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Aviation History
1953
1953 - 1532.PDF
686 FLIGHT, 20 November 1953 SERVICE AVIATION High Command Promotions P ROMOTION to the rank of air chief marshal has been announced in respect of Air Marshal Sir Ronald Ivelaw- Chapman, K.C.B., K.B.E., D.F.C., A.F.C., and Air Marshal Sir Francis J. Fogarty, K.C.B., K.B.E., D.F.C., A.F.C. Sir Ronald has been Vice-Chief of the Air Staff since last month and before that was Deputy C.A.S. Sir Francis is now Air Member for Personnel, having taken over the appointment a year ago on his return from the Far East, where he was C-in-C. F.E.A.F. Polish Fighter Reunion ON Saturday last a considerable number of Polish aircrew and senior officers gathered at the London head quarters of the Polish Air Force Associa tion for a cocktail party and a dance, the event constituting a reunion of officers and other ranks who served with the nine Polish fighter squadrons in R.A.F. Fighter Command during the war. Among the many war-time fighter pilots who did not return to Poland are some who are still serving with the R.A.F.; in fact, a number of the few Spitfires still left in service are flown by Polish pilots who became renowned for their handling of this aircraft. Several of those who were present at the reunion are remembered for their part in pre-war international aviation events, such as the round-Europe air race. A number of distinguished guests accepted invitations, including Gen. Anders (commander of the Polish Corps in Italy during the war), Maj. Gen. the Hon. E. L. Bols, Air Chief Marshal Sir Basil Embry, A.V-M. T. N. McEvoy, A.V-M. Sir John Cordingly, and A.V-M. H. K. Thorold. Operation Becher's Brook SINCE the middle of last year over 300 Canadian-built Sabres have been delivered to the R.A.F. They were flown across the Atlantic by No. 147 Squadron on a system similar to that employed in R.C.A.F. and U.S.A.F. ferrying opera tions. In the summer of 1952 it was decided that the best method of delivery was by air ferry. S/L. T. Stevenson, A.F.C., and two other pilots accordingly took part in the R.C.A.F.'s Operation Leapfrog II in order to gain experience of the route, and to deliver the first three Sabres for R.A.F. conversion training in England. On Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm t December 9th, 1952, the first R.A.F. Sabre ferry convoy, "Becher's Brook 1," left Quebec for the U.K. via Goose Bay, Bluie West One, Keflavik and Prestwick. In this operation, only eight of the 12 air craft reached the U.K., and it was decided to develop a special long-range ferry technique based on lessons learned. The name of the unit was changed from No. 1 Long-Range Ferry Unit to No. 147 Squadron; and an organization was developed flexible enough to control air craft and men spread over 2,000 miles in the face of frequent communications failures caused by magnetic storms. Pilots had to be trained in the techniques of long-range fighter delivery; administra tive and technical support organizations were set up and Hastings aircraft were introduced to return ferry pilots to €anada and to shuttle servicing crews ahead of Sabre convoys. Squadron strength was increased to 60 pilots, all of whom had 400 to 500 hours' jet experience. Sabre conversion courses and compre hensive training for land and sea survival were given to all pilots. Survival equip ment was modified in the light of experience and according to individual requirement. In addition, each man flew five hours on the particular aircraft he was to ferry. Ground crews were given technical courses on the Sabre and learned to service the aircraft in the particularly arduous conditions found along the route. "Becher's Brook" operations have, whenever possible, been co-ordinated with R.C.A.F. "Leapfrogs" and U.S.A.F. ferry flights. When all is ready aircraft take off in pairs, climb on full power to 35.000ft and home at pre-determined points along the track on signals trans mitted by U.S.A.F. "Duckbutt" (Grum man SA-16) amphibians and Atlantic weather-ships. Servicing at staging points involves pumping 25,000 gallons of fuel through 250 fillers and topping up oil and oxygen on the 30-odd aircraft in each convoy. The duration of delivery flights varies between two days and three weeks, accord ing to weather, though flying time is only 6| hours. On some occasions, 32 pilots have ferried 64 aircraft, using a double shuttle system. No. 147 Squadron, now commanded by S/L. Stevenson, was, in the latter stages of the war, a Transpon Command squad ron with a record of 98 per cent regularity on scheduled services. This tradition is maintained today, and pilots pride them selves that on any leg of the route they News normally arrive at their destination within half a minute of E.T.A. The full quota of between 300 and 400 aircraft will have been delivered by the end of this year by No. 147's "Becher's Brook" operations. No. 3 Squadron Standard '"THE presentation of a Squadron •*• Standard to No. 3 Sqn. will be made at Geilenkirchen, Germany, on December 11th by Air Chief Marshal Sir Philip Joubert, K.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O. Sir Philip was a member of the unit when it was first formed in 1912. Another lieutenant serving in the unit at the same time was Geoffrey (now Sir Geoffrey) de Havilland. It is hoped that any past members of No. 3 (F) Squadron who can do so will attend the parade, and they are asked to communicate with the Adjutant, at R.A.F. Geilenkirchen, 2nd T.A.F., B.A.O.R. 34. Blind Bombing T^HE annual blind bombing competi- •*• tion for medium squadrons of Bomber Command was due to take place this week. At the invitation of Air Marshal G. H. Mills, A.O.C-in-C. Bomber Command, the United States 7th Air Division is also competing. The winning squadron will receive the Armament Officers' Trophy, a silver cockerel presented by the Armament Officers' Long Course in 1930. The present holders are No. 97 Squadron. The contest requires the competing crews to make an extended cross-country flight and bomb four targets on each of four nights. Three targets will be used for simulated radar bombing and practice bombs dropped on the fourth, at a bombing range. Britannia Shield T>Y winning the boxing for the fifth *f consecutive year the R.A.F. snatched victory in this year's Britannia Shield from the Netherlands team. When the boxing finals began, Holland was leading—having won the swimming, been placed second in the fencing and third in the shooting. The R.A.F., who were second in shooting and swimming, and fourth in the fencing, were eight points behind the Dutch. Winning the flyweight, bantam, light middleweight, middleweight and heavyweight boxing classes gave the R.A.F. 25 points to the Netherlands 12—giving an overall win by five points. Taranto Anniversary AT the annual dinner held at the Royal **• Naval Barracks, Lee-on-Solent, to mark the 13th anniversary of the Fleet Air Arm attack on the Italian fleet in Taranto harbour, the chief guest was Air Chief Marshal Sir Basil Embry, K.C.B., K.B.E., D.S.O., D.F.C., A.F.C., who is now AAFCE Commander. The guests included Admiral Sir Denis Boyd, K.C.B., C.B.E., D.S.C., who commanded the carrier H.M.S. Illustrious, from which the Fairey NORTHERN VISTA: Canadian flight-deck personnel, clad for arctic conditions, attend to their Grumman Avengers on H.M.C.S. Magnificent. In the background is the snow- clad top of Ondverdharnes mountain, near Reykjavik, Iceland.
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