RAF KHORMAKSAR
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
Vampiredave. Not as far as I know. I was one of the last out on the last day, and certainly can't recall seeing any JPs. Presumably they moved in the following day. Assuming there was anything flyable.
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
That paper is dated 23 May '67, and assumes that the British will withdraw seven days after independence in January '68. As it transpired, the British forces withdrew quite a bit earlier, on 29 Nov '67. South Yemen, with Aden as its capital, became independent on 30 Nov '67.
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Whirlwind Replacement
Your right Tankertrashnav. The Whirlwinds (reduced from 5 to 3) remained operational on SAR/IS duties long after the Wessex arrived, in fact if memory is correct the Whirlwinds remained in theatre until quite late on in 1966 if not until early '67. Lots of work needed on the 4 yellow Wessex before they were deemed suitable to take over from the SAR Whirlwinds. In fact if memory serves me well I seem to recall that one if not two of the yellow Wessex were resprayed in (UK type) camouflage colours to be used as normal 78 Sqn ac. In fact the first one to be so refinished was "painted" in Green/Grey distemper! You can image how that looked after a few flights with grease/hydraulic fluid working away at the distemper!
Hi, my recollection is that there were only 2 yellow Wessex for the SAR flt when I was there from May '67 on, and as for the South Arabian Air Force one of my later colleagues in BAH had been recruited to fly their Sioux helicopters but I think never even got out there - he seemed to think it no great loss....
i was on detachment in Masirah c1968/69 with the Tankertrash and met an old Andover mate. He was reluctant to expand on where they were going the next day, but after a few pints conceded they were going to Khormaksar for unspecified reasons and declined to specify who their passengers were.
Any ex Andover crews able to assist (since it’s c50years ago, suspect it’s not too secret) ?
Any ex Andover crews able to assist (since it’s c50years ago, suspect it’s not too secret) ?
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Thank you to those who found the time to respond regarding the South Arabian Air Force. The locally-based "Attack Squadron" took delivery of 8 Jet Provost T Mk52s between August 1967 and January 1968, and were supplemented by a further four Strikemaster Mk.81s in August 1969. The surviving 11 airframes were sold to Singapore in 1974 when the air arm was re-equipped with Soviet-built aircraft. Although I don't know anyone who worked or flew the Jet Provosts, Airwork Ltd had been awarded the original maintenance contract but was not invited to apply again when the new regime came into being. It would be interesting to learn who would have been involved?
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Military Parade at Lahej 20miles N. of Khormaksar.
A group from 233 Sqn travelled with wives and girlfriends to Lahej, about 20 miles North of Khormaksar, to view this military spectacular. This was in 1962 or 1963 when travel was relatively safe. I did not know of any restrictions to travel but in retrospect it was possibly a bit dicey.
I believe that abyanboard's Post No 840 is correct about the location not being at Lahej. Memory fades after 57years. He writes:
' This was not in Lahej. This was in Zinjibar in Abyan im 20th January 1963. I noticed it from the second flag for Al Fadhli Sultanate.
Thanks for these Historical pictures.'
TheAden Protectorate Levies (APL) were an Arab military force raised for the local defence of the Aden Protectorate under British rule. The Levies were drawn from all parts of the Protectorate and were armed and officered by the British military. They used the Lahej emblem of crossed jambiyah (traditional curved double-edged dagger) as their badge. (Wikipedia)
Presumably local ruler's militia
Aden Protectorate Levies
Presumably the local chieftain's militia with old muskets. (Martini Henry muskets?)
Flag of the Federation of South Arabia centre and right.
British Army but do not know which regiment. Might be one of the Hussars' regiments.
SAR flight Sycamore with the Federation flag.
Subdued (until 1964) locals, impressed by the show of force.
8, 208 or 43 Sqn Hunters.
Ferret Scout cars
Final event. I cannot remember who the Salute was for.
Federation flag in centre.
I believe that abyanboard's Post No 840 is correct about the location not being at Lahej. Memory fades after 57years. He writes:
' This was not in Lahej. This was in Zinjibar in Abyan im 20th January 1963. I noticed it from the second flag for Al Fadhli Sultanate.
Thanks for these Historical pictures.'
TheAden Protectorate Levies (APL) were an Arab military force raised for the local defence of the Aden Protectorate under British rule. The Levies were drawn from all parts of the Protectorate and were armed and officered by the British military. They used the Lahej emblem of crossed jambiyah (traditional curved double-edged dagger) as their badge. (Wikipedia)
Presumably local ruler's militia
Aden Protectorate Levies
Presumably the local chieftain's militia with old muskets. (Martini Henry muskets?)
Flag of the Federation of South Arabia centre and right.
British Army but do not know which regiment. Might be one of the Hussars' regiments.
SAR flight Sycamore with the Federation flag.
Subdued (until 1964) locals, impressed by the show of force.
8, 208 or 43 Sqn Hunters.
Ferret Scout cars
Final event. I cannot remember who the Salute was for.
Federation flag in centre.
Last edited by DeanoP; 20th Dec 2020 at 11:21. Reason: Correction to location
Surely one of the 'Best Ever' threads here on PPRuNe!
This stuff has historical value, it gives a much more comprehensible sense of what the people at the coal face actually were about.
I'd love to see this in historical context, Britain had been there for a long time, why and how did this turn pear shaped so relatively abruptly.
Are there any area specialists here on this thread who could add some enlightenment or at least some useful further reading?
This stuff has historical value, it gives a much more comprehensible sense of what the people at the coal face actually were about.
I'd love to see this in historical context, Britain had been there for a long time, why and how did this turn pear shaped so relatively abruptly.
Are there any area specialists here on this thread who could add some enlightenment or at least some useful further reading?
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I was there for a year towards the end of the emergency. Russian and Cuban advisers were directing events from the North. Increasing numbers of local 'actives' down South.
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
etudiant. I can recommend "Aden Insurgency" by Jonathan Walker. I was there at the bitter end, and he covers a lot of stuff I didn't know.
Although Amazon Kindle is substantially cheaper, I have no confidence that it represents anything other than temporary access, withdrawn at Amazon's discretion. Not sure I trust that.
The Bristol Sycamore helicopter must place quite an early date to the photos. Post 8 Sqn Venoms, but early Hunter time. I guess 208 were still in Kenya.
From RADFAN site:
In March 1959, 208 Squadron disbanded and on 1 April, 142 Squadron was renumbered 208, still flying Venoms out of Eastleigh. This situation continued until May 1960 when the last Venoms were withdrawn and broken up. Shortly before that, in April 1960, the unit’s pilots had been flown back to RAF Stradishall to collect twelve ‘new’ Hunter FGA.9s and a T.7. These were flown out to Kenya on 1, 2, and 3 June 1960 and were operated mainly out of the civilian airport at Embakasi in support of No. 24 Brigade. Second line servicing was carried out at Eastleigh. After a year in Kenya, 208 Squadron moved up to assist No. 8 Squadron in the protection of Kuwait in July 1961, moving to its new home base at Khormaksar once the crisis in the tiny oil-rich state was over. Here the squadron remained until May 1964 when it departed Aden for the sanctity of RAF Muharraq.
208 Squadron history
My father was on 208 Squadron at RAF Eastleigh and then moved to Khormaksar taking the family with him, I had some great times at both places as a kid.
In March 1959, 208 Squadron disbanded and on 1 April, 142 Squadron was renumbered 208, still flying Venoms out of Eastleigh. This situation continued until May 1960 when the last Venoms were withdrawn and broken up. Shortly before that, in April 1960, the unit’s pilots had been flown back to RAF Stradishall to collect twelve ‘new’ Hunter FGA.9s and a T.7. These were flown out to Kenya on 1, 2, and 3 June 1960 and were operated mainly out of the civilian airport at Embakasi in support of No. 24 Brigade. Second line servicing was carried out at Eastleigh. After a year in Kenya, 208 Squadron moved up to assist No. 8 Squadron in the protection of Kuwait in July 1961, moving to its new home base at Khormaksar once the crisis in the tiny oil-rich state was over. Here the squadron remained until May 1964 when it departed Aden for the sanctity of RAF Muharraq.
208 Squadron history
My father was on 208 Squadron at RAF Eastleigh and then moved to Khormaksar taking the family with him, I had some great times at both places as a kid.
Thanks DeanoP, as I said great times but a bit scary with armed guards on school busses and a bomb scare in one of our blocks of flats down Mala high street.
Just looked back and realised I posted photos back in 2015 via photobucket and they have lost the link since account was closed, how times fly.
Just looked back and realised I posted photos back in 2015 via photobucket and they have lost the link since account was closed, how times fly.
Last edited by Exrigger; 1st Oct 2020 at 11:16. Reason: Added extra text
Dhala Airstrip Aden Protectorate 1962/3
I think this is Dhala airstrip. Cannot find it on Google Earth ( but then the photo was taken about 60 years ago ) so maybe anyone on Prune from 78 Sqn, 84 Sqn or 233 Sqn might be able to confirm. Landing one way towards the mountains and taking off the other way.
