Twenty Four the Magazine of 24 Sqn Association

Twenty Four The Magazine of 24 Sqn Association

Issue 4 Summer 1997

Contents Page No ne of the main organising lunch, guided tours of advantages of ReUnions Air Traffic, Fire Department and Editorial 1 with Squadrons that have static display aircraft are required The '96 Reunion 1 not been disbanded is skills for Squadron executives that there is always something nowadays. Those members who Hastings Part 2 2 fresh to talk about and this year took the opportunity to look over proved no exception. Friday New Angles 3 the static aircraft would have evenings before the AGM are seen one of the few around Memory Banks 4 starting to take on an agenda all modified for Special Forces of their own, this year being no operations. The aircraft have Keeping in Touch 7 exception in what is hoped to be chaff dispensing and infrared A Good Read 8 a permanent feature. One of the jammer countermeasures fitted, added bonuses is that some of the along with a night vision lighting Snippets 9 ice is quickly broken for the system. newcomers to the Association 24 Squadron Update 11 who can relax in the comfortable Improvements have been made Late News 15 surroundings of the Hilton bar. to the fabric of the Squadron A few new faces did make it and building and redecoration inside quickly joined in with the flying has spruced the place up. The Editor speak that has not gone out of presentation after the AGM by David Burgin fashion over the years. Those Rob Bailey, now becoming an Association President who had made longer journeys old hand at this sort of thing, was AVM John Tetley found the benefits of the freshly a super slick affair using a Association Committee turned down sheets not many computer generated slide slow Richard Bates - Chairman steps away a welcome reward that knitted together essential Pincher Martin - Dep. Chair after the friendly atmosphere facts about Twenty Four with Keith Rayner - Treasurer actual pictures of operations and David Burgin - Secretary The ‘96 ReUnion detachments.

Squadron Liaison The Squadron is currently downstairs. W/C Rob Bailey involved with Operation Jural/ Warden in Iraq which involves F/L Frank Taylor SATURDAY THE 9TH OF assisting and maintaining the No OCTOBER had the weather in Fly Zones along with keeping our favour once again, a date set supplies rolling in. A second without the advice of the Met operation now called Resolute Twenty Four is the Newsletter of man by the way. A fresh team of 24 Squadron Association and but previously Operation Deny issued once a year to all helpers was in attendance during Christmas!, is centred around members. the day this year to welcome Bosnia and again involves Association members and guests. resupply missions and calibration Contributions to Assoc. Sec at :- This is as a result of operational of the airfield aids. Most of the commitments, redundancies and 15 Birch Grove flights are direct flights between CHIPPENHAM an unusually large aircrew UK, Germany and Split and Wilts SN15 1DD turnover since we last met. include re-rolling the aircraft into Being host, presentations (more the Casualty Evacuation of below), mini bus driving, (CASEVAC) mode for those Page 2 Issue 4 Twenty Four

occasions it proves necessary. Elison AFB. resources to far. Such is the scale of this operation that it accounts for around 50% Only one longish detachment What bigger cost saving than a 2 of the total flying hours still exists for the crews, that is man flight deck instead of 4. performed in any one month. 1312 Flight based in the The introduction of the C130J Faukland Islands for a rotation moves ever closer, now Operation Banner, which has period of 7/8 weeks. The air to scheduled to be with 24 in now been running for many air refuelling tasks covered in the November 1997. It will mean years, supports the peace keeping past have given way to just that some crews will be detached role in Northern Ireland with Maritime Patrol missions over to the States for the initial both men, munitions and other the waters of the South Atlantic. training to type. A new logistic supplies. Other overseas opportunity has appeared for flights to more exotic locations Supporting the Red Arrows is some of these 'surplus' personnel are now a bit of a rarity. still a job not to be given to rival with an Aircrew background to squadrons for no good reason staff the Operations Support The tasks masters at and that reason is that they still Branch. This will function in a Headquarters are loading up the fly off to Travel Agent similar manner to a Civilian Squadron to a figure of 103%, destinations. This year it was in Airline Despatch organisation which when most of the trips are the role as Commonwealth and make full use of their short haul flights, makes for a representatives to South Africa background and skills. punishing routine for the crews. and Australia that 24 dutifully trailed along with spare drums of The Ladies Guest night which What appeared on the planning red and blue smoke. Such combines the Squadron and sheets as a glimmer of light relief devotion to duty should not go Association members was once in the guise of Exercise Purple unrewarded. again a huge success. It is the Star proved to more arduous for cosy atmosphere of the Mess a number of factors. It was The last of the current roles, ante-room which sets the scene based at Marine Corps Air whilst on the subject of before we move through into a Station Cherry Point on the formation flying is the C130's dining room resplendent with Eastern seaboard of the States very own Green Barrows. If you Lyneham's own Silver Band. A and involved mainly night flying think the word wheel should veteran of WW 2 would have sorties to drop paratroops, a sort appear between green and mistaken the red and black of mini D-Day. Lyneham sent barrow, then you are on the right objects attached to each chair as around 650 personnel which track. Yes its Lynehams own 5 something similar to a friendly included 34 Hercules crews. A ship display team that has barrage balloon zone, made all tornado (the wind, not the performed at all the major the more realistic by the sound of aircraft) struck the region during pageants recently, central the exploding flower displays the exercise, which made it a London is almost an extension of going off at random intervals memorable occasions for not the local visual circuit. during the evening. quite the right reasons. What of the future? Well Service commitments once again Without pausing to catch breath, privatisation is not only confined left a number of these sought the Squadron detachment moved to public utilities but is ever after seats empty but over 100 straight into Exercise Distant present at a military base near managed without too much Frontier. Its purpose was to test you, in fact Lyneham in this trouble to have a superb night aircraft and crews to the particular case. There is a real out. A few moment were taken extremes of temperature found in concern among the personnel at out of the evening to reflect on Alaska. The contrast could not the base that a loss of services Major L G Hawker, VC, DSO have been greater than the high and facilities due to be who lost his life around this time humidity and heat at Cherry introduced as cost saving of the year in 1916 and all those Point to the sub zero climate of measures could stretch the on the Pisa aircraft in more Twenty Four Issue 4 Page 3

Flying Machines of 24 - Hastings Pt 2 Plainfare" - the Air Lift. In the absence of any more Hastings tales, we will have to leave this ISSUE 3 OF TWENTY FOUR Cyprus because of the particular type and move onto left the Hastings saga at introduction of Beverlys to 47 the next in reverse order of Abingdon in 1953 with the Squadron. Towards the end of ownership, namely the York. Squadron landing Hastings TG the year some of the Hastings Do send in your contributions 559 in a spectacular fashion not were prepared for war and joined about another grand old queen of to be found in PiIots Notes. an armada of RAF aircraft types the skies which should appear based at airfields in Cyprus and over the horizon in Issue 5 of 1954 was fortunately less Malta. This was the infamous Twenty Four. exciting, the only mishap was to Suez Crisis, Operation WD 482, a Radar Research Musketeer. Some of you may New Angles Establishment aircraft as it recall the colour scheme painted landed at Delford. The pilot for this operation, black and selected 'undercarriage up' yellow stripes on the wing and instead of 'flaps up' during the fuselage. SOUTH AFRICANS IN RAF final stages of the landing run SQUADRON reads the article in with the result that the port The Suez Campaign fell into the Cape Times of the 3 July undercarriage collapsed and the three distinct phases over a five 1948. "Six enthusiastic young aircraft swung off the runway. day period, commencing on South African fliers, all hand October 31 with the destruction picked men, are helping to build An accident which killed two of the Egyptian Air Force, then one of the world's crack air and injured two that may have attacks on military targets and transport squadrons now been prevented occurred the next finally the dropping of operating in Britain." year on the 29th of March to WD paratroops to occupy key targets.

484 which was on loan to RRE at Each aircraft on the final phase This newspaper cutting is Boscombe Down. The aircraft had 40 paratroops together with proudly attached within the log quickly became airborne and stores and equipment, a definite book of Captain W.H. (Shorty) went into a steep climb to around overload situation. This resulted Rosser and forms part of a letter 300 ft. where it was almost in the 20 second interval written to Bob Osborne back in vertical; the port wing dropped, formation that set off, stringing 1990 retelling of how those fliers the aircraft rolled and fell out of out over many miles as each became part of the the sky. MOD 875 had not been aircraft struggled to do its best Commonwealth Squadron. The incorporated and the senior performance. With no chance of following is the story as told by maintenance officer was putting all the paras down at Shorty. subsequently criticised for once, it was as well the airfield at delaying its incorporation. From El Gamil was not heavily 'In 1947 when 24 Squadron was then on, the pilots check lists defended. reorganised and and officially were amended to include unlock christened the Commonwealth and visual checks on pre-starting 24 Squadron continued to Squadron, three South African and when aligned on the runway. operate Hastings C Mk2 until air force crews, consisting of 1968 before converting to four aircrew in each, arrived in An interesting aside here is that Hercules. Not many have been England on the 28 April 1947 the two lucky survivors of that seen in recent years but one such and served with the RAF incident happened to be in a rear fin number was TG 528, a C1A Transport Command until the 24 facing passenger seats. Could spotted by John Care while March 1949. this have convinced the policy visiting Duxford. This had seen makers of Transport Command service with both 24 and 36 All 12 crew members were to widen this fit to all transport Squadron according to the qualified pilots. Some of us aircraft? nameplate. A gate guard still at having been posted from Bomber Gatow is a wonderfully restored Squadrons at the end of the war During 1956, 70 Squadron were Hastings (TG 503), a reminder to to join 28 Squadron S.A.A.F. equipped with Hastings out in the city of the days of "Operation Page 4 Issue 4 Twenty Four

transport squadron, with most of during June 1948, referred to as Squadron had the 24 Squadron our time spent ferrying troops Operation Carter Paterson. The Commonwealth Badge on my returning home to South Africa words out of the Cape Times blazer." from Cairo and Italy. In 1946 it capture the spirit of the airlift was decided that the permanent thus:- force S.A.A.F. pilots would at Memory Banks some stage undertake training in ' With stopwatch regularity, Yorks the various other aircrew duties, and Dakotas taxi out of the cab some were assigned to rank lines on the grass at Wunstorf, near Hanover, to take navigation courses, other to All Weather Air Service wireless operator courses. off with their cargoes of food for Berlin, 160 miles away to the (AWAS) east. They keep to a strict The first crews, all pilots but for timetable and flights leave every FOR A YEAR AFTER WW2 the the period in England carried out few minutes when visibility is Squadron operated an their newly assigned duties. good. Each plane takes off as experimental all-weather service the one in front is just leaving the from Blackbushe to Prestwick. As Pilots ground and the one in front of Out of 728 planned flights, 726 that is circling the airfield; in fact Capt. R. Crampton were completed on time, a Lt. J.H. Haskins the operation is just like a continuous carrier belt. The commendable record. A few Lt. W.H. Rosser reports have started to filter in Lt. J.W. Taylor moment the planes are unloaded at Gatow airport, Berlin about this not to well recorded Lt. P.J. van Schalkwyk - and that takes about 20 phase of the Squadron's History. Lt. J.F.v Ryneveld minutes - they are off again back A member of one of the four to Hanover.’ inaugural crews was 'Willie' Pilots as Navs Wilson, now living in Aukland, Lt.W.F. Church That is a very brief resume of the New Zealand. From 18 Lt. I. Norman-Smith first contingent from S.A. I can September 1945 until 30 Lt. M.A. St. L. Parker assure you that everyone of us November 1945 his crew enjoyed every minute, especially completed 40 trips. With FIDO Pilots as WOPs the time spent with 24 Squadron. installed at Blackbushe, fog was Lt. A.C.J. Bosch Personally I would have been not a problem but on two Lt. D.D. Deans content to continue with the occasions trips were aborted due Lt. D.D. Grace Squadron in my case it must to turbulence. have left its mark. After We all started off by completing returning to S.A. I completed an Willie has sent in a photo of the the R.A.F. Transport Command instructors course. Then was crew of the AWAS (see over), he Courses, B.A.B.S. at 1510 Flight posted to Cape Town and had to is third from the left on the back Bircham Newton, then the undertake numerous office duties row. Three crew members in the Dakota course at Dishforth. as well as flying and instructing. picture named are F/O Tucker, From there to 238 Squadron at In December 1951 after 11.5 front row, first on left with Abingdon and then Oakington! years with the S.A.A.F., I felt I peaked cap; F/L Morgan, front On completing the course at had to make a move in order to row, fourth from left and F/L Dishforth all were assessed as spend more time flying and with Murray, last on right, front row. M.R. Freight Pilot. Dakota. a heavy heart resigned. Inexperienced, D category. At Another letter sent in by Ralph 238 Squadron further tests and In January 1952 I joined Central Barker starts to put some of the usual practice periods in-between African Airways in the then jigsaw pieces together. Ralph flights, after that the Transport Rhodesia and spent 30 years as was also one of the first AWAS Command Examining Unit. an airline pilot, retiring crews, teamed up with Norman Some of the pilots were eventually from Air Zimbabwe Steer (pilot) and McGregor the upgraded to A and B category to settle down near East London, navigator. He also recalls F/O and then onto 24 Squadron to the S.A. As a matter of interest I Tucker who married an Ayrshire VIP flying along with long have always since leaving the girl and F/L Murray. Ralph periods of the Berlin Airlift Twenty Four Issue 4 Page 5 crashed while with Steer at which regular flight could be I have not seen the official Prestwick on 31 January 1946 in undertaken and this information reports on the exercise, but to the KN 519 and was asked at the would be of great assistance to best of my recollection, the flight enquiry why they were flying the the emerging civil airlines. I had took off every day for twelve aircraft in such bad weather! He already spent twelve months with months but turned back on two can recall tackling at least one 147 Squadron establishing occasions and several crews full FIDO assisted approach and regular services to the European reported lightning strikes. In landing at Blackbushe, narrowly capitals as they were liberated. severe weather no passengers missing the control tower. The service was also used as a were carried. shuttle between Scotland and Lastly, some excellent notes London for service personnel, The credit for the success of the giving a first hand account of the especially those who were exercise must go to the crews AWAS from Jack Le Hurray crossing the Atlantic into and out who maintained the regularity of who joined 24 Squadron at of Prestwick. the service during the worst of Hendon just prior to their the winter weather. I regret I am relocation to Bassingbourn. My period on the flight was unable to name them. As ex Wing Commander Walters was during the whole of August until Transport crews will know, the C.O. and Squadron Leader the last flight on September 16th, cohesion that existed in Bomber Thomas his Flight Commander. but it was not all sunshine as I and Fighter squadrons was not see I recorded 30 hours' present to the same degree in His own words say it all:- instrument time during the flight. Transport. Their duties took them away from base "I was detached to the AWAS at We had GEE on board and our individually so that even at mess Prestwick together with my crew bad weather landing facilities parties, rarely were more than on the 6 August 1946 - F/L Joce, included a first class GCA and half the squadron present. co-pilot, F/O Snow, navigator SCS51 at Prestwick and the same and F/O Wiles, wireless operator. plus FIDO at Blackbushe. All I hope this letter will enable you F/L Lacy was Officer in charge landings were made using one of to glean the real story of the of the detachment. these facilities to keep us up to AWAS from the crews who bore scratch for when we really the brunt of the weather." The AWAS was an exercise to needed them. establish the weather limits to

Page 6 Issue 4 Twenty Four

GLOSSY YORKS Wolverhampton I could certainly London for urgent discussions NOT believe my eyes, for there about partition of India/Pakistan - IN THE SUMMER 1996 ISSUE was a York labelled MW100 - but and 102 was in the UK! I had OF Twenty Four there was a it was fitted with freight doors aft only twenty minutes notice, and reference to a York with the instead of the single passenger we left Northolt on Thursday internal appearance of a railway door below the wing and the afternoon with two crews, carriage with a corridor layout. gleam in my eye on spotting the throwing one lot out at Fayid to MW100 answered that familiar serial number was not take over from there on the description and had lots of reflected in the rather grimy return trip. We reached Delhi on polished woodwork. The corridor fuselage. Puzzled, I made Saturday morning and were on was just inside the door on the enquiries and found that this was our way back less than 24 hours port side and compartment for indeed an imposter. It had been later, arriving at Northolt by mid- the VIP opened from it with a originally ordered for the RAF as day on Monday. Insomnia Parati sliding door. There were two TS798, but was diverted to was our motto in those days. . . large armchairs facing one BOAC as G-AGNV. After ten It was after Indian Independence another in there and I think one years with BOAC and another Day in August 1947 that His or two folding seats for aides. ten with Skyways it went to a Excellency changed his hat Forward and aft of the VIP cabin private museum where it again and the symbol on 102's were more ordinary seats for masqueraded as LV633, the nose (where other 24 Squadron lesser passengers. This was the York prototype Ascalon used by Yorks displayed the Transport York in which we took Foreign Winston Churchill during the war Command badge) was replaced Secretary Ernie Bevin to Paris for in the care of 24 Squadron. On with the one reading THE the opening of the Marshall Plan transfer to the RAF Museum in GOVERNOR GENERAL OF economic conference in July 1973 it was given its second INDIA. But there was no corridor 1947. Much metal polish and spurious number. Someone in that York; Lord and Lady elbow grease lavished on all our seems to have a desire to Mountbatten slept behind navy aircraft, so that we were always honour the squadron by blue curtains on bunks either proud of their appearance, but preserving the identities of its side of the central gangway this was on occasion above all former aircraft, so perhaps we forward of the door. Whether 24 when the A Flight York callsign should not mind too much, but actually 'owned' that aircraft I am Glossy was justified to the full. anyone who ever knew the real not quite sure, as I believe it was Delegates to the conference MW100 could never be fooled. allocated to Communications came from all over Europe as Incidentally, the original was Wing, AHQ India and usually well as the USA and in the demobbed in 1953 as G-ANAA driven by S/Ldr Trotter. absence of much civil aviation in and owned by a company called those days they mostly arrived in Air Charter, though my informant Another VIP York was MW101, the care of their respective air says that it never flew with them not quite so sumptuously forces. Large crowds of and because it had no freight furnished, I still have most of a sightseers lined the specators' doors it was probably Corona cigar with a band balconies at Le Bourget as we cannibalised for spares. inscribed 'Winston Churchill', taxied past them, gleaming in the which he stubbed out in one of sunshine, to park, by chance, I suspect that there was another its ashtrays on a Paris trip. next to the Italian transport. This bit of mistaken identity in the was a grotty old three engined reference to the corridor York The Squadron had some other Fiat G-12. The contrast could sporting the crest of the Yorks, but they evaded my hardly have been greater and I Governor General of India. That logbook. I believe they were am sure all the onlookers were badge was on MW102. This had used by IPs rather than VIPs. duly impressed. Some of the been the personal aircraft of Lord shine was taken off the occasion Mountbatten during the Burma Alan Turner (ex AQM) when, instead of waiting to bring campaign when it wore the our passengers back after talks badge of SEAC (South East Asia (entailing an overnight or two in Command). Early in 1947 its Paris to which we were looking insignia was changed, now forward!) we were ordered back showing a central Star of India to Bassingbourn the same surrounded by the inscription evening. THE VICEROY OF INDIA when he took up that appointment. I When visiting the Aerospace recall a high-speed dash when Museum at Cosford near he wanted to come back to Twenty Four Issue 4 Page 7

GENERAL TEMPLAR FROWNS The General was relieved and the Bristol Aeroplane Company. ON OPEN DOOR POLICY grateful to be delivered safely to This is still among the Squadron terra firma and decreed that the silver on show at the Squadron. The above headlines could very crew could help themselves to well have made the Turkish daily the V.I.P. bar stocks, which we press front page on the 4th July promptly did! The Turkish Air 1956. All will be revealed as you Force gave us accommodation read this story sent in by Les and threw hospitality at us in no Bennett, the Master Signaller on small measure. They filled the Hastings WD 500 enroute from ornamental pool in the mess with Ankara to Diyarbakir that day. bottles of beer and we, and they, sat on the edge and fished out a "We departed Ankara at 05:50 cold one as required. Much Keeping in Touch hrs Z, 04 July 1956 with General conviviality followed. Sir Gerald Templar (C.I.G.S.) as the V.I.P. and Flt. Lt. 'Jock' The General continued his tour in Graham as aircraft Captain, a T.A.F. Dakota whilst we waited RECENT LOSES bound for Diyarbakir. At a point in Malatya. On the 6th we were in the flight about an hour from airlifted to Istanbul by T.A.F. Ron Kempster (Jan 96) had Ankara, the main passenger door Dakota and a replacement quite an early link with the tore away and embedded itself in aircraft (WJ 324) was flown in by Squadron at Northolt during the root of the port tail-plane, a crew who subsequently lifted 1930-31 as an aero engine fitter where it see-sawed in the WD 500 out of Malatya with maintaining Bristol Fighters, Avro slipstream, causing the aircraft to emergency repairs completed. Lynx and Fairey IIIF aircraft. He porpoise violently. recalled in letters to the On the 8th June we resumed the Association that Squadron Mercifully the much heavier V.I.P. tour in WJ 324 with the Leader Don was the CO during steps, which were normally General to Nicosia and on the that period and assigned as the attached to the door, had broken 10th to Northolt and so back to pilot to the Prince of Wales. Ron loose and fallen clear. Whilst the base. retired in 1958 as a Technical Captain and the Co-pilot Engineer having attained the struggled to maintain control, it It is worth recording that this was rank of Squadron Leader to live was decided to try an emergency not the first incident of the near Norwich. Severe arthritis landing at Malatya, which was passenger door of a Mk IV made him virtually immobile and then a top secret Turkish base. Hastings coming adrift in flight. unable to attend any of the We transmitted an S.O.S. which All of this mark lost the Association ReUnions. was acknowledged by Ankara, passenger door at sometime in who were advised of our their careers (WD500, WJ 324, Tony Boardman (Apr 96) who intentions. WJ 325 and WJ 326). passed away in Alicante, Spain was a pilot on the Squadron However, endevouring to raise For his superb airmanship in the between 1955 and 56, stationed Malatya produced only Turkish emergency, Flt. Lt. 'Jock' at Abingdon. He was actively voices. Happily, on board was a Graham was awarded the Air involved with the Association and high-ranking Turkish liaison Force Cross. Other members of acted as treasurer in its early officer and I brought him to the the crew:- Co-pilot, Flt. Lt. Keith days. He continued his flight deck (with some difficulty!) Isaacs (R.A.A.F.) Navigator, ?, involvement with flying and placed him in the Signaller's Flt Engineer, M. Eng. Mitch colleagues by way of the Aircrew seat. He proved invaluable and Mitchell, Steward, Sgt Joe Association branch in Spain and all facilities were laid on at Marmion, Steward, Sgt Maurice was a keen participator among Malatya, which was reached Newman. the membership there. after some hair-raising moments twenty minutes later. Harry Hooper (Jul 96) retired The above yarn does benefit from the RAF with the rank of On touch-down, the door from being told 'live' by Mitch Squadron Leader to change dislodged itself and was picked who passed it on to the career for that of a sales up by the escorting crash Newsletter. He also adds that representative. A signaller on tenders. The flight had lasted the Squadron was presented Dakotas with 24 at Hendon and one hour and thirty-five minutes. with a silver cigarette box Bassingbourn during the later inscribed "For a good show" by part of WW2, joining from 575 Page 8 Issue 4 Twenty Four

Squadron as a Flt Sgt. His log Voorhout 10, 2514 ED, The book shows that he was crewed Hague. WANTED PHOTO up with Flt. Lt. Al Bollington, F/O George Hall and Flt. Lt. W. Kelly. Peter Hobson (Oct 96 ) will be No not the police gazette type Harry was stationed at Lyneham remembered for his monocle and but one for the family album of on a couple of tours, firstly with is skill as an artist. Peter left the Richard Murphy. Richard is in No. 1 Ferry Pool in 1943 and RAF as a Master Engineer the process of compiling his after the war with 206 Squadron. before taking charge of the family tree and is looking for an He is listed as having been Waggon and Horses pub in old crew member who flew with presented with the Croix de Batheaston. In his time on 24 his father, MALM S.R. Murphy Guerre. Squadron between 1976 - 82 he who might have a photo. took up the secondary duty of Tony Le Hardy (Sep 96) spent a Historian putting these gems into MALM Murphy flew with 24 relatively short period of his some sort of order. His artistry Squadron at Colerne between varied and active career with 24 helped to embellish both the October 1961 and May 1964. If Squadron. While on the records and the crew room, you can help, please write direct Squadron he flew Dakotas on including the memorial Hawker to Richard, who spotted our VIP duties during 1947 - 48 with Corner. Ill health and the work advert for new members, at:- a final fling on transports in the load of running a pub led to a early 60's as OC 511 Squadron. final move to Gwent. Mr R S Murphy, 160 Sudbury He was more famous for his ______Heights Av., Sudbury Town, Spitfire exploits, which resulted in Middx, UB6 0LY. him being awarded the OBE in NEED A TOASTMASTER 1944 and promoted to Squadron to smooth the strain of that Leader at the age of 22. His last momentous occasion. We are RAF appointment (1962 - 65) not talking 240 volts and 4 slices crowned his career as Personal but non other than Tom Staff Officer to Lord Mountbatten, Broughton, ex Engineer Leader the then Chief of Defence Staff. on 24 Squadron in the early 70’s. He specialised in problems Tom is now on his third career concerning NATO and nuclear and making a success of this like warfare, carrying out detailed the others. He is working more discussions with the Americans or less full time around the Kent at the highest levels. circuit, House of Lords, Park Lane Hotels and many other He retired from the RAF as Wing prestigious hotels. If you need Commander and in 1965 he was his services, look him up in the A Good Read appointed First Secretary in the membership list and drop him a British and Commonwealth line. Office based in Paris and Brussels for the last 30 of his life. Tony Le Hardy was just about WHO DOWNED THE involved in every single major ACES IN WW1? Facts, policy initiative during this period figures and photos on the fate of before retiring again in 1986 to over 300 top pilots flying over the become a consultant for US and Western Front. European related C3 related By N. Franks Grub Street, The industries. His son, Lieutenant Basement, 10 Chivalry Road, Colonel C.A. Le Hardy is London SW11 1HT. 1996, attempting to pull together as full 218pp. Illustrated £18.99 a picture of his life as possible

and has started a book. He Arranged in chronological order, would be most grateful for any this book records in year-by-year comments, additions or detail the eventual fate of some observations on his fathers of the most famous airmen of career from any former WW1 (including von Richthofen, colleagues via the Editor or direct Immelman, Mannock and to him at 'Military & Air Attache, Guynemer) the volume BRITISH EMBASSY, Lange Twenty Four Issue 4 Page 9 concludes with a detailed index magazine along with a SNIPPETS of the personalities involved. corresponding loss of picture quality. CROSS AND COCKADE INTERNATIONAL. The BERLIN AIRLIFT Published First World War Aviation to coincide with the 50th Historical Society. anniversary of the Berlin Airlift. By Arthur Pearcy for Airlife All those of you interested in Publishing Ltd. 101 Longden Rd. matters WW1 aviation will find a Shrewsbury SY3 9EB. wealth of well researched September 1997, 144pp articles, photos and Illustrated £19.95 ISBN 1 85310 reproductions within this 845 6. magazine. The Association has been in contact with the Arthur dropped us a line to say managing editor who has he is the Historian for the Berlin highlighted the following issues Airlift Association which has worthy of further reading as they around 500 members. He has contain a feast of details discovered that the Squadron did specifically related to 24 play a minor part flying Yorks Squadron. and Dakotas although not officially listed along with the Volume 14, No1 - 24 Squadron others. PoW 2/Lt. CH Crosbee RFC/RAF An offer made by Arthur was for Volume 20, No3 - The Anatomy someone to review the book for of an Aeroplane - DH2 Pusher the Newsletter, which was to Scout, Part 2. This deals with prove difficult as the only person the DH2 in service and in listed in the membership records particular with 24 Squadron and is Ted Edwards, living in New contains a lot of material on MAJ. Zealand. If Ted or anybody else Hawker VC. is interested, please contact Airlife, they should send a review Volume 21, No 3 - The Anatomy copy for that purpose. of an Aeroplane - DH2 Pusher Scout Part 3. Continues the D-DAY COMMEMORATION service life of the DH2 and has prints of a Douglas DC3 in 24 more on 24 Squadron. Squadron livery are available from part time aircraft illustrator Volume 22, No 1 - The Anatomy Gary Wells at a silly price of £2 of an Aeroplane - DH2 Pusher each. These A3 size prints show Scout Part 4. Continuation and not just any old DC3 but KG 651, again much more on 24 now flying with Air-Atlantique Squadron. which paid us a visit at the ‘95 ReUnion. Gary is planning to Back issues of the journal are join us at this years ReUnion and available from: bring with him some of the prints, along with the original art work. Peter FG Wright, 4 Parklands, The aim is collect a few Freeland, WITNEY, Oxfordshire, signatures of members who flew OX8 8HX in her for that added touch or authenticity. along with any other queries or If you cannot make this years subscription details. meet, contact Gary at 5 Gorse Close, Ashley, New Milton, The above articles run to many Hants. BH25 5XZ. pages and photocopies would probably work out more expensive than the original Page 10 Issue 4 Twenty Four

18. Site of a tea party (6) he then removed the German pilots silver flying 19. Agreement at last (8) badge and part of the broken propeller. On returning 20. Royal Yacht (9) to his aerodrome one of his mechanics made the 21. Number 18 carries one (7) trophy, by mounting both German pilots flying badge 22. A member of the peerage (8) and the unknown R.F.C. officers cap badge onto part 23. He hosts horse trials and keeps lions (8) of the cleaned up propeller which was then painted 24. An elegant dressed pugilist (11) with a pictorial representation of the engagement. 25. Home of the light or dark blues (7) 26. It is said its always raining there (10) If any reader has additional information about this 27. Red Indians always depend on them (8) incident or the name of the pilot, please send details 28. A North Country town (9) via the Editor. 29. Celtic play here (7) 30. He fought in the arena [Roman] (9) LOW FLY PAST 31. Thrown down, it could lead to a duel (8) 32. He became Lord Wellington (9) A tale retold by John Richardson that might jog a 33. U.S. University (7) memory or leave you agog is that of a pilot called 34. A chief magistrate [Scotland] (7) Johnny Gibson. He allegedly flew Monty's Dakota on 35. Boldly go forth [but it ends in an 'A'] (7) 1 engine past (and below) the bedroom window of the 36. Could it put a hole in your dinghy? (9) Station Commander's house at Bassingbourne on 37. Famous battle [1704] (8) Christmas Day 1947. The then group Captain, 38. Marked on a map by crossed swords (6) James (Jumbo) Edwards, took more exception to the 39. A shy, quick river bird (10) fact that a known Cambridgeshire whore waved at him through the copilot's window than the unauthorised boozy buzzing. It would appear that 1. Dakota these sort of controversial antics are now staged at a 2. Hudson safer altitude, at least above minimum drop height. 3. Anson 4. Oxford Quiz Time 5. Wellington 6. Swordfish There has to be first time for everything and in this 7. Albacore issue its a quiz. We are indebted to John Larkworthy 8. Spitfire who landed himself with some after ReUnion 9. Hurricane homework in drafting out the questions and answers 10. Vulcan to the following brain teasers after a chance remark to (Answers on page 16)) the Editor during the 1996 Saturday lunchtime session.

It’s to do with aircraft of course, English and American only, Civil and military. In order to make life a little easier, the first five clues are all aircraft flown by 24, after that you are on your own.

1. Home of the Black Hills (6) 2. River of New York State (6) 3. A famous Admiral [Cape Finisterre] (5) 4. Do the cows cross rivers here? (6) 5. A boot (10) 6. A young camel [Spanish, a large tunny] (8) 7. Did she have flaming red hair? (8) 8. Force 12 (100 9. Did he run a foundry? (6) 10. " O ...... hearts" (7) 11. A drooping moustache (6) 12. Star by which one steers (8) 13. Greedy So and So [sea bird] (6) 14. Frees the oppressed (9) 15. Should be in a Rodeo (7) 16. An itinerant plunderer (8) 17. North American pirate (7) Twenty Four Issue 4 Page 11

24 SQN - REPORT FOR HONORARY AIR COMMODORE - 1996

The past 12 months have proved to be some Further afield, another area involving a of the busiest that 24 Sqn has seen since precarious cease-fire is the former Operation Granby - the Gulf War - in 1991. Yugoslavia. Following the Dayton Peace The tasking levels have increased Accord of December 1995, 24 Sqn has significantly and the Sqn’s strength has fallen become deeply involved in the deployment of since the most recent round of redundancies. troops to the region. Flights into and out of In addition to the regular and routine tasks, Sarajevo, Mostar, Tuzla and Banja Luka are the Sqn has been called upon to take part in now commonplace; no longer solely the several large exercises and operations which domain of Special Forces. A permanent have taken place in areas as far apart as detachment has been set up in Rimini in Alaska, North Carolina and Turkey; with Northern Italy where crews undertake a 2 further deployments to South Africa and the week detachment operating throughout the Far East. With an ever-expanding role region. In addition, regular schedules are within NATO and the UN, the demands now running to Sarajevo and Split, not only placed upon the Sqn have grown for resupply missions, but also to allow considerably over the last year and are troops the badly needed R&R back at their expected to continue for the foreseeable home bases in either the UK or Germany. future. The sorties are expected to maintain their current rate well into 1997. As in previous years, certain areas of operation continue to provide us with the Continuing along to the east, Turkey has everyday routes, and as each month become a common destination as flights in progresses, areas such as Norway, Germany support of the ‘no fly zone’ over Iraq have and Italy alternate as regular destinations for continued throughout the year. The weekly us. Following the cessation of the IRA Hercules schedule to Adana, and on to cease-fire, flights to Northern Ireland have Akrotiri in Cyprus, is still used to resupply built up to meet the heightened security state. our fighter units in Turkey, while the week- However, during the initial part of the year, long Operation Jural detachment based in the number of flights to the Province had Cyprus flies to the new fighter operating base fallen considerably, though they are now in Saudi Arabia at Al Kharj, south of Riyadh. returning to their previous levels. As winter The new base was set up following the approaches, we expect to become heavily terrorist bombing at Dhahran which targeted involved again in supporting exercises that the Khobar Towers accommodation area take place in the snows of Norway as both which RAF and American crews had been the Harrier and Jaguar Forces continue to using. As well as these tasks, 2 other large train and operate in arctic conditions exercises have been running in Turkey, alongside the Royal Marines. Exercise ARDENT GUARD and Exercise Page 12 Issue 4 Twenty Four

DYNAMIC MIX. These exercises involved number of social events which meant that it most of the Sqn personnel over a 2 month was not all work and no play. The period operating at Turkish bases in the east detachment drew to a close at the end of May of the country. The airfield at Erzurum, has and the crews were then moved to Gander in been the primary destination and, due to the Newfoundland to start the deployment of isolated nature of the area, accommodation Tornado crews to Alaska for another and food hygiene have been of a basic exercise, - DISTANT FRONTIER. In standard; consequently, many crews have Alaska, at this time of year, there is almost returned to the UK suffering from illness. It continuous daylight, and crew’s body-clocks is a credit to the Sqn that the task was took some time to get used to this strange completed despite these difficulties. phenomenon. By the end of June almost all Needless to say, we were all pleased when our crews were home from a hectic but the exercises ended. enjoyable, extended, American experience.

However, it has not been all bad for we had Occasionally, something a little special the opportunity to deploy 6 crews, over a arrives to relieve the routine. The Sqn quarter of our strength, to the Marines Corps has been lucky enough to be involved in a Air Station at Cherry Point in North Carolina Red Arrows support sortie again, which took as part of the contingent for Exercise 2 of our crews, including our OC, on a 6 PURPLE STAR. OC 24 Sqn, Wg Cdr week tour of the Far East and Australia. The Bailey, lead this ‘arduous’ 4 week tour, captained by Sqn Ldr Kevin Groves, detachment which involved over 650 routed through Cyprus, Muscat, Singapore personnel from almost all sections of and the Far East before continuing on to Lyneham. The personnel were housed under Sydney to coincide with the 75th canvas, sometimes 17 people to a tent, in Anniversary celebration’s of the Royal temperatures up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Australian Air Force. The mode of operation The Americans found it especially amusing of the Red Arrows made a welcome change that the RAF accommodation soon became from the run-of-the-mill routes that the Sqn known as Camp Albert, after the nickname flies, and gave the crews an added bonus of of the Hercules. The exercise itself was a more ground time than is normal to explore great success, proving that the UK and USA the local history and learn more about the could operate together, with a final assault exotic places where they landed. As a thank which involved inserting thousands of troops you for their efforts, Wg Cdr Bailey and Sqn into 3 drop zones and 3 landing zones from Ldr Groves were guests at the end-of-season over 250 aircraft airborne at the same time - Red Arrows Formal Dinner, which, by all the largest airborne assault since the end of accounts, was a splendid occasion. World War II. Moreover, the exercise Moreover, Wg Cdr Bailey and a number of provided many opportunities for our crews to members of the crew had the opportunity to mix with their American counterparts at a fly in a Red Arrows sortie: a truly memorable Twenty Four Issue 4 Page 13 event. In a slightly different scenario, the Maritime Patrol and Aeromed evacuation to Hercules has been seen up and down the the South American mainland. country displaying at a number of airshows. Additionally, a 4-ship formation, known as As an aside to the Falklands, Flt Lt Geraint Albert Formation, has given fly-pasts at a Evans and crew have been involved in the number of important occasions throughout last airfield calibration sorties conducted by the year. Flt Lt Richie Bennett and crew RAF personnel. Previously, the RAF owned have participated on a number of these dedicated aircraft which checked the sorties, most notably at HRH Her Majesty calibration of all of our military airfields to the Queen’s birthday celebrations and this ensure that the landing aids were safe to use. years Lord Mayor’s Show at London. Public This year, as an interim measure, a Hercules comment has been extremely favourable and has had a calibration pod fitted and a crew we hope that Albert Formation will be able to trained to use it to check the serviceability of display again next year. the landing aids. Flt Lt Evans has been our sqn specialist and he, and his crew, have been Returning to the bread and butter work of the as far afield as the Falklands and Bosnia Sqn, one of the biggest changes to our carrying out this important role. In routine was the demise of the Hercules September, we relinquished this task to a tanker. Until this year, 2 Hercules tankers civilian contractor, but we can be proud of were permanently stationed at Mount the part played by Geraint and his team in Pleasant Airfield in the Falkland Islands and ensuring that our airfields were safe to use, involved Sqn personnel going on a 4 month no matter what the weather. detachment. Our last crew to experience the rigours of 4 months ‘porridge’ in the On the social scene, 24 Sqn enjoyed its Falklands was captained by Flt Lt Mac annual Sqn reunion in conjunction with a Sqn MacDonald; happily all behaved impeccably Dining-In Night which took place in the and they were paroled to return to the UK at Officers’ Mess. Over 100 people, including Easter. More seriously, the tanking role has many ‘old boys’ and their wives attended the now been taken over by a single VC10 tanker evening function, which allowed previous and our involvement in the Falkland Islands members of the Sqn the opportunity to catch detachment has changed correspondingly. up on recent events and to see find out what There is now a single Hercules aircraft with the future holds for the Sqn. We eagerly one crew from either 24 or 30 Sqn stationed await the first ‘J’ model Hercules, which at Mount Pleasant. The detachment has been should arrive on 24 Sqn in November 97 and reduced to 7 or 8 weeks but the Hercules improve our capability to provide airlift. As aircraft no longer have the capability to give in previous years, we remain committed to fuel to the fighters stationed there. The our dedicated sqn charity, Burton Hill House Hercules is used the for re-supply of South School for severely physically and mentally Georgia, Search and Rescue missions, handicapped children. Sgt Steve Brash Page 14 Issue 4 Twenty Four

provides our liaison with the school, and he community. Despite the uncertain has been hard at work this year. We have programme, and long days away from home endeavoured already to raise over £800 as and families, we can be justifiably proud of well as assist at the School’s summer fete. the achievements of the men and women of We will, of course, be heavily involved in 24 Sqn. their Christmas party although our selection for Santa has yet to acquire his padded suit. Notwithstanding our personal charity, the Sqn members have been active raising funds for many other good causes. In June, we raised £450 from sales of our, very popular, BBQ Ribs at the Stn Families day; in September, Sgt Andy Lloyd and a colleague completed the Great North Run, a half marathon, raising £350 for the Imperial Cancer Research Fund. More recently, Flt Lts Dave Manning, Karl Kinsler, Fg Off Mike Waring and Sgt Dave Westbury ran in the Ridgeway Challenge run and raised over £300 for charity. Additionally, our admin clk, SACW Julie Anstey raised a splendid £780 for Stn charities selling raffle tickets, a record for any individual on stn, and another £110 on behalf of The Parkinson’s Disease foundation, running yet another half marathon. Finally, Flt Lt Martin Oxborrow was proud to lead the RAF Muster Party, consisting of 80 personnel, of all ranks from 22 stations, at this years Royal British Legion 75th Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall; it was a moving occasion and one both he, and all of us serving personnel will never forget.

All in all, this has been a busy year, we have worked hard and raised a lot of money for good causes. Behind the scenes many of our personnel support local clubs and organizations to the benefit of the Twenty Four Issue 4 Page 15 LATE NEWS

workload of overseeing the days events, which Wiltshire to Wevelgem included taking a party of 30-40 people around what remained of the original airfield site, the INVITATIONS TO ATTEND A COMBINED 80th "then and now". and 800th Anniversary do not land on the The biggest surprise to come was a visit to the doormat very often and so to do justice to such Societies Museum, set in an old WWII bunker. an event, all the stops were pulled. Despite This bunker had originally served as a hospital tempting advertising, we had response from the under the Germans and then left abandoned for membership to visit one of the historic sites of 24 many years. What exactly sparked off the idea of Squadron during WWI operations. turning it into a museum was a little lost in the translation. What was not lost was appreciating Our original plan was to send a 2 man team over the amount of work and dedication that had the top so to speak, with an airborne backup to transformed it into the only viable alternative provide extra cover. What eventually happened centre of Belgian aerospace exhibits outside the was a lone Secretary, armed with a Squadron National Museum in Brussels. plaque (thanks to OC 24 for this donation) a zig- The UK can boast many aircraft museums other zag tie and a bundle of WWI archive material, than Hendon such as Yeovilton, Wroughton, tunneled his way to Lille. The rendezvous on the Duxford, Coventry to name a few. So the band of station concourse was with an unseen agent volunteers at Wevelgem are mighty proud of their called Stefan and then onward along the efforts. The museum is open all the year round autobahn, past the French check point without and I would strongly urge anybody touring around any hitch to the airfield of Wevelgem some 25 this part of Belgium, it is very close to Ypres, to kilometers away. call in and mention your link with 24 Squadron. Quite how much of an exceptional character The timing was uncanny, near second perfect as Etiene is had still to be revealed. In conversation Ms Etiene Vanackere, the host, had himself just with another British couple, it transpired they had set foot on site for the start of the days events. no links with the Society but were over for a This first meeting between our two organisations church service the following day. In the got off on the right foot with the help of Mr. Harry churchyard at Wevelgem are the war graves of a Jacobson, his war time colleague and guest for number of servicemen laid at rest. Over the the weekend from Devon. years, as well as looking After much handshaking, after these graves, Etiene pleasantries and swapping has through sheer of gifts a bond was perseverance, managed to established that paved the trace the relatives of 11 of way for an interesting and these men. This research enjoyable afternoon. has paid off by giving their The airport at Wevelgem kin piece of mind in now has a 1,900m paved knowing where they lay. runway, navigation aids, a The temptation to stay for terminal building, shop and the evening Bar B Q was restaurant. It sits adjacent to a modern business becoming stronger by the minute. Especially so park and has excellent road links to the main in view of the continuous sunshine that had cities of Belgium and France. A far cry from its added to the general smooth running of the early days of grass, string and canvas. whole itinerary, a perfect day. For the anniversary weekend, one of the airport With new friendships forged and our farewells lounges had been turned into a showcase of its said, the countryside seemed to flash by the history since 1917. All this put together by an Eurostar and Intercity 125 trains westbound for amazing band of enthusiasts from all professions, Wiltshire. A busy and packed day but well worth trades and age groups. One of the hangars was the effort. turned into an instant continental cafe with tables, chairs, music, food and plenty of fine Belgian beer on draught. Despite being the senior member of the Flanders Aviation Society (FAS), Etiene had the main Page 16 Issue 4 Twenty Four

LATE NEWS

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM 11. Valiant 12. Walrus VISIT CANCELLED DUE TO VERY POOR RESPONSE 13. Lodestar 14. Gannet Only 5 people responded to say that they would be along for this visit, 15. Liberator which was set for the 14th June and so it had to be cancelled at the 16. Mustang eleventh hour, on the eleventh day. This trip promised to be an 17. Marauder interesting day out with plenty to see. The museum has many new 18. Corsair features on for this year, including the Forties Fashion and Secret War. 19. Boston 20. Concorde Future Social events will be a hot topic at the AGM, so if you cannot be 21. Britannia there, write in with any views or suggestions. They will be read out and 22. Trident considered. 23. Viscount The Secretary 24. Beaufort 25. Starfighter 26. Varsity 24 Sqn STOCK PRICE LIST (Valid @ 31 Dec 96) 27. Manchester 28. Tomahawk Cummerbund Old £11.50 29. Lancaster Cummerbund New £12.65 30. Hampden 31. Gladiator Wooden Plaque £21.50 32. Gauntlet 33. Wellesley Hercules Print £2.50 34. Harvard 35. Provost Cloth Badge £3.35 36. Ventura Chevron £1.00 37. Blenheim 38. Battle Zap Sticker £0.45 39. Kingfisher T-Shirt £5.85 Glass Tankard £23.00 Sweater £24.70 Sqn tie £6.00 Polo Shirt £10.00

Please note that stocks are low ALL ORDERS TO BE SENT at present and some items from DIRECTLY TO the above list may not be No24 SQN AT LYNEHAM available. Cheques payable to and NOT The Association Non PAS, RAF Lyneham Secretary.