Javelins to Singapore

Thanks for your help guys.

Steve

I believe that some time in the 60’s four Javelins went on a tour of the far east supported by a Valiant. Think it may have included Singapore.
I am trying to find out which squadron the Javelins were, the registrations and codes of the Javelins and Valiant and exactly where they went. Also did the Valiant have standard or pale coloured roundals.
Thanks for any help in this.
Steve

I think that the first ‘direct’ flight from the UK was in October 1960 when four Javelins (XH793/A, XH849/C, XH893/D and XH845/N) of 23 Squadron carried out a proving flight from the UK to Singapore. They were refuelled by 214 Squadron Valiants and made three stops before arriving at RAF Changi on the following day. The four Javelins were all Mk9s and equipped with in flight refuelling probe. I suspect that the Valiants would have had the standard roundels as I believe that the pale ones were introduced later.

You might also find this of interest –
http://www.23-squadron.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8

Hope this helps.

Cheers Paul

I believe that some time in the 60’s four Javelins went on a tour of the far east supported by a Valiant. Think it may have included Singapore.
I am trying to find out which squadron the Javelins were, the registrations and codes of the Javelins and Valiant and exactly where they went. Also did the Valiant have standard or pale coloured roundals.
Thanks for any help in this.
Steve

Steve, there were several detachments of Javs from the UK to Singapore.

The first noted is of 6 aircraft from 23 Sqn, Exercise Dyke, during 1960. The next, by the same Sqn was in 1962, when 12 aircraft flew out from the UK to Singapore to prove the concept of rapid reinforcement. Both these flights had Valiant tanker support.

I think the 4 aircraft you might be refering to were those which were transferred from 64 Sqn to 60 Sqn in, I think, November 1963. These were the first 9Rs to join 60 and were ferried from Pakistan, were 64 had been exercising (Ex Shiksa) at the time, to Singapore. The additional aircraft were necessary to bolster 60’s aircraft strength as that squadron was then becoming heavily involved with the Indonesian armed confrontation with Malaysia.

Sorry, but I don’t have any serials of the Javs or Valiants involved.

RE: javelins to Singapore

You might want to consult the website-http://www.btinternet.com/~javelin/. Seems a Canadian Navigator on exchange with 64 sqdn flew a ferry flight and has provided pictures. Perhaps the host can get you an E-mail. Or perhaps its the flight of javelins and their valiant tanker escort, staging through Gan on the way to the Far East, shown on the Raf Gan website. Good luck, Dave.