Global Aviation Magazine : 60 Years of the Hercules
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Changi
This thread is certainly stirring some memories...........
Earlier, AA62 was reminiscing about his time on 48 Sqn at Changi and I'm sure that others remember the Changi Slip.
That was before my time on the Herc but from 2008 to 2012 I was a Ground School Instructor (Embraer 170/190) in Singapore. Our school was just behind Changi Prison and I lived 2 miles from Changi Village.
Being a bit of a history buff, I spent a lot of time wandering around Singapore looking for old service establishments.
Those of you who have been to SIN recently will know that the island has changed radically and is almost un-recognisable. However, Changi Village and Changi Point are almost unchanged.
To illustrate my point, here are two maps:
The first is part of a map given to new arrivals at RAF Changi in 1971 -
The second is a map of how it is today -
If you look closely, you will see that all the roads keep their names (Halton Rd, Cranwell Rd, Sealand Rd, etc) and nearly all the original buildings are still there. Most of the married quarters are now holiday chalets and the barrack blocks are now private apartments.
Most of the buildings are in good condition but one or two have suffered.
This used to be HQ FEAF:
Two buildings which look a bit sad are, Changi Hospital:
and the Fairy Point Officer's Mess:
Luckily, these last two are Listed Buildings so will, eventually, be looked after.
More pics to follow...........
BTW, if anyone wants a copy of the complete 1971 map, just PM me.
Earlier, AA62 was reminiscing about his time on 48 Sqn at Changi and I'm sure that others remember the Changi Slip.
That was before my time on the Herc but from 2008 to 2012 I was a Ground School Instructor (Embraer 170/190) in Singapore. Our school was just behind Changi Prison and I lived 2 miles from Changi Village.
Being a bit of a history buff, I spent a lot of time wandering around Singapore looking for old service establishments.
Those of you who have been to SIN recently will know that the island has changed radically and is almost un-recognisable. However, Changi Village and Changi Point are almost unchanged.
To illustrate my point, here are two maps:
The first is part of a map given to new arrivals at RAF Changi in 1971 -
The second is a map of how it is today -
If you look closely, you will see that all the roads keep their names (Halton Rd, Cranwell Rd, Sealand Rd, etc) and nearly all the original buildings are still there. Most of the married quarters are now holiday chalets and the barrack blocks are now private apartments.
Most of the buildings are in good condition but one or two have suffered.
This used to be HQ FEAF:
Two buildings which look a bit sad are, Changi Hospital:
and the Fairy Point Officer's Mess:
Luckily, these last two are Listed Buildings so will, eventually, be looked after.
More pics to follow...........
BTW, if anyone wants a copy of the complete 1971 map, just PM me.
Last edited by kilwhang; 29th Jan 2015 at 12:09.
Thanks for those, Kilwhang!
The HQ pictured is actually FEAF (not NEAF) - I know because I was invited to a 'hats off' party there in 1970 (to give evidence) - not me sir!
The map also appeared in a Changi Informer magazine - remember those?. I don't recall ever being issued with a copy as we were expected to find 48 using our own initiatve and inbuilt nav skills!
Our youngest daughter was born in Changi Hospital and has both British and Singaporean birth certificates - we had to visit the British High Commission to acquire the former piece of paper.
Glad to hear that Changi Village still stands - happy memories
The HQ pictured is actually FEAF (not NEAF) - I know because I was invited to a 'hats off' party there in 1970 (to give evidence) - not me sir!
The map also appeared in a Changi Informer magazine - remember those?. I don't recall ever being issued with a copy as we were expected to find 48 using our own initiatve and inbuilt nav skills!
Our youngest daughter was born in Changi Hospital and has both British and Singaporean birth certificates - we had to visit the British High Commission to acquire the former piece of paper.
Glad to hear that Changi Village still stands - happy memories
Null Orifice
Ditto - our eldest was born there in '69 and has both birth certificates.
Last year he stayed in Singapore for a night ( he was part of the crew of the 350 having a look see at HK & Singapore ) and asked their ground handling agent if he could organise a trip for him to visit his place of birth. A big emphatic 'No' as the hospital building is deemed unsafe.
Last year he stayed in Singapore for a night ( he was part of the crew of the 350 having a look see at HK & Singapore ) and asked their ground handling agent if he could organise a trip for him to visit his place of birth. A big emphatic 'No' as the hospital building is deemed unsafe.
kilwhang,
super pics. Thankfully never need to enter the portals of the hospital but we SNCO were invited to the OM at Xmas for a 'drink'. After more than one drink I remember one of our Navs opening his wallet and showing us some very risque pics of his wife.
I took a colleague home one year on his motorbike because he was too drunk to ride !
I had not ridden a motorbike for years and have no recollection of the journey.
The facts were related to me later by his less than impressed wife.
When the new SNCO Mess opened it was immediately declared substandard due to the low number of showers and toilets. I recall the food stals thet used to set up shop underneath it. On formal occaisions when we were all trussed up it was essential to get there early to bag a spot underneath one of the fans. No air con.
super pics. Thankfully never need to enter the portals of the hospital but we SNCO were invited to the OM at Xmas for a 'drink'. After more than one drink I remember one of our Navs opening his wallet and showing us some very risque pics of his wife.
I took a colleague home one year on his motorbike because he was too drunk to ride !
I had not ridden a motorbike for years and have no recollection of the journey.
The facts were related to me later by his less than impressed wife.
When the new SNCO Mess opened it was immediately declared substandard due to the low number of showers and toilets. I recall the food stals thet used to set up shop underneath it. On formal occaisions when we were all trussed up it was essential to get there early to bag a spot underneath one of the fans. No air con.
And your favourite colour scheme AA62
Although I'm not quite sure about lugging Bloodhound Missiles around in the back of Albert
Image Credit : See URL Below (More Pics)
RAF C-130K Hercules Britmodeller.com
Best regards ...
Coff.
PS. Sadly I'm unable to give named credit to the skilled modellers who's work appears above so, in the circumstances, I have done my best to credit their work with the references givenquote]
Although I'm not quite sure about lugging Bloodhound Missiles around in the back of Albert
Image Credit : See URL Below (More Pics)
RAF C-130K Hercules Britmodeller.com
Best regards ...
Coff.
PS. Sadly I'm unable to give named credit to the skilled modellers who's work appears above so, in the circumstances, I have done my best to credit their work with the references givenquote]
Last edited by MAINJAFAD; 29th Jan 2015 at 12:07.
aa62
I remember the 'eats' stalls blow the Sgt's Mess, especially the satay man. The mess was not one of my regular haunts as I lived firstly at Katong, then in a hiring at Suicide Village (named after several lives being lost by pedestrians attempting to cross the Changi Road nearby) - it was actually called East View Garden. I lived next door to Geoff M, an Eng from 48 who was also a colleague on 24 Hastings at Colerne. He was the source of many tales involving various escapades with a certain loadmaster whose first name begins with T and the surname with F! GM was the lucky recipient of a longer than scheduled layover in Kiwi-land
, caused by the need for a hydraulic flush.
I remember the 'eats' stalls blow the Sgt's Mess, especially the satay man. The mess was not one of my regular haunts as I lived firstly at Katong, then in a hiring at Suicide Village (named after several lives being lost by pedestrians attempting to cross the Changi Road nearby) - it was actually called East View Garden. I lived next door to Geoff M, an Eng from 48 who was also a colleague on 24 Hastings at Colerne. He was the source of many tales involving various escapades with a certain loadmaster whose first name begins with T and the surname with F! GM was the lucky recipient of a longer than scheduled layover in Kiwi-land
, caused by the need for a hydraulic flush.
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Changi
Null Orifice,
NEAF amended to FEAF. I knew what I meant to type but, having done a tour at Akrotiri in the early 70's, I just got it wrong.
Here is the complete Changi map:
As you can see the quality isn't too good because of the size restraints. However, I do have it in high quality .pdf form and will willingly send it to anyone who asks.
Brian,
The hospital is in pretty poor state (it has been closed since 1977) but it is easily accessible. I think it is, probably, that the handling agent is ethnic Chinese.
Singapore Chinese are convinced that the hospital is haunted. During the annual 'Month of the Ghosts' lots of young Chinese gather in the hospital courtyard, lighting candles and burning joss sticks in an attempt to exorcise the ghosts.
In 2010 a Singapore film company was given permission to film in the hospital. They were making a feature called 'Haunted Changi'. Strange things happened during the filming and most of the crew got sick. This just increased the belief in the ghosts.
You can read about the filming here:
HAUNTED CHANGI - About the Film
More pics later.
NEAF amended to FEAF. I knew what I meant to type but, having done a tour at Akrotiri in the early 70's, I just got it wrong.
Here is the complete Changi map:
As you can see the quality isn't too good because of the size restraints. However, I do have it in high quality .pdf form and will willingly send it to anyone who asks.
Brian,
The hospital is in pretty poor state (it has been closed since 1977) but it is easily accessible. I think it is, probably, that the handling agent is ethnic Chinese.
Singapore Chinese are convinced that the hospital is haunted. During the annual 'Month of the Ghosts' lots of young Chinese gather in the hospital courtyard, lighting candles and burning joss sticks in an attempt to exorcise the ghosts.
In 2010 a Singapore film company was given permission to film in the hospital. They were making a feature called 'Haunted Changi'. Strange things happened during the filming and most of the crew got sick. This just increased the belief in the ghosts.
You can read about the filming here:
HAUNTED CHANGI - About the Film
More pics later.
NO,
the Loadmaster TF you mentioned has the same initials as the chap who owned the motorbike in my story. They are certainly one and the same.
And yes I remember the satay man.
Great days, and nights.
the Loadmaster TF you mentioned has the same initials as the chap who owned the motorbike in my story. They are certainly one and the same.
And yes I remember the satay man.
Great days, and nights.
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Spent a few day's in and around Changi village last year and whilst the village and creek are as we remember structurally, the village is wall to wall eating houses.
Changi prison has long since gone but the famous POW murals from a hut on base have been well copied and now form part of a small museum of the war time experience of the island. This museum is well worth a look and is very close to the site of the old prison.
The yacht club remains on it's original site and is open to non members and remains a great location to chill and reminisce.
Tried to get onto the base but the SAF security were having none of it - shame
Changi prison has long since gone but the famous POW murals from a hut on base have been well copied and now form part of a small museum of the war time experience of the island. This museum is well worth a look and is very close to the site of the old prison.
The yacht club remains on it's original site and is open to non members and remains a great location to chill and reminisce.
Tried to get onto the base but the SAF security were having none of it - shame
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Upgently,
Till about 2003 there were no fences around Changi Base and you could wander around. Unfortunately, Singapore was threatened by 'a known terrorist organisation' and all the military establishments were fenced.
The original front wall and entrance to Changi Prison is still there.....but it is hidden inside the large prison complex.
Totally agree with you about the Yacht Club.
One of my fellow instructors was a keen sailor and rented an apartment close to the Yacht Club. The club bar was his local.
One day he came into work covered in cuts and bruises. His explanation was that, after a few beers, he had tried to take a shortcut from the club to his apartment.......and fell down a monsoon drain!
I wonder how many people reading this have 'been there, done that'
Till about 2003 there were no fences around Changi Base and you could wander around. Unfortunately, Singapore was threatened by 'a known terrorist organisation' and all the military establishments were fenced.
The original front wall and entrance to Changi Prison is still there.....but it is hidden inside the large prison complex.
Totally agree with you about the Yacht Club.
One of my fellow instructors was a keen sailor and rented an apartment close to the Yacht Club. The club bar was his local.
One day he came into work covered in cuts and bruises. His explanation was that, after a few beers, he had tried to take a shortcut from the club to his apartment.......and fell down a monsoon drain!
I wonder how many people reading this have 'been there, done that'
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Fairy Point
How sad to see the faded glory of Changi. When staying at Temple Hill once, my skipper - sailing and flying - said "Lets go see a pal of mine at Fairy Point"
On reaching the hallowed portals we were curtly advised by the FEAF snobs that dress regs demanded at least planters rig so poke off.
P*** R***'s mate was a fish head and he called us in much to the chagrin of said nerks. " You've got on since we sailed together and you were a spotty Lt RN" said the skip. "Yes I'm on Fearless now" replied the fish head. "Doug" said the skip, "Meet Captain ******"
"Fraid I must stop you there to spare embarrassment" said the matelot." I'm an Admiral now, CinC the Far East Fleet...Fearless is my flagship! Gin and tonics?
FEAF flunkeys nowhere to be seen.... Yesss
On reaching the hallowed portals we were curtly advised by the FEAF snobs that dress regs demanded at least planters rig so poke off.
P*** R***'s mate was a fish head and he called us in much to the chagrin of said nerks. " You've got on since we sailed together and you were a spotty Lt RN" said the skip. "Yes I'm on Fearless now" replied the fish head. "Doug" said the skip, "Meet Captain ******"
"Fraid I must stop you there to spare embarrassment" said the matelot." I'm an Admiral now, CinC the Far East Fleet...Fearless is my flagship! Gin and tonics?
FEAF flunkeys nowhere to be seen.... Yesss
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Dougie,
Nice one
The Temple Hill Mess is now behind the security fence but can be seen from the golf course. It has a great view.........:
I spent a lot of time wandering round Fairy Hill and was very aware that this was a classic example of our Colonial past:
Nice one
The Temple Hill Mess is now behind the security fence but can be seen from the golf course. It has a great view.........:
I spent a lot of time wandering round Fairy Hill and was very aware that this was a classic example of our Colonial past:
kilwhang
Sorry to disagree but that building overlooking the golf course is nothing like Temple Hill - the style of THOM was like Fairey Hill OM.
IIRC TH was on top of its own small hill with no trees rising behind it - I can't recall where the golf course was ( particularly as I loathe the sport
) but pretty sure not adjacent to Temple Hill.
Regards Brian Wildey
IIRC TH was on top of its own small hill with no trees rising behind it - I can't recall where the golf course was ( particularly as I loathe the sport
) but pretty sure not adjacent to Temple Hill.Regards Brian Wildey
Kilwhang #2370,
Sorry for the delay, just a thanks for your explanation of tanker development, and what an interesting time you had. For my sins, I was SNCO i/c VASS at Machrihanish, a punishment tour I think. By the time I got back to the fleet you had escaped but I did manage a few MPA trips as a GE.
One I've posted before I think, but one I took myself. Hope you can find some more photographs from your time on the fleet, it all adds to the growing history.
Smudge
Sorry for the delay, just a thanks for your explanation of tanker development, and what an interesting time you had. For my sins, I was SNCO i/c VASS at Machrihanish, a punishment tour I think. By the time I got back to the fleet you had escaped but I did manage a few MPA trips as a GE.
One I've posted before I think, but one I took myself. Hope you can find some more photographs from your time on the fleet, it all adds to the growing history.
Smudge
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Brian 48,
Thanks for that. As I said, all of that area is now behind security fencing and my information came from some 'old timers' at the Golf Club.
Nimbev,
The old transit hotel is now the Civil Service Club. It is, virtually, unchanged and has a restaurant which is open to the public. I've got some pictures which I'm trying to find.
You get quite a good view on Google Earth.
Thanks for that. As I said, all of that area is now behind security fencing and my information came from some 'old timers' at the Golf Club.
Nimbev,
The old transit hotel is now the Civil Service Club. It is, virtually, unchanged and has a restaurant which is open to the public. I've got some pictures which I'm trying to find.
You get quite a good view on Google Earth.
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Thanks Kilwhang.
My most vivid memory of the transit hotel (probably the only vivid memory as all the rest are very blurred) was in 1969.
On 24 Sqn enroute Muharraq to Changi on the Changi slip. For some reason fuel flow was too high so we changed from Long Range Cruise to High Speed Cruise and diverted to Gan, quick refuel and continued HSC to Changi. As we were being turned round in Gan, the ground crew were rushing around with transistor radios held to their ears as the lunar module was about to touch down. We listened to events on BBC world service the rest of the way to Changi. The next morning the TV room in the transit mess was packed as every man and his dog were watching the grainy black and white pictures from the Moon.
I can't remember where I was when Kennedy was assassinated, but I'll never forget where I was when Man landed on the Moon.
My most vivid memory of the transit hotel (probably the only vivid memory as all the rest are very blurred) was in 1969.
On 24 Sqn enroute Muharraq to Changi on the Changi slip. For some reason fuel flow was too high so we changed from Long Range Cruise to High Speed Cruise and diverted to Gan, quick refuel and continued HSC to Changi. As we were being turned round in Gan, the ground crew were rushing around with transistor radios held to their ears as the lunar module was about to touch down. We listened to events on BBC world service the rest of the way to Changi. The next morning the TV room in the transit mess was packed as every man and his dog were watching the grainy black and white pictures from the Moon.
I can't remember where I was when Kennedy was assassinated, but I'll never forget where I was when Man landed on the Moon.
Last edited by nimbev; 31st Jan 2015 at 09:33.
