RAF KHORMAKSAR
Initially the RAF Brits routed El Adem - Aden then switched to Akrotiri Bahrain when El Adem closed. I remember the BUA VC10's when I was on 105. TBH I can't remember how I got to Aden in 1964, must be getting old.
Last edited by brakedwell; 1st Oct 2017 at 12:46.
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My last trip out of Khormaksar to Muharraq was on the 17th Nov 67. All that month we were hauling trash around the Gulf. I once had a load of engine drip trays and pallets of baked beans (in 7lb tins). Movements were running out of things to load. We still left all our M.T. in parade order for the "incoming administration" which I believe ended up with fuel tanks full of sugar.
A couple of years later, on an Ardet we were called up by an "Aeroflot" callsign who asked if we had anybody on board who was in Aden. After a cautious affirmative a heavily accented Russian voice said "We now know why you left".
A couple of years later, on an Ardet we were called up by an "Aeroflot" callsign who asked if we had anybody on board who was in Aden. After a cautious affirmative a heavily accented Russian voice said "We now know why you left".
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
Yes, there right until the plug was finally pulled. We had already transferred the Wessex to Intrepid, and were operating from there. We saw the fireworks going off at midnight, which was, I believe, the point at which we left territorial waters.
One of our AEOs had retired from the Air Force and had gone out to Aden as an officer of the Federal Army. He was there at the withdrawal watching the general exodus. Two Landies pitched up with a couple of squaddies.
"Short of transport, mate?"
With that they tossed the keys over to him.
For some reason he didn't stay in that job very long.
"Short of transport, mate?"
With that they tossed the keys over to him.
For some reason he didn't stay in that job very long.
From the ARDET website - 30 years after we'd gone a former 105 Sqn pilot did a turnround in Aden and found the ex-MRT Wing hangars in splendid condition, with lots of serviceable aircraft parked outside:
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Great first tour there 64-66: flying and social life.
As for the Last Post. Given that it was filmed in South Africa, I thought that they made a pretty good fist of making it 'seem'' like Aden. Not fazed about the plot.
As for the Last Post. Given that it was filmed in South Africa, I thought that they made a pretty good fist of making it 'seem'' like Aden. Not fazed about the plot.
Last edited by jindabyne; 2nd Oct 2017 at 10:56.
"Think I'm correct in saying that BOAC never did trooping flights to Aden,"
Not so, TTN - posted to K'sar in November '55. Went out in a BOAC Argonaut, routing Rome, Cairo. It was the first BOAC trooping flight and I'm not sure if there were any further. Repat via British United, 2 years, 7 weeks, 4 days, 17 hours and some seconds later ... not that I was keen to leave, you understand!!
Not so, TTN - posted to K'sar in November '55. Went out in a BOAC Argonaut, routing Rome, Cairo. It was the first BOAC trooping flight and I'm not sure if there were any further. Repat via British United, 2 years, 7 weeks, 4 days, 17 hours and some seconds later ... not that I was keen to leave, you understand!!
Not bad, but 2 men in a single Landrover routing through an "Arab" village in those days would never have happened. Army patrols, even along the Maalla Straight, had multiple vehicles and were armed to the teeth.
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
How things changed though. I passed through as a child in late '52, along with my mother, en-route to Oz. She told me we had walked through Aden at night. I presume Ma'alla, rather than Crater, but a lone woman, with a six-year old child, and felt safe. Again in '64, coming back to UK. We disembarked and shopped for duty-free goods, but never left the port area. The fighting then was more in the Radfan. Going back in '67, as a helicopter pilot, as Brakedwell says, multiple vehicles and armed.
And a lovely shot of the Queen of the Skies near the beginning of the series, along with a VC10, Vulcan, Belvedere and Lightnings.
As to the Times report today, those fans wobbled frighteningly, even without the physical exercise.
And a lovely shot of the Queen of the Skies near the beginning of the series, along with a VC10, Vulcan, Belvedere and Lightnings.
As to the Times report today, those fans wobbled frighteningly, even without the physical exercise.
The disembarking passengers were far better dressed in those days. (And better looking too 
)
Herod, I guess your mother took you to the Crescent shopping area.
)Herod, I guess your mother took you to the Crescent shopping area.
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
Herod, I guess your mother took you to the Crescent shopping area.