DOCSLIB.ORG

Jabberwock 68

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Jabberwock 68 JJABBERWOCKABBERWOCK The Newsletter of the Society of Friends of the Fleet Air Arm Museum IN THIS EDITION: Friends’ Visits to RAF Brize Norton and the RN Historic Flight RN Lynx retires aft er outstanding service Falklands 30 Exhibition Th e Daleks are coming! Tales my grandfather told me Skua - Too big, too heavy and too late! No.68 August 2012 Published by The Society of Friends of the Fleet Air Arm Museum Jabberwock No 68. August 2012 The Society of Friends of the Fleet Air Arm Museum Patron: Rear Admiral A R Rawbone CB, AFC, RN President: D S Moxley JP FLEET AIR ARM MUSEUM Box D6, RNAS Yeovilton Somerset BA22 8HT Telephone: 01935 840565 SOFFAAM email: sof@fl eetairarm.com Museum website: fl eetairarm.com Registered Charity No. 280725 1 Jabberwock No 68. August 2012 The Society of Friends of the Fleet Air Arm Museum Vice Presidents Captain K A Leppard CBE, RN Rear Admiral R C Dimmock CB, RN Rear Admiral A R Rawbone CB, AFC, RN F C Ott DSC BSc (Econ) Lt Cdr Philip (Jan) Stuart RN Squadron Leader Maurice Biggs RAF Jim Standfi eld Chairman Richard Huft on Vice Chairman Peter Trickey [email protected] Secretary Malcolm Smith [email protected] Treasurer Gordon Johnson [email protected] Membership Secretary Robert Heath Halden House New Street Wells BA5 2LQ [email protected] Talks and Events Organiser Rosanne Crowther Editor Malcolm Smith T: 01935 478304, M: 07765 950806 [email protected] Printed by: Remous Limited, Milborne Port 2 Jabberwock No 68. August 2012 CONTENTS CONTENTS ..................................................................................... 3 EDITORIAL ...................................................................................... 4 FRANKLY SPEAKING ....................................................................6 FRIENDS VISIT TO RAF BRIZE NORTON .....................................8 FRIENDS VISIT TO RN SUBMARINE MUSEUM ..........................11 RN LYNX RETIRES AFTER OUTSTANDING SERVICE .............. 13 FALKLANDS 30 EXHIBITION ....................................................... 14 SNIPPETS FROM COUNCIL MEETINGS .................................... 16 MEMBERSHIP .............................................................................. 17 COMING EVENTS IN THE MUSEUM ........................................... 18 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ..........................................................20 MONTHLY TALKS PROGRAMME ................................................ 24 RECENT MONTHLY TALKS ......................................................... 25 DOWN MEMORY LANE ................................................................26 THE “INDEFAT”, OR HMS INDEFATIGABLE ................................30 885 SQUADRON AND THE BPF FLEET TRAIN .......................... 32 “SKUA - TOO BIG, TOO HEAVY AND TOO LATE” ....................... 33 TALES MY GRANDFATHER TOLD ...............................................38 MY INTRODUCTION TO FLYING ................................................. 40 Cover Pictures: Front cover - New addition to the Museum, high-scoring veteran of the Falklands and Gulf confl icts, Lynx XZ 720. (See the article on page 11). Rear Cover - A crowded scene on the fl ight deck of HMS Indefatigable in late 1945, on her way to a visit to New Zealand before returning to the UK after the end of War in the Pacifi c. (See the article on page 30.) All the photographs in this publication, unless otherwise credited, are Crown Copyright and reproduced by kind permission of the FAAM. 3 Jabberwock No 68. August 2012 EDITORIAL RN Submarine Museum; give details irstly, an apology to authors of the recent arrival of a veteran FLen Dowsett and Bill Reeks, Lynx aircraft in the Museum; add a for not acknowledging that they postscript to Len Dowsett’s article on provided most of the photographs 885 squadron in Jabberwock 67 and that accompanied their articles in include some not entirely serious Jabberwock 67. On the subject of recollections of early helicopter photographs, the FAAM has a vast Search and Rescue activities. We archive, but we and they are always discuss changes to our mailing and interested in acquiring additional distribution system, invite members ones. If you have pictures that you to consider opting to receive an are willing to provide for publication, electronic version of the Journal and please let us know. look forward to your response. The Journal Annual General Meeting The eagle-eyed amongst our Please see the notice of the AGM readers may have noted the new in October. All are welcome to description of Jabberwock as the attend. This is your opportunity to Journal, as unanimously agreed at make your opinions heard. the May Council meeting. We all Visit to RNHF felt this refl ected its purpose more clearly. The advertisement on page 7 Correspondence provides early warning of the next visit to the RN historic Flight and The response to the colour Cobham Hall. These visits are version of Jabberwock and the always popular and provide a rare combined content has been very opportunity to see the Reserve positive. Please keep the comments Collection. If you wish to avoid coming in, it’s the only way that cutting up the Journal, photocopy the we can be sure that members page or simply send the appropriate are getting value for money! In details to Richard. this edition, we include “Letters to Crossword the Editor” and hope that this will The solution to last edition’s become a regular feature. crossword (by Richard Hufton) is on In this edition page 32. If any amateur compilers Also in this edition, we describe would like to contribute another - it highly successful visits by the would be welcome! Friends to RAF Brize Norton and the 4 Jabberwock No 68. August 2012 Notice of the Annual General Meeting to be held at the Fleet Air Arm Museum on Sunday 7 October 2012 Programme: 12:00 to 13:30 Please join us for lunch. Buy in the Swordfi sh Restaurant and carry through to the Swordfi sh Centre, which is reserved for us. 13:45 Grand Draw in the auditorium 14:00 Annual General Meeting in the Auditorium. As stated in our Constitution, all positions fall vacant at the AGM. These are: President, Chairman, Vice-chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary and nine ordinary Council members. If you would like to apply for one of these positions please notify the Secretary in writing or by e-mail by 7 September. If you wish to place an item on the Agenda please send it in writing or by e-mail to reach the Secretary by the same date. 5 Jabberwock No 68. August 2012 FRANKLY SPEAKING After many suggestions and a s noted in Jabberwock 67, lot of thought we had a cunning David Kinloch retired from A plan. First we bought a large the post of Editor of the Newsletter quantity of stamps just before at the beginning of this year. the price increase and some of An important but unsung part of these were used to send out the David’s responsibilities was the May Jabberwock. But how do we despatch of over 1,000 copies of cope with sending out over 4,000 the Newsletter every quarter and Jabberwocks a year in future? a similar number of Jabberwocks Surprisingly the answer is to print twice yearly. This task has fallen to our own stamps. No, we don’t have other members and the experience a skilled forger in our membership of putting this many magazines but, if all has gone to plan, you (and frequently new membership will see the result printed on the cards) into envelopes, sealing them envelope you have just received. and adding an address label, then By buying a Franking Machine we fi nally sticking on a stamp, led now do part of the Royal Mail’s job, us to realise the saving them the magnitude of the cost of franking task. and bagging. For The cost of doing this they postage is a charge us less. signifi cant factor in Taking all costs reviewing the whole into account, process.“Squeezed 1,100 copies ready to post instead of paying until the pips squeak” an extra £700 a is the expression which came to mind year, we have reduced the increase on 30 April 2012 when there was a to about £200 a year. We could huge rise in postal charges. It put up also reduce costs if members were our postage costs by about £700 a willing to receive the Journal by year. We are very conscious that your email, rather than in hard copy, and subscriptions, donations and purchase we plan to offer this option in the of raffl e tickets are intended to further new members’ joining form, which the work of our charity and we do is being updated. Existing members all we can to keep running costs as who would prefer this option are low as possible so that our funds are invited to contact the Editor. His available to give maximum assistance contact details are on page 2. to the Museum. 6 Jabberwock No 68. August 2012 VISITS TO RN HISTORIC FLIGHT & COBHAM HALL WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY 3rd & 4th October 2012 Meet in the Fleet Air Arm Museum Car Park at 1030 AT 1045 MEMBERS WILL BE ESCORTED IN OUR OWN CARS TO THE RN HISTORIC FLIGHT HANGAR WHERE WE WILL BE MET BY FLIGHT STAFF & MAINTAINERS AND WILL BE ABLE TO CLOSELY VIEW THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE RETURNING TO THE FAAM CAR PARK. ( Please note : Lunch is not provided on this visit ) AT 1345 WE WILL TRANSFER TO COBHAM HALL IN OUR OWN CARS FOR A PRIVATE TOUR OF THE FLEET AIR ARM MUSEUM‛S RESERVE COLLECTION OF RARELY SEEN AIRCRAFT & EXHIBITS. THE VISIT WILL END AT APPROXIMATELY 1600. MEMBERS ARE REQUESTED TO CAR SHARE FOR THE VISIT TO HISTORIC FLIGHT - BUT THERE ARE NO PARKING RESTRICTIONS AT COBHAM HALL. Directions to Cobham Hall : From the museum car park turn right, then take fi rst left and the entrance to Cobham Hall car park is a further 100 yards. to the left. Select preferred date, complete and return this application form together with a £12.00 cheque for each member and a stamped addressed envelope, to reach me no later than Monday 17thSeptember. Places are allocated on a fi rst come fi rst served basis. Please make all cheques (no cash) payable to SOFFAAM.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • British Pacific Fleet, 1945
    British Pacific Fleet 1945 Battleships HMS DUKE OF YORK (C-in-C, BPF): CAPT A.D.Nicholl, CBE, DSO HMS KING GEORGE V (VA 2 in C): CAPT B.B.Schofield, CBE HMS ANSON: CAPT A.C.G.Madden HMS HOWE: CAPT H.W.U.McCall, DSO Fleet Aircraft Carriers HMS VICTORIOUS: Rear Admiral M.M.Denny, CB, C8E HMS FORMIDABLE: CAPT W.G.Andrewes, CBE, DSO HMS INDEFATIGABLE: CAPT Q.D.Graham, CBE, DSO HMS INDOMITABLE: CAPT J.A.S.Eccles, CBE HMS IMPLACABLE: CAPT C.C.Hughes-Hallett, CBE Light Fleet Aircraft Carriers HMS COLOSSUS: CAPT G.H.Stokes, CB, DSC HMS GLORY: CAPT A.W.Buzzard, DSO, OBE HMS VENERABLE: CAPT W.A.Dallmeyer, DSO HMS VENGEANCE: CAPT D.M.L.Neame, DSO Escort Aircraft Carriers HMS STRIKER: CAPT W.P.Carne HMS ARBITER: CAPT D.H.Everett, DSO, MBE HMS CHASER: CAPT R.G.Poole HMS RULER: CAPT H.P.Currey, OBE HMS SLINGER: LCDR J.G.Hopkins HMS SPEAKER: CAPT U.H.R.James HMS VINDEX: CDR J.D.L.Williams, DSC HMS REAPER: CDR I.T.Clark, OBE Cruisers HMS BERMUDA: CAPT J.S.Bethell, CBE HMS BELFAST: CAPT R.M.Dick, CBE, DSC HMS EURYALUS: CAPT R.S.Warne, CBE HMS GAMBIA (N.Z.manned): CAPT R.A.B.Edwards, CBE HMS ACHILLES (N.Z.manned): CAPT F.J.Butler, MBE HMS NEWFOUNDLAND: CAPT R.W.Ravenhill, CBE, DSC HMS BLACK PRINCE: CAPT G.V.Gladstone HMS ONTARIO (RCN): CAPT H.T.W.Grant, DSO, RCN HMS SWIFTSURE: CAPT P.V.McLaughlin HMS ARGONAUT: CAPT W.P.McCarthy Fast Minelayers HMS APOLLO: CAPT L.N.Brownfield HMS ARIADNE: CAPT F.B.Lloyd, OBE HMS MANXMAN: CAPT G.Thistleton-Smith, GM Destroyer Depot Ships HMS TYNE: CAPT S.Boucher HMS MONTCLARE: CAPT G.W.Hoare-Smith Destroyers HMS QUADRANT:
    [Show full text]
  • The British Commonwealth and Allied Naval Forces' Operation with the Anti
    THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH AND ALLIED NAVAL FORCES’ OPERATION WITH THE ANTI-COMMUNIST GUERRILLAS IN THE KOREAN WAR: WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE OPERATION ON THE WEST COAST By INSEUNG KIM A dissertation submitted to The University of Birmingham For the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY School of History and Cultures College of Arts and Law The University of Birmingham May 2018 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. ABSTRACT This thesis examines the British Commonwealth and Allied Naval forces operation on the west coast during the final two and a half years of the Korean War, particularly focused on their co- operation with the anti-Communist guerrillas. The purpose of this study is to present a more realistic picture of the United Nations (UN) naval forces operation in the west, which has been largely neglected, by analysing their activities in relation to the large number of irregular forces. This thesis shows that, even though it was often difficult and frustrating, working with the irregular groups was both strategically and operationally essential to the conduct of the war, and this naval-guerrilla relationship was of major importance during the latter part of the naval campaign.
    [Show full text]
  • Master Narrative Ours Is the Epic Story of the Royal Navy, Its Impact on Britain and the World from Its Origins in 625 A.D
    NMRN Master Narrative Ours is the epic story of the Royal Navy, its impact on Britain and the world from its origins in 625 A.D. to the present day. We will tell this emotionally-coloured and nuanced story, one of triumph and achievement as well as failure and muddle, through four key themes:- People. We tell the story of the Royal Navy’s people. We examine the qualities that distinguish people serving at sea: courage, loyalty and sacrifice but also incidents of ignorance, cruelty and cowardice. We trace the changes from the amateur ‘soldiers at sea’, through the professionalization of officers and then ships’ companies, onto the ‘citizen sailors’ who fought the World Wars and finally to today’s small, elite force of men and women. We highlight the change as people are rewarded in war with personal profit and prize money but then dispensed with in peace, to the different kind of recognition given to salaried public servants. Increasingly the people’s story becomes one of highly trained specialists, often serving in branches with strong corporate identities: the Royal Marines, the Submarine Service and the Fleet Air Arm. We will examine these identities and the Royal Navy’s unique camaraderie, characterised by simultaneous loyalties to ship, trade, branch, service and comrades. Purpose. We tell the story of the Royal Navy’s roles in the past, and explain its purpose today. Using examples of what the service did and continues to do, we show how for centuries it was the pre-eminent agent of first the British Crown and then of state policy throughout the world.
    [Show full text]
  • Hornblower's Ships
    Names of Ships from the Hornblower Books. Introduction Hornblower’s biographer, C S Forester, wrote eleven books covering the most active and dramatic episodes of the life of his subject. In addition, he also wrote a Hornblower “Companion” and the so called three “lost” short stories. There were some years and activities in Hornblower’s life that were not written about before the biographer’s death and therefore not recorded. However, the books and stories that were published describe not only what Hornblower did and thought about his life and career but also mentioned in varying levels of detail the people and the ships that he encountered. Hornblower of course served on many ships but also fought with and against them, captured them, sank them or protected them besides just being aware of them. Of all the ships mentioned, a handful of them would have been highly significant for him. The Indefatigable was the ship on which Midshipman and then Acting Lieutenant Hornblower mostly learnt and developed his skills as a seaman and as a fighting man. This learning continued with his experiences on the Renown as a lieutenant. His first commands, apart from prizes taken, were on the Hotspur and the Atropos. Later as a full captain, he took the Lydia round the Horn to the Pacific coast of South America and his first and only captaincy of a ship of the line was on the Sutherland. He first flew his own flag on the Nonsuch and sailed to the Baltic on her. In later years his ships were smaller as befitted the nature of the tasks that fell to him.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Introduction
    Notes 1 Introduction 1. Donald Macintyre, Narvik (London: Evans, 1959), p. 15. 2. See Olav Riste, The Neutral Ally: Norway’s Relations with Belligerent Powers in the First World War (London: Allen and Unwin, 1965). 3. Reflections of the C-in-C Navy on the Outbreak of War, 3 September 1939, The Fuehrer Conferences on Naval Affairs, 1939–45 (Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1990), pp. 37–38. 4. Report of the C-in-C Navy to the Fuehrer, 10 October 1939, in ibid. p. 47. 5. Report of the C-in-C Navy to the Fuehrer, 8 December 1939, Minutes of a Conference with Herr Hauglin and Herr Quisling on 11 December 1939 and Report of the C-in-C Navy, 12 December 1939 in ibid. pp. 63–67. 6. MGFA, Nichols Bohemia, n 172/14, H. W. Schmidt to Admiral Bohemia, 31 January 1955 cited by Francois Kersaudy, Norway, 1940 (London: Arrow, 1990), p. 42. 7. See Andrew Lambert, ‘Seapower 1939–40: Churchill and the Strategic Origins of the Battle of the Atlantic, Journal of Strategic Studies, vol. 17, no. 1 (1994), pp. 86–108. 8. For the importance of Swedish iron ore see Thomas Munch-Petersen, The Strategy of Phoney War (Stockholm: Militärhistoriska Förlaget, 1981). 9. Churchill, The Second World War, I, p. 463. 10. See Richard Wiggan, Hunt the Altmark (London: Hale, 1982). 11. TMI, Tome XV, Déposition de l’amiral Raeder, 17 May 1946 cited by Kersaudy, p. 44. 12. Kersaudy, p. 81. 13. Johannes Andenæs, Olav Riste and Magne Skodvin, Norway and the Second World War (Oslo: Aschehoug, 1966), p.
    [Show full text]
  • Newsletter of Canadian Naval Aviators and Associates
    The Newsletter of Canadian Naval Aviators and Associates Toronto, Ontario, Canada June 2011 Last year, we reported that the Sheriff had called BOTH of us for jury duty, though we had both been called in recent years. On the first time, Deb had been able to claim immunity because she was still in the forces. In my case, the year passed without my being called. On last New Year’s Eve, we were able to toast our freedom; however, the first mail of the new year brought a summons dated in late December, ordering me to do my duty. The summons came with a set of ‘frequently asked questions’ that covered most of my needs, but there was one point that I needed clarified. A call to the Sheriff’s office reached a clerk who was able to answer the question. Out of the blue, she asked me if I wanted to be relieved from duty. While I discussed the pros and cons, she suddenly told me that she had just removed me from the list as not being qualified. Formidable! Later in the year in a smaller community nearby, a judge called all his prospective jurors together and asked them explain why so many had tried to be relieved of their duty. It seems that many are called and few want to be chosen. Another year has passed, and it has not been a good one for me. A chronic problem has turned into a severe one, though how severe will not be known for some time. After several months of debilitating and confusing symptoms, I have been diagnosed with bladder cancer, which now has spread.
    [Show full text]
  • Alfred Thomas Dew 1891
    Dawlish World War One Project Alfred Thomas DEW Born Rewe, Nr Exeter 3 November 1891 Died 31 May 1916, aged 24 Stoker 1st class, Royal Navy, Service No: K 22746 H.M.S.INDEFATIGABLE Alfred Thomas Dew was one of five children of the marriage of John Dew and Louisa Harriet Hodge. (CWGC site info) John Dew's father was Joseph John Dew (1836-1903) and Joseph appears with his mother, Margaret, in Rosemary Lane, St Edmund, Exeter in 1851. His mother was a laundress born in Clyst St Mary, ca 1791. After this point the name Joseph is dropped and John married Ann Babel (1838-1890) in St Thomas district (Exwick?) in Q3,1860. He appears as John in 1861 census when he is working as an engineer in paper mills. They had their first son John Dew, 8 months old (born St Thomas, Q4,1860) in time for that census. Joseph John Dew and Ann carried on to have a large family, John (1860-1909), George (1862-1936), Bessie (1864-1942), Samuel (1866-1941), Henry James (1868-1927), Charles (1870-1871), Walter, (1972-1914), Alice (1875-1907), Charles William (1878-1907) and Albert (1879-1911). John, aged 35, is shown as a paper maker in 1871 but a Labourer in 1881 when the family were still living in Exwick. Ann died in 1890 and Joseph John Dew was a widower in 1891 and working as a mason's labourer with Bessie, Walter, Charles William and Albert living at home at Wilsons Cottages, Exwick Hill. In the next property his son, Samuel Dew, was living with his wife Harriet (1866- ).
    [Show full text]
  • We Envy No Man on Earth Because We Fly. the Australian Fleet Air
    We Envy No Man On Earth Because We Fly. The Australian Fleet Air Arm: A Comparative Operational Study. This thesis is presented for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Murdoch University 2016 Sharron Lee Spargo BA (Hons) Murdoch University I declare that this thesis is my own account of my research and contains as its main content work which has not previously been submitted for a degree at any tertiary education institution. …………………………………………………………………………….. Abstract This thesis examines a small component of the Australian Navy, the Fleet Air Arm. Naval aviators have been contributing to Australian military history since 1914 but they remain relatively unheard of in the wider community and in some instances, in Australian military circles. Aviation within the maritime environment was, and remains, a versatile weapon in any modern navy but the struggle to initiate an aviation branch within the Royal Australian Navy was a protracted one. Finally coming into existence in 1947, the Australian Fleet Air Arm operated from the largest of all naval vessels in the post battle ship era; aircraft carriers. HMAS Albatross, Sydney, Vengeance and Melbourne carried, operated and fully maintained various fixed-wing aircraft and the naval personnel needed for operational deployments until 1982. These deployments included contributions to national and multinational combat, peacekeeping and humanitarian operations. With the Australian government’s decision not to replace the last of the aging aircraft carriers, HMAS Melbourne, in 1982, the survival of the Australian Fleet Air Arm, and its highly trained personnel, was in grave doubt. This was a major turning point for Australian Naval Aviation; these versatile flyers and the maintenance and technical crews who supported them retrained on rotary aircraft, or helicopters, and adapted to flight operations utilising small compact ships.
    [Show full text]
  • T.S. Indefatigable1901 T.S. Indefatigable 1930
    In 1864 John Clint, a Liverpool ship-owner, founded a charitable institution to train the sons of sailors, destitute and orphaned boys to become merchant seamen. T.S. Indefatigable1901 The first TS Indefatigable was loaned by the Admiralty and was one of the last of the Navy’s sailing frigates. Mr. James Bibby contributed £5,000 to transform her from a fighting ship to a training ship and this was to be the start of a long association between the Bibby family and the School. The TS Indefatigable merged with the Lancashire and National Sea Training Homes in 1945 and records relating to both institutions are held in the Maritime Archives & Library. T.S. Indefatigable 1930 „Indefatigable‟ was founded in 1864 by John Clift and a handful of philanthropic ship owners as a training establishment which aimed to prepare boys for a life in the Merchant Navy. It was initially for „the sons and orphans of seamen who are without means, preferably sailors connected with Liverpool‟. The school was established aboard the INDEFATIGABLE, a 50-gun frigate (the 3rd ship to bear her name) which was loaned by the Admiralty, and fitted out for £5000 at the expense of James J Bibby Esq. The first boys were admitted in August 1865. She could accommodate up to 200, in addition to the staff. „Inde‟ boys were almost exclusively supported by local public subscription; though some of the better off did pay the modest fees of those days. In 1912 the ship was condemned as unfit by the Inspector of Training Ships „though the bilges are sweet‟.
    [Show full text]
  • Mach 2 Magazine May 2020
    Mach 2 Concorde magazine FOCUS ON ENGINEERING Concorde operations through the decades Concorde Watch Life under lockdown Issue 26 May 2020 Mach 2 May 2020 Introduction Keeping Concorde in operation – from the first flights of the prototypes to the final journeys of the fleet aircraft – was both an awesome achievement and a monumental feat of aero engineering. In this issue we look at the British engineering opera- tions, from the earliest flights to the end of British Airways services. Three of the engineers who made these Concorde flights possible recall the challeng- es and triumphs of their work. The current COVID-19 crisis has affected com- munities all over the world. The specialists and volunteers who take care of the Concordes are no exception. The museums are currently closed to visitors, but in Concorde Watch we bring you a brief update on each of the aircraft, together with information on fund-raising drives for G-BBDG and G-BOAF. Very best wishes to all the Concorde maintenance teams, all of Mach 2’s readers, and your families – please stay safe, wherever you are. In this issue 2 Introduction 12 The view from the flight deck 3 Feature: A technical triumph David Macdonald 4 Manufacture and testing 13 Concorde Watch John Dunlevy 6 In-service maintenance Editor: Katie John Pete Comport Cover: Concorde undergoing maintenance. Photo: Stephen Payne 2 Mach 2 May 2020 A Technical Triumph To help counteract the passage of time in recording this history, British Air- ways Concorde engineer Pete Comport asked John Dunlevy (BA Concorde avionics engineer) and David Macdonald (BA Concorde flight engineer), both intimately involved in the Concorde story, for their reminiscences.
    [Show full text]
  • Aircraft Slide Collection Dates
    MS-402: Aircraft Slide Collection Collection Number: MS-402 Title: Aircraft Slide Collection Dates: 1970-1998 Creator: Wayne and Karen Pittman Summary/Abstract: The Aircraft Slide Collection is an assortment of 35mm color slides of aircraft in numerous operational locations, as well as air museums, static displays, and air shows. Quantity/Physical Description: 1 linear foot (3 flat storage three-ring binder boxes) Language(s): English Repository: Special Collections and Archives, Paul Laurence Dunbar Library, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435-001, (937) 775-2092 Restrictions on Access: There are no restrictions on accessing material in this collection. Restrictions on Use: Copyright restrictions may apply. Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder. Preferred Citation: (Box Number, Folder Number), MS-402, Aircraft Slide Collection, Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio Acquisition: The Aircraft Slide Collection was donated to Wright State University Special Collections and Archives in September 2008. Revisions: Revised by Jeremy Katz (February 2011) Processed by: Ryan Qualls Arrangement: The collection is arranged into three series and four subseries: Series I: Air Shows and Aero Teams Subseries 1A: Air Shows Subseries 1B: Aero Teams 1 Series II: Museums and Static Displays Subseries IIA: United States Subseries IIB: Foreign Series III: Gate Guards and Individual Aircraft Biographical/Historical Note: The Aircraft Slide Collection was compiled by Wayne and Karen Pittman during their travels to various air shows and museums throughout the North America and Europe. Scope and Content: The Aircraft Slide Collection is an assortment of color slides produced by Wayne and Karen Pittman on their travels to various air shows and museums around North America and Europe.
    [Show full text]
  • Leonard Birchall and the Japanese Raid on Colombo
    HISTORY The White Ensign standard of the Royal Navy. The Rising Sun flag of imperial Japan. LEONARD BIRCHALL AND THE JAPANESE RAID ON COLOMBO by Rob Stuart Introduction objectives included disrupting shipping in the Bay of Bengal, and encouraging the Indian independence ir Commodore Leonard Joseph Birchall, Member movement, which desired to take India out of the Aof the Order of Canada, Member of the Order war. In other words, this was a raid, and not an invasion of Ontario, Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the of Ceylon.1 British Empire, Distinguished Flying Cross, Canadian Forces Decoration, Officer of the United States Legion of The British were still reeling from a string of recent d Merit, passed away in September 2004 at the age of 89. isasters. Hong Kong, Malaya, Singapore, Borneo, and His passing was reported in most Canadian newspapers, much of Burma had fallen, and the Japanese Army and all of them noted that he had been nicknamed was approaching India’s eastern border. To stem the ‘the Saviour of Ceylon’ for having spotted a Japanese Japanese advance, such reinforcements as were available fleet approaching Ceylon (now Sri had been dispatched to the Far East. Lanka) on 4 April 1942 while on patrol Among them was 413 Squadron, which, in a 413 (RCAF) Squadron Consolidated “The force Birchall at the end of February, had been ordered Catalina flying boat. Unfortunately, spotted was the to move to Ceylon from Sullom Voe few accounts of Birchall’s actions that in the Shetland Islands. The squadron’s First Air Fleet, day paint a full picture of the combat four Catalinas departed Europe in operations in which his sighting the carrier battle mid-March, and its ground crews soon report played an important factor.
    [Show full text]