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87 Squadron Reactivation 87 Squadron Reactivation Congratulations and best wishes to all personnel of the new No. 87 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force! The Squad- ron was officially re-commissioned on 1 July 2006, and the occasion celebrated in style on Monday evening, 3 July 2006. At an all ranks function in the Officers Mess, RAAF Edinburgh, the ceremony was opened by Commanding Officer of the ‘new’ 87 Squadron, Wing Com- mander Rick Keir AM. He was followed by Air Commander Australia, Air Vice- Marshal John Quaife AM, whose speech was succinct and welcoming. Squadron Leader (Chaplain) Patrick Woods’ address was moving, as was the blessing of the two 87 Squadron badges: Perhaps the highlight of the evening was the “We consecrate these Squadron Badges – superb spirit in which it all happened. The vari- the old and the new – which are symbols of ous speeches helped this along, none more so No 87 Squadron of the Royal Australian Air than Air Vice-Marshal (Ret’d) ‘Sam’ Jordan’s! Force. We ask your Blessing on its mission The Mosquito Aircraft Association of Australia and its roles, and in recognition of those who was represented by our Patron, ‘Sam’ Jordan, have gone before us, in the name of the Fa- President Alan Middleton and wife Shirley, ther, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Vice President Graeme Coates and committee member Terry Burke. This was one of the links forged between the old and the new Squadrons on the day. The Since the re-raising, four members of No 87 assembly of historical documents, photos, Squadron have made a courtesy visit (at the video and other memorabilia in the annex to invitation of Richard Luxton, owner of Coo- the ante room was great; (where did that malie Farm) to one of 87 Squadron’s former movie come from? perhaps we shouldn’t bases at Coomalie Creek, N.T. (see ‘Mailbag’ ask!). Having a chance to talk with and listen this issue). The links are pretty well complete. to the olds and bolds was a great experience too. Catching up with David Vincent (author of ‘Mosquito Monograph’), listening to Kym Bonython and many others was a privilege. THE AUSSIE MOSSIE / AUGUST 2006 / 1 The President’s Log—by Alan Middleton OAM Our Editors and story writ- “Mosquito Monograph” and Mem- ers, Bob Stevens and Terry bers of our Association, Terry Burke, Burke, are always keen to Graeme Coates and my wife and I receive articles, memoirs were also present. and personal histories and anecdotes of "Mosquito The ceremony and the dinner were Life", so I ask for contribu- very moving and of historical signifi- tions from Members to be cance as they brought together the sent to Bob or Terry. past and the future. I am certain 87 has an exciting future just the same An article from Syd God- as it had in the past. We all wish dard, formerly a Pilot with Rick and his enthusiastic team every No 1 Sqdn. Is included in good fortune. this issue and I am sure there are other stories I would also like to pass congratula- which would also be of tions on to the RAAF Museum’s great interest to all. Brett Clowes who has recently been promoted to Assistant Technical Cu- The history of the Mosquito rator leaving his Restoration Man- is in the minds of those of ager’s job open for a new comer. MAAA President's Log August 2006. you who lived and worked with them and we would be privileged for you Brett has provided the MAAA volun- to allow us to share your memoirs. Under the Constitution of our Associ- teers with guidance during the resto- ation, our Objects are to provide fel- ration of A52-600 and also an enor- lowship and develop acquaintances As previously reported, No 87 mous insight into restoration of air- among persons having a common Squadron was to be re-formed and craft in general. interest in the DH98 Mosquito Air- this occurred as from 1 July 2006. craft in general , including the provi- Wing Commander Rick Keir AM has Regards, sion of a support group to the team been appointed Commanding Officer Alan Middleton involved in the restoration of A52- and on 3 July 2006 an appropriate 600 in particular, and also, to ad- ceremony was conducted at RAAF vance and preserve the memory of Edinburgh, followed by dinner in the those persons who designed, pro- Officers Mess for all personnel. duced, flew and serviced the DH 98 Several former Members of 87 were Mosquito. invited, those able to attend being our Patron AVM (Retd) Sam Jordan AO, SQNLDR Kym Bonython AC The Mosquito was probably the most DFC AFC, SQNLDR Ted McKenzie versatile of all aircraft used by the DFC, FLTLT Laddie Hindley, and RAAF, the RAF, other Allied Air SQNLDR Harry Farmer. Forces and The Royal Navy units during 1944-45 and beyond, and was supplied to more than 140 Ted Squadrons and other units, including McKen- three Squadrons of the RAAF. zie, and It was employed for almost every Laddie purpose possible for an aircraft, from Hindley low level attack to high level photo are for- reconnaissance and everything be- mer tween, both day and night. CO's and Kym Bon- Approximately 7700 were produced, ython is including 212 in Australia, with varia- a former tions of type according to the role Acting they were to play. CO. This gives our Association a very David wide field of operation. Unfortunate- Vincent, ly, our active Members are very few author of and for them to cover all aspects is a daunting task. Every story has three sides to it, yours, mine and the facts - Foster Meharny Russell THE AUSSIE MOSSIE / AUGUST 2006 / 2 Restoration News by TRB In the Restoration hangar, work con- others, Arthur Winton has tinues on the mock-up of wing spars worked as a hands-on overse- and ribs for A52-600, in the area of er in refurbishing main landing the left main landing gear attach- gear components. Most of the ment points. The strip-down, refur- left side sub-assemblies have bishment and re-assembly of the had a full restoration, and the MLG itself, plus a survey of the wing separate parts are now looking (s), is also well under way. pretty good in their new paint. Geoff Matthews and Ron Gret- The mock-up has been hoisted into ton have begun re-assembling position on its stand; some great them in the mock-up, and we work has been done here by the two should see a full left side main full time Friends of the RAAF Muse- undercarriage assembly com- um volunteers, Geoff Matthews and plete in its stand before too Ron Gretton. long. In a short aside, Ron was presented Senior Technical Curator of the with Life Membership of the Friends. Museum David Jones moved He joins Geoff Mathews, previously the cut-off sections of wing awarded a Life Membership, and from storage into the Paint was presented with this richly de- Shop, where our members served award by none other than spent some time removing Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff dust, bird droppings and other unsa- the elements. They present a bit of a Shepherd AM, at the Friends Annual voury accumulations. MAAA mem- challenge, as you can see in the Dinner. bers have also helped photograph photo. the wing sections in detail, and re- I’m sure all MAAA members will join move and catalogue various metal Among the odds and ends category, in congratulating Ron and Geoff not brackets prior to their restoration. mention must be made of the rust only on their awards, but on their stripping results from the molasses outstanding contributions to Restora- While the original Mosquito wing was tank. This turgid, evil looking and tion and other projects around the built in one piece, the RAAF Muse- smelling brew has produced some Museum which have continued over um has three sections of a single amazing transformations of rusted many years. wing. And no, that doesn’t make us steel components. We should have lucky. At some stage after being sold some surprising ‘before and after’ In a team which has included Aussie by the RAAF, A52-600’s wing was photos of the canopy frame (among Mossie members Bob Stevens, Don cut just outside the fuselage on both other items) by next issue. Taylor, Noel Penny, Graeme Coates, sides, and none too gently either. Pat Dulhunty, David Devenish, Terry The short centre section remained Burke and Alan Middleton among with the fuselage (which had some shelter), while the two outer sections stayed exposed to TRB inspecting the mockup wing section and some of A successful completion to the ‘bird’ removal from the the MLG in its restoration stand. wing. Life is an endurance test, so why be ashamed of your age? - P.K. Shaw THE AUSSIE MOSSIE / AUGUST 2006 / 3 Work Safety by Pat Dulhunty MAAA member Pat Dulhunty had a extremely serious accident at work a couple of years ago and has put this article together to warn against com- placency where machinery is concerned and to also pass on his thanks to everyone who helped him through his ordeal. There is a lesson here for everyone ! On the 26th of May 2004 I kissed my home that morning about 05.50 and workmates have said they couldn't wife Carmel goodbye and off to work some 2.5 hours before the acci- believe that I had been injured at I went, just the same as I had done dent—the Doctors tell me this is be- work.
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