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Aviation History
1956
1956 - 1781.PDF
FLIGHT, 14 December 1956 SERVICE AVIATION Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm News Nottingham U.A.S. Dines TT is fitting that Nottingham University-*- Air Squadron should have a quiver of arrows as its crest, for squadron members,drawn from the University and Lough- borough College, are as zealous (in adifferent cause) as Robin Hood and his outlaws over whose terrain they operate;and their resultant success was revealed during the annual dinner held at R.A.F.Newton on December 5. For the com- manding officer, S/L. N. Fletcher,reported that for the second year running N.U.A.S. had been second in the HackTrophy competition, more hours had been flown, and more members recruited. Thefirst achievement, especially, brought con- gratulations from A. Cdre. E. L. S. Ward,C.B., D.F.C., A.O.C. 64 Group, when he spoke as principal guest—deputizing forAir Marshal Sir Douglas Macfayden, K.C.B., C.B.E., A.O.C. Home Command. S/L. Fletcher said N.U.A.S. now had29 flying and 13 technical members, but this year those numbers would increaseto 52 and 17. The squadron had already flown 2,175 hours, as against 1,855 for1955; and they "didn't intend to be con- tent with second best" in the Hack Trophycompetition. Not surprisingly, the Vice- Chancellor, Mr. B. L. Hallward, describedthis as a "splendid report." After A. Cdre. Ward, proposing "TheSquadron," had mentioned that University Air Squadrons were not to be moved outof Home Command, which he hoped had many "satisfied customers," Cdt. Pit. I. R.Falconer in his reply pertinently asked when N.U.A.S. might have anotheradvanced trainer to replace their Harvard, which, he said, was "usually unservice-able"—adding that they would accept a Jet Provost "in part exchange."Other guests included G/C. R. V. Mclntyre, D.F.C., S.A.S.O. at No. 64Group headquarters (deputizing for G/C. "Johnny" Johnson, D.S.O., D.F.C.), theLord Mayor of Nottingham (Cllr. W. J. Cox), and Cllr. R. Green, the Sheriff—who, unlike his Norman predecessor who disliked Robin Hood, could surely not butadmire these N.U.A.S. "merry men" who exercise their Chipmunks to good purposein the Sherwood Forest area. Auxiliary StandardsT HE Queen has approved the award ofstandards to three fighter squadrons of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. They areNo. 501 (County of Gloucester), No. 607 (County of Durham) and No. 608 (NorthRiding of Yorkshire) Sqns., based respec- tively at Filton, Ouston and Thornaby. Allare at present equipped with Vampires. No. 501 Sqn. went to France at thebeginning of World War 2 and then served in the Battle of Britain, covered the Nor-mandy landings and shot down over 100 flying bombs with its Tempests in 1944.No. 607 Sqn. destroyed 73 enemy aircraft in France before Dunkirk and moved toIndia after the Battle of Britain. It was at Imphal with Spitfires and supportedthe advance of the 14th Army. No. 608 Sqn. used Bothas, Blenheims and Hud- Sack aboard "Eagle" but still wet after ejecting from a Wyvern during a strike near Port Said is Lt. D. F. McCarthy of No. 830 Sqn. (second from left). On his right is his CO., Lt-Cdr. C. V. Howard, and on his left the Whirlwind crew which picked him up—Naval Airman Webster, Leading Airman Gammar and Lt-Cdr. P. E. Bailey. Looking on are Capt. H. C. D. Maclean, commanding "Eagle," and Cdr. B. C. H. Natron, Commander Air—and the Whirlwind. sons on maritime operations, following thevarious landings and campaigns through Africa and Italy. It finished the war as apathfinder unit flying Mosquitoes over Germany. R.A.F. Anniversary Concert (COMMEMORATING the foundation^ of the Royal Air Force, the second R.A.F. Anniversary Concert will be heldnext year on Saturday, April 13, at the Royal Albert Hall.The first concert was organized in April this year by the Halle Concert Society whowished thus to pay a tribute to the R.A.F. Sir John Barbirolli conducted. Theorchestra now suggests making the concert an annual event, the proceeds being givento the R.A.F. Benevolent Fund. Far East Assistance 'THROUGH monsoon rain an R.A.F.-*• doctor parachuted from a Singapore- based Valetta to help a sick woman onChristmas Island, 200 miles south of Java. He was F/O. J. Wilkinson, M.O. at Changi,who, at ten minutes' notice boarded the aircraft for the 850-mile flight. The air-craft, piloted by F/O. K. Speer, made two dummy runs over the flares marking thedropping zone in poor visibility. F/O. Wilkinson parachuted safely and wasfollowed by a pack of medical supplies and blood plasma. Although the Valetta had been givenspecial clearance to refuel at Djakarta on the way out, refuelling facilities were with-held on the way back and the crew was delayed for a time. Further mercy flights were made fromSingapore when a Valetta dropped food and blankets to people marooned by floodsin north-east Johore. Helicopters also played an active part in relief operations. UNO Transporters BASED at Capodichino airfield, nearNaples, No. 435 Transport Squadron of the R.C.A.F. will provide air transportsupport for the United Nations Emergency Force operating in the Canal Zone. Thesquadron's C-119s are flying the Atlantic from their earlier base at Namao, Alta.,to Italy via the Azores and Gibraltar. Equipment and spares to make the squad-ron independent of outside help are being flown over in the C-119s and by escortingNorth Stars of No. 426 Transport Sqn., Dorval. This is the first time that aCanadian Transport squadron has been based outside Canada in peace time. A.M.D.G.W. Review TT has for some time been Air Ministry•*• policy to invite the assistance of com- mittees, including outside members withexperience of large-scale industrial con- cerns, to review aspects of Air Ministryand R.A.F. organization. A committee has now been appointed to review theorganization of the Air Ministry Direc- torate-General of Works. Sir PhilipWarter is chairman and the members are Air Chief Marshal Sir Walter Dawson,Sir Harold Parker and Sir Allan Quarter- maine. The A.M.D.G.W. is responsiblefor the design, planning and supervision of all new works services for R.A.F. air-fields and stations; its expenditure is at present running between £70m and £80mannually. Changing HandsT HREE Naval vessels, the frigate Craneand the destroyers Comus- and Cheviot are recommissioning at Mombasa readyto continue serving in the Far East without returning to England. The new ships'companies are being flown out to Mom- basa in chartered aircraft. Recruit Training School Closes LAST week A.V-M. J. L. F. Fuller-Good,1 A.O.C. No. 22 Group, reviewed the last passing-out parade at No. 11 Schoolof Recruit Training, Hednesford, Staffs. The School is now to be disbanded. Over81,500 recruits have been trained there since 1950.
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