The RAF in The Far East

Gents, for F86 in the above posts, can we substitute CA-27? That, after all, is the correct designation for these aircraft.

The Sabres operated at Butterworth by the RAAF were licensed built versions with a better engine, the RR Avon, and 2 x 30mm cannon in place of the standard F86’s 6 x .50 cal MGs. I believe that this aircraft was thought by most people to be the best of the Sabre line.

If you can get hold of a copy, in the November 2001 issue of ‘FlyPast’, Don Chadwick recounts his experiences of, I think, the same Vulcan detachment to Butterworth in late 1964 that Pontius Nav refers too above.

There was a CA-27 Sabre, albeit in RMAF markings, in the static park at the Langkawi Air Show, LIMA 07, here last week. This aircraft was formerly A94-362 when with the RAAF. Photos below.

I think Rufus Heald (later an instructor at Exeter) was stationed at HK on Venoms.

the best one ive heard that he’s told me is of a vulcan going vertical over the middle of the base in the dead of night, after the crew had got into an argument with some AAF F86 pilots about them not being able to manouvre the vulcan like their F86’s, so the squadron leader ( i believe was his rank ) got his crew out to his aircraft (all of them had supposedly had a few) gets the ground crew to wind her up, and off the go on takeoff. my father meanwhile is asleep in a makeshift radar tent in the middle of the base, when suddenly there is a DEAFENING noise and the tent is going crazy flapping and swaying about. my father thinking that this was an earthquake, promptly falls back to sleep again. anyway the following morning, sat in the mess and one of his friends asks him if he heard the noise, to which he obviously replied yes, and his friend told him the above story. when he told me, i couldnt stop laughing (i believe the squadron leader was dismissed :eek:) ill get him to email me whatever he can think of 🙂

Nashio,

Nice story but not quite true. As in all good stories there is a germ of truth.

<> near enough vertical but not in the in the dead of night.

<>

Absolutely true.

<< so the squadron leader ( i believe was his rank )>>

No.

In those days, Oct/Nov 64, V-bomber sqns only had one sqn ldr and ours was in UK. In Butterworth we had a wg cdr and it weren’t us. 🙂

<>

DEFINITELY NOT

By all means the bet was set up in the bar with beer talking but not when flying.

<>

Was his name Pennington :)?

The actual bet was whether the F86 could out manouevre the Vulcan. It was agreed that they would take off together and se ehow long it took the F86 to nail to the Vulcan.

The Vulcan captain, it could have been Ricky Crowder, then asked if the F86 would like to take-off first or second. Following the Vulcan down the runway would have been like catching fish in a barrel to the F86 driver said he would go first. He planned a quick 180 and guns kill.

The F86 duly rolled followed 30 seconds later by the Vulcan. The F86 accelerated to 300 kts and turned back at 2000 feet. The Vulcan maintained its 170kts after rotate. As the F86 passed under the Vulcan it was at about 3000 feet with the Vulcan passing 7000 feet.

Game, set, match, and Tigers in the bar.

We had a similar game with a Javelin. We chickened out of a simulated night turning fight at 48000 feet. We didn’t realise the Javelin was maxed at 25000 feet.

Mark

Many thanks for the pic, was ‘Jack’ (Air) Frost on FEFBW? Regards to the family at Christmas, we were discussing El Adem 5 weeks ago at Duxford.

Incidentally I had a Card from Mick (Ground) Frost last week
:p

JC,

Here is a shot from one of my uncle’s albums.

It is a large photograph firmly stuck in and has the look of a ‘station’ print.

Mark

Ben, is your father aware of the existance of the RAF Butterworth and Penang Association? Perhaps he he get in contact with a few old ‘mates’ there.

The Association’s website can be found here:

http://www.raf-butterworth-penang-association.co.uk/

and the Forum site here:

http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=96877

We are always happy to hear from people who served at this location.

thanks for that, ive passed the info on 🙂

Thanks Jane

There are a lot of untold stories from WW2 from Ceylon, Trincomalee, Koggala China Bay etc plus of course the sinking of the Carrier and the very close call with the Japanese. They all help to make the picture that much bigger:)

Hi,

My Dad served for six years, during WWII, in Ceylon as a Wireless Operator. I’ll get with him to see what dates he was over there and if he has anything to share, although it maybe a bit early for your site.

Jane

my father was stationed at Raf Butterworth during the early 70’s. would you like me to ask him about anything in particular if it would be helpful?

Ben

Ben, is your father aware of the existance of the RAF Butterworth and Penang Association? Perhaps he can get in contact with a few old ‘mates’ there.

The Association’s website can be found here:

http://www.raf-butterworth-penang-association.co.uk/

and the Forum site here:

http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=96877

We are always happy to hear from people who served at this location.

Yep Ben anything like that, I have already got loads of stories, one of a Harvard crashing at Seletar and the undercart was still intact so the lads on Christmas Day pushed it from West to East Camp (Seletar) and deposited said Harvard upside down on the Parade Ground, they were made to push it back next day. Another incident where the flagpole was cut down with a hacksaw, and the station commanders pennant nicked in broad daylight.

Still trying to find out about the Javelin that (allegedly) shot down the Indo C-130 in the Konfrontasi period that everyone seems to deny. Or how one guy stowed away on a kite to go to the land of milk and honey, was noticed at the point of return placed under close arrest for 24 hours but then given two weeks free time, he thought Bugis Street was splendid (Don’t ask me to explain that one please!:p )

The armed guards, the sit down strikes, the mutiny, (how many of you never heard of that one which involved over 20000 bods in 1946!), the boycott of The mess, the stealing of a Japanese Cannon, etc etc:D

the best one ive heard that he’s told me is of a vulcan going vertical over the middle of the base in the dead of night, after the crew had got into an argument with some AAF F86 pilots about them not being able to manouvre the vulcan like their F86’s, so the squadron leader ( i believe was his rank ) got his crew out to his aircraft (all of them had supposedly had a few) gets the ground crew to wind her up, and off the go on takeoff. my father meanwhile is asleep in a makeshift radar tent in the middle of the base, when suddenly there is a DEAFENING noise and the tent is going crazy flapping and swaying about. my father thinking that this was an earthquake, promptly falls back to sleep again. anyway the following morning, sat in the mess and one of his friends asks him if he heard the noise, to which he obviously replied yes, and his friend told him the above story. when he told me, i couldnt stop laughing (i believe the squadron leader was dismissed :eek:) ill get him to email me whatever he can think of 🙂

my father was stationed at Raf Butterworth during the early 70’s. would you like me to ask him about anything in particular if it would be helpful?

Ben

Well Ben he would know a lot more than me as I never got as far as that ‘up country’ so any funny anecdotes, serious stuff, photos or whatever will help to fit the jigsaw pieces together, this is an ongoing project so there is no rush.
🙂

my father was stationed at Raf Butterworth during the early 70’s. would you like me to ask him about anything in particular if it would be helpful?

Ben

Don’t forget the “pirates” in 224 Group (the FEAF equivalent of 38 Group in UK). And the gigantiferous combined Exercise Square Hole! Some stories to be told there!
HTH, Rgds
Resmoroh

You can always send me a Private Message, we already have some 224 boyos on our forum, I must ask them as well:p

Don’t forget the “pirates” in 224 Group (the FEAF equivalent of 38 Group in UK). And the gigantiferous combined Exercise Square Hole! Some stories to be told there!
HTH, Rgds
Resmoroh

You need to track down Eastward by ACM David Lee, 1984, HMSO. This will give you an excellent reference background to the whole Far East Air Force.

PN

Thanks for that a friend/colleague has the book, for this project I am aiming for something new ie that hasn’t been done before, I have a lot more to add it is just prioritising events etc.:)

You need to track down Eastward by ACM David Lee, 1984, HMSO. This will give you an excellent reference background to the whole Far East Air Force.

Masirah Island is Middle East and yes they did have their own railway, 12 miles I think it was and erks got the chance to drive the engine from the Port to the airfield apparently, there is a dedicated website for that, thanks anyway:)

Link to The Railway

http://www.transportdiversions.com/publicationshow.asp?pubid=2038

This is the sort of thing I mean courtesy of Navigator Bill Whiter, the ‘paying off pennant’ of the last flying boat in RAF Service at Seletar in May 1959

I know a controller who was at RAF Masirah, sometimes thought he was winding me up when he described the place and antics (its own railway and beach bar etc). Is that Far or Middle East though??!:confused: