RAF KHORMAKSAR

[BEagle]

The UK really had an air force worthy of the title back then - whereas nowadays, even keeping Air Cadets' gliders airworthy seem to be a task beyond the capability of the RAF....

[AnglianAV8R]

Wow, thanks for sharing the picture of the Argosy at Mombasa. My earliest memory of flying was on one of those leave trips down to Mombasa. We returned in the relative luxury of an East African Airways Comet. Can anyone confirm the route flown by the Argosy ? I recall looking down at pyramids enroute, perhaps Sudan ? I expect that diplomatic niceties may have resulted in some odd routes.

[smujsmith]

Here here Mr Beagle. I believe You make a serious point there. Some great photos from back then though, DeanoP especially, any more sir ?

Smudge

[Bill Macgillivray]

We had the Royal Air Force, 2 ATAF, NEAF, MEAF and FEAF in those days. I seem to remember (not always accurately!) that all were bigger (not necessarily better) than our current air force! (Taking cover!)!!

[brakedwell]

Can anyone confirm the route flown by the Argosy ? I recall looking down at pyramids enroute, perhaps Sudan ? I expect that diplomatic niceties may have resulted in some odd routes.

We used to fly an almost straight line across the eastern edge of Kenya, then over Ethopia to Djibouti and on to Aden. Flight time was five hours plus or minus five minutes. No diplomatic clearance problems and nowhere near the Pyramids in Cairo!

[bigjok]

Argosy Route To Mombasa

I think that the route went: Khormaksar - Djibouti - Aiscia(Eth) - Jigiga(Eth) - Wajir(Kenya) _ Mombasa.

[ICM]

I'm afraid that I've no retained logs or charts from back then with which to state authoritatively - but there was certainly a dogleg after Djibouti before setting course south down into Kenya, towards Wajir. I have Dire Dawa in mind from Djibouti, then a left turn to the airstrip (and NDB??) at Jijiga, before the turn south. I think the intention must have been to stay clear of Somali airspace, and that Dire Dawa was a visual pinpoint by day and a Doppler guess by night. And, indeed, no pyramids.

[AnglianAV8R]

Thanks for the replies concerning the routing twixt Khormaksar and Mombasa. I can assure you we flew over pyramids, but certainly not the ones at Cairo. The chap in charge of Egypt at that time was not our best mate. I reckon they were in Ethiopia, which would fit with the dog leg route via Djibouti. Sudan also has pyramids, but I suspect we didn't overfly their territory. Ethiopia was in the Western sphere of influence at that time and Sudan may have been, but were soon to start buying Soviet weaponry as their political leanings changed. I suspect we weren't welcome over Somalia ? which would've been a more direct route. I may even have some photographs which were taken from the Argosy, but they will be 'archived' in the loft.

[CharlieJuliet]

Late in1962 I had to go to Aden from Nairobi for an initial aircrew medical at Steamer Point RAF Hospital. From memory I travelled in a Valetta and made one stop at Hargeisa; looking at the map I assume we stopped somewhere else as well. I had been taken out of school just pre Higher School Cert with the RAF promising I would be back in 2 days. In the event it took a week during which I was introduced to duty free in the Red Sea Transit Mess in Maala. Happy days!

[JW411]

Maalla Straight was usually a bustling highway. This photograph was taken during a General Strike in 1967 and it is nearly deserted. I never did find out if the four-legged insurgent was from FLOSY or the NLF.

[jindabyne]

Aah - the days of 6-ship Honda-50 formations streaking down the Straight, returning from the Tarshyne Club, well fuelled with Amstel!

[ICM]

For Anglian AV8R: Despite The UK and President Nasser not being the best of friends, as you say, we were able to fly over Egypt whilst ferrying our 105 Sqn Argosies back to the UK for major servicing, but that all came to a sudden end in early February 1967. I was Nav on a crew all ready to do one of these when, with a day or so to go, we heard that Dip Clearance had been withdrawn. We then had to replan and wait for DipClears to be arranged for the CENTO route over Iran and Turkey to Cyprus and, from what I recall, that was the route that had to be used thereafter. I've a feeling that Egyptian assistance to the Yemenis in the general insurgency affecting Aden had been the breaking point in relations.

[tlightb]

JW411- Kamaran

I went into Kamaran a few times when Archie was there, quite a character as you say. When I visited he had a three legged dog, greyhound/afghan type, and also had a very elegant lady staying who was a former ballerina. He also had a punkah wallah in the residence. I seem to remember that he was also reputed to be the man in some Gordon's Gin avertisements that used to appear in the colour supplements, complete with spendid beard and monocle.

[brakedwell]

Kamaran

ISTR Archie told us he spent a lot of his time with his binoculars, logging shipping movement into Yemen.

[JW411]

I found this photograph of Archie's HM Residence at Kamaran on my hard drive. It badly needs cleaning up but this will have to do for now.

[DeanoP]

233 Sqn Valetta Khormaksar- Going Home

[DeanoP]

233Sqn Khormaksar Feel the Heat!

At Beihan,130 nm NNE of Khormaksar. Fairly wet wadi flowing through the valley and quite a green, fertile oasis. Long awaited mail and supplies to the outpost. FgOff Mitchinson (Ops Officer detached from 233 Sqn) reading his mail.

[Cornish Jack]

If this doesn't work(3rd try!!!) I shall go away and sulk
So, also Beihan, but earlier


courtesy of Jack Babbington, Harry Bray and myself with a Dutch newspaper reporter who wasn't disturbed 'cos he "thought you always landed like that!"
Kamaran at that time had this info board ...

and this


S & R started with Sycamores and part-time Winchmen ...

who would also be doing this ...

and this ...


Finally, what was probably the last photo of the ill-fated round-the-world Vulcan leaving for LHR.


doesn't seem like 60 years ago!

[Expe]

Old tales

I fear to tread in this, my first post. Trepidation. Ah well, here goes. I'm wondering if anyone might be able to help. I have some family history connected to Aden 1961-63 and am trying to find details that are missing. AMWD engineer, the name of Martinelli, certain of involvement in the radio and power stations and RAF K. Anyone out there recall the name from Aden days?

[AnglianAV8R]

@ Charlie Juliet.... Had my tonsils yanked out in the RAF Hospital at Steamer Point. Not a happy memory as I came out with a severe ear infection
The Red Sea Hotel was indeed used for transit accommodation. It wasn't actually on Maala, but was on the Khormaksar road a bit further around the harbour from there. We lived in Elbaz Buildings right next to the Red Sea Hotel and I recall it being attacked by what was described at the time as a bazooka, but prob an RPG I guess. Hell of a woosh-bang and that was the first of several bangs I heard. we woz ard in them days and took it in our stride. Still waiting for my GSM !
From Elbaz Buildings I could see Beverleys clawing their way into the air, across the water towards Little Aden. It's just as well there's no high ground on the runway alignment
Interestingly, Little Aden was originally planned to be retained as an SBA, like we did in Cyprus. I guess Harold Wilson didn't want that.
@DeanoP.... The picture of the Bedford RL reminds me of when we moved to a flat on Maala Straight and I rode in the back of the 3 tonner, such an adventure for a six year old.
PYRAMIDS... Oh yes they were I guess I will have to check the archives and get back with some evidence. In the meantime, I've just spoken to my 80 year old Mother and she recalls seeing the pyramids, but can't remember what she had for breakfast this morning.