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Aviation History
1964
1964 - 0628.PDF
RIGHT International, 5 March 1964 Antipodean Air Day ABOUT 100,000 PEOPLE attended the RNZAF Air Force Day celebrations at Ohakea on February 22—an event which was to have been one of the highlights of the Queen Mother's cancelled NZ visit. USAF F-105 Thunderchiefs produced the most impressive sonic booms yet heard around Ohakea, one of them flying over at more than 800 m.p.h., while a NZ correspondent reports that the crowd was left gasping by the display of the three RAF Victor B.2s taking part. An interesting formation fly-past of three different maritime types from three air forces—the RNZAF's faithful old Sunder- land, the RAAF's Neptune and the USN's new turboprop Orion—drew attention to the importance of maritime equipment in the south Pacific theatre. The Orion was a particular source of interest, as the NZ Government is known to be considering this aircraft for its maritime elements—even the Sunderland cannot go on for ever. Transports performing during the display were RNZAF Bristol Freighters, Hastings and DC-6s, an RAF Britannia, Argosy and Beverley, an RCAF CC-106 Yukon and some USAF Hercules. Nine RNZAF Canberras in close form- ation led the demonstration of offensive aircraft, during which the F-105s and Victors performed, and the programme was concluded impressively by the formation aerobatics of four Vampires of 75 Sqn, RNZAF. Joint Presentation PRINCESS MARINA WILL PRESENT STANDARDS to 49 and 214 Sqns at RAF Marham on June 5. Both squadrons operate Valiants; 49 Sqn in the medium bomber role, in which it took part in Operation Grapple— the nuclear tests at Christmas Island. No 214 Sqn flies them as in-flight refuelling tankers, having been reformed in 1956 with Valiants as bombers and converting to the refuelling role in 1958. Past members of the two squadrons who wish to attend should write to the Adjutant, 49 or 214 Squadron, RAF Marham, King's Lynn, Norfolk. Three Men in a Boat LACKING ONLY THE DOG, Montmorency, three men in a boat were found by a Beverley of 84 Sqn, RAF Khormaksar, recently—high, dry and three miles inland from the coast of Trucial Oman. The three men, English geology students, had been washed inland by tremendous tides, backed by 50 m.p.h. winds, when sailing from Tarif to Jebel Yannah, and the Beverley, on detachment at RAF Muharraq and captained by Fit Lt B. Lambert, searched for them after they were reported overdue and an initial search from RAF Sharjah had failed. Seeing nothing during a 4hr beat up and down the flooded shark-infested coast, Fit Lt Lambert remembered the high tide and onshore wind combination, backed a hunch, turned inland and found the students —who were surrounded by quicksands. A note was dropped warning them to stay put. The Beverley then saw a troop of Omani Scouts 25 miles away, and dropped 371 One of the modern world's most famous formation aerobatic teams, the RCAF "Golden Hawks," with their all-gold Canadair Sabre Mk 6s and red and white hawk flash, are being disbanded, as reported below SERVICE AVIATION Air Force, Naval and Army Flying News another note, telling them of the students' plight. The aircraft now flew too and fro, giving the rescuing Scouts a heading; but it took them 36hr to get through, during which time the Beverley dropped further survival packs. The students were fit and well, though they had been missing for six days. Hawks Retired AFTER HAVING GIVEN 250 PERFORMANCES before 13m people in Canada and the USA since it was formed in 1959, the RCAF's famous formation aerobatic team, the Golden Hawks, is to be disbanded, with an annual saving of about $750,000. The team will not perform again. Announcing the disbandment, Canadian Defence Minister Mr Paul Hellyer said that it was necessary to devote the expenditure to more vital needs. The F-86 Sabres used by the Golden Hawks were no longer in operational RCAF service, were reaching the end of their life expectancy and would soon be very costly and difficult to maintain in the near-perfect condition required. Last year the Golden Hawks made 62 appearances in Canada and seven in the USA. New Press Chief for the RAF THE AIR MINISTRY'S PUBLIC RELATIONS will be directed by a new chief from March 23, when Air Cdre James Wallace will succeed Air Cdre John Barraclough, the present Chief Information Officer. Air Cdre Barraclough has been appointed AOC 19 Group, Coastal Command, with the acting rank of air vice-marshal, from July 1. For Air Cdre Barraclough, promotion means a return to his wartime Command, for he served with 209 and 240 Sqns in maritime operations over the North Sea, Atlantic and Mediterranean during the war. When at CFS in 1952 he became the first pilot to fly a single-engined jet aircraft, a Vampire, from England to South Africa. He was later on the directing staff of the IDC and became CIO in September 1961. Air Cdre Wallace, an Irishman, was exclusively a bomber man during the war, successively flying Wellesleys, Baltimores, Mitchells and Mosquitoes in African and European theatres. After the war he com- manded a night fighter squadron and, as Wing Commander Flying at RAF Duxford, led the Coronation fly-past over London in 1953. In 1960 he was appointed Deputy Captain of the Queen's Flight and in 1963 became a Deputy Director of Personnel at the Air Ministry. ENTRANCE TO THE FAA REVIEW at RNAS Yeovilton on May 28, mentioned on this page last week, will be by ticket only. Past members of the RNAS and FAA are invited to apply for two tickets each before March 16, giving details of their service, to the Secretary, FAA Review 1964, Staff of Flag Officer, Naval Air Command, Wyke- ham Hall, Lee-on-Solent, Hants. THE DEATH OCCURRED LAST WEEK in Paris, where he had lived for most of his life, of Wg Cdr F. F. E. Yeo-Thomas, GC, the director of a Paris fashion house who, in the second world war, became the most successful secret agent who had ever worn RAF uniform. Wg Cdr Yeo-Thomas— the White Rabbit—served three "tours" as a special agent in occupied France, being betrayed to the Gestapo on the third, suffering unimaginable tortures before leading a mass break-out from Buchenwald, being recaptured and leading a second mass escape which resulted in his return across the Allies' lines. NEW DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF ENGINEERING at the Air Ministry from March 14 will be Air Cdre W. D. Disbrey, with the acting rank of air vice-marshal. Air Cdre Disbrey will be succeeded as CO, No 1 Radio School, RAF Locking, by Air Cdre C. R. C. Howlett, who moves over from the post of Superin- tendent of Armament at A&AEE, Bos- combe Down.
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