Gaining An R.A.F Pilots Brevet In WW II
In Warmtoast's NZ pictures there are examples of them without the brace. They are also deficient it what look like hubcaps. As a guess it could be part of the old 'Maxrate' anti skid braking system that used flywheels and springs to control the brake pressure.
Would be useful on a Frightener. It would prevent it from nosing over and delivering its load some distance short of the desired location.
Would be useful on a Frightener. It would prevent it from nosing over and delivering its load some distance short of the desired location.
Last edited by Fareastdriver; 1st Dec 2013 at 20:08.
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What is it ?
ABS brakes on a BMW motorcycle
Fareastdriver,
Found above - lifted from Wiki ("Anti lock Braking Systems"). Looks as if you're on the right lines. Wiki also has "Maxaret", but of course they were all tucked inside the wheel.
Having flown in primitive times when we did not enjoy such luxuries, I cannot pontificate upon them, but can well see that putting a car freighter on its nose with a couple of new Rollers aboard might be expensive.
Cheers, Danny.
Fareastdriver,
From my training, and memory, as an A Fitt A in the late 69/70s I believe that the "Maxaret" anti skid system was based around a flywheel driven hydraulic valve in the brake system, which had its own track around the inside hub of the main wheels. That being the case I suspect that the "D" lugs shown on the photographs do not relate to anti skid. I wonder if, as an aircraft that might land on grass strips etc, this might be some form of mud scraper/remover, designed to prevent an excessive build up, possibly causing ground control problems ? I'm not sure, I do know someone on PPRUNE will though.
All the best
Smudge
From my training, and memory, as an A Fitt A in the late 69/70s I believe that the "Maxaret" anti skid system was based around a flywheel driven hydraulic valve in the brake system, which had its own track around the inside hub of the main wheels. That being the case I suspect that the "D" lugs shown on the photographs do not relate to anti skid. I wonder if, as an aircraft that might land on grass strips etc, this might be some form of mud scraper/remover, designed to prevent an excessive build up, possibly causing ground control problems ? I'm not sure, I do know someone on PPRUNE will though.
All the best
Smudge
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Speaking of Sgt Moon's oil leak, it recalls the oil pressure switch I was testing after an in-flight shutdown on a 205 Sqn. Shackleton. On the Form 1022 [The RAF Air Safety Report form] that accompanied it the beam lookout's report said "Starboard Inner leaking more oil than usual".
Warmtoast, your picture of the STC (?) buses in Changi village brought back even more memories. Having never travelled in them, given the alternative of travelling in a Mercedes Pickup Taxi to Singapore City for a mere 50c (albeit sharing it with other travellers, their chickens, etc), I only ever stepped foot in one once.
I was RAF Changi Duty Defence Commander, a grandiose title which merely meant spending the night inside a room together with another unfortunate (Duty Defence Sergeant, or some such) armed with telephones and lists of people to ring. Late one night the telephone rings. A suspect device has been found on a bus in Changi village and the O i/c FEAF Bomb Disposal is on his way.
When he turns up I am disturbed to see that he is in full Mess Kit, having been called away from a Fairy Point Guest Night. I am even further disturbed when he invites me to go with him to the scene to assist him in the 'disposal'. So we jump in his car and make the brief journey into the village where sure enough an empty bus is parked untidily across the road, surrounded by curious onlookers at a not very respectful distance.
We get on the bus and search under the seats to find a package containing wires, batteries, and some cylindrical objects. My mentor snorts, reaches in and pulls the wires free. I am further disturbed, until it dawns on me that we have not both been blown to smithereens. He says something about it being a hoax designed to make the British look foolish. I am inclined to say that it succeeded, but hold my tongue. I am delivered back safely to the sanctuary of the Duty Defence Room and write a brief report. Normal service resumes...
I was RAF Changi Duty Defence Commander, a grandiose title which merely meant spending the night inside a room together with another unfortunate (Duty Defence Sergeant, or some such) armed with telephones and lists of people to ring. Late one night the telephone rings. A suspect device has been found on a bus in Changi village and the O i/c FEAF Bomb Disposal is on his way.
When he turns up I am disturbed to see that he is in full Mess Kit, having been called away from a Fairy Point Guest Night. I am even further disturbed when he invites me to go with him to the scene to assist him in the 'disposal'. So we jump in his car and make the brief journey into the village where sure enough an empty bus is parked untidily across the road, surrounded by curious onlookers at a not very respectful distance.
We get on the bus and search under the seats to find a package containing wires, batteries, and some cylindrical objects. My mentor snorts, reaches in and pulls the wires free. I am further disturbed, until it dawns on me that we have not both been blown to smithereens. He says something about it being a hoax designed to make the British look foolish. I am inclined to say that it succeeded, but hold my tongue. I am delivered back safely to the sanctuary of the Duty Defence Room and write a brief report. Normal service resumes...
Chugalug2
My experience of the Changi - Singapore bus service was very positive. Clean and comfortable (for the time c. 1960), they were frequented by the locals who on the whole were well turned out as seen here - again from some screen grabs.
And once in Singapore the Chinese ladies were daring with their outfits as compared with the girls I was going out with at home. A Singapore street view of a Cheongsam - the wearer would probably be arrested if it was worn in London!
your picture of the STC (?) buses in Changi village brought back even more memories. Having never travelled in them
And once in Singapore the Chinese ladies were daring with their outfits as compared with the girls I was going out with at home. A Singapore street view of a Cheongsam - the wearer would probably be arrested if it was worn in London!
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Danny and Family home again.
So far, the events in my story could be tied to a simple time frame: at Heerlen or at Cologne. But now, and for the next two years all would be at GK, and with the exception of a few major occurrences, it is now difficult to pinpoint dates even approximately. With that in mind, the next important thing would be the return of my family. This would be about the end of November '60.
The date was fixed: they would be flying back to Düsseldorf, arriving about midday. This should cause no problem. I knew the way there well enough, and I knew exactly how long the journey should take. I laid in a stock of food from the NAAFI, asked our batwoman (a refugee who'd crept overnight out of East Berlin) to make a nourishing stew to be left gently simmering in the oven for us when we got back, and took off.
The trip was completely routine: I'd planned it with half-an-hour in hand, and there were no holdups. But as I was leaving the outskirts of Düsseldorf for the airfield (five or six miles out), I saw to my horror a DC-3 approaching from the North, and knew instinctively that it was our plane. (You must remember that back in those days there were comparatively few civil air movements, all well spaced out).
And, now I come to think of it, there had been quite a strong north wind buffeting the car on the way, up at height it must have been a veritable jetstream up the DC-3's tail. It had landed nearly half an hour early. Then came an ecstatic reunion. When we got home, the stew was very welcome indeed.
We soon settled in. Christmas was upon us right away. I'd found a little supermarket in GK town which had a very nice Moselle at Dm 2 bottle, (with 10 pfennig back on the bottle). We cooled this on the outside ledge of the kitchen window (to save room in the fridge). The first snows had come now, and we towed Mary around on her sledge. We got her first Crib from Vroom & Dreesman (Heerlen): we have it still.
Goodnight, everybody,
Danny42C.
The more we are together, the happier we shall be.
The date was fixed: they would be flying back to Düsseldorf, arriving about midday. This should cause no problem. I knew the way there well enough, and I knew exactly how long the journey should take. I laid in a stock of food from the NAAFI, asked our batwoman (a refugee who'd crept overnight out of East Berlin) to make a nourishing stew to be left gently simmering in the oven for us when we got back, and took off.
The trip was completely routine: I'd planned it with half-an-hour in hand, and there were no holdups. But as I was leaving the outskirts of Düsseldorf for the airfield (five or six miles out), I saw to my horror a DC-3 approaching from the North, and knew instinctively that it was our plane. (You must remember that back in those days there were comparatively few civil air movements, all well spaced out).
And, now I come to think of it, there had been quite a strong north wind buffeting the car on the way, up at height it must have been a veritable jetstream up the DC-3's tail. It had landed nearly half an hour early. Then came an ecstatic reunion. When we got home, the stew was very welcome indeed.
We soon settled in. Christmas was upon us right away. I'd found a little supermarket in GK town which had a very nice Moselle at Dm 2 bottle, (with 10 pfennig back on the bottle). We cooled this on the outside ledge of the kitchen window (to save room in the fridge). The first snows had come now, and we towed Mary around on her sledge. We got her first Crib from Vroom & Dreesman (Heerlen): we have it still.
Goodnight, everybody,
Danny42C.
The more we are together, the happier we shall be.
Last edited by Danny42C; 4th Dec 2013 at 00:12. Reason: Error.
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Phew, made it at last.
Ten minutes here, half an hour there. It has taken me around three months to finally arrive at this page. It has been the most absorbing and rewarding experience. So much of it is familiar, yet different, due to the period, the chosen route of profession in the RAF, and the times of conflict.
Lancaster, Boing 707(ish), Spitfire, C130 Hercules, Tiger Moth, VC10, DC3, gliders, Canada, Belgium, Holland, Germany, France, Sabena, Master Pilots, Eindhoven, Valley, Girl-across-the-room, GCA's, etc, etc.
From the bottom of my appreciative heart, thank you cliff memo, reg, tap happy, smuge, Fred, Danny42, and all the other contributors. It was the attitude and actions of my predecessors in Light Blue that steered me onto my chosen route when I signed up in 1978. For me it was the right choice, and as an ambassador for the service, I proudly wore the RAF uniform for the next 18 years.
But, I was only an Erk, so please accept my apologies for overstepping the mark and posting on this shrine of a thread. Danny, shall I report to the guardroom now?
Thank you all, those with us, and those at rest. I salute you all.
Camlobe
Lancaster, Boing 707(ish), Spitfire, C130 Hercules, Tiger Moth, VC10, DC3, gliders, Canada, Belgium, Holland, Germany, France, Sabena, Master Pilots, Eindhoven, Valley, Girl-across-the-room, GCA's, etc, etc.
From the bottom of my appreciative heart, thank you cliff memo, reg, tap happy, smuge, Fred, Danny42, and all the other contributors. It was the attitude and actions of my predecessors in Light Blue that steered me onto my chosen route when I signed up in 1978. For me it was the right choice, and as an ambassador for the service, I proudly wore the RAF uniform for the next 18 years.
But, I was only an Erk, so please accept my apologies for overstepping the mark and posting on this shrine of a thread. Danny, shall I report to the guardroom now?
Thank you all, those with us, and those at rest. I salute you all.
Camlobe
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Originally Posted by camlobe
But, I was only an Erk, so please accept my apologies for overstepping the mark and posting on this shrine of a thread. Danny, shall I report to the guardroom now?
You have as much right to be here as anyone, you great wet thing!
(Now stick the kettle on, there's a good chap
)
camlobe, well done! A formidable achievement indeed to have read through the entire thread, for it is now one of the longest on the Military Forum. As MPN11 rightly says, it is a thread for all, young or old, serving or retired, civilian or military, and all ranks included.
So now you're here at last you can post as well as read, for Danny is a font of information and forever raising new topics, from motoring to moving home. Jump in and join the fun.
Danny, we truckies were always pleased to deliver our pax early if possible, but that could raise fresh problems as you describe. Nowadays of course a half hour early would be more than soaked up in the endless walking, queuing for immigration checks, waiting for bags, clearing customs, before emerging into the Arrivals Area, but such pleasures were mere dreams in the 50's with their far lower numbers of flights and passengers.
Talking of the 50's, BBC4 has just rerun the excellent BAOR programme that illustrates the time and place of Danny's tale. It can be seen still on iPlayer here:-
BBC iPlayer - Timeshift: Series 12: The British Army of the Rhine
So now you're here at last you can post as well as read, for Danny is a font of information and forever raising new topics, from motoring to moving home. Jump in and join the fun.
Danny, we truckies were always pleased to deliver our pax early if possible, but that could raise fresh problems as you describe. Nowadays of course a half hour early would be more than soaked up in the endless walking, queuing for immigration checks, waiting for bags, clearing customs, before emerging into the Arrivals Area, but such pleasures were mere dreams in the 50's with their far lower numbers of flights and passengers.
Talking of the 50's, BBC4 has just rerun the excellent BAOR programme that illustrates the time and place of Danny's tale. It can be seen still on iPlayer here:-
BBC iPlayer - Timeshift: Series 12: The British Army of the Rhine
Danny, we truckies were always pleased to deliver our pax early if possible, but that could raise fresh problems as you describe.
The Wessex at full chat could just about make 100knots or so. The S76A was 145knots without thinking so over a shuttle trip it would pick up at leasts 30 minutes in a sector.
Sometimes somebody would get home to realise that they were not expected.
Last edited by Fareastdriver; 4th Dec 2013 at 19:41.
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camlobe,
Thank you for your kind words of appreciation for this Best of All Threads in "Military Aircrew", which in my capacity as Resident Old Man in the Corner, I accept on behalf of all my illustrious predecessors in title (many of them sadly no longer with us; RIP) and myself.
I can only welcome you to our Crewroom in Cyberspace into which all who have the remotest connection with, or interest in, aviation in general and the RAF in particular, are more than welcome. As MPN11 said, put the kettle on, make a cuppa (don't forget to put two pence in the jar).
This Crewroom is without distinction of rank or anything else, save only that no harsh word be said.
Now let's hear more of you and your story !
Cheers, Danny.
Thank you for your kind words of appreciation for this Best of All Threads in "Military Aircrew", which in my capacity as Resident Old Man in the Corner, I accept on behalf of all my illustrious predecessors in title (many of them sadly no longer with us; RIP) and myself.
I can only welcome you to our Crewroom in Cyberspace into which all who have the remotest connection with, or interest in, aviation in general and the RAF in particular, are more than welcome. As MPN11 said, put the kettle on, make a cuppa (don't forget to put two pence in the jar).
This Crewroom is without distinction of rank or anything else, save only that no harsh word be said.
Now let's hear more of you and your story !
Cheers, Danny.
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Revenge is...wet concrete !
Chugalug,
Picking up Fareastdriver's quote from you:
"Danny, we truckies were always pleased to deliver our pax early if possible, but that could raise fresh problems as you describe."
It is true: the Air Passenger was treated very well in those early days (but then there were very few of them). "Cattle Class" was still far in the future, arrivals half an hour early (or late) could easily be fitted into the system. And with airspeeds around 150 mph, a strong head or tail wind could make quite a difference; the schedules went to pot.
"Danny is a font of information" ? Wee-el, perhaps - just so's you don't rely on it too much !....D.
Fareastdriver,
Your quote: "Sometimes somebody would get home to realise that they were not expected"
Reminds me of a funny German story which I hope I've not told on Thread before - but as I tie my Posts to places, and I've only just got to Germany, it is unlikely. But will ckeck all my previous RAFG Posts....
....Can't find it, so here goes: concrete delivery driver goes off to work, picks up full load of wet concrete, finds he has forgotten wallet/driving licence/something, comes back home to get it. Outside his house is parked the Insurance man's car (locked, but with sunshine roof open, for it is a warm day).
But the lounge curtains are drawn - Funny, that... Driver peeps through a crack and sees wife and insurance man in flagrante delicto on the couch. The Sunshine Roof beckons...and in goes a load of wet concrete.
(This is a True Story, I read it in Der Spiegel. Driver was had up for wilful damage (hope he got off - but what an insurance claim on the car !)....D.
Goodnight to you both, Danny.
Picking up Fareastdriver's quote from you:
"Danny, we truckies were always pleased to deliver our pax early if possible, but that could raise fresh problems as you describe."
It is true: the Air Passenger was treated very well in those early days (but then there were very few of them). "Cattle Class" was still far in the future, arrivals half an hour early (or late) could easily be fitted into the system. And with airspeeds around 150 mph, a strong head or tail wind could make quite a difference; the schedules went to pot.
"Danny is a font of information" ? Wee-el, perhaps - just so's you don't rely on it too much !....D.
Fareastdriver,
Your quote: "Sometimes somebody would get home to realise that they were not expected"
Reminds me of a funny German story which I hope I've not told on Thread before - but as I tie my Posts to places, and I've only just got to Germany, it is unlikely. But will ckeck all my previous RAFG Posts....
....Can't find it, so here goes: concrete delivery driver goes off to work, picks up full load of wet concrete, finds he has forgotten wallet/driving licence/something, comes back home to get it. Outside his house is parked the Insurance man's car (locked, but with sunshine roof open, for it is a warm day).
But the lounge curtains are drawn - Funny, that... Driver peeps through a crack and sees wife and insurance man in flagrante delicto on the couch. The Sunshine Roof beckons...and in goes a load of wet concrete.
(This is a True Story, I read it in Der Spiegel. Driver was had up for wilful damage (hope he got off - but what an insurance claim on the car !)....D.
Goodnight to you both, Danny.
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An enhanced version
The vehicle was a VW.
Cuckhold husband waits to gloat over his dastardly deed. The insurance man comes out of the front door and walks down the garden path. Turns right, retrieves a bicycle out of neighbour's hedge, gets on and cycles off.
Cuckhold husband waits to gloat over his dastardly deed. The insurance man comes out of the front door and walks down the garden path. Turns right, retrieves a bicycle out of neighbour's hedge, gets on and cycles off.
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Who?? ME??
MPN 11, Chugalug 2 and Danny,
Thank you for your considerate and welcoming words. I have put my two-bob (inflation, don't you know) into the tea bar swindle, and have just sat with my fresh brew beside me while I type.
Gentlemen, I am flattered that you would request input from me on this Prince of threads, for I have no great claims to fame, no notable rewards for efforts done, and have continually avoided risk, danger and attention. I sit here humble, having been surrounded by great men, and was honoured to be in the company of these Knights while we kept the Realm safe.
Perhaps you should all reconsider your invite. As Danny has said, be careful what you wish for...
Camlobe
Thank you for your considerate and welcoming words. I have put my two-bob (inflation, don't you know) into the tea bar swindle, and have just sat with my fresh brew beside me while I type.
Gentlemen, I am flattered that you would request input from me on this Prince of threads, for I have no great claims to fame, no notable rewards for efforts done, and have continually avoided risk, danger and attention. I sit here humble, having been surrounded by great men, and was honoured to be in the company of these Knights while we kept the Realm safe.
Perhaps you should all reconsider your invite. As Danny has said, be careful what you wish for...
Camlobe
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Gentlemen, I am flattered that you would request input from me on this Prince of threads, for I have no great claims to fame, no notable rewards for efforts done, and have continually avoided risk, danger and attention. I sit here humble, having been surrounded by great men, and was honoured to be in the company of these Knights while we kept the Realm safe.
Most of us, I suspect, have tried to avoid "risk, danger and attention" with varying degrees of success. But that's not the point. Somewhere in the varied discussions/tales here will be an opportunity for you to contribute something of relevance. And the two bob in the swindle entitles you to speak!!
Camlobe,
I have to suspect that somewhere in there is a story waiting to be told. That will set off a chain of memories with all of us, young and equally young (in Danny's case). I suspect that the main attraction of this thread is that despite its formidable title (a challenge few can claim to have achieved these days), we all have a bit of a "sand bag" to pull up, a bit of banter and a little diversion here and there. It never gets too serious and rarely strays far from the intent, if I can understand the English language, of ensuring that we all recognise what has gone before, respect it and add to it. The moderators seem to have allowed a modicum of thread deviation here, and it's amazing how even a modern event can trigger memories. So, as a mere "whippersnapper" I suggest that if you have a story, "fess up" as they say. Or Danny may be enquiring as to your reticence. I've thrown a couple of "loose bangers" in over the past couple of years, and been delighted to learn of similar experiences from nineteen canteen to breakfast. Worry not, and "publish and be damned" as they say.
Smudge
I have to suspect that somewhere in there is a story waiting to be told. That will set off a chain of memories with all of us, young and equally young (in Danny's case). I suspect that the main attraction of this thread is that despite its formidable title (a challenge few can claim to have achieved these days), we all have a bit of a "sand bag" to pull up, a bit of banter and a little diversion here and there. It never gets too serious and rarely strays far from the intent, if I can understand the English language, of ensuring that we all recognise what has gone before, respect it and add to it. The moderators seem to have allowed a modicum of thread deviation here, and it's amazing how even a modern event can trigger memories. So, as a mere "whippersnapper" I suggest that if you have a story, "fess up" as they say. Or Danny may be enquiring as to your reticence. I've thrown a couple of "loose bangers" in over the past couple of years, and been delighted to learn of similar experiences from nineteen canteen to breakfast. Worry not, and "publish and be damned" as they say.
Smudge
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Yes, You !
Pom Pax,
Priceless ! Many a keyboard round the world is being mopped-up as I write !....D.
Camlobe,
Now none of this Dickens' "Uriah Heep" stuff ! ("I am a 'umble person") Everybody's opinion is of equal value here; you are free to add to it, correct it or contradict it as you wish (but all in that spirit of friendly banter which has always characterised the RAF, and [I hope] always will). And also to put in your two cents' worth as well !
(The Moderators have been extremely tolerant with us).
"No notable rewards for efforts done" , forsooth ! Who ever did ? Press on rewardless ! (as once Chugalug advised me).
"Be careful what you wish for - for you may get it" We'll take our chances...D.
MPN11, Chugalug and Smudge,
I concur...D.
Cheers to you all, Danny.
Priceless ! Many a keyboard round the world is being mopped-up as I write !....D.
Camlobe,
Now none of this Dickens' "Uriah Heep" stuff ! ("I am a 'umble person") Everybody's opinion is of equal value here; you are free to add to it, correct it or contradict it as you wish (but all in that spirit of friendly banter which has always characterised the RAF, and [I hope] always will). And also to put in your two cents' worth as well !
(The Moderators have been extremely tolerant with us).
"No notable rewards for efforts done" , forsooth ! Who ever did ? Press on rewardless ! (as once Chugalug advised me).
"Be careful what you wish for - for you may get it" We'll take our chances...D.
MPN11, Chugalug and Smudge,
I concur...D.
Cheers to you all, Danny.
Last edited by Danny42C; 5th Dec 2013 at 22:41. Reason: Correct Bracket.
Danny 42
I agree - very few pax in the early days as this screen grab from my 8mm cine film I shot of the Gatwick departure hall as it appeared around lunch-time on 19th April 1960 shows.
I’m precise about the time and date as my log book records we (a 99 Sqn Britannia)arrived at Gatwick 13.05 and departed at 15.00. The occasion was when we were tasked at very short notice to fly Julian Amery, the then Colonial Under-Secretary of State, to Nicosia for talks with Archbishop Makarios and Mr Kutchuk. These talks led to the creation of the Sovereign Base Areas.
Note the ‘busy’ departure check-in desks on the left. With what appears to be just two pax checking in!
Air Passenger was treated very well in those early days (but then there were very few of them).
I’m precise about the time and date as my log book records we (a 99 Sqn Britannia)arrived at Gatwick 13.05 and departed at 15.00. The occasion was when we were tasked at very short notice to fly Julian Amery, the then Colonial Under-Secretary of State, to Nicosia for talks with Archbishop Makarios and Mr Kutchuk. These talks led to the creation of the Sovereign Base Areas.
Note the ‘busy’ departure check-in desks on the left. With what appears to be just two pax checking in!