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Aviation History
1953
1953 - 1002.PDF
156 FLIGHT, 31 July 1953 SERVICE AVIATION . ground personnel and the remainder of the aircrew. The main party followed by rail. On the first day in camp all the pilots made "sector recce" flights in order to make themselves familiar with the local area, and these proved also to be an introduction to the peculiarly violent thunderstorms which are typical of the area at this time of year. A stream landing in heavy rain on the exceptionally smooth, water-covered run way, without G.C.A., proved something of an adventure on first experience. R.A.F. Oldenburg, situated near the centre of the north German plain, was originally a Luftwaffe grass-surfaced train ing airfield, and then became a British Army camp. It is now a fighter airfield, the necessary runways and buildings having been constructed last year in a remarkably short time by German contractors, and the station now offers first-class operating and living accommodation in the style typical of the pre-war Luftwaffe. It is not permissible to detail the requirements, priorities and targets set down by higher authority, but a picture can be given of some typical activities. For the period of the camp the squadron was divided into two flights run on a com petitive basis for a cup; both flew together when larger formations were required, but otherwise there was little contact between flights. The day's programme was arranged to start with met. briefing at 0630 hr, the first sorties being airborne at 0700 hr. One-hour sorties were flown, with 45 min turn-round time, until 1500 hr. Aircraft serviceability was excellent throughout, and the tempo of flying increased as the ground crews got into their stride,, to a pitch when the aircraft were regularly being refuelled in two to three minutes. By the end of the first week the official flying target for the whole camp had been comfortably reached, despite the fact that one day had been spent in 35-minute air- to-ground firing sorties, and that on one morning eight aircraft were diverted to Jever, 24 miles to the north, due to low stratus and mist. The first week ended with a memorable dining-in night. During the second week an extremely full routine of work and pleasure began to tell on aircrew and groundcrew alike, and it became generally realized that the most precious commodity on the Station was not the deutschmark but sleep. The HANDING OVER: W/C. John Hubble, A.F.C (right), com mander of the famous No. 77 Sqn. Meteors in Korea for the past five months, briefs his successor, W/C. Alan Hodges. During his tour of duty W/C Hubble made 115 combat sorties. The new CO. flew Mos quitoes from Borneo during the war. The armistice news from Korea implies that his responsibilities will be changed. schedule was, however, fully maintained, with another day's air-to-ground firing and a full programme of war practices, high-level formations and drills and instrument flying. Six new White Jet Instrument Ratings were obtained, and a series of re-ratings begun. At this point the persistently damp weather began to have its effect on the air craft. Minor electrical unserviceability became frequent, and extremely moist air also caused very heavy misting of hoods during and after descents from high level. A combination of such factors, with cu-nim and low stratus, had to be allowed for in many of the final sorties of the fortnight. Over the fortnight, however, the enthus iasm of all members of the squadron— and particularly of the groundcrew— emerged very clearly. The unit worked as a team to produce a flying achievement of between 430 and 440 hours spread over more than 600 sorties. Only one aircraft was unserviceable for more than 24 hours. It was with considerable regret that the squadron took leave of Oldenburg, and, armed with many a bottle and packet of cigarettes, they have returned to the dally routine of their normal civilian occupations. Half-yearly Promotions BELOW is continued from page 100, Flight, July 17th, the list of half-yearly promotions :— TECHNICAL BRANCH. Air Commodore to Air Vice-Marshal.—L. Dalton-Morris, C.B., C.F.S. TEAM: The five Meteor 7 pilots who provided some of the acrobatic and formation highlights of the recent Jersey Coronation Display. Left to right: F/L James, M. Pit. Fisher, S/L Harkness, FjL. Titmuss (leader of the C.F.S. aerobatic team) and F/O. Evans. "Flight" photograph C.B.E. (Act. A.V-M.), Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, Signals. Group Captain to Air Com modore.—R. J. P. Morris, C.B.E. Wing Com mander to Group Captain.—B. H. Becker, A.F.R.Ae.S., B. Robinson, C.B.E., B.A., A.F.R.Ae.S., K. A. Merritt, B.A., and T. E. J. Fitton, B.A., A.F.R.Ae.S. Squadron Leader to Wing Commander.— M. L. Formby, A.F.R.Ae.S., J. Mills, D.F.C., G. J. Symonds, W. H. A. Bourne, W. C. H. Oatey, M.B.E., R. A. Godsell, F. E. Dudley, T. C. Pratley, J. A. Sherry, E. B. O'H. Ben nett, P. J. Dunlop, S. J. Meagor, F. L. Petch, D. W. E. Penney, M.B.E., F. W. Cook, A.F.C., F. C. Woolley, M.B.E., H. J. Gowing, R. T. W. Evans, M.B.E., C. G. Kimbrey, R. D. Hill, A. C. Kerr, A. G. Evans and E. J. Brandon, A.F.R.Ae.S. Flight Lieutenant to Squadron Leader.— C. E. Cahill, G. T. Foden, E. A. Jarman, F. H. Spicer, E. R. MorfiU, A. C. Shawyer, R. E. Smith, S. Tipper, T. V. Betty, D. A. Oliver, W. J. Dunn, A. E. Peart, G. Green field, J. W. Loxley, J. A. Blythe, G. W. M. Merritt, B.E.M., W. J. Knowles, N. F. Ruse, H. E. Bennett, D. R. Watt, R. S. Loveland, J. P. Bullock, L. R. De Thier, H. R. Rees, A.F.RAe.S., R. S. Shepherd, D. C. Williams, A.F.R.Ae.S., J. Crane, A.F.R.Ae.S., W. J. Pope, I. F. Easton, L. Kendrick, R. J. A. Jones, R. M. Morton, A.F.R.Ae.S., J. A. Fleming, P. C. Ganthony, R. J. Edmonds, D.F.M., G. F. Bates, S. R. Walton, M.B.E., A. P. Stevens, M.B.E., P. Green, I. J. De La Plain, A.F.R.Ae.S., S. J. R. Evans, J. P. Spil-lane, H. R. Porter, H. P. Stapleford, A.F.RAe.S., G. E. McCullagh, G. Tombling, C. F. Whitehouse, A.M.I.E.E., C. G. B. Weale, E. F. Chatt-Collins, E. L. D. Bicken- son, D.F.C., C. F. Wake, I. M. Gaudle, M.B.E., K. I. Thomas, M.B.E., J. Miles, M.B.E., D. Mercer, P. V. Rowbotham, B. H. Goodger, C. O. Hook, H. T. Pascoe, C. W. E. Gliddon, T. H. Pitcairn-Hill, C. A. Wood, H. G. Attarwill, W. A. Tait, W. E. D. Makin, D.F.C., M. Greenwood, G. A. M. Gallop, D.F.C., A. A. G. Roke, M.B.E., S. H. Bacon, D. T. Brown, A.F.R.Ae.S., G. F. Satchwell, H. W. A. Newman, A.F.R.Ae.S., V. C. Arthur, R. A. B. James, W. C. Taylor, D. T. Fisher, A.F.R.Ae.S., D.C.Ae., L. J. Jenkins, H. H. Dent, K. F. Venn, A.F.R.Ae.S., D.C.Ae., L. G. Goodey, D.F.C., J. W. Hume, E. B. Alty, A. R. Newman, R. Smurthwaite, V. Buckman, C. S. Thomas, M.B.E., G. H. Ford, B.Sc., J. R. Davies, H. C. Gardiner, M.B.E., D. S. Perrin, L. T. F. Hancock, J. H. Jenkins, R. Hill, R. H. Stephenson, W. B. Hunter, A. E. Cooper, F. B. Morley, R. M. Jones, E. J. T. Goose, M.A., F. W. Carter, R. J. Newman, B.E.M., H. D. Hughes and J. Satchell. (To be continued) Reunion THE Old Comrades Association of No. 601 Sqn. R.Aux.A.F. is anxious to get into touch with former squadron mem bers. It is also hoped to hold a reunion at the squadron's present base at North Weald, on Battle of Britain day. Communi cations to the Honorary Secretary of the Old Comrades Association at 5, Amhurst Gardens, Isleworth.
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