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Aviation History
1965
1965 - 0118.PDF
76 FLIGHT International, 14 January (945 Soon to become part of Rritain's arms bvild-ub in the Malaysian - Indonesian theatre is the Commando ship HMS "Albion" which a few days ago began trials after a long refit—-her first since she was converted from a light fleet carrier in 1962. Seen about to turn for landings- on during the ship's full power trials are two Wessex 5s of 848 S<jn, embarked in "Albion" Malaysia Warms Up WHEN THE COCK CROWED on New Year's Day, Indonesia had not succeeded in dismantling Malaysia with its "confronta- tion," but military operations had consider- ably increased and the threat of concerted attack and military retaliation on Indonesia itself loomed large. Though not yet formally announced to the UN, Indonesia claimed to have decided to leave the United Nations, because Malaysia was elected to the Security Council. Malaysia appealed to the UN for help. British forces have been considerably strengthened by further battalions flown from Britain on a tenuous carpet of over- flying agreements. Indonesian regular formations were moving threateningly, possibly to replace the "volunteers" so far employed for incursions. British naval strength is being increased by the carrier Eagle, which had generator trouble at Mombasa, and by a missile destroyer. Javelin interceptors and Commando carrier Albion and maintenance ship Triumph were standing by. Bloodhound Mk 2 surface-to- air missiles are already emplaced near Singapore to counter Indonesian bomber and stand-off bomb strength and to defend Y-bombers already in the area. Other V- bombers in Britain were put on stand-by for Malaysia last week. Australian measures to improve their defence and infrastructure have already been reported. A minor aggravation has been unservice- ability in the Army Air Corps Scouts' Nimbus engines, with Bristol Siddeley working hard to improve overhaul life for Malaysian operating conditions. While threat and counter-threat are mounted, Britain's most potent weapons are being brought into the field, but the fact remains that Indonesia possesses weapons which potentially match or out-match them. Naval missiles particularly pose a serious threat to large warships operating in con- fined waters with only sea-to-air defensive missiles. A new but not entirely plausible vehicle-borne missile was displayed in a recent Indonesian parade (see picture). Yet Indonesia's actual fighting power is problematical. Many of their weapons are deprived of spares or not properly maintained, but could well be used even once with shaming effectiveness. One of the main results of this particular confrontation may be to show just what weapons Britain really needs and just how right or wrong the past years' defence policy has been, if indeed there has been one. Para-dropping Stratocruiser A REAR-LOADING PARA-DROPPING CON- VERSION of an ex-PAA Boeing B.377 Stratocruiser has been completed for the Israeli Air Force by Israel Aircraft Indus- tries, at Lod Airport, Israel. Although the military version of the Stratocruiser has seen widespread USAF service as the C-97 and KC-97, this is the first time that the big, four-engined transport has had a rear loading, vehicle-carrying capability. The entire conversion was designed by IAI and the machine is now undergoing strenuous testing. Apart from the rear doors and ramp, extra side doors have been introduced for paratroop dropping and a further door has been introduced in the front fuselage. The interior arrangement includes folding side benches and centre seats, a monorail cargo hoist and provision for stretchers. The cockpit layout has been redesigned. It is believed that a number of other ex-airline Stratocruisers are to be similarly converted for the Israeli Air Force. Luftwaffe in Portugal THE FIRST POST-WAR German Air Force base on foreign soil has been inaugurated at Beja, south-west of Lisbon, Portugal. Installations for a training base are nearing completion. German Air Force F-104G pilots are already being trained under con- tract by the USAF at a base in the US. Displayed in Jakarta during the Indonesian armed forces' ISth anniversary parade, these two missiles are mounted on simple stands, have three fixed wings and fixed motor nozzle and are probably dummy unguided bombardment weapons
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