SRI LANKA Airforce Museum

I would say that CA310 does not have a Balliol u/c, or at least has one which is less than pristine. This is the aircraft which the Shuttleworth Trust thought was ‘cobbled together’. Nice paint scheme, though – hides a multitude of sins, no doubt.

Thanks Pagen01 and Mark V. There are not so many places where you can still see types such as the Balliols, Tiger Moth, Chippies, Doves and Herons, HS748s, Jet Provosts, together with a range of russian/chinese types too! You have the added bonus of having it next to te active ramp and so you an see the AN-32s etc in operation!

For anyone interested and in the area it is really worth a visit.

RR

Fantastic images, thank you Ridge Runner.
Interesting that both Balliols have different to standard wheels, wonder if they were more suitable for local use?

Great pictures – thank you for sharing them 🙂

I guess these are what you all mean?

Taken May 2010. A nice museum, incidentally, devoid pretty much of the usual US dross. It is entry by invitation only but that was easy!

BRgds,

RR

I guess these are what you all mean?

Taken May 2010.

BRgds,

RR

Yes, CA302 is also at the museum. It is inside a dark hangar, which is why I didn’t photograph it.
Andy Marden

Thanks for your answers above Andy.
Just to clarify, does CA302 still actually exist? Can only find pictures of CA310.

The Balliol suffered with carbon monoxide entering the cockpit ,torque rolling on approach if too much power was applied. However it would have made an excellent conversion trainer to Hurricanes and Spitfires ,Ray Hanna wanted one.

Jagan,
Sorry, but that is not correct.
CA310 went to the recruit training centre at Diyatawala, but later returned to the museum, as can be seen in my photo above.
The only aircraft at Diyatawala now is Dove CS406, photo below.
Regards,
Andy Marden

There is a third Balliol preserved in Sri Lanka at a recruit training center. I have a picture somewhere

Sorry, should have added that it’s appreciated Andy posting the Balliol shot!

Looking at your book title Andy, have you covered or seen the Pembrokes on your travels that ended up in the African countries, ie Zimbabwe, Sudan, or Malawi?

The only one I know of in Africa is AF-201, which sits derelict by the main apron at Livingstone Airport, Zambia (l/n Oct10).
The fuselage of AF-202 also used to be at the airport, but was scrapped.
Regards,
Andy Marden

Thanks Andy. A JP was it? Very likely. Unlike me not to have written it down, but there you are! Thanks again.

Sorry, should have added that it’s appreciated Andy posting the Balliol shot!

Looking at your book title Andy, have you covered or seen the Pembrokes on your travels that ended up in the African countries, ie Zimbabwe, Sudan, or Malawi?

Last time I was in Sri Lanka (2003) I tried to get to see the Museum at Ratmalana, but it was closed. However, driving through Colombo I saw an aeroplane in a public park, apparently used as a climbing frame. To my shame I cannot find that I recorded it, so I presume there was no serial visible. And what is worse I cannot even remember what type it was. Can anyone refresh my memory?

Laurence,
I presume you are referring to Jet Provost T.51 CJ712, which is displayed in a large children’s play area in Viharah-Devi (formerly Victoria) Park.
Regards,
Andy Marden

Author – World Military Out of Service (2012 edition now at printers)

Thats an excellent photo Andy. Looks arnt everything but that one looks to be in fine fettle.

Last time I was in Sri Lanka (2003) I tried to get to see the Museum at Ratmalana, but it was closed. However, driving through Colombo I saw an aeroplane in a public park, apparently used as a climbing frame. To my shame I cannot find that I recorded it, so I presume there was no serial visible. And what is worse I cannot even remember what type it was. Can anyone refresh my memory?

IIRC some year ago there was a mention in the aviation press that on a remote airfield in Sri Lanka there was a twinengined aircraft claimed to be a Beaufighter.

Cees

Pagen -Not sure about the pretty bit!

It seems to be little known that Ceylon was attacked on the 25th of April 1942 by the same Japanese fleet that had attacked Pearl Harbor and Darwin. They bombed both Colombo and the massive Royal Navy and RAF base at Trincamolee. I know a chap who was there and was patrolling in a Vildebeest as the first wave of Japanese aircraft came in. He managed to land safely and get under cover. His mate flying another patrol had to land on a beach to avoid the Zeros. Don said that luckily most of the bombs were dropped on a B-17 that had conked out and been left on the end of the airstrip, but they also bombed a lot of buildings including brand new barracks. He took photos of the burning base. I’m not sure how many ships they sank or hit. But Don also told me that there was a FAA Swordfish squadron on Trincamolee. he knew most of the guys in the unit as he lived in the same barracksand often he borrowed their planes if his Vildebeest was u/s. He said that the twelve Swordfish were sent out as a group to look for the fleet as they were suspected to be out there (this is before the attack). After the attack it was realised the Swordfish had not returned. He was sent to search and he found the wrecakge and rafts. It turned out a lone Zero had intercepted the 12 aircraft and knocked them all out of the sky. Of the 36 men aboard, only 3, or was it 2, survived.

I have tried to find more about this squadron and cannot find any information. I do not doubt Don, he has photos of most of the stuff he talked about and I think he was genuine about this event. but there seems to have been a media blackout on this loss as I cannot find which unit it was, and who were killed.

Following the attack the Royal Navy’s Eastern Fleet was moved over to east Africa as a base for a long time till the Japanese were beaten back a bit. It’s amazing how this massive attack seems to have bypassed most history books. It never gets mentioned.