English Electric Lightings to Singapore?

Not sure about the Javelins being tanked to Singapore, as I was there when they arrived to replace our Meteor 14,s on 60 Sqn. We did lose on en route through India. It went down, and I recollect one of the crew was rescued by a float plane by some amazing heroics by the rescue pilot.

Lightning F6 – XS897 flew to Singapore with 74 sqn

Lightning F6 XS897 was one of the 74 Sqn aircraft that deployed to Singapore.

She is now living as a 29 Squadron Gate Guard outside the squadron at RAF Coningsby marked up as F3 XP765 representing 29 sqns Lightning past.

Interesting to read how the Lightning got to Singapore using tankers. Were the Gloster Javelin’s tankered out as well ? What about other non AAR types ? Also how were aircraft returned to the UK.

Actually you’re right Andy. some were transferred to the Malaysian Air Force and apparently, of all things, some to Indonesia. I think the only one to return to Aussie is the one now at Temora, which came home in a C-130.

Were the Sabres flown back to Australia from Butterworth or were they transferred to the Malaysians?

http://www.aviation-picture-hangar.co.uk/xv329.html

Gives a brief history of XV329 plus a photo in flight

Ian

For anyone interested, Part 6 is now online:

Noel recalls his days flying RAAF CAC Avon Sabres from Ubon, in Thailand, alongside USAF Phantom squadrons, including one led by the famous USAF pilot Robin Olds.

These Sabres became the first Agressor Squadron used by the USAF. This episode can be heard here:

http://www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZ_Show_Two.html#Ep41_Noel_Kruse_6

I was with the 74 th when we went from Leuchars in 67. Route was tanked to Cyprus , then to Masirah, and finally to Tengah via Gan. The 12 MK 6’s arrived safe without many problems ( the boss was Ken Goodwin, best I ever worked with ) and the T5 arrived by ship as she did not have the range for tanking. You are right , she did suffer a bit of corrosion, as the cocoon had punctured, but nothing major. We has a AIB inspector based with us , and after a good inspection, declared ok. She was part of the aircraft allocation to our team.
We had interesting times at Tengah, some bad ( aircraft losses) and some good times.
There was a unofficial challenge between the Aussies based at Butterworth with their Mirages, as to see who could be the fastest , tower to tower. Allegedly time was called on the challenge when of our Lightnings decided to take the ” country route” , causing a certain amount of damage on route. You cando the maths, as Butterworth was 400 miles from Tengah and I believe ( age creeping in here) the time was 20 minutes. Happy days.
I was lucky, did 2 tours at Tengah, 60 Sqdn 1960/1962 , 74 Sqdn 1967/1969.

When I was stationed at Seletar to support the Lightnings (air radar M.U.) I heard a story that told of a Warrant Officer who was deployed on a cargo ship on which several Lightnings were stowed as deck cargo. Although fully cocooned, sea water had gotten in through some tears and the plane/s was/were severely corroded. It was said that the W.O. was pissed all the way from Blighty to Singa’s and got himself court marshaled.

XV329 was one of the affected Lightnings

Interesting stuff, thanks for that everyone.

If you haven’t listened to any of Noel’s episodes of the WONZ Show, I’m sure you’ll find them most interesting and entertaining.

Also does anyone know the answer to Noel’s query about how did the RAAF get their Sabres home to Australia from Butterworth? As they were at war with Indonesia at the time they could not transit through there, so what was the ferrying route?

Dave, IIRC, RAAF Mirages started to replace the Sabres at Butterworth from mid-67 onwards. By that time, Confrontation had finished so routings back to Oz, via Indonesia, should have been possible.

Hopefully, someone can offer a little more detail.

BTW, I saw the 74 Sqn Lightnings on the last leg of their outward journey as they overflew Terendak Camp, Malacca, on the way to Singapore.

When I was stationed at Seletar to support the Lightnings (air radar M.U.) I heard a story that told of a Warrant Officer who was deployed on a cargo ship on which several Lightnings were stowed as deck cargo. Although fully cocooned, sea water had gotten in through some tears and the plane/s was/were severely corroded. It was said that the W.O. was pissed all the way from Blighty to Singa’s and got himself court marshaled.

17 victor tankers as support in a move from Scotland known as operation Hydraulic

see here http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1967/1967%20-%201554.html?search=lightning singapore

The Lightnings of 74 (F) Sqn flew from the UK to Singapore in 1967 accompanied by Victor tanker aircraft. The story of how they did it has appeared on the internet but I can’t remember where or if on a forum, which one.

Confirmation here from the 74(F) Sqn Association website (it’s a few paragraphs from the end)

http://74squadron.org.uk/History.htm

Also does anyone know the answer to Noel’s query about how did the RAAF get their Sabres home to Australia from Butterworth? As they were at war with Indonesia at the time they could not transit through there, so what was the ferrying route?