WL790 Repaint

WL790 is improving day by day. Pima Museum are carrying out a really professional job on the old lady.

Some progressive shots can be seen on my website: see signature below.

Meanwhile!

One of my last operational flights was in 790 in Singapore during the Indonesian Confrontation in ’64. We were helping the Royal Navy who had cornered a gun runner and were faced with the old problem of having an extremely agile enemy refusing to surrender and running very tight circles inside the Frigate’s turning circle.
He could have been left until his fuel ran out, but the dignity of the Navy had to be maintained, so we were ‘scrambled’ out of Changi on Christmas Eve 1964 at 15:40 and ran up the Straits of Malacca at low level.

We had a major lack of enthusiasm in so much that we were flying WL790, a 205 Shack which had been in the FEAF since I had last seen her in 1962 when I finished my last tour. The forward gun mounting was covered in thick corrosion and I, as the chosen one, had to work on it for 20 minutes to get “full and free” movement. As the chosen gunner for the trip I came back to our Captain and indicated my lack of trust in the beastie. Steve pointed out that I was nothing but a “cowardy, cowardy custard”. I then pointed out that the rear breech of the port cannon was pointed straight at his groin and that I could not guarantee that there was no danger of it coming sternwards on firing. I was politely asked to make all switches safe and locked and return for a consultation.

When we reached the scene, the gun running sampan was still running free and the Navy asked us (as if it was our fault) if there was anything we could do; e.g. fire shots across the gentleman’s bow? They could not do it because of the downward angle. This was all being observed by an Indonesia Gunboat a few inches over on his side of the International border.

I immediately requested permission to arm weapons , Steve said wait a minute I’ll try something else. We entered the arena at 40ft or so, flat chat and right over the lad’s head. Before we could have a look and see what effect that had, the Navy said “I think that will do, thank you!’ The Indonesian Gunboat went home and the RN sent a boat to pick up a shocked gunrunner. Our post flight briefing spent quite a while on the possible maintenance required by mountings in the Tropics.