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Ballykellybrat

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  • March 11, 2009 at 8:49 am in reply to: RAF Skymaster KL978 #1168268
    Ballykellybrat
    Participant

    There’s a photo of KL978 on page 199 of Air Arsenal North America (Midland). It is via Lee Howard who frequents this forum. Photo was probably taken at its 232 Squadron base in India at Palam (near Delhi), SE Asia Command roundels & fin flashes (dark & light blue) have been applied. As John says 11 Skymasters were delivered to the RAF the odd one out being the first (EW999) which was for the personal use of Winston Churchill & was initially on the books of 24 Squadron before being operated by the VIP flight of 246 Squadron. Funny, I’m just re-reading Ernest K Gann’s “Fate is the Hunter”, so C54s are in the blood this week!
    Bill

    February 26, 2009 at 7:13 pm in reply to: Ops GRAPPLE and AROMA #1187959
    Ballykellybrat
    Participant

    Antler

    From my (late) father’s log book: 4 Shackletons (WL739,WL795,WL748 & WL747) from 204. Based at Pearce, Western Australia August/September 1957. I wonder why Mark2s were OK for Antler but only Mark1s at Christmas Island?
    Duties from Pearce were Bismuth Tracks A,B & C. I have never flown in a Shack, I was promised a trip in a certain SAAF Mark3 (my company was going to provide support) but it ended up in the Mauretanian desert.

    February 23, 2009 at 4:52 pm in reply to: Ops GRAPPLE and AROMA #1193033
    Ballykellybrat
    Participant

    My father was on Shacks with 204 & Grapple Zulu. All Mark IA (WB828,VP289,VP294 & WB851 from his log book).
    Bill

    February 23, 2009 at 4:36 pm in reply to: Shackletons-I knew we'd get back onto them again! #1193065
    Ballykellybrat
    Participant

    205/209?

    Certainly both a 205 Shack & a 205 Sunderland but I have seen a photo ( in British Combat Aircraft in Action since 1945) that shows the Shack to be C/209! I guess this marking was instigated by the 209 Sunderland crews that were absorbed into 205 in 1955. 209 of course never existed as a Shack squadron & in Spring 1958 was a transport squadron. Anyone know the full story? Chris Ashworth thought the serial was probably VP254.
    Bill

    January 19, 2009 at 1:48 pm in reply to: Wellington Mk X 192 Squadron #1237417
    Ballykellybrat
    Participant

    Hi Brian – get yourself The Aircraft of 100 Group by Martin Streetly ISBN 0 7090 1043 5. An excellent reference. Published in 1984.
    Regards,
    Bill

    January 9, 2009 at 7:26 pm in reply to: Photo's of an RAF career 1930's to 1960's ! #1167442
    Ballykellybrat
    Participant

    Photos of Lancs from the starboard side are not so common, but most main force aircraft were fitted with a window chute. Of Lanc survivors W4783 (Canberra War Memorial) & DV372 (nose at the IWM) both appear (from photos) to have the fitting. Post war Lincolns had them & RF398 (RAF Museum Cosford) has one. Window was particularly useful at Christmas – looked pretty wrapped round the tree!

    December 19, 2008 at 9:19 pm in reply to: Photo's of an RAF career 1930's to 1960's ! #1187243
    Ballykellybrat
    Participant

    I have always associated the C type sheds (hangars) with airfields such as Driffield, Waddington, Scampton & Leconfield (guess where I lived in the fifties!) but had no idea that they were also built overseas. They have a certain grandeur & timelessness. I get a lump in the throat every time I see them. So where else were they built overseas? Sorry if this a bit off topic.
    Bill

    December 17, 2008 at 3:01 pm in reply to: Mystery flypast 1970's #1190180
    Ballykellybrat
    Participant

    The flypast on 1 July 1969 over Caernarvon was mounted from RAF Valley, after which the aircraft moved to RAF Fairford. To further mark the investiture of the Prince of Wales there was a repeat flypast over Cardiff on 5July mounted from Fairford & I think this a picture of the return flight.
    Bill

    December 13, 2008 at 4:09 pm in reply to: What Type #1194733
    Ballykellybrat
    Participant

    Looks like something inspired by the Claude Fauvel series of gliders/motorgliders.
    Bill

    November 25, 2008 at 1:14 pm in reply to: Henri Biard #1212446
    Ballykellybrat
    Participant

    Try just:- http://www.greatwarci.net – then go to War in the Air & there he is! Worked just now
    Bill

    November 25, 2008 at 11:49 am in reply to: Henri Biard #1212594
    Ballykellybrat
    Participant

    Born 1 January 1892 Godalming, Surrey. Henry Charles Amedie de la Faye Biard. Died 18 January 1966 Charminster, Dorset. Have a look at “The Channel Islands & The Great War” website (http://www.greatwarci.net/air).
    HTH,
    Bill

    November 24, 2008 at 11:22 am in reply to: Gun Turret Control? #1213697
    Ballykellybrat
    Participant

    C23 & C23a designates use on Lancaster VII (& I would presume the Canadian built Lancaster X).
    Bill

    November 10, 2008 at 9:06 pm in reply to: Remembrance Day #1226928
    Ballykellybrat
    Participant

    Thank you Kev, I may well take you up on your offer. I was fortunate to be one of the (sadly) many guests at the AFM Dedication Ceremony last October which was one of the most moving events of my life.
    Kind regards,
    Bill

    November 10, 2008 at 6:52 pm in reply to: Remembrance Day #1227119
    Ballykellybrat
    Participant

    Kev – thank you for showing the scene at the Armed Forces Memorial. I can see the tablet where my dear Uncle’s name is inscribed. The lashing rain somehow seems appropriate.
    Bill

    November 7, 2008 at 9:04 pm in reply to: Fairey Aviation, Ringway #1230107
    Ballykellybrat
    Participant

    The Air Britain file also has LK872 as “no information found”. This is within a batch built by Fairey (LK863 – LK887 delivered between 10.4.44 & 26.4.44).
    Kind regards,
    Bill

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