RAF KHORMAKSAR
"Dhala airstrip was regularly visited by 233 Sqn Valettas".
Not in the50s - the only aircraft then able to use Dhala were the Pembrokes, later the single Pins and , of course, helos.The problem was the length of landing run available. The original solution was to introduce a 'bend' at the end of the longest straight bit, so "left (or right) hand down a bit was the order of the day during takeoff.
The strip was used for the hot and high trials for the Bev but the cranked runway apparently permanently 'bent' the rear fuselage and, Bev aerodynamics being what they were, that airframe thereafter had a couple of knots speed ADVANTAGE over its brethren!!
Special visitors to Dhala (Harry Secombe with his CSE party) were awarded the Dhala Star (got a photo of that somewhere). This was the purple side of a Ben Truman's beer can cut out with the ubiquitous 'can spanner'. Well merited that one too as he insisted on doing the show in spite of a nasty dose of 'Aden Gut'.
The dates mentioned for the luckless Wg Cdr's wife's shark attack must be wrong 'cos we were told about it on arrival in '55. Saw more than enough of them during my 3 months or so on the S&R Sycamores. Our first intended wet winching session in the upper harbour was cancelled when the selected spot was seen to be a bit crowded with sharks and rays - jungle (marine) drums announcing that fresh supplies were on the way??
Not in the50s - the only aircraft then able to use Dhala were the Pembrokes, later the single Pins and , of course, helos.The problem was the length of landing run available. The original solution was to introduce a 'bend' at the end of the longest straight bit, so "left (or right) hand down a bit was the order of the day during takeoff.
The strip was used for the hot and high trials for the Bev but the cranked runway apparently permanently 'bent' the rear fuselage and, Bev aerodynamics being what they were, that airframe thereafter had a couple of knots speed ADVANTAGE over its brethren!!
Special visitors to Dhala (Harry Secombe with his CSE party) were awarded the Dhala Star (got a photo of that somewhere). This was the purple side of a Ben Truman's beer can cut out with the ubiquitous 'can spanner'. Well merited that one too as he insisted on doing the show in spite of a nasty dose of 'Aden Gut'.
The dates mentioned for the luckless Wg Cdr's wife's shark attack must be wrong 'cos we were told about it on arrival in '55. Saw more than enough of them during my 3 months or so on the S&R Sycamores. Our first intended wet winching session in the upper harbour was cancelled when the selected spot was seen to be a bit crowded with sharks and rays - jungle (marine) drums announcing that fresh supplies were on the way??
Here is today's question. Can anyone remember what we called these vehicles? I seem to remember that they were based on a Bedford 4-ton chassis and had locally produced armoured plating.
Bedford RL 4x4 "Pig"
According to this source, the armoured version of the Truck Bedford 4x4 RL was known as "Pig" - same as the smaller Humber later used in Northern Ireland. The first examples were produced by REME in Singapore for use earlier in Malaya & Borneo. They were also used by the NZ Army in Malaya 1955-1960.
WarWheels.Net- Bedford RL "Pig" APC Index
WarWheels.Net- Bedford RL "Pig" APC Index
RAFEng: I am most grateful. "Pig" was indeed the name that we used.
Fareastdriver: I used both Agfa and Kodak and you are right, my Agfa slides have definitely got the blues.
Fareastdriver: I used both Agfa and Kodak and you are right, my Agfa slides have definitely got the blues.
The dates mentioned for the luckless Wg Cdr's wife's shark attack must be wrong 'cos we were told about it on arrival in '55.
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"Why on earth are they underslinging a Gnome engine for? Three blokes could lift it with its stand and throw it in the back."
I think that Gnome was a Nimbus. The Scout it belonged to was probably already in the back ...
I think that Gnome was a Nimbus. The Scout it belonged to was probably already in the back ...
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Another of Tarshyne . The deck chair in foreground gave endless entertainment for several months ... it had been assembled with the notched bars reversed, and was impossible to erect. White-skinned newbies were the participants.
Last edited by deltahot; 9th Nov 2015 at 09:46. Reason: Add text
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... and one of an 84 Sqn Bev at Habilayn. Poor quality slide, but still so evocative. I had a lift back to Khormaksar in an empty one from Riyan where I had been with our 78 Sqn Wessex, and was happily flying the beast (actually delightful to fly) along the coast while the entire crew were in back playing cards (yes, honestly, these were long ago days) when I picked up on the radio something about "under mortar attack" ... so vacated my seat. It was indeed Khormaksar on the receiving end, and we were diverted to Djibouti, where we enjoyed French hospitality, a good dinner with wine, before rtb later that night.
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Thanks for posting the photos of Tarshyne. I can recall as a 12 year old watching 'Summer Holiday' on that beach one evening and thinking it was the height of cool.
Other memories include:
A flight in a Twin Pin with a bunch of other Air Scouts who spent the trip throwing up.
Shack trip and lying in the prone nose position watching sharks and manta rays seemingly sharing the air space with us the water was so clear.
Launching 'cracker balls' (with a bait catapult!) from the roof of the flats we lived in in Crater at demonstrators in the street below.
Seeing a shark though a wave at Tarshyne during the surf season and completing the distance to the beach in an Olympic record time.
Lazy days at Gold Mohur listening to AFBA.
Going through the suqs in Crater before the troubles and being confounded that 'Bazaar' was often spelled as 'Bazar'.
Seeing an amazing display of flying by an Aden Airways DC3 doing an air test.
Holidays in Mombasa; an Argonaut struggling to get in and visibilty balls on a cable going past a window in, what seemed to be far too close a fashion. Anxious father (Shack pilot) sitting next to me.
My recollection is that it was an amazing place for a kid of my age back then.
Other memories include:
A flight in a Twin Pin with a bunch of other Air Scouts who spent the trip throwing up.
Shack trip and lying in the prone nose position watching sharks and manta rays seemingly sharing the air space with us the water was so clear.
Launching 'cracker balls' (with a bait catapult!) from the roof of the flats we lived in in Crater at demonstrators in the street below.
Seeing a shark though a wave at Tarshyne during the surf season and completing the distance to the beach in an Olympic record time.
Lazy days at Gold Mohur listening to AFBA.
Going through the suqs in Crater before the troubles and being confounded that 'Bazaar' was often spelled as 'Bazar'.
Seeing an amazing display of flying by an Aden Airways DC3 doing an air test.
Holidays in Mombasa; an Argonaut struggling to get in and visibilty balls on a cable going past a window in, what seemed to be far too close a fashion. Anxious father (Shack pilot) sitting next to me.
My recollection is that it was an amazing place for a kid of my age back then.
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Senior Service Visitors
Every now and then, to relieve the boredom, a grey funnel cruise ship would heave into view. Their programme would then include "Baron Bashing" - getting themselves invited to every function going for free - and chasing every piece of skirt ashore. A cocktail party was held aboard Victorious invitations to which were "accompanied". At the top of the gangway, one team would lead you to the quarterdeck bar while another team separated your wife/girlfriend off to see the Golden Rivet.
Having fought off several dozen other suitors to win the fair lady I was loath to lose sight of my girlfriend and struggled back through the throng to prevent her going below to a fate worse than me. It was only the breeze blowing across the quarterdeck which kept the testosterone levels bearable.
Fortunately the ships never stayed too long.
Having fought off several dozen other suitors to win the fair lady I was loath to lose sight of my girlfriend and struggled back through the throng to prevent her going below to a fate worse than me. It was only the breeze blowing across the quarterdeck which kept the testosterone levels bearable.
Fortunately the ships never stayed too long.
Sights and Smells of Khormaksar before terrorist activity
Ocean going dhow in Aden harbour. 1962
Ocean going dhow in Aden harbour 1962
Ocean going dhows in Aden harbour 1962
Ocean going dhow in Aden harbour 1962
Street scene Crater Aden 1962
Street scene Crater Aden 1962. Always felt very sorry for the blind man
Street scene Crater Aden 1962
Last edited by DeanoP; 1st Oct 2020 at 16:12. Reason: Replaced images
Here is one of my passengers with his hand baggage. I think he was returning to his Federal Army unit in Aden from Beihan. This would be the local equivalent of fast food.
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Aden Pics
My father-in-law served in Khormaksar, Nav, on ground tour and my brother-in law was born there. Just in the process of going through his slides and converting them. Will post anything interesting that I find.
As an aside, while in Belize, the Army lads referred to all soft drinks as stims. I'd never heard that term used before. In the slide box I found a RAF Khormaksar Open Day mag and there it was, an advert for Stimms, presumably a local softie.
As an aside, while in Belize, the Army lads referred to all soft drinks as stims. I'd never heard that term used before. In the slide box I found a RAF Khormaksar Open Day mag and there it was, an advert for Stimms, presumably a local softie.
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Stim
You can see the ad for said drink near the camel's head in #276 above along with its translation in worms backwards. I only ever found it in Aden, mostly as tonic water in my gin.
R4. I was a nav upstairs at Khormaksar.
R4. I was a nav upstairs at Khormaksar.