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Aviation History
1953
1953 - 0058.PDF
56 FLIGHT, 9 January 1953 SERVICE AVIATION . . . Guadalcanal and New Georgia. Later, with Corsairs, operations were flown from the northern Solomon Islands and Emirau, near Rabaul, in the Pacific. The squadron badge bears in the Maori language the motto, "Kia Maia, Kia Ukia, Ngawari"—in English, "Active, Ardent, Adaptable." R.A.F. Sabres Arrive A WEEK ago today the first consign ment of eight Canadian F-86E Sabres for the R.A.F. arrived at Abingdon, Oxford, and were accepted on behalf of the Service by Lord De LTsle and Dudley, the Secre tary of State for Air. The Sabres had been flown across the Atlantic by Overseas Ferry pilots of Trans port Command, R.A.F., from Bagotville in Quebec province. The journey took 12 days in all, but flying was possible on only three of them. Flying time for each aircraft was approximately six hours and the flight was made in formations of four at 35,000ft at about 500 m.p.h. Two Hastings accompanied the Sabres to carry baggage, spares and maintenance crews. The usual northern route was followed, via Goose Bay, Labrador (575-mile stage); Bluie West, Greenland (778); Keflavik, Iceland (746); and Prestwick, Scotland (852). Although flown by R.A.F. pilots, the Royal Canadian Air Force Transport Command was responsible for the operational control of the flight, and the U.S.A.F. provided the air/sea rescue facilities. At the Abingdon ceremony the Sabres were officially handed over by Mr. N. Robertson, the Canadian High Commis sioner, who, after being welcomed by Lord De L'Isle and Dudley, read a message from Mr. Brooke Claxton, the Canadian Minis ter of Defence. The message said, inter alia, "This ceremony marks the arrival and delivery of the first of the F-86E Sabres provided to the Royal Air Force by Canada. The R.A.F. has already received three air craft from us, which were flown over in October by R.A.F. pilots, but these were advanced out of our own supply. "A little more than a year ago, Mr. Arthur Henderson, at that time the Secre tary of State for Air, and Marshal of the R.A.F. Sir John Slessor, then Chief of the Staff of the R.A.F., discussed with Air Marshal Curtis, C.A.S. of the R.C.A.F., and myself the possibility of obtaining Sabre fighters to supplement the air defences in Britain. At about the same time, approaches were made to the United States. "Flight" photograph OVERSEAS FERRY PILOTS: Complete with Lombard helmets issued in Canada are the R.A.F. pilots who flew the Sabres to Britain. (Left to right) S/L T. Stevenson, A.F.C. (Leader), F/L. H. M. Deffee, FjL. H. F. Edwards, D.F.C., F/L. Sollom, F/Sgt. C. J. S. Howard, A.F.M., F/Sgt. J. A. D. Meechan, D.F.C., Sgt. F. W. Burney and Sgt. W. H. Atkins. The result was an arrangement whereby the United States at their expense provided the engines and other components to be put into aircraft produced by Canadair Ltd., and paid for by Canada, to be delivered for use by the R.A.F. This was a three-way partnership for our common defence. "Production has proceeded so satisfac torily that it has been possible to advance the delivery dates originally proposed so that they are some six months in advance of the original target date. We are now beginning the regular delivery of so many each week and month until the total is completed. The exact number of aircraft has not been announced, but it is between 300 and 400 and I can tell you that it is closer to 400 than to 300. This arrange ment represents by far the largest single act of military assistance given by Canada to the United Kingdom since the war. It represents, in the part contributed by Canada alone, a total of about $100 million. We are glad to do this because it is part of our common defence." These first eight Sabres will remain at Abingdon, to be used for training more ferry pilots, some of whom will be drawn from 2nd A.T.A.F., where the Sabres will go into operational service. When de liveries to the Continent start the Sabres will be flown direct from Prestwick to German airfields and pilot conversion will take place in the operational tighter squad rons stationed out there. Reunions A REUNION has been arranged for officers (R.A.F., W.R.A.F., Common wealth and Allied) of 25/29 Group (War) Headquarters and stations. It will be held at 6.30 p.m. on February 20th at the West minster Arms, Page Street, London, S.W.i. Those intending to be present should send a postal order for 7s to A.V-M. E. D. Davis, Room 823, St. Giles Court, St. Giles High Street, London, W.C.2. At the seventh annual reunion dinner, No. 825 R.N. Air Squadron will celebrate its 18th anniversary. The dinner will be held on January 17th at the R.N.V.R. Club, 38 Hill Street, London, W.I. Particulars from P. W. Brooks, The Pightle, Ford, Aylesbury, Bucks. OXFORD CEREMONY. The scene at Abingdon airfield last Friday during the handing-over ceremony of eight Canadair-built Sabres to the R.A.F. "Flight' photograph
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