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Aviation History
1964
1964 - 2145.PDF
166 FLIGHT International. 23 July 1964 Westland Whirlwind HAR. IOs recently replaced Bristol Sycamores in the Search and Rescue Flight at RAF Khormaksar. Two of the new gas- turbine powered rescuers are seen here over shipping in the unlovely surroundings of Aden Harbour. The Sycamores had done sterling service in Aden since 1955 Tiros Replaces Hastings THE RAF'S ONLY SQUADRON established for meteorological flights is disbanding at the end of the month. Hastings-equipped 202 Sqn, based at RAF Aldergrove, has operated five-times-weekly "Bismuth" sorties since October 1946—initially, until 1950, with specially equipped Halifax bombers and since 1950 with similarly modified Hastings transports. Well over 4,000 weather reconnaissance sorties have been flown. A typical 9hr Bismuth sorties takes the aircraft far out into the Atlantic, and the flights have ranged from the southern reaches of the Bay of Biscay to Icelandic waters. Aircraft have deliberately flown through the worst weather in this vast area, constantly radioing data to aid the forecaster. Now improved forecasting techniques, resulting in part from the availability of meteorological satellite find- ings and the use of computers, has devalued the information obtained on the Bismuth sorties and it is no longer worth the cost of obtaining it. RAF "Censors" Royal Speech PRINCESS MARGARET presented Standards to 80 and 213 Sqns at RAF Bruggen on Wednesday, July 15. There was adverse press comment in Britain that local RAF authorities "censored" the Princess's speech, deleting a reference to the squad- rons' record in the Battle of Britain; an action which was later officially explained, rather oddly, as "a mark of respect for the host country." The senior German guests were three local mayors. ETPS Anniversary THIS YEAR MARKS THE 21ST ANNIVERSARY of the Empire Test Pilots' School at Farnborough. Plans for the celebration of the event are almost complete. A gathering of graduates and ex-members of the staff will be held at Farnborough on September 3, when the school will be open to them and invited guests from lOOOhr to 1630hr. A buffet lunch will be served. In the even- ing a formal dinner will be held at the Dorchester Hotel, London Wl, at 193Ohr. Tickets for the dinner will cost four guineas. Graduates and ex-staff members who have not received details of the anniversary arrangements are asked to write to the School, at the Royal Aircraft Establish- ment, Farnborough, Hants. Appointments AVM c. J. R. SALMON succeeds AVM Sir Edgar Lowe (who is retiring) as Director- General of Equipment (RAF) at the MoD on August 1 and was himself succeeded on July 6 as SASO, Maintenance Command, by AVM W. Mad. King. SERVICE AVIATION Air Force, Naval and Army Flying News An AOC-designate to succeed AVM T. W. Piper as AOC 38 Group, Transport Command, next January has been named. He is Air Cdre L. D. Mavor, who will be appointed in the rank of air vice-marshal. No 38 Group is the RAF's contribution to the Strategic Reserve and is geared to moving its transport and ground-attack aircraft quickly to any part of the world in support of ground forces. Ajr Cdre Mavor's early career was particularly apposite to his forthcoming role, as he served with an army co-operation squadron in India, which later became a transport unit and was engaged in suppressing the Rashid Ali revolt in Iraq in 1941. Later he commanded a transport squadron in the Normandy landings and then became chief instructor at a Transport Command OTU. RNZAF to Buy Helicopters PURCHASE OF TWO TYPES OF HELICOPTER is contemplated by the RNZAF. The types have not yet finally been decided, but the intention is to operate six light helicopters and four or six medium-lift machines. The RNZAF Chief of Air Staff, AVM I. G. Morrison, said that the helicopters would be operated jointly with the Army and their likely base would be Hobsonville. Station Closures FOURTEEN RAF STATIONS will be closed during 1964, at an estimated saving of £4m, said Mr Hugh Fraser, Minister of Defence for the RAF, in the Commons last week. Between 1961 and 1963 53 were closed, with a saving of £10m a year. The sale of land and buildings has so far realized £4Jm. RAF Hawkinge, Kent, one of the stations due to be sold, was withdrawn from the market earlier this month. Its position only three miles away from the proposed English mouth of the Channel Tunnel would make its disposal unwise, in case it should be required for some purpose connected with the Tunnel. The Government is to retain the airfield pending a decision. RAF THORNEY ISLAND, base of Transport Command's Medium-range Transport OCU, will be visited by the Queen next Monday, July 27. Her Majesty will review a display of 20 aircraft of 14 different types and attend a garden party in the grounds of the officers' mess. RAF TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT carried more than 32,000 men and 2,700 tons of stores between Singapore and Borneo since the start of operations there and the end of June, said Mr Hugh Fraser in the Commons last week. Additional to the freight quoted, many helicopters, light aeroplanes and over 350 vehicles and trailers had been carried on the route. The Minister of Defence for the RAF paid tribute to "the high degree of com- petence and efficiency displayed by all ranks in conditions which are often of testing degree." TWO 800 SERIES VISCOUNTS are to be pur- chased by the RAAF to replace Convair Metropolitans in the VIP Flight. It is understood that a number of ex-airline Viscounts now available are under con- sideration. A STANDARD will be presented to 21 Sqn, RAF Eastleigh, Kenya, on August 28 by recently retired Air Chief Marshal the Earl of Bandon. Former members of the squadron wishing to attend should write to the Squadron Adjutant, RAF Eastleigh, BFPO 10.
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