Sqn RAAF and you may find a contact to confirm this.
GAGS
E86
Tony Hawes,
From the picture link in your post (#18) I see you trained at Thornhill - me too! Except that mine was a long time after yours ....... as a member of the local air force.
Peter McLeland,
Did you ever meet Jack Malloch or Ian Smith (both Rhodesians) in your time on Mk 22 Spitfires?
From the picture link in your post (#18) I see you trained at Thornhill - me too! Except that mine was a long time after yours ....... as a member of the local air force.
Peter McLeland,
Did you ever meet Jack Malloch or Ian Smith (both Rhodesians) in your time on Mk 22 Spitfires?
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Mr Bernoulli,
No, I was never on Spitfires...It was the Rhodesians that had the Mk22s in those times and that picture was from one of the nine Rhodesians who were posted to 266 Squadron when they came over and joined the R.A.F.
As it happens, I did meet Ian Smith (who I greatly admire), when I was shooting at the World Practical Pistol Championships at Salisbury in 1977. It was in the middle of their war and Smithy came to the range and chatted to us competitors
No, I was never on Spitfires...It was the Rhodesians that had the Mk22s in those times and that picture was from one of the nine Rhodesians who were posted to 266 Squadron when they came over and joined the R.A.F.
As it happens, I did meet Ian Smith (who I greatly admire), when I was shooting at the World Practical Pistol Championships at Salisbury in 1977. It was in the middle of their war and Smithy came to the range and chatted to us competitors
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E86,
Thanks for that info about Bob Kendall...I've been Googling on 9 Sqn RAAF but no luck so far...I remember that Bob married a German lady just before going home to UK from Germany. Do you happen to remember if she was with him in Australia?
Thanks for that info about Bob Kendall...I've been Googling on 9 Sqn RAAF but no luck so far...I remember that Bob married a German lady just before going home to UK from Germany. Do you happen to remember if she was with him in Australia?
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PM,
I was a Navy pilot on loan to 9 RAAF in RSVN. I only knew Bob in country and knew little of his personal life. I do remember that one of my contempories celebrated his 21st birthday on the same day that Bob celebrated 21 years service!
GAGS
E86
PS Had no trouble googling "Number 9 Squadron RAAF"
I was a Navy pilot on loan to 9 RAAF in RSVN. I only knew Bob in country and knew little of his personal life. I do remember that one of my contempories celebrated his 21st birthday on the same day that Bob celebrated 21 years service!
GAGS
E86
PS Had no trouble googling "Number 9 Squadron RAAF"
