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Aviation History
1941
1941 - 1284.PDF
JUNE 5TH, 1941. (Above) Ensuring the requisite number of sparks in a magneto repair shop. mation, September, 1939. ar>d all the men in it are specially selected from the most skilled Asiatic craftsmen that Malaya can produce. The majority are drawn from the technical trade schools of Malaya with whom the Air Force has come to an arrangement by which they are specially trained for aircraft repair and construction. Ex perienced Royal Air Force technical officers speak very highly of the skill of these Asiatic mechanics and say that they compare favourably with Royal Air Force tradesmen. In the short time that the Corps has been formed some of the men have already risen to the rank of sergeant Apart from the repair shops and hangars, the torpedo section proved to be one of the most interesting sights This section is one of many responsible for the maintenance, repair and stor- age of hundreds of torpedoes which are ROYAL AIR FORCE BASES IN MALAYA required by the squadrons of torpedo bombers operating from bases through- out Malaya. These aircraft are flown by men drawn from all the corners of the Empire and their ranks have been recently reinforced by a number of New Zealander pilots. If used against an enemy fleet or transports moving to- attack any British possessions in the Far East they would prove to be one of the most powerful and deadly strik- ing forces with which the attackers would have to contend. The domestic comfort of the per- sonnel of this huge station has not been neglected by the authorities, who have • always given considerable attention tr> the housing of men of the Royal Air -AND IT COMES OUT HERE : A dusky wireless expert reassembles an air-craft's radio set after effecting necessary repairs. (Above) Alfresco adjustments are not uncommon, and a wall of sandbags protects these flight-riggers from possible harm while at work on an aileron Force stationed in Malaya. The men's quarters are built specially for tropical conditions, with large, cool, airy bar- rack rooms, restaurants, recreation rooms and cinemas, all of which help to ameliorate the tropical heat. At most R.A.F. stations the modern swim ming pools give airmen and their families an opportunity to enjoy the pleasure of bathing and also to cool off after a hard day's work. In addition, golf courses are often laid out, while for those who feel the need of more strenuous exercise there are extensive playing fields. A visit to any of the modern aero- dromes in Malaya is sufficient to demonstrate that all the defences and facilities of these bases have rapidly become completely modernised as a result of the lessons learned from the European War. Singapore has be- come one of the most important centres of air power in the British Empire and, if it became necessary, its enormous defensive strength, com- bined with its striking power, would ensure superiority over the enemy from the very beginning.
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