Masirah.
 

I've just come across this photo, which I believe was taken in Masirah circa '69-'70? But I'm not certain. Can anyone shed any light? Does anybody recognise anyone in the photo? My Dad is pictured, front row second far right, sitting. Thanks.
http://i68.tinypic.com/6igzko.jpg

Recognise a few faces there who were on the Vulcan with 9 Sqn at RAF Akrotiri about that time. Masirah was a regular detachment for both the Akrotiri Vulcan squadrons then.

SD, concur, definitely IX, we went the following year IIRC.

Definitely recognise the walrus moustache, knew him at Waddo, his name just came to me, Ray Leach. He was big on CS.

Looks like a small Det, just two crews.

Next to your father is, I think, Roger Greenwood. Was your father an engineer then, his badge does seem different.

If you count the green-suiters it comes to 15 so maybe 3 crews? Definitely Ray Leach.

3P:ok:

Threeputt, that depends on Akrotiri71's father. If he was a crew chief then that makes 2 crews with crew chiefs. If he was an AEO - previously an AEOp - then I agree three crews.

We await Akrotiti's feedback.

PN, 35 were there 4-15 Jan 71 according to my logbook.

SD, not a full sqn then as I flew a day/night at Akrotiri on the 8th. However on 17th Jan 72 we did a hi-lo-hi over southern Iran, on the 19th over Oman, 21st RTB.

I had flown directly from UK to rejoin the sqn at Masirah.

PN, is your 72 is a typo ? If not we are a year apart, my ref is to Jan 71.

SD, no, my mother had just died, I was compat home then 10 back to Akrotiri, rushed off, collected my kit, then on to Masirah.

Regular detachments to Masirah? Yet another reason to be glad I escaped tin triangles! ;)

Anyone remember where we got the paint from to paint squadron numbers on the turtles' shells when they came up on the beach to lay their eggs ? Also the Arab kids with their plastic buckets stealing the eggs as soon as they were laid, to take them home to eat them- anyone remember that ?

ISTR there was someone who had a little garden on base with a gate to keep the local deer out. One day the gate was left open :sad:

Still remember walking across the sand to the shower al fresco.

Basil, probably the PSA garden with a water system to keep it irrigated.

TTN, actually Masirah was not bad at all. Large Twinam huts with more than enough beds for a crew in each room. Good bar with TV room off. Nightly all-ranks film shows by the RAFP where the P stood not only for Police. The films were in monochrome blue.

Then the fishing by night with the catch flown home in the recuperator bays in the wing - deep frozen at -70. And golf. Also in '72 we had Mustapha Aliqueen on his moped trying to get off the camp.

To keep the donkeys off the run (donkeys Basil, not deer) PSA set out two cattle grids on the two roads and then set up fences between the two grids.

Mustapha, at the end of his shift hurtling down the track he had used that morning and every day for the last many years almost drove in to the new fence. He backs off, tries a different line, same result, more fence. Backs off once more and goes hurtling along the fence line - to gap. Turns round, comes hurtling back, still no gap.

He did this several times until eventually he gave up and used the road. We had fully expected that he would try and jump the fence.

If I remember correctly the dhobi in Masirah was free as the 'washing/showering ' water was saline. We cheapskate Tanker Trash often saved our washing to take it with us.I also remember that guys in Aden would volunteer for a RSM (Riyan/Salalah/Masirah ) trip to get a 'hot' shower, albeit saline as opposed to the 'warm' Aden fresh(ish) water showers. I also remember the Masirah TV room was ,ahem, very large(when you opened the door). Happy days!

PN.
After a little more digging, I found a photo of my Dad at Butterworth 1969, XM608. So I'm guessing the Masirah photo could be a couple of years later whilst on detachment there. My Dad was stationed at Akrotiri, as Crew Chief.

Rings a bell :)

PN, I'm sure there was a little deer hanging around when we transited, in the Argosy, to/from Gan in the sixties.
Saw it during the day, not returning from bar - honest!

I remember that there was a very tame gazelle on the camp in the early 70's, used to follow you around! The TV room was very useful for newbies! Incidentally, the door to the room was still there when I was with SOAF/RAFO in the mid-80's, although TV was available! Good times!!

Bill

I believe Masirah was the first mess with a Sky TV room.

Masirah Donkeys.

Thanks, JW, I never saw those.
What I saw must have been the tame gazelle referred to by Bill Macgillivray.