Gaining An R.A.F Pilots Brevet In WW II
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....and the whole ruddy issue was driven by steam...
Coffman Starter,
Thanks for the confirmation (old grey cells still functioning, then). Now does anyone remember Flying Training Common (was it 156. something ?).....D.
ricardian,
Marvellous ! - but how was the steam generated by the airborne chaps ?? - did they carry water, or trust to find it ?? And it takes a while to raise steam !..D.
The mind boggles ! Cheers both, Danny.
Thanks for the confirmation (old grey cells still functioning, then). Now does anyone remember Flying Training Common (was it 156. something ?).....D.
ricardian,
Marvellous ! - but how was the steam generated by the airborne chaps ?? - did they carry water, or trust to find it ?? And it takes a while to raise steam !..D.
The mind boggles ! Cheers both, Danny.
Last edited by Danny42C; 3rd Dec 2013 at 21:06. Reason: Correct Spacing.
Danny
ISTR it we had a couple of tube-like electric heaters screwed to the wall. Not particularely powerful (100-200W I'd say), but they kept the chill off. In the hot and sweaty rainy-season summer we kept the door open as well as the only window (a wooden flap), but that led to other problems, especially at night when we were devoured by voracious mosquitoes. Long sleeves and long trousers helped to some degree.
No aicon. That luxury had to wait a few years until I arrived in the Far East in 1956.
The other problem, being a long way from civilisation so to speak on the far side of the airfield, was that at night we were often visited by any number of small antelopes like duiker, but occasionally we would be worried when very much larger and menacing Kudu came sniffing around the door - one didn't want to argue with them!
Poisonous snakes, particularly Puff-Adders, were very common and a serious hazard around the Homer. We were ordered to always wear the long-legged issue "mossie" boots at night and if we ventured outside the homer to shine a torch on the ground to make sure we didn't tread on anything nasty.
Rhodesian Puff-Adder - keep clear - they bite if provoked!
Reverting to "hot & cold", what I really meant was your permanent cabin (the thing I rudely called your yurt). What heat did you have in that ? (obviously no aircon)...
No aicon. That luxury had to wait a few years until I arrived in the Far East in 1956.
The other problem, being a long way from civilisation so to speak on the far side of the airfield, was that at night we were often visited by any number of small antelopes like duiker, but occasionally we would be worried when very much larger and menacing Kudu came sniffing around the door - one didn't want to argue with them!
Poisonous snakes, particularly Puff-Adders, were very common and a serious hazard around the Homer. We were ordered to always wear the long-legged issue "mossie" boots at night and if we ventured outside the homer to shine a torch on the ground to make sure we didn't tread on anything nasty.
Rhodesian Puff-Adder - keep clear - they bite if provoked!
For those interested in the era, the 1957 film The Man in the Sky featuring Jack Hawkins as a test pilot flying the Bristol 170 Freighter from Wolverhampton (Pendeford) airport is now available on DVD.
Great period details - not just the flying sequences, but a snapshot of life in the 1950s.
(In actual fact the aircraft used belonged to Silver City and much of the filming was done elsewhere!)
Danny - our Zephyr convertible was VYB 173, finished in cream and maroon. It could be a bit of a battle to get the hood up and down, involving bad language from Dad and tut-tutting from Mum, but didn't the sun always shine back then anyway? Luggage capacity wasn't spectacular, so Dad had a little boot rack fitted to augment the moderate boot space.
Some of the Allied destruction of German cities was still in evidence and the odd policeman wasn't too friendly....
Unfortunately all the photos we had of that trip were sadly lost some years later....
Great period details - not just the flying sequences, but a snapshot of life in the 1950s.
(In actual fact the aircraft used belonged to Silver City and much of the filming was done elsewhere!)
Danny - our Zephyr convertible was VYB 173, finished in cream and maroon. It could be a bit of a battle to get the hood up and down, involving bad language from Dad and tut-tutting from Mum, but didn't the sun always shine back then anyway? Luggage capacity wasn't spectacular, so Dad had a little boot rack fitted to augment the moderate boot space.
Some of the Allied destruction of German cities was still in evidence and the odd policeman wasn't too friendly....
Unfortunately all the photos we had of that trip were sadly lost some years later....
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Strange but the only Bristol 170 I remember is the one in the photograph above although from trips to Heathrow when I was only just in double figures I do recall aircraft like the Airspeed Ambassador, Bristol Britannia, DC4, DC6, Vanguard, Viscount, and the L-188.
I'm quite a fan of piston aircraft but it wasn't until a trip to the US in 1982 when I got a trip around Miami that I saw my first Constellation's, Curtiss Commando's, Martin 404's with a few Convair's
Also remember the the early jet's including the smoky CV880's and 990's.
One silly fact. The KLM L-188's did the Heathrow - Amsterdam run in the mid 60's and some 25 years later I was flying in one of the same aircraft for a run between Phoenix and O'hare. Transamerica had bought a few of them for freight work and I was working for them at the time and grabbed a ride in one. Very enjoyable run.
I'm quite a fan of piston aircraft but it wasn't until a trip to the US in 1982 when I got a trip around Miami that I saw my first Constellation's, Curtiss Commando's, Martin 404's with a few Convair's
Also remember the the early jet's including the smoky CV880's and 990's.
One silly fact. The KLM L-188's did the Heathrow - Amsterdam run in the mid 60's and some 25 years later I was flying in one of the same aircraft for a run between Phoenix and O'hare. Transamerica had bought a few of them for freight work and I was working for them at the time and grabbed a ride in one. Very enjoyable run.
The RNZAF operated Bristol Frighteners in the Far East. In fact they were still there when we folded 110 Sqn in 1971. All our ground equipment was going to be dumped in the sea because the Singaporeans did not want Singapore saddled with scrap and surplus equipment from the British and American kit from Viet Nam. To this end we passed it on to the Kiwis who, having a defence budjet considerably smaller than the UK, were more than happy to accept it.
In the metropolis of Changi ther were large squadrons with Shacks and Hercs plus a massive ground organisation. To even the numbers at (in)formal occasions the two helicopter squadrons, 103 and 110, would gang up with 41 Kiwi squadron.
I was invited for a ride in one from Changi to Songkla and return. We got airborne but a few miles from Trengannu the starboard engine exhibited signs of 'gulping'. The was a discussion among the crew and I as to whether to carry on to Songkla and declare it unservicable there. That would enable us to have a few nights on the tiles at HM's expense. Unfortunately the navigators wife's birthday was the next day so we had to return.
In the metropolis of Changi ther were large squadrons with Shacks and Hercs plus a massive ground organisation. To even the numbers at (in)formal occasions the two helicopter squadrons, 103 and 110, would gang up with 41 Kiwi squadron.
I was invited for a ride in one from Changi to Songkla and return. We got airborne but a few miles from Trengannu the starboard engine exhibited signs of 'gulping'. The was a discussion among the crew and I as to whether to carry on to Songkla and declare it unservicable there. That would enable us to have a few nights on the tiles at HM's expense. Unfortunately the navigators wife's birthday was the next day so we had to return.
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Apologies for cr*p photo ... my little pocket 8mm Minolta wasn't designed for this sort of work! Date would be 1968/69, I guess, when some of us from Tengah went across to Changi to help get their controllers checked out on their new PAR.
The RNZAF operated Bristol Frighteners in the Far East
NZ 5909 being welcomed by Sgt Henry Moon, the SNCO i/c ASF in full Gan working dress. Greasy rag in his belt with matching spanner in his back pocket.
NZ 5906 - also at Gan. Signs of leaking more oil than an Iraqi oil-well after Gulf War 2
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Danny - Not Quite an Xmas Card!!!
Danny - Not Quite an Xmas Card!!!
After your time but fairly close to your present abode?
608 Squadron in Seaton Carew | Picture Stockton Archive
PZU - Out of Africa (Retired)
After your time but fairly close to your present abode?
608 Squadron in Seaton Carew | Picture Stockton Archive
PZU - Out of Africa (Retired)
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clicker,
Your: "Also remember the the early jet's including the smoky CV880's and 990's."
Apocryphal story from the '50s: 707 takes off from LHR, trailing black cloud. Comet behind, lined up & holding, calls "Permission for Instrument Take-off". Voice from the cloud: "Never mind, sonny - you'll be able to smoke when you grow up !"
(Apologies to nearly everybody, who must have heard it before)....D.
BEagle,
Hood struggle or not, a Zephyr Convertible was an Unattainable Object of Desire in those days - and it would have a bench front seat ! Happy Days....D.
MPN11,
Looks like the business end of a CPN-4 (couldn't they afford the other half ?). The little box thing on the end must be a generator or rotary converter, I suppose....D.
Warmtoast,
Fine pics - a couple of weeks in Gan would go down well just now. And that's what I call an oil leaK ! Sgt Moon is glaring at it ominously (Volunteers reqd. for a cleaning party - you, you and you). Don't like the look of your puff adder much. Only saw Kudu horns mounted on a wall. If there was a powerful animal behind them, I'd rather not be in the way....D.
pzu
Bit puzzled by this. The date would be three years after my time, but by the preponderence of ladies, guess they mean 3608 ? But then, many are of mature age. Of course, they are at Seaton Carew (not RAF Seaton Snook). Can't recognise anyone. (Could they be 608 families ?)...D.
Thanks to all. Danny.
Your: "Also remember the the early jet's including the smoky CV880's and 990's."
Apocryphal story from the '50s: 707 takes off from LHR, trailing black cloud. Comet behind, lined up & holding, calls "Permission for Instrument Take-off". Voice from the cloud: "Never mind, sonny - you'll be able to smoke when you grow up !"
(Apologies to nearly everybody, who must have heard it before)....D.
BEagle,
Hood struggle or not, a Zephyr Convertible was an Unattainable Object of Desire in those days - and it would have a bench front seat ! Happy Days....D.
MPN11,
Looks like the business end of a CPN-4 (couldn't they afford the other half ?). The little box thing on the end must be a generator or rotary converter, I suppose....D.
Warmtoast,
Fine pics - a couple of weeks in Gan would go down well just now. And that's what I call an oil leaK ! Sgt Moon is glaring at it ominously (Volunteers reqd. for a cleaning party - you, you and you). Don't like the look of your puff adder much. Only saw Kudu horns mounted on a wall. If there was a powerful animal behind them, I'd rather not be in the way....D.
pzu
Bit puzzled by this. The date would be three years after my time, but by the preponderence of ladies, guess they mean 3608 ? But then, many are of mature age. Of course, they are at Seaton Carew (not RAF Seaton Snook). Can't recognise anyone. (Could they be 608 families ?)...D.
Thanks to all. Danny.
Last edited by Danny42C; 29th Nov 2013 at 17:12. Reason: Add Text
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Danny42C ... I suspect that was the old kit ... I guess the SLA-3B or whatever was sited somewhere else.
What a dismal and strange tower they had at Changi. And morale was a high as an elephant's toenail. Sam Pa**in and I were glad to escape after a couple of weeks there!!
Warmtoast ... posh camera, you rich haircrew hofficer!
I ran my pocket Minolta on 8mm Hunter gun-camera film, courtesy of mates on 20 
What a dismal and strange tower they had at Changi. And morale was a high as an elephant's toenail. Sam Pa**in and I were glad to escape after a couple of weeks there!!
Warmtoast ... posh camera, you rich haircrew hofficer!
I ran my pocket Minolta on 8mm Hunter gun-camera film, courtesy of mates on 20
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Danny does some Serious Thinking.
It would still be five or six weeks before things improved sufficiently to allow my family to return to GK. And now I recall some "flash-backs" of our time in Cologne.
We visited the "4711" Eau-de-Cologne factory on the opposite bank of the Rhine (it seems they've moved production to somewhere near Aachen since our time). But then the whole riverside was perfumed by the stuff. And we went on a half-day boat trip up the Rhine from Cologne; all we remember were the fairytale castles perched on the top of many of the crags along the river.
And now I considered the position we were in as the centre of action if the Cold War should turn hot. I think I've mentioned in previous Posts the strange way in which in WW2 we all (I suppose the younger generation more quickly) came to regard wartime life as the "norm" of our existence, looking back upon "before the war" almost as a time long out of memory.
The families in Germany (and for that matter the whole of Western Europe) during the Cold War period (which actually lasted from'45 to'90) were living with a fearsome "Sword of Damocles" over our heads all the time. Looking back, we dealt with it in the same way in which we'd accepted WW2 - by ignoring it.
So what would most likely happen if the balloon went up (probably as a result of some mistake). I saw three possible scenarios:
One: "Mutual Assured Destruction" still inhibiting any form of Nuclear Exchange, simply a continuation of WW2; with the Soviets relying on their massive numerical superiority to smash their way through to the Channel ports (we reckoned it would take them 48 hours). This might allow enough time to allow our families to get to the coast and (hopefully) back to Britain, before the "Clutch" airfields were overrun. Some families kept a couple of suitcases ready packed in the hall for this very eventuality.
Two: we neutralise their numerical advantage with a "tactical" nuclear exchange; we would put our Canberras into the air to "take out" the airfields, Command Posts and military hardware of our Warsaw Pact adversaries (while, of course, GK and the other three airfields would in turn become radioactive charnel-houses in half an hour). But the hope would be that by this means, the conflict could be somehow "contained" in Europe, and not necessarily lead to Three.
Three: a "Strategic" nuclear exchange, the much feared "Armageddon" ("an end to civilisation as we know it"), with an outcome no man could foresee.
I thought Scenario One the most probable. The risk of Two turning into Three was really too great to take. And I took comfort from the following reflection: Suppose, in 1945, the Allies had known that Japan had developed a workable Atomic Bomb, and had a credible means of delivering it to the W.Coast cities of the US, would Truman have sanctioned the nuclear strikes on Hiroshima and Nagasaki ? I think not.
And another factor which might have make Khrushchev hesitate: in '60 our V-force was effectively invulnerable, whereas he had no such advantage over us. (It would not be till '62 that a SAM went up and Gary Powers came down, and the day of the "Vs" was over - for: "What Hand has Done, Hand can Do").
(all this is my musing, and is not informed by any knowledge of official policy).
Meanwhile we carried on with our daily lives as if all was completely normal.
Goodnight, all,
Danny42C.
Regardless of their doom, the little victims play. (Kipling).
We visited the "4711" Eau-de-Cologne factory on the opposite bank of the Rhine (it seems they've moved production to somewhere near Aachen since our time). But then the whole riverside was perfumed by the stuff. And we went on a half-day boat trip up the Rhine from Cologne; all we remember were the fairytale castles perched on the top of many of the crags along the river.
And now I considered the position we were in as the centre of action if the Cold War should turn hot. I think I've mentioned in previous Posts the strange way in which in WW2 we all (I suppose the younger generation more quickly) came to regard wartime life as the "norm" of our existence, looking back upon "before the war" almost as a time long out of memory.
The families in Germany (and for that matter the whole of Western Europe) during the Cold War period (which actually lasted from'45 to'90) were living with a fearsome "Sword of Damocles" over our heads all the time. Looking back, we dealt with it in the same way in which we'd accepted WW2 - by ignoring it.
So what would most likely happen if the balloon went up (probably as a result of some mistake). I saw three possible scenarios:
One: "Mutual Assured Destruction" still inhibiting any form of Nuclear Exchange, simply a continuation of WW2; with the Soviets relying on their massive numerical superiority to smash their way through to the Channel ports (we reckoned it would take them 48 hours). This might allow enough time to allow our families to get to the coast and (hopefully) back to Britain, before the "Clutch" airfields were overrun. Some families kept a couple of suitcases ready packed in the hall for this very eventuality.
Two: we neutralise their numerical advantage with a "tactical" nuclear exchange; we would put our Canberras into the air to "take out" the airfields, Command Posts and military hardware of our Warsaw Pact adversaries (while, of course, GK and the other three airfields would in turn become radioactive charnel-houses in half an hour). But the hope would be that by this means, the conflict could be somehow "contained" in Europe, and not necessarily lead to Three.
Three: a "Strategic" nuclear exchange, the much feared "Armageddon" ("an end to civilisation as we know it"), with an outcome no man could foresee.
I thought Scenario One the most probable. The risk of Two turning into Three was really too great to take. And I took comfort from the following reflection: Suppose, in 1945, the Allies had known that Japan had developed a workable Atomic Bomb, and had a credible means of delivering it to the W.Coast cities of the US, would Truman have sanctioned the nuclear strikes on Hiroshima and Nagasaki ? I think not.
And another factor which might have make Khrushchev hesitate: in '60 our V-force was effectively invulnerable, whereas he had no such advantage over us. (It would not be till '62 that a SAM went up and Gary Powers came down, and the day of the "Vs" was over - for: "What Hand has Done, Hand can Do").
(all this is my musing, and is not informed by any knowledge of official policy).
Meanwhile we carried on with our daily lives as if all was completely normal.
Goodnight, all,
Danny42C.
Regardless of their doom, the little victims play. (Kipling).
MPN11
What's the saying about a bad photographer blaming his camera - or words to that effect!
So there you were in Changi and couldn't pop down to the village and buy a decent camera at Changi village ridiculous micky-mouse prices - shame on you!
Warmtoast ... posh camera, you rich haircrew hofficer! 
I ran my pocket Minolta on 8mm Hunter gun-camera film, courtesy of mates on 20 
I ran my pocket Minolta on 8mm Hunter gun-camera film, courtesy of mates on 20
So there you were in Changi and couldn't pop down to the village and buy a decent camera at Changi village ridiculous micky-mouse prices - shame on you!
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Ahhh ...
I bought my Seiko watch (still working fine) in Changi, but I think the camera came from down-town Singers. We Tengah chaps were about out in the sticks, and the village had very little apart from a tailor and, of course, "Tengah Hong Motor" (in the middle of the approach lights for 36.
I bought my Seiko watch (still working fine) in Changi, but I think the camera came from down-town Singers. We Tengah chaps were about out in the sticks, and the village had very little apart from a tailor and, of course, "Tengah Hong Motor" (in the middle of the approach lights for 36.
Danny, your musings as to a possible change from Cold to Hot War are interesting. I rather suspect that you are right about scenario One being the most likely, with the proviso that the Force de Frappe would be a bit of a wild card once it was on the scene.
We can only give thanks that none of your scenarios occurred, but by the same token the world could be said to have become more rather than less dangerous following the Cold War. MAD worked it seems, but has since given way to just plain old mad!
Warmtoast, your 'high definition' picture of Messrs Changi Foto brings back so many memories of that bastion of free market economics, aka Changi Village. If there were to be an image of what we were defending in the Cold War, then that would be as good as any.
We can only give thanks that none of your scenarios occurred, but by the same token the world could be said to have become more rather than less dangerous following the Cold War. MAD worked it seems, but has since given way to just plain old mad!
Warmtoast, your 'high definition' picture of Messrs Changi Foto brings back so many memories of that bastion of free market economics, aka Changi Village. If there were to be an image of what we were defending in the Cold War, then that would be as good as any.
The steam generator (to power radios) at Pegasus Bridge Museum
Steam generator power source to generate 12v for communications
Steam generator power source to generate 12v for communications
Chugalug2
Not so hi def as it's a screen grab from my 8mm cine film shot at the time c.1960.
Another memory is this of the Changi - Singapore bus service at Changi village. Again an 8mm cine film screen grab.
Not so hi def as it's a screen grab from my 8mm cine film shot at the time c.1960.
Another memory is this of the Changi - Singapore bus service at Changi village. Again an 8mm cine film screen grab.
Danny
Something to hold the wheel steady perhaps. There's some photos of similar Freighter wheels here:
Bristol Freighter | Wings Over New Zealand
What on earth is that thing sticking out of the hub of the Freighter port wheel ?
Bristol Freighter | Wings Over New Zealand
Last edited by Warmtoast; 30th Nov 2013 at 23:36.
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Funny Thing on Bristol "Wayfarer" wheels.
Warmtoast ,
Now you really have me interested. To start with, all the pics were of parked aircraft; the "clamp" things were always exactly at the back of the wheel, and all I could think of was an anti-theft device of some sort (stupid as the idea seems).
Then on the excellent "Wings over NZ Aviation Forum" you gave me (Page 3) second pic from last, ZK AYH is in the air with the things still on ! What are they ?
Someone must know the answer to this.
Danny.
Now you really have me interested. To start with, all the pics were of parked aircraft; the "clamp" things were always exactly at the back of the wheel, and all I could think of was an anti-theft device of some sort (stupid as the idea seems).
Then on the excellent "Wings over NZ Aviation Forum" you gave me (Page 3) second pic from last, ZK AYH is in the air with the things still on ! What are they ?
Someone must know the answer to this.
Danny.