lauriebeBrilliant! Love the Whirlwind 10’s, if theres any more pics please post them, its bloody hard finding pics of them in camo like this, i wan’t to build a model one in that camo. Cheers, Bob
Bob,
Here’s a colour shot of a 110 Sqn Whirlwind. Taken along the beach area near Butterworth around Aug/Sep 1966.
Apologies for the quality.
BR
Laurie.
lauriebeExcellent photos Darren. Would like to see more if you are able.
For a little more on Nanga Gat, see here:
http://www.britains-smallwars.com/Borneo/JungleSquadrons.html
The memorial in one of the photos has now been moved. In a slightly different format, it is now in the old British Military Cemetary at Terendak Camp, Malacca and stands beside the Memorial Wall. The Wall is in memory of all those who lost their lives in the 12 year Emergency (1948 – 60) and the period of “Confrontasi” and who have no known graves.
The photo below shows it on the right of the Wall. I visited the Wall last year in connection with a research project.
BR
Laurie.
lauriebeI have a book called the lancaster manual which I used many years ago to produce a cutaway drawing of the Lanc, it has loads of useful stuff, structure and systems etc.
I can’t remember where I got it but I think it was Midland books, somebody here may be able to point you to a copy.PaulC
The Lancaster Manual, Volume 5 of the RAF Museum series, published by Arms and Armour Press. ISBN: 0 85368 311 5. Based on AP2062A & C, Vol 1. Lots of excellent data and diagrams.
Might still be available from the RAFM. Worth calling the shop or contacting them through the website.
The CD is also excellent. Bought a copy when I was back in the UK a couple of months ago.
BR
Laurie.
lauriebeShackleton has FLOWN! Friend of mine was running the B29 while the Shackleton was flying…. he said that was a unique sound!!
Dan
Great news to hear that the Shack is back in the air. You are right about the sound Dan. It is very unique
BR
Laurie
lauriebeNick,
If you haven’t already seen it, there is a short history of 138 Sqn here:
http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/h138.html
BR
Laurie
lauriebeTime for a quick confession! I’m a Librarian 😮 & have just had a query from a customer passed to me which has me stumped – Seems his brother?/uncle? was killed during the war whilst flying from “El Russ”? an RAF? base in Egypt – have tried a few Ref books & Google to no avail – the latter does bring up a couple for refs to 138 Squadron being based there, but the link is to a travel site whre it appears to have been used as part of a keyword block 😡
The chap asking would be grateful for any info – especially the location of this base – I am hoping one of the knowledgable forum members here will have come across this base mentioned somewhere – I will try to find out more about his relative in the meantime
Nick,
I have been through my copy of “RAF Squadrons” which has detailed maps of bases in the Med area and can find no mention of an “El Russ” or anything resembling that. Lots of unnamed LGs though.
Similarly, the brief history of 138 Sqn, also in the same book, makes no mention of it. Seems all of 138’s service has been in the UK, except for a short detachment to Luqa around 1941.
Sorry can’t be more helpful.
BR
Laurie.
lauriebeI have recently downloaded a freeware aircraft and I am not sure how to go about changing the atc callsign so that instead of atc calling me by 078 for taxi clearence confirm etc I want to change it so that they call me Raven 078 not Romeo,Alpha ,Victor,Echo ,November
Peter,
Use Windows Explorer to open FS. Then open the aircraft folder and click on the aircraft that you are refering to here.
Once that folder is open, click on the aircraft config file. When the config file opens, look for the line that reads:
atc_airline=
Amend that line to read:
atc_airline=Raven
and then save it. That should work.
BR
Laurie.
lauriebeWhat did No. 109 Sqn RAF fly before they got Mosquitoes? Were they flying Wellingtons? I am talking about the period of April to August 1942. I know they got their Mossies in July 1942, but what was flying in the squadron before this?
I believe they were a special ops squadron, testing the OBOE system. Two chaps from here in Cambridge flew with the squadron, one was killed later. He was with them during the period I ask about.
Dave,
From “RAF Squadrons”:
Reformed Boscombe Down, 10 Dec 40: Whitley V (to Jun 41), Anson I (to Jun 42), Wellington IC (to Dec 42), Wellington I (to Sep 41).
19 Jan 42. To Tempsford, dets at Wyton, Upper Heyford, Boscombe Down & Stradishall.
Mar 42, Wellington VI (to Jul 42)
6 Apr 42, to Stradishall, det at Upper Heyford.
Jul 42, Lancaster I (to Oct 42)
7 Aug 42, to Wyton.
Dec 42, Mosquito IV (to May 44)
Seems to be quite a mixed bag of aeroplanes.
Hope that helps.
Laurie.
lauriebeSorry if this is old news, but it appears the Wally Fisk (I think!) Seafire Mk.XV has been sold to a new owner. It has been advertised for sale on Courtesy Aircraft for the past couple of years.
It would be great to see it in the UK, but I suspect it has been sold locally within the USA. Let’s hope the aircraft takes to the air soon!Airworthy Seafires could be like buses, you wait forty years for one, and three come along at once (well over the course of a couple of years ;)).
An ex-RCN example, I see.
Would be great to see another Seafire gracing the skies again.
lauriebeFirst time in that cockpit in almost 42 years. Could have done with a haircut.
But then, nearly had one the next day………….
lauriebeFirst time in that cockpit in almost 42 years. Could have done with a haircut.
But then, nearly had one the next day………….
lauriebeTypical of my “Big Brov ” lying down on the job again!! Now the question is was he lying down taking a photo upwards, or did he fall out taking a shot downwards?
Cannot wait to see the rest of your pic’s on your return bro.
Hi Nige,
Good to see I finally got you on the forum!!!!!! I’ll try less extreme measures next time. 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
It was truly a great time. But you know me, always asleep at the wrong time!!!!!!!!
look forward to showing the video and photos when we get back next weekend.
Laur
lauriebeI feel an overwhelming need to make the following observation;
LaurieB shows some sense in lying down on the job but “Mike” our photographer would appear to be standing up to take this shot. Now, even allowing for telephoto lenses and the “compression effect,” I reckon “Mike” has been extra brave! A great photo.Will LaurieB show this photo to his nearest and dearest to show how committed to the Spitfire/Seafire he is, or does she already know!
Chris
Chris,
The answer is yes, all the family have seen it!!
Got back to Chicago last night after 3 absolutely fantastic days at Crystal Lakes. Jim Smith is one of nature’s true gentlemen and a marvellous host. I can’t thank him and everyone else at Crystal Lakes for making my visit an really memorable experience. It is one trip that I will never forget.
I had originally been kneeling on the centre-line taking video. Through the view-finder Jim appeared much lower and I decided I could get a regular haircut later and ducked out left. Mike, being somewhat braver, stayed and got a fantastic shot.
BR
Laurie
lauriebeHappy memories seeing and hearing the “moon rocket” take off from Tengah, Singapore. It made a whole new different sound in that climate. Was it really thirty years ago!
Ahh, Tengah! Remember it well.
Here are a few photos of a VC10 landing at Tengah during the afternoon of 29 April 1968, an unusual occurrence then because Changi was still the main Far East Transport base. This aircraft landed at Tengah with a problem. It was a routine “trooper” from the UK to the Far East and one or two tyres had burst on take-off from Gan. This resulted in the aircraft being diverted into Tengah to land. The left-hand side of the main runway was foamed and the aircraft landed on that without further incident. The photos were all taken from the roof of the Transit Block which was just off the southern threshold.
The first photo shows the aircraft at the moment of touchdown. The second shows it braking, with the reverse thrust blowing up the foam layer. The third photo shows the conga-lines (there were 3) of fire/crash vehicles moving out to the aircraft. The foam laying equipment is visible in the right hand corner of the photo. Two Whirlwind helicopters, with firemen onboard, also followed the 10 down the runway as it landed.
I never did find out the serial number of the VC10 or the full circumstances of the incident. Any more info anyone?
BR
Laurie
lauriebeSome interesting photos, especially Spitfires……
http://www.gtitec.com.my/af_museum/raf48.htm
Enjoy !
Martin
Martin,
Many thanks for that link. Some very interesting photos. Although some have appeared on this forum before, most were new.
The groundcrew grouping around the the tail of Spitfire FR XVIII, TP231, was particularly poignant. This aircraft was lost on ops on 12 November 1948. It was seen to go out of control on pulling up from a live dive bombing attack near Serendah, north of Kuala Lumpur. The pilot, Fg Off P M Sketch, was killed. A further five people (4 RAF & 1 Army) were killed in the subsequent search, when Dakota C4, KN633, of 110 Sqn hit tree tops and crashed while looking for the Spitfire and its pilot. None of the bodies were ever recovered. Their names are inscribed on the Memorial Wall at the Terendak Military Cemetery, near Malacca, along with all the others who fell during that time and have no known graves.
Attached below is a photo of that wall, which I visited a year ago.
BR,
Laurie.
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