The Quarterly Journal ofthe Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia Inc.

Volume 14 Number2 2003

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Publishedby the FleetAir Arm Associationof AustraliaIn c. Editor: JohnArnold - PO Box 662 NOWRANSW 2541 Australia Facsimile(02) 4423 2412- Emailslipstream@shoa l.net.au Print PostApproved - PP201494/00022 ~ ...~ fJ..._ f~-~-AtP 6 T SHELF -0150.124 CW2-C Slipstream - ~ ------

Forewordby RearAdmiral Raydon Gates CSM RAN MaritimeCommander Australia

I would like to thank Toz Dadswell, the National Presidentof the Fleet Air Arm Association, for the privilegeof writingthe forewordfor Slipstream.I would also like to commendthe FleetAir Arm Associationon its workin the Christmashamper appeal for embarked Flights (a feature that has made them the envy of everyother department on the ships). As the MaritimeCommander , I have had a very close association with the Fleet Air Arm since assumingcommand in July 2002. However, my • experiencewith the FAA goeswell back. As a young Air InterceptController on HMASMelbourne (CVS21 ), I experiencedup closethe professionalismand fierce prideof Navalaviators. Experiencingthe CAG arrive en massewas a challengefor a juniorSeaman officer, howeverit was nothingcompared to vectoringone of our A4sonto the tail of an unsuspecting'RAAFie'. Since those halcyondays of the Fleet Air Arm I havebeen to sea in frigateswith Squirrels and Seahawks,in peaceand operationsin the Red Sea, and as the CommandingOfficer of HMASAdelaide in the rescueof roundthe world yachtsmenTony Bullimoreand Thierry Dubois, whereaviation played such a vital partin appallingconditions in the GreatSouthern Ocean . The AustralianFleet has beenworking extremely hard over the last few yearsand few couldmatch the hard yardsthat havebeen done by the FleetAir Arm. Apartfrom a heavytraining burden a nd "routine" embarkations, there has been a heavycommitment to operationsin Timar, the SolomonIslands , fisheriespatrols near Heard Island, borderprotection near Christmas Isl and and the PersianGulf , as well as routinelyperforming fire and flood relief. Althoughthis has placedenormous stress on the system, the thingthat has keptit all togetherhas beenthe attitudeand competenceof thosecommitted to Navalaviation . The r~centcampaign in Iraq highlightedthe qualityof our trainingand people. The statistics.on what was achievedby the Seahawksin HMAShips ANZAC and DARWINand KANIMBLA's Sea King-were [mpressive, as • : were the reputations forged with other Navies. While there is always room for equipmentimprovement as technologyadvances (particularly in the field of self-protectionagainst missileo r chemicalatta.ck) our Naval AviationForce performed to their limit, nevershirking from the challenge.Many of the Seahawkcrews were on theirsecond (and some their third)deployment to the PersianGulf, often with a shortturnaround time ·in Australia beforedeploying on a differentship. Yet the Seahawkswere highlyrespected , particularlyfor theirwork in surface surveillanceand "herding"smuggl ing dhows; sometimesherding up to 50 at a time in the dark while controlling sevenRigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBS) for boardings. Theachievements of KANIMBLAFlight speak for themselves; 126hours flown in Mayalone , at the heightof the campaign, mainlyin storestransfers , op&ratingas far northas Basra. In almostfour monthson station the Sea Kingand its single crewmoved over 500 people and morethan 300 ,000 lbs of cargo. Whilesome may hanker for the daysof the carrier, neverlet it be saidthat the menand women of today's Fleet Air Arm are any less capablethan their predecessors. It givesme a greatsense of prideto commandsuch a fine fightingforce and I lookforward to theircontinued professionalism and dedication. I haveevery confidencethat the aviationcommunity will continueto meetthe high demandsplaced on this professionalorganisation throughout the tenureof my commandand beyond.

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RearAdmiral Raydon Gates CSM RAN EDITOR'S MaritimeCommander Australia CORNER

Rear AdmiralRaydon Gates is the MaritimeCommander Pleaseaccept my apologiesfor the latenessof Australia.He is responsibleto the Chiefof Navyfor maintenance this edition, but the circumstanceshave been of Fleetstandards within the RoyalAustralian Navy and to the beyondmy control. CommanderAustralian Theatre for the conductof Combined, As yet, I haven'theard anyth ing aboutanother Jointand Maritime Operations editor being appointed.The NationalPresident has assuredme that he will Jet me know as soon as he has sorted out the BIOGRAPHY mountainof job applicationshe has received. Be kindto eachother. Rear Admiral GATES,a WesternAustralian, joined the NAVY'Sspritely RoyalAustralian Naval College in 1972,graduating in 1974. He undertookOperations and Warfare courses in the United additions Kingdom before returning to Australia to serve in HMAS By DamianMcGill STUART where he gained his Bridge Watch Keeping qualificationsin 1976. The controversial Super Seaspritehelicopters will be • Postingsto HMAShips YARRA , STALWART,ATTACK and accepted by the ARDENTpreceded his qualifyingas an Air InterceptController CommonwealthGovernment and subsequentair defence related posting to HMA Ships within the next few weeks MELBOURNEand HOBART. The then LieutenantGATES and the trainingof the Royal returnedto the UnitedKingdom in 1980where he gainedhis Australian Navy pilots will PrincipalWarfare Officer qualification. This was followedby a commencesoon. postingto HMASPERTH as Operationsand DirectionOfficer. The Seasprites, which He then servedon the staff of the RANTactical School , where Commanding Officerof HMAS have so far cost the he was promotedto LieutenantCommander, before a postingto Albatross, CaptainSimon Cullen with Government$800 million will the Directorateof Naval Officers' Postingsin Navy Office, the COof 805 Squadron, be basedat HMASAlbatross Canberra. CommanderPeter Ashworth with the 805SRuadron . A postingas ExecutiveOfficer of HMASSWAN preceded his One Seaspriteis now in the UnitedStates while the otherten promotionto Commanderand subsequentpostings to the Joint are in Australia. ServiceStaff Collegeand servicein HeadquartersAustralian Problemswith contractpayment and computersoftware created DefenceForce, Canberra. He read for a MastersDegree in delayswith the Seasprite's commissioninginto the RAN'sfleet air BusinessAdministration before returning to sea in commandin arm. July1991 . There was a lot of controversysurrounding the age of the He was CommandingOfficer of the guidedmissile frigate airframefor the helicopters. HMASCANBERRA for 21 monthsduring which time the ship CommandingOfficer of the 805 Squadron,Commander Peter participatedin ExerciseRIMPAC 92 on the west coast of the Ashworthsaid the Seaspriteswould be wellworth the wait. UnitedStates and deployedfor OperationDAMASK VI in the "The Seasprites will havethe mostadvanced helicopter/missile northernRed Sea. He was awardedthe ConspicuousService system in the world." CMDR Ashworthsaid that unlike their Medalin the 1994Australia Day Honours list for his commandof Americancounterparts the AustralianSeasprites contain a special CANBERRAduring Operation DAMASK VI. joysticklocated in the cockpitthat acts like a four-waycomputer mouseto accessvarious controls . Service as the Director of ·Surface and Air Warfare in The installationof this technologyis responsiblefor the delayin MaritimeHeadquarters preceded his promotionto Captainin theirarrival in Australia. 1995.Captain GATES returned to sea in commandof HMAS CommanderAsworth said that in the past the Seaspriteshad ADELAIDEand as senior officer afloat in WA in June 1995. receivedsome unwarranted and incorrectmedia reports . During his 23 months in command, ADELAIDEsteamed "Oneof the reportssuggested the Seaspriteswere over budget, extensivelyin SouthEast Asian waters participating in a number butthe project is still underbudget ," CMDRAshworth said. of majormulti-national exercises and was also involvedin the "In regardsto the moneypaid , eventhough the helicoptershave SouthernOcean rescue of the stricken yachtsmen, Tony not beenaccepted yet , it's a bit like builainga house.You haveto Bullimoreand Thierry Dubois. make paymentsalong the way, but you don't make the final He returnedto Canberrain December1997 as th&Director paymentsuntil you are happywith the end product, which is what of NavalOfficers ' Postingsbefore promotion to Commodorein the Governmenthad done. " March 1999 and appointmentas Director General Career He saidthat contraryto reports, the choppers' framewas nearly ManagementPolicy in the DefencePersonnel Executive . He brandnew and only the machine'stail sectionwas old. was promoted to Rear Admiral in January 2001 upon The Seasprites' role wouldbe to supportthe frigateswhich are appointmentas the inauguralCommander of the Australian currentlyin the PersianGulf . DefenceCollege in Canberra. He was appointedMarit ime Articlecourtesy South Coast Register CommanderAustralia on 20 July2002 . ~---======; RearAdmiral GATES is marriedto Alison. NEXTDEADLINE -13 OCTOBER2003

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The Netherlandshad a total of 48 aircraft which were DearEd ~1 In a recentedition , there is a commentfrom · designatedFB 50, theirsquadron was No.860. Barry White about operations of the "° . Ian Ferguson JapaneseNaval Air Arm and their penchant DearEd for takingoff over the stern. To avoid any misinterpretationit is worth pointingout that two of the Japanesecarriers at Pearl I am tryingto find an old acquaintancefrom the RoyalNavy FAA , Harbour, namelyAkagi and Hiryu, had islandsfitted on the port­ who cameto Australiain 1966and joined the RANFAA . I believe side, rather than the more traditional starboard-side island. I he servedfor aboutfour years. His nameis LionelTrevor Harris believethey we re the onlytwo carriersever so fitted. In recreating andwould now be about67 yrs old. Hejoined the RN as a '!iffy' in 1952and his old traineemates in the UKkeep asking me if I couldcontact him somehow . Anyoneknow ing his whereaboutscan contact me by: Telephone(02) 4471 7316 -Email : [email protected] KenBeattie - Ex-SubmarineWEEO

DearEd Seeing Mick Stubbingtonin the last Slipstreammade me the eventsof PearlHarbour , the producersof 'ToraTora Tora' had remember an incident that I have entertainedthe civilian someaircraft taking off towardsthe stern of the US carrier used establishmentwith for the last 33 years, (has it been that long during filming, with the aim of achieving a more historical wheredid it all go?)so I hopeyou canprint this in yourmagazine. representation. I was on a chargeat Albatross, not uncommonfor a jack tar On a relatednote , fromthe 1930suntil 1944, mostUSN carriers suchas myself.I don't evenremember what this one was for, but werefitted with bowarrestor gear and barriersto enablea ircraftto · 'Stubbo'was a witnessto my whereaboutsat the time of the be recoveredas the ship steamedastern . The Essex Class allegedcrime. When called forward he gave a smartsalute, and Carriers of WWII becamethe first where one of the design then CaptainDollard said , "LeadingAirman Stubbington, can you considerationswas the achievementof the maximumspeed tell us where LeadingAirman Robertswas at 2200 hours on asternto enablebigger and faster aircraft to be recovered. Sundaynight?" The photobelow shows such a bowrecovery in progress. Stubbo, as straightas a die, says, "At the White EnsignClub, BruceHamilton Sir. I saw him at the barjust as the ten to ten bell soundedand I wason myway up to the barto get my six 'gashies'." "Sixgashies? " said CaptainDollard , as he lookedtowards the ExecutiveOfficer, Commander Duncan , with a quizzicalvisage thatobviously sought enlightenment. "Yes, Sir!",said the Exec."When the bell soundsthere is only ten minutesbefore the beer is turned off, and then the sailors haveto clearthe bar by twentypast the hour." A 'TBF'Avenger landing over the Yorktown's bowwhile the carriersteams astern. "Thenwhat are gashies?" Note thatt he planecould be recoveredwi thoutd isturbingthe full loadof aircraft "These, are the ten ouncebeers the sailorsdrink , Sir." parkedin the usualtake-off pos itionaft . "What!You mean to tell methat at ten minutesto ten - with only DearEd twentyminutes left -the sailorsget six morebeers to drink?'said .7 With referenceto BarryWhite 's photographsand storyin the last the Captain. edition. Turningto the witnessonce again, the Captainasked, "How Nevermind aboutthe versatilityof the Skyhawkaircraft -how longhad you beenat the WhiteEnsign Club , Stubbington? aboutthat of the NavalAirman Photographer who took the picture! "We'd gone in for breakfast, had a few gamesof table tennis Withreference to the Japaneseaircraft taking off overthe stern, until the bar openedand then spentthe day playingthe 'pokies' the IJNship Hiryu (FlyingDragon) had its islandon the Portside andhaving a few beers,Sir ." - verycunning these Japanese . "So-you hadbeen there all day drinkingyet still hadsix gashies 'Rastus' Park at ten to ten at night? "Yes, Sir. The bell had gone and the beer's turned off ten DearEd minuteslater -after that youcan 't get anymore!" With referenceto Bryan Dunne'sletter in Vol.14 No.1 i.e. last I think the case was dismissed as the Captain was issueof Slipstream. The last picturein the sequencealso appears flabbergastedwith the alcoholicinput of the likes of Stubboand in a publicationentitled "Hawker Sea Fury in Action" this neededa longtalk with his ExecutiveOfficer publicationwas producedby Squadron/SignalPublications. Inc. of In lateryears I cameto regardCaptain Dollard and his Exec. 1115Crowley Drive , Carrollton, TEXASUSA. as gentlemen. I guessthat as young'Jacks' we didn't havemuch The captionto the photographsays it was an aircraftfrom No. betweenthe earsin thosedays .. 801 squadron.This seems likely since the Royal Netherlands NickRoberts LEMAC Rtd . Navyaircraft were colouredoverall blue with a-roundelin three [email protected] equalportions Red, White, and Bluewith a palerRed centre .

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DearEd As a newmember of the FAAAand notingcomments in previous editionsof yourfine publicationI thoughtit hightime you hearda tale from one of the 'new boys'.The accompanyingphotographs weretaken in the earlypart of 1992when I was a me·mberof an S-70B-2Seahawk flight embarked in HMASCanberra . We hadjoined for workups in preparationfor RIMPAC'92 when we hada pleasantdiversion for a day.As you can clearlysee the flightdeck was usedfor somethingother than flyingoperations, it was in fact a stageto enableall the cricketerspartaking in the 92 WorldCup have their photograph taken.

RIMPACCUP '92 HMASCANBERRA'S FRONT ROW L-R: LSSIGAndy Chapman -CPOATA Bruce Tarvit • andPOATC Andrew 'Cocky ' Roach

I look forwardto diggingout otherphotographs and forwarding themalong with the storyfor futureeditions of Slipstream. Andrew'Cocky' Roach [Thankyou, Andrew.It's greatto hearfrom the 'New'Navy. Ed . ]

DearEd Furtherto our phoneconversation , with regardsto the bookon the WORLDCUP '92 - HMASCANBERRA historyof the FaireyGannet , it is backon track after a coupleof REARL-R: LSATC Sean Campbell -Mike Whitney-Peter Taylor months, whichsaw meworking away from home . andRuss Fairfax I have sent· a roughdraft to 'Toz' Dadswelland he has kindly FRONTL-R: ABATA Matt Canning and LSATA Paul 'Slug' Butler offeredto helpwith the project, whichis reallyappreciated. So far BELOW there are about 60 'authors'all ex FAA personnelwho have L-R:ABATA Matt Canning -POATC Andrew Roach and Ian Botham contributedthe ir stories, photo's and technical data, whichmakes up the bulkof the book. Not having worn the uniform it. is crucial that men like Bill Strahan,Bruce Bounds and John Selby who have prev iouslyproof read the early chapterswill soon be at work againwith the final draft, also yourselfw ith all the help you have contributedto the project.Th is will certainlyensure that accuracyand authenticity will not be compromised,and a neglectedpart of RANhistory will be forthcoming. I would love to predict that the book would be readyfor the Octoberreunion , but there has beena late surgeof interestand contributionsfrom more FAA personnel, includingJohn Nestor As an avidcricket fan , the chanceto meetand talk to the world's (from France), Barry Henry, Phil Benstedand WinstonJames bestfor a day was a dreamcome true. After embarkingour 'new whomI met whileholidaying in Perthover the Easterbreak . Their shipmates',the ship sailedinto Sydneyharbour for a photoshoot contributionswill also be greatlyappreciated , so it's still not too with the OperaHouse and 'CoatHanger' in the background.The latefor ex Gannetpersonnel to comeon board. photoshoot did not take a great deal of time and all the players One thing that will be forthcomingshortly is the paintingof the were morethan happyto talk to the crew and sign anythingand Gannet,I have to date changedthe sky five times and finally everythingthat was thrust under their nose. settledon onethat's just right(I was goingto cut off my ear at one I have also includeda photographfrom RIMPAC92 taken in stagebut that hadalready been done , frustratedartist). It will be a Hawaiiduring the RAN RIMPACCup final. HMASCanberra and limitededit ion print, and each contributorwill receive one for their Hobarthad playedseveral other navaland civilianteams in and efforts.Once again thanks for the continuingassistance and to all aroundSan Diego. Both ships remainedundefeated and their who have alreadycontributed , your patiencewill be rewarded. respectiveCaptains agreed (during a cocktail party) that a BenPatynowski -16 CowperStreet , FairyMeadow NSW 2519 'championshipgame' was requiredto determinethe championsof · "What can you conceive more silly and extravagantthan to RIMPAC92. After a tough and bloodybattle, Canberra ran out supposea man rackinghis brains, and studyingnight and day eventualwinners . Theskipper of Canberraat the timewas CMDR howto fly?" RaydonGates , nowMar itime Commander. Englishauthor William Law , SeniorCall to a Devoutand HolyLife , 1728.

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DearEd DearEd In replyto thephotograph appearing on Page13. Vol.14#1 I liked the article in issueVol 14 #1, writtenby Brian Simpson. About halfway throughhis reveries, he begandropping names I was the driveron the abouta particularsocial event and presentationof a birthdaycake day when a mechanical to a certain'crusher'. problem in the nose Apartfrom the sportingarena , organizedsocial functions were few wheelbay preventedthe andfar between. To overcomethis situation, we formedthe 'Three u/c being lowered. The Badgemen'sClub '. Once a month we would gather at the 1 landing was made on Sportsmen'sClub and consumebeer and pies. Shouldthere be Runway 08 at about less than ten in attendancewe had to drink a nine gallonbarrel. 1130Friday 10 Jan64. Morethan ten , then an eighteen.On this particularoccasion twas - =-----' Behindme in the middle two eighteens. seat was Alan Pring-Shamblerand down the back lookingback Everyother month we invitedour wivesand girlfriendsalong , to wasPeter Coulson, a fairlynew arrival on the Squadron(816) . at leastbring a littlerefinement and cultureto the activity. If my memoryserves me well, somewherealong the way Peter I might mentionthat one of the instigatorsof this group, Kevin becamedisconnected from the intercomand may have been 'Ducksbum'Mutch (d) , never ever did attenda function. On his unawareof whatwas to come, however, it didn'tslow him down as last tour of duty aboardR21, he frontedthe Skipperand forfeited by the time I was scramblingout of my cockpitthe 'lookers'were oneGCB , returningto Albatrossas a two badgeman. alreadyat the runwayedge. If somewonder why bothprops/engines were damaged and one not shut down prior to landing:a featureof the u/c systemwas thatthe propflight fine pitchlocks could not be withdrawnto allow the enginesto constantspeed with the u/c up -to preventcontro l problemsi n normalflight. Accordingly the powerresponse with the locks in at circuitspeed was very poor. I tried an approachwith one shut down and found the handlingless than desirableso optedfor bothengines . I believeI missedthe laid downfoam path and the lip on the intersectionof the runwaysdamaged the bombdoors which were beingused as skids. PerhapsAlan and 'Big Pete'could add their impressions. PeteAdams

DearEd 'ThreeBadgemen Club' -14 Dec1970. SlipstreamVolume 14 Number1 , 2003 - Page 13 containsa photograph, submittedby Bill Barlow, of a Gannetaircraft (Call L - R: Greg'Skinhead' Kelson , Jim Kalmund,Gary 'Pricky' Reid, Sign815) which had experienced a wheels-uplanding . . DavidAllen , Willy McGrath, MaxSmith (d ), Ron'Canuck' Hunt, The aircraft(serial number XG 796) belongedto 816 Squadron Owen'Og' Hughes(d) , John'Springheel' Cowey , (disembarkedto NAS Nowraat the time of the incidentwhich Phillip'Bats' Lee (d) , 'Pa' Swanson,Les 'Jukey' Matterson, occurredsometime in 1964-the exact date escapesme) . The Arthur'Shiner' Wright (d), Lyall'Pop' Stark (d) , 'Ollie'Oliver, aircraftwas pilotedby LEUT Peter Adams, with SBU(O)Peter John'Darky' Cole , Geoffrey'Fruitfly' Dunne (d) , EddieRyan (d), •, Coulsonin the rear cockpit(again , I cannotrecall the nameof the Keith'Nipper' Vandenburgh (d) , MickHourihan . observerm the centrecockpit) , and the landingtook place on [(d) indicatesdeceased] Runway08 . Structuraldamage to the aircraftwas limited, due to the excellentemergency landing gear qualitiesof the torpedo/ Brianmade some comments about his lack of knowledgeat the bombbay doorsopened by the pilot prior to the landingand the time of the real reason of the Far East StrategicReserve. I undoubtedskill of the pilot(see the accompanyingphotograph) . recentlyread in InternationalNaval News , Warship, Vol 16 2003 The causeof the accidentwas a stressfracture failure of the an excellent article covering the matter as well as defining nosewheel door actuatorlug . The lug failureprevented the nose SEATO.I probablyknow more about i t now, than I did duringmy wheel doors from opening and resulted in the landing gear severaltours. Or werethey r(lally shopping trips? sequence valve remaining closed, and therefore the 'Skinhead'Kelson - (LivingLegend) 'non-activationof all remaininglanding gear sequence operations . JohnSelby DearEd I was interestedto seethe Minicab at the Museum,re the photoin the last Slipstream. Attachedis a shot of my Minicabin UK., just aboutto take off from Whittle Farm in Oxfordshireto fly it to the Duke of Westminister'sEstate near Chester. I'd sold it to the Duke's engineerand pilot(Ken) .

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This newowner , was the 'gentleman'who was tryingto illegally spirit the Spitfireand Mustangout of Australiafrom Bankstown someyears ago. Fortunatelyhe was preventedfrom doing so by the CustomsService. Some of you mayrecall the event. He was full of tricksto put us off. On one occasionI was just aboutto lift off the runwayin my Austerwhen he droveout in his white Rolls Roycedirectly in front of me. I did lift off and was temptedto banghis roofwith my mainwheels . Later I hada Cessna195 with a 330hpradial. It was a fair size 'tail wh~elmachine ' and taxyingvisibility was bad. I was taxying backto the hangarswhen the tower calledme to say 'the boss' was drivingup the taxiwayin his big blue Mercedesand to give way.The taxyway was prettynarrow so I thought,stuff him!I then toldthe towerI couldn'thear them and keptgoing, determined not ThisMinicab, G-BBFL , was builtat the factoryat Joigny,on the to giveway to this nut. I thought,oh well, heregoes the propand YonneRiver , southof Parisand it belongedto the Presidentof the a nice big Mercedes.At the last minutehe swervedunder the St. Florentin(sur Yonne) Aero Club for sometime . I boughtit from starboardwing. Lateron he camedown to the hangarto look at him in 1973 and then flew it acrossto Montagis(SW of Paris) the 195and was as niceas pie andthe eventwasn't mentioned . wherethere was an AircraftRally for the weekend.There were • At this particularperiod , there were about six of us restoring eightaircraft from the UK and we all had an impromptu'dogfight' 'oldies'and we eventuallyall left at the sametime to go to other late in the first afternoon. The Minicabcould out turn mostof the airfields.A shorttime later 'the boss'contacted us all and asked others. us to comeback as his hangarswere empty . Strangefellow! None On the way back, the groupof eightflew in pairs, line astern, of us tookup the offer. and landedtogether at Le Touquet - withoutpermission -as no The last time I was in the UK, I was told that the Minicabwas one hada radio. Duringthe flightwe flew low levelup the Somme still goingwell and beinglooked after Valleyand bracketeda train, muchto the surpriseand enjoyment BarryLister of the passengersand driver. I think it was enjoymentas they wereall wavingto or at us.Itwas a nice little planewith a 65 hp DearEd Continentalengine and cruisedat 110mph.I was able to get my With referenceto the photographof initialsfor the registration. the BAT painted on the Gannet Theaircraft was eventuallysold , but the nightprior to ' delivering whichappeared in the last editionof the aircraftto Kenat the Duke'sEstate , I'd hada baddream about Slipstream. I have been informed the flight I was aboutto undertake.As a resultI gave the aircraft that John 'Jock' Hetherington an extracareful check-over on the BFI.All wentwell , but I found paintedit on his aircraftbecause he that I kept climbingslightly and had to keep addingtrim down. likedthe lookof it. Therewas a little thermalactivity and I put it downto that. By the BenPatynowski time I got to the GrosvenorEstate , I'd run out of trim and realised somethingwas amiss. DearEd Afterlanding, I told Ken,about the problemand we had a quick Do any readersknow the namesof thosein the photobelow? lookaround but couldfind nothingamiss. I was pressedfor time John 'Ichabod'Purcell and hadto get the aircraftinto the hangar,meet the Dukeand get off to London. WhenI was leavingthe Duke'sEstate , I askedKen if he could run meto ChesterStation so I couldcatch a train backto London. TheDuke insisted we take his brandnew XJ 12 Jaguarto London and also insistedthat I was to drive it - I wasn'tgoing to argue aboutthat!. Ken phonedme a coupleof days later and told me that he'd foundthe fabrichad split at the leadingedge of the elevatorand bits of the woodenribs were loose in the bag. The fabric had belliedsomewhat and was only heldtogether by the waxedstring . I felt a bit weakat the kneesand hada stiff drinkor three! This problemhad undoubtedlybeen causedwhilst the aircraft had been stored at BlackbusheAerodrome for severalweeks whilstI was backin Australia. Duringthis period, the ownerof the aerodrome, Wing CommanderBennett (of Pathfinderfame) had sold the propertyto a Mr Doug Arnold. The new owner then proceededto take all the vintageaircraft out of the hangarsand intothe winterweather. One of my friends managedto get it into a hangarat Shoreham, nearBrighton , just beforeI got back.

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DearEd DearEd I'vejust beenreading Slipstream and afterseeing some of the old A belatedwrite-in to Slipstream3/2002 that has been gathering facesand the memoriesthey raised,I [Ian Locket]thought I would dust in my 'Drafts'directory . Like manybefore me havedone, I enclosetwo photosof 'threegood mates' who workedtogether in wish to expressmy appreciationfor your fine effortsin producing a numberof postingsand like manyothers who servedtogether, Slipstream.For people like myself, one of the 'fading away' maintainedthe friendships. brigade, the magazineis a tremendousread . I enjoy reading In this casewe CPOAT A Col 'TheCoat' Liddicoat , CPOATA Phil aboutthe timespast -what I perceiveas the RANFAA heydays . I Beck, and I, first workedtogether on HT725Squadron 30 years can relateto manyof the experiencespubl ished,the magazine agoin 1973, We alsoworked together on HS817Squadron -both helpingme to keepin focusa significantpart of my lifethat I would times with Wessex helicoptersand then later we were the hate to forget.As with manyother formermembers of the FAA, maintenance crew for the MoresbyFlight with a Bell 2068-1 the goodtimes were mixed with someawful occasions , but if I had helicopter. mytime over again I thinkI wouldtake the samecareer path . It was great to have one of the trifecta(Phil Beck)come and I realisethere is a cryingneed for us all to somehowcapture the travel aroundRussia for a monthwith me 15 monthsago . I am new kids on the blockin the FAAAssociation; otherwise , without surethat at sometime in the futurethe threeof us will onceagain thisflow through of newblood , the associationwill surelywither on be swapping'warries' together at somewatering hole . the vinewith time. Lacko(Wolfman) Includingcurrent activitiesabout Naval Aviation in your fine magazineis a good start. For example, I was blownaway by the facilitiesbeing erected at NASNowra and Slipstreamwas the first to informme aboutthe Sea Kingdeployment to ChristmasIsland . Now, if we can just get someof these youngerguns to join the associationand write in abouttheir experiences ... AlthoughI left the RAN in May, 1989, I am still hauntingthe corridorsaround Defence in Canberraand can be contactedby e-mail.at [email protected]. My presentposition is editorof ADF aviationsafety literature in the Directorateof FlyingSafety -ADF (DFS-ADF)in Canberra.I . havebeen here for 14 yearsand, during that time, I havetaken a keenintere .st in the majorADF aviationaccidents . I don'tclaim to havecaptured all the accidentssince 1921(excluding WW2) but havea reasonablehandle on the majorityof them.I presumethe photographof page 19 of 312002is an invertedRAN Sea King,if so the date of 12 Nov 75 is puzzling. My records Takenin the aircraftmaintenance office on Moresbyat the showthat two Sea Kingsditched r-::~~-;::;; ;:;::::~:iiiiiil:i:3~::;-, endof a Darwinsurvey in 1980 in 1975. The first was N16-117 L-R:Col Liddicoat- PhilBeck and 'Wolfman' Lockett (C/S 906, HS 817) 25 nm ENE of NASNowra on 21 Oct. I have BELOW the crew as (then) LEUTs (P) Thesame crew show ing that'age does not weary them ' - takenoutside Carl Daleyand G. Rogers, and anotherof Sydney'sfamous pubs , 'Louisat the Loo', twoyears ago just observersD . Moorehouseand priorto my 'posting'to Russia. Ivan Misfield. The aircraft apparently suffered a serious loss of transmissionfluid during a nightmission and had to ditch at sea. Whilethe crewmembers were rescuedthe aircraft was ~ not so fortunate, sinkingduring the salvageattempt. Could this be the aircraftfeatured on page 19, beforeit sank?The second accidentthat year involvedN16-113 (C/S 904, HS 817) on 30 Nov. It also involveda transmissionfluid loss and ditching, this time near Kiama,NSW. It too sank duringthe salvageattempt. The crewmembersof (then)LEUT (P) B. Anderson(second pilot NK), LCDR (0) W. (Lofty) Kimpton, and POA D. Smith were rescued. JohnCrawley Editor,DFS-ADF, Campbell Park Offices CP4-1-132, "Politiciansare the sameall over.They promise to build Departmentof DefenceCanberra ACT 2600 bridgeseven when there are no rivers." NikitaKhruschev (1894-1971) Tel: (02)6266 2236 - Fax:(02) 6266 4754- Mob:0412 886 333 Leaderof the Unionof SovietSocialist Republics , 1958-64. [ Cananyone else shed any light on thephotograph? Ed]

8 Slipstream

DearEd [Pressrelease] I referto Jim Hill's letterto Mrs Gashpublished in Slipstream14 NAVYPRESENCE SET IN CONCRETE (1) andwould say right awaythat the repositioningof Sydney3's anchorto RAAFBase Wagga was neverintended as a slightto AT RAAFBASE WAGGA the AMoF,Vietnam Veterans or other ex-crewmembers of that In keepingwith the tri-Serviceaims of the RAAF Schoolof fine ship and further, any intimationthat there may have been TechnicalTraining at WaggaWagga , there has recentlybeen somesubterfuge in the timingof the transfercould not be further a proliferationof Navyartefacts around the RAAFBase. It is fromthe truth. widely recognisedthat , as most AviationTechnician trainees Whileit is disappointingto readseemingly throw away lines like spendup to 18 monthsat Waggaimmediately -aftergraduation 'the so called loan of the HMASSydney anchor to RAAFBase from RecruitSchool , it is oftendifficult to maintaintheir single Wagga'or 'the airmen's mess just being a joint mess where Serviceidentity and ethos. sailorsalso frequent while training at Wagga',the truth is that the The Airman'sClub has alreadyacquired Navy , Army and Base and the RAAF School of Technical Training is the RAAF memorabilia to decoratethe Club and displaysare establishmentwhere, since 1992, all of our currentand future plannedto include Uniforms, SquadronHistory Boards and Aviation TechnicianTrainees have or will spend around 18 Ensignswhich will give the traineesa readyreference to their monthsstraight from Recruit Training School and where they need parentService . to be constantlyreminded of Navyand NavyAviation to remain To assist in addinga visible presenceof Navyaround the focussedon whothey noware and, moreimportantly , wherethey Base, the NavalHistorical Collection has loanedboth an 8 ton • aregoing. anchorfrom the AircraftCarrier HMAS SYDNEY as well as a I mustsay that an anchorfrom an AircraftCarrier certainly fits screw from a BathurstClass corvette. These are now on the billfor significanceand relativity. Theoriginal request for Naval permanentdisplay mountedon concreteblocks, the anchor artefactswas not specificso, whenthe offerof the 8 tonneanchor outsidethe Airman'sMess with the propelleroutside Navy was received, Navy Administrationjumped at it seeing it as a Administration.Both items are significant and highly visible valuableicon which would be a highlyvisible Naval emblem in an Naval icons and togetherprovide a recognitionof over ten otherwiselandlocked environment, and , althoughit may haveleft yearsof permanentRAN involvement at RAAFSn. Nowra,it certainlyshould not be seen as an itemdiscarded from our NavalHistory . I am very pleasedto reportthat alreadythe anchorhas beenvery well receivedlocally and featuresgreatly in classand graduation photographs. I am able to confirmthat the Sydney3's anchor has been mountedin a prominentposition here on Base,visible from many pointsincluding the paradeground. Since its arrivalit has received a muchneeded refurbishment , has beenfully repaintedby Naval traineesand is soonto be identifiedby a professionallyprepared plaque which will detail its specifications, origin and history. Alreadyit is receivinga deal of attentionand duringa visit from the HMASWagga Association during their reunion,about ten ex­ SydneyCrew members were delighted not onlyto see the anchor in all its glory but also welcomedthe care with which it is being preserved. In line with that, I am also very happyto meet any interested readerwho is passingby RAAFBase Wagga and would like to visit us, inspectthe anchorand also get an idea aboutthe fine school we have here and learn more about today's Aviation Techniciansand their training. If any of you wouldlike to call in, pleasefeel freeto e-mailme or contactme on (02)69374605, we certainlylook forward to seeingyou. Hopefullythis will put a few of Jim's fearsto rest. The anchoris fulfillingan importantrole in the livesof the Aviationtrainees here at RAAFBase Wagga and as they are part of the futureof Naval Aviation,they are beingconstantly reminded of our past by the anchorand other historicalitems that we have been donatedor loanedto us. LCDRPat Nolan - SNOWagga RAAFSTI,RAAF BASE Wagga , ForestHill NSW2651 Email:[email protected] DISCLAIMER- Slipstreamis publishedby The FleetAir ArmAssociation of AustraliaIncorporated . All rightsreserved . Reproductionin partor wholeis forbiddenwithout the expresspermission of the Editorin writing.All carewill be takenwith materialbut no responsibilityis a~~pted or assumedby the publisherfor lossor damage.The views and opinions expressed in this publicationdo not necessarilyreflect the viewsand opinions of the Assoc1at1onor Committeeof Management.

9 Slipstream

DearEd DearEd Contraryto whatthe readersmay haveread or heard, somevery serious cracks Re - the prangs in the latest Slipstream. The havebeen discovered on a SH-2GSuper Seaspr ite heloa t HMASAlbatross . Firefly(911) WB506 a 723 Squadronaircraft flown JohnGordon by SBLT(P)Anstee was enrouteon 14 October 1955from RANASNowra to lnverellwhen he got lost and landed in a field near lnverell, over shootingand ending up on his belly. 'Windy' Geale

DearEd Just a shortnote i n reply to BrianLevett's piece in the last edition of Slipstream, with a few more namesfor his photographof the Air Department Partyin HongKong . [Seephoto] G'Day' Fats'. I'll bet you haven'tbeen called that for a few years. Tell us, do you still have torque wrenchesfor wrists? One of life's little joys was undoinga plugthat you'ddone up. Anywaymate , heregoes .. .

DearEd Quiteoften we ask ourselveshard t o answerques tions, like, "Whatis a bastard?" Andwe wax philosophicwith metaphysical postulations, incompleteaphorisms , Rear: FredRubly , BrianLevett , NAAH?, and inconsistentsoph ismsthat makeone moreand moresure that the onlytrue FrankSpong , 'Blue'Greenfield, Steve Roper, thingis thata pictureis wortha thousandwords. GavinGreer , Bill Hilzinger, FredLewis , In this photo, the guyon the right is a memberof a bombsquad in the middle of LionelLeggatt , BobBird ,?, a deactivation. Centre: EddieLamb , DannyHannigan , Theguy behindhim , well,he's a bastard. Bill Sonsee(obscured) , RobTaylor , ?, AtholLaing ,.: Forwardedby GeoffVickridge BarrySunderland , Vic Guynette(obscured) , · Col Blundell, KenP .dor,_pes"Carroll Front:Col Cook, Barrylceton ; RonMelville , Col Payne, Bill Daviesand Rick Forbes . It certainly brought back some wonderful memoriesof greatblokes and great days. RonMelville -Ex POATC DearEd In SlipstreamVolume 14 Number1 - Page 14, Brian·-Levitt'sphotograph 'Banyan -Lankaw 1965' , showsmembers of 816 Squadronenjoying some well deservedR & R on PulauLangkawi, an island north-westof Penang, Malaysia. I suspectthat I am the unidentified body (back to .camera) between Brian Sargeson and Peter Mr Rohan Goyne of the Military Historical Society of Clark (although it Australiais proposinga militaryhistory project on the role of ,1~....,...,.; would be difficult to SYDNEYin the KoreanWar . spot much similarity Memberswho wouldl ike to contribute, or be part of this project, can contact with today'sbody!) Mr Goyneon (02)6264-8334 (H) or by e-mail:r [email protected] JohnSelby

10 Slipstream

DearEd DearEd Theweb site article [below] may be of interestto the readers. Just a quicknote to let GeoffVickridge our shipmates know [Withthanks to Joe Gastonfor for.vardingthe picture below. Ed] that Max Gant and , , myself are alive and CarrierAircraft -Stock# B0P12 kicking and attended the Coffs HarbourEx­ • Builtby SwanHunter & WighamRichardson Limited Services Club on England/ 1942-1945 AnzacDay. • Loanedto Australia1953 - 1955. Soldto Brazil1956, FrankDonnelly re-fitted1957 -1960 in RotterdamHolland, angled deck added, overhauled1976-1980 DearEd • Laid-up1987 , Refitted1991 - 1993, Refitted1997 - In the Christmas2002 edition of Slipstreamwas an articlerelating 1998 to the 'ThirdVietnam Veterans ' MortalityStudy'. • De-CommissionedNovember 2001. Sold to Private The articlefrom the RepatriationCommissioner requested any concerns2002 , saledid not complete. suggestionsto correct 'errors' or 'omissions'arising from the • · Length:693 ' 3" Overall630' Waterline 690 ' Flightdeck previouspublications of the VietnamVeterans' Nominal Roll. • Beam: 80' 119' 6" Flightdeck I felt that therewas a glaring anomalyto the codingof the Fleet • Draught:23 ' Fore23 ' 5" aft Air Arm personnelinvolved. I wroteto DavidGoldrick of the Dep't • Catapult:1 MactaggartScott C - 3 steampowered 8.5 of Veterans' Affairs on 09 December2002 to express my degreelaunch concerns. I thoughtour fellow shipmateswould be interestedin • Displacement:Full Load 19 ,890 Tons,Normal 17,500 the situationat this time. tons,Standard 15 ,890tons The anomaly, as I saw it, was that the Ships Companywere given the code 15 to indicate HMAS Melbourne, whereasthe • EngineType: 2 shaftParsons geared steam turbines, 4 Squadronpersonnel on boardat the same time were given the Admiralty3 drumboilers code27 to indicate'visit' (pardon me?) . • H.P.: 36,000SHP My suggestionto David Goldrickwas that we shouldALL be • Fuel: Oil giventhe 15 code,or , a separatecode to indicatethe Squadron • Capacity: 3,196Tons plus 98 ,000 gallonsof Aviation concerned, ie. .'817'. fuel • Endurance:12 ,000 Nauticalmiles@ 14 Knots,6 ,200 As I had not receivedconfirmation of receiptof my letterfrom by the 21 Aprilthis year (2003),I onceagain wrote to him and asked NauticalMiles @ 25 Knots him if: • Radars:Air search, LockheedSPS 408 , Surfacesearch PlesseyAWS 4 NavigationSignal ZW 06 A. He had receivedmy letter? • ~omplement:,1300(1000 Navy, 300 Air) B. Was my suggestionregarding coding the sort of thing he was • Hangar: 322' longby 52' Widthby 17'6 " height after? • Generators:4 Turbogenerators and 1DieselGenerator C. Will the codingin the nextedition of the 'Roll'reflect my producing2500Kw AC . suggestion? I subsequentlyreceived a replyfrom Mr Goldrickdated 01 May $4,500,000(USD) 2003,in whichhe regrettedthat he had beenunable to locatemy originalletter . (I don'tknow about the restof you guysbut I always For the historyof this vesselfollow this link: seemto havea problemwith FederalPublic Servants). www.fleetairarmarchive.net/vengeance/ Nowthis is the goodbit, I quote... Visitmore vessels at www.frenchcreekboatsales.com 'Yourrecent letter has provedtimely as we havejust started assessingprimary source documentsfrom the Departmentof Defencein relationto the 1965and 1966voyages of the HMAS Melbourne. Thankyou for your suggestionto includea separate code to indicateservice with the RoyalAustralian Navy Fleet Air Arm squadrons. Theformat of the nextedition of the NominalRoll is currentlyunder review . I am, therefore, unableat this point to say howthe nextedition will be structured. Pleasebe assuredthat I will add your suggestionto those we are currentlyreviewing". Endquote ... Alwaysthe optimist. Ron(Butch) Jenkins My grandmotherhas a bumpersticker on her car that says, 'Sexy Senior Citizen'. You don't want to think of your grandmotherthat way, do you? Outentering wet shawl co,ntests . Makesyou wonderwhere she got that dollarshe gave you for yourbirthday. AndyRooney

11 Slipstream

DearEd until, after an extensivework up at Eglinton(known to manya Since becomingeligible to receive Slipstream, I have been RANFAAman) we embarkedin an escortcarrier for an impossibly intriguedby the variouscorrespondence on the subjectof PTSD. I shortwork up of about14 days . am not certainwhat it is, but it seemsto have some money 24 Corsairsin an escortcarrier was a bit of a squeeze, as only attachedto it like 'RA' or 'Hard Lyers'. As I understandit as 18 couldbe put in the hangar, andthe deckwas only450'. There explainedby AlbertRiley , thereare two methodsof qualifying, one were no AircraftHandlers in those days, the squadronproviding by being involved in some operation, the other by merely its ownchock parties etc . on a rotabasis between sections. watching, eitherbeing enough to makeone fill one'spants. As in At the end of the 14 days, an Admiralcame aboard for a day or the FAA there is difficultyin separating'being involved'and in two to give us the OK to go and rot up Hirohito& Co. andfor this 'being a bystander', I reckon, at a pinch, it mightbe worthmy wh ile event I was chock party. The Corsairhad the largestfan in the to 'slapin '. businessin thosedays and the aeroplaneswere packedso tight In May, 1940, havingsigned the 'dottedline' in April, aged15 %, on the deck for launchthat it was more prudentto pass under King Georgewrote to me to say that, as I met his required themthan around or between. standardsof educationand physique, he required me to repairto On one launch, the first halfdozen went off the onlycatapult , on my duties, as an Air ArtificerApprentice , on the following6th the portside , andthe firstfor free takeoff was linedup , with mine September. I thereforereckon I was on the Navalstrength from the nextastern . Whilethe FDOwas 'windingup' the first, mine, as April'40 , althoughstill at schooi. I tookaway the chocks, was marshalledtoo closeand chewed the It maybe recalledthat Sussexwas quite an interestingplace to portelevator of the first. I triedto stopthe FDO, but he pushedme • be in the summerof 1940, with variousaviators trying to shoot aside, and launched. The Corsairleft the deck, climbedaway , each other out of the sky, and aeroplanes, spent bullets and droppedthe port wing, turned, lost height, and enteredthe water shells, the latter often making a bit of a bang, cases, links, abouttwo cablesto port, 180° off course, andthat was the lastwe jettisonedbombs , etc., raining downall overthe place. saw of eitheraeroplane or pilot. I discoveredlater that I was the My first serious involvementin this - or was I merely a onlyone to seewhat had happenedto that elevator. I do not know bystander?-was one overcast, drizzly, day in June, as I was on if the damagecaused the crash, but I have alwaysregretted not my way from schoolon my 3 % milecycle ride from Pulborough beingmore insistent with the FDOin tryingto preventthe launch. railwaystation to my home in what is the Sussexversion of However, a LeadingAir Fitter, just shortof his 20th birthdayis an 'beyondthe blackstump' . Two ME109scame throughthe cloud insignificantwretch when compared with a Lt. Cdr. Pilot FDO. baseof about1000' and made a lot of holesin the roadjust ahead Thatwas the first of some15 fatalitiesI witnessedover the next of me.Goodness knows why , as the mostlethal thing in that street 27 yearsduring landing or take off from flight decks. Thenthere wasMr. Tribe's sausages . I thinkthey were lost. were plenty· of other incidentssuch as that great carve up on That term was my last at Midhurst GrammarSchool , I taking Sydney'sdeck in '49, many of which made me 'duck and run'. dischargeleave beforereporting for naval duty, duringwhich I Therewere another half dozen or so ashore. helpedwith the harvest.One August day, I hadput up abouthalf a My final pantsfiller was in Eaglein 1967. A mannedVixen CAP wagonloadof wheat sheaves, when about 40 HE-111 in box was permanentlyin Fly 2, under the island. In non-operational formationhove in sight at about 20,000'. Downfrom aboveand times, an acquisition Red Top infrared air-to-air homer was throughth is lot came half a dozen Hurricanes,pulling out and attachedto the port outer light storespylon . (An acquisitionRed climbingback through . As a result, 7 x HE-111's cameearthwards Top did everything but fire, it havinga drill motor). This was just over an area of about20 miles square, one of them apparently the right heightfor me to leanon duringthe hoursI spent'Watch straightfor us at about 85° with a terriblescreaming noise . It on, Stopon' . Beingthe only AOEOi n the ship meantthat I was actuallywent in aboutthree fields away (the average Sussex field alwaysglad of somethingto leanon. being about8 acres)with an earth-shakingexplosion . Whenwe One day, for a reasonof which I have not the faintestidea , I . wentfor a shufti, therewere a few small bits of metalaround a decided, for a recovery, insteadof leaningon my Red Top, to I dirty great hole with some humanremains hanging on a thorn stationmyself in my forwardweapon park in front of the island. bush. Duringthe recovery, a Vixennose oleo leg collapsed, whichwas My first weekin the RN was at HMSMedina which had beena quickly clearedand the Vixen struck down. About 20 minutes holidaycamp at Rydeon the Isle of Wight, just acrossthe water later, a POAF(O)took me alongto Fly 2 to show me 'something from Portsmouth. We spent most of every night in the vaultsof that will interestyou , Sir'. Not half it didn't! The acquisitionRed one of the old Palmerstonforts , whichwas the basisof the place Top was cut nearlyin two. The noseoleo hadexploded , and part while the GermanGovernment carried out alterationsto the of the casing, about 1O"x6 " had shot acrossthe deckand hit the Portsmouthinfra-structure . RedTop (about10 " diam.). HadI beenin my usualplace , it would On passing out in June' 43, I wentto Lee-on-the-Solen!. In early havehit me aboutmidriff height , whichwould have made my eyes September, I was workingon the port wing of a Fulmar, with my watera bit. Whydid I decide, just for thatonce , to moveforward? rightarm jammed under one of the Brownings, whena squadron Let notthe readerthink that I claimto be unique.The incidentsI of SeaHurricanes landed , one of themon the portand tail wheels havedescribed were of a commonenough type during my Service and the starboardwing t ip. I watchedin horror, tryingto free my life, and they are insignificantwhen comparedwith , for instance, arm, as this bit of machinerycurved its way across the grass the experiencesof the inhabitantsof the East End of Londoni n towardsme, comingto rest with its tailplaneagainst the Fulmar the earlyforties . I havenot mentionedanything the 'otherside' got wingtip. Occupantsof bothmachines vacated them in haste. up to afterthe earlySussex capers . The followingFebruary, I went to the USA to form a Corsair Evenmy ever loving'other half had her shareas a Wrenwith squadronfor the PacificFleet. My pantsremained relatively clean CombinedOperations in Portsmouth. A few weeksbefore 'D' Day

12 Slipstream in '44, she was quarteredin the commandeeredPortsmouth Our reasonfor formingthis Reunion Groupis in part to rekindle GrammarSchool buildings . Afteran air raid one evening, she and old friendships,reunite with old shipmates, and if possible form her chumsemerged from the cellarswith their ears ringing, trying newfriendships . to retrievetheir belongingsfrom the streetwhere some German The Committee sincerelybelieves that makingthe reuniona lout had strewnthem. (She, like me, receivesa disabilityaward resoundingsuccess will show a united supportfor our current becauseof the resultingear damage). Servicemenand women . Not onlydo we expectcomrades from all I have not includedthe three attemptson our civilian lives by over Australia, but also our allies from overseas countries, homicidalmaniacs on the highwaysof UK, but I expectthat they alongsidewhom we haveserved i n bothpeace and war . alsocontribute , as the readerwill havediscerned, to my inabilityto We intendto providea week of entertainment, comradeship, marshalmy thoughtsand put them on paperin coherentform . I and a little nostalgia. It will also provide an opportunity for findalso that my 2~ hp cultivatoris exertinga controllinginfluence interstateand overseasvis itors to experienceour beautifulcity of over me, and that my lawn mowerhas a regrettabletendency to Sydney. run away from me. I have considerabledifficulty in finding my Thiswill be a once in a lifetimeexper ienceand we lookforward firingpoint at Bisley, and gettingdown on it, even morein getting to nation-widesupport . We havemade contact w ith, and received up again. While there, my bullets no longergo where I expect expressionsof support from Naval representatives, from the themto . Thisresults in humiliatingremarks such as "Poorold sod, UnitedKingdom , New Zealand, Canadaand the UnitedStates . but he doestry" . Othersare not slowto sarcasticallypoint out that We hope to receivecontingents of former and servingmariners it took 53 years of competition shootingto obtaina full housein fromthese countr ies. • the 1st.Stage of the Queen'sPrize at Bisleyin 2000, thus earning All surplus funds remaining after costs and GST will be me the Veteran'sTrophy (for the over 60s), but I couldn'tmanage distributedto the navalcommunity through the NavalAssoc iation. it until I was 75. (Wetold you if you stuckat it longenough, you'd The Committeeis a non-profitorganisat ion, fully audited by get the hangof it). independentchartered accountants , and overseenby the relevant Both Margaretand I suffer from chronicindecision , especially Governmentagencies . In addition, the Committeewill make a around0700 when we cannotdecide who is to be first out to put generousdonation to a numberof Children's Charitieson behalf on the kettle. Whenshe is the Observerin the Rover I pilot, we of all servingand f ormerNaval personnel. alwaysshould have taken that roadback there , and we bothoften The Committeemembers are providing their time and expertise findourselves standing in a roomwondering "What the Devildid I in a voluntarycapacity , withoutremuneration to themselves. We comein herefor?" askthat you supportus , join us, and havea memorableweek! Dowe havea chanceto qualifyfor this PTSD?I don'tknow , but AllenE. Lewis- DeputyC hairman OrganisingCommitt ee I bet If I 'slappedin for it' some joker would quote me the un­ official, if somewhatsardon ic, motto of HM Forces"If you can't For furtherinformation please contact one of the following: take a joke you shouldn'thave joined". That is the attitudetaken AllenLewis : (02)4297 6416 -E-mail : [email protected] by our grand-daughterwho , havingcompleted a distinctlydodgy AlexGarlin : (07)55710745 -E-mail : al@)ycinetcom deploymentto Bosniawith the Royal Signalsin which she saw NormCharman: (02) 42955041 or NoelJackson : (02)4274 6020 thingst o turn the stomachof evena slaughterhouse navvy . DearEd As I type this, she is now with the 7th ArmouredBrigade in The newspapercl ipping below may be of interestto Slipstream southernIraq . I do not knowwhat she is doing, but her usualjob is readers. to operateone of those whoppinggreat tracked APV with a JohnBrown telephonebox in it. She did remarkthat this was a very traumatic exercise, especiallywhen i t ran out of fuel, as it was so difficultto push. Brit pilot's More seriously, I discern somethingvaguely distasteful about accepting moneyin respectof the discomfitureof a third party, punch-up especiallyif that third partydips out. I reallydo not thinkI coulddo it. However, I am not perfect,as I was merelyborn overa stable, A FURIOUS British helicopter pilot who came not in one. under 'friendly fire' from American troops, Lookafter yourselves , fellers, no otherB ... ..d will! landed yards from them, leapt out and MauriceAyling exchanged punches with a US Marine. The Chinook pilot shouted at him: "When was DearEd the last time you saw a f...... Iraqi in a My name is Allen Lewis, a memberof the RAN Fleet Air Arm, helicopter?" 1951/57. Currentlymember No 603 FAM New South Wales The pilot and the marine had to be pulled Division. My reasonfor writing to you is to advise you of the apart as American troops advanced on the north following. I am a memberof a newlyformed organisation namely , of Baghdad, according to reports from US the "NATIONALNAVAL REUNION 2004" Central Command in Qatar. During the period 01 to 08 August 2004, this Organising British military spokesman, Group Captain Al Committeeis planningto host a reunionfor all past and present Lockwood said: "I'm afraid it would be a RAF membersof the Royal AustralianNavy and their spouse or kind of thing to do. partner.Reunion activities w ill he centredaround Sydney Harbour "These guys are not known for taking fools andnearby environs . gladly."

13 Slipstream

DearEd Firstof all, thankyou for all yourwork for the FAAAand Slipstream.You havebrought back so manyhappy memories for so manypeople . I enjoyedreading the noteand seeing the photosfrom Brian(Fats) Levett. I've often wondered what happened to him. Someof the nameshe was missingare: ColCook , Barrylceton , Col Blundell, < , NickRoberts . Theenclosed photo is of the ATD staffO taken \ May1973. Sadly a coupleare no longerwith us. Rear:Les Shepherd, Graham Selkirk , PeterOwen, (?) Centre:Bill Hamley,Bob Harrison, Kev Bullen, DarrylBudworth , KenKing , GeoffAnderson Front:Peter Cobble , LindsayBoyd , RodWarner, Barry Herron, Frank Fox, ( RonStorey , JohnHarris. I'm enjoyingSlipstream more now that I have relocatedto BribieIsland. I met Ted Pritchard,(circa '46 to '57), at the QueenslandRSL Bowls..He would like to be rememberedto DickAlchin , if anyoneis in touch withhim. FrankFox - [email protected]

DearEd which makes vegetableslook good, but lacks the essential I have encloseda copy of a photographtaken from a 1932 mineralelements. If the soil that the fruit and vegetablesare magazine entitled 'The Illustrated Tasmanian Christmas grownin is depletedof essential mineralelements , which is the Number'. case most of the time, our bodiesdo not receivethe required The captionreads: 'Massed ships' strength in navaldockyard nutrimentsand , over a periodof time, the body says I've had enoughand breaksdown. It's the sameas puttingcontaminated setting.HMAS Albatrossand Canberraat their Ocean and King'sPier berths .' fuel in an aircraft, it will notfly for long. 'Tas'Browning To preventthis happeningwe need to supplementour bodies withvitamins . TheNew England Journal of Medicine,a prestigious medicalpaper now admits that we all needto take a dailydose of vitamins.To those people who are battling with cancer, an excellentbook to help is titled "HEAL CANCER" by Dr. Ruth Cilento; it is in its secondpcint and can be consideredas a biblein helpingto beatthis disease. BurrieArnell - Email [email protected] Ph 07 3263-8390

DearEd Theattached item may be of interest. BenDunn

A letterfrom a USsoldier in Iraq to the 'Starsand Stripes' newspaper. 'It hasbeen sixty days since we arrivedat our deployedlocation. The rocks, the sand, the arid climate..... its all too familiar. If you DearEd havebeen to one desertoasis , you'vebeen to them all, no? The WheneverI hearnews of FAAAmembers; Cancer , HeartAttacks inquisitivemind seeks to ask howwe couldbe so bloodyclose to andother life stylenon-contagious diseases crop up. a large body of water, less than 5 miles, and still not see the The reasonswe catch these diseasesvaries from personto slightestbit of moisture.. person, but to prevent them is more important.Somewhere , Perhapsit's an environmentalabnormality reserved especially sometimeour lmmunesystem has faMed, whichmeans the body for today'sfinest militaryforces. So what makesthis deployment hasbeen starved of goodnutrition. any differentfrom all the others?Would you believeme if I told Unfortunately,the bodycannot receive the qualityand quantity you. Vegemite? of needednutrition if it is receivingthe normalday-to-day diet. A newflag was raisedhere recently. It waveshigher than ever Commerciallygrown food is grownusing fertilizers such as (NPK) I've seen at (deleted).It's a lovelyshade of greenthat any good

14 Slipstream

Irishmanwould appreciate. The designchosen to adornthis flag is DearEd truly one not seen on the coloursof any other sovereignstates. As you can mostlikely guess [from the handwriting]I had a stroke There are no stripes, or stars. Just a kangaroo... .with boxing in September2000 and this writingis the resultof mucheffort . gloves! I am askingif anyonecan find out from a competentmedical The Australianshave certainlymade their presenceknown in authorityabout the onset of strokes and what can be done to our smallcommunity . I think we all enjoy beginningour mornings offset it. I ask that when this informationis available,that it be witha 'G'DayMate!' publishedin the magazine. And they only accountfor roughly(deleted) of the total base In the last edition of.------, population, this placeseems to be teamingwith them.It couldbe Slipstream, the photograph their multi-coloureduniforms and cricketgames . Or perhapsit's of the Sycamore in the the accent we've all grown to love from watching America's grounds of Government favouritecrocodile hunter , SteveIrwin. In their defence, I've yet to House in Adelaide was hearone of themsay 'Crikey', butwe still havea few monthsleft. flown by myself and Tony Personallythe Aussiesbring a smileto my face,and not for any Battenwas the crew. This of the abovereasons . It's not becausethey are all so pleasantand occurredon 28 Sept.1955. amiable,though they reallyare. The reasonis deeplyrooted in the JamesFergu son emotionsof currentevents. Their physicalpresence here means [Thank you, Jim. I appreciatethe effort you have made in morethan sharing workspace. The daily newswill continueto jerk sendingthis letter. Also, a belatedbirthday greeting for 21 May us abouttheir coverageof whoseon our side and who is not. It's whenyou reached74 . John] confusingand at bestdisconcerting . Therefore,all we knowto be If any readerscan assistin providinginformation about Strokes , true and real is what we see around us. The view here is of it wouldbe appreciated.Ed. Australians, representativesof an entire country; a nation of friendsand allies.It's a heart-warmingfeeling to see themjoining DearEd us. For to live and work at this placegoes beyondthe diplomatic lip servicewe mayexpect from othercountries. It sayssomething Enclosedherewith a photofor your recordsof HMASSydney for strong and sincere. It says that we are not alone. For your recognitionor perhapsdiscussion . averagetroop living close to a not so friendlyneighbour, that's As I recall,I tookthis photographwhilst the shipwas a day or so goodto know. out of Fremantleenroute to Colomboon the 'CoronationTrip' . The The situationat our Base is only a small exampleof what is datewas around 30 March1953. repeatedthroughout the OR. Nationsaround the worldare voicing What makes the commondedication towards preserving freedom at all costs.I can photo of interest is onlyhope that it is evidentas it is here.There are manythings to that it was pilotedby be proudof here. Despitethe Jongroad that lies aheada lot has Commander (Air) been accomplished.Rest assured, we will meet the challenges who had previously placedbefore us, and we will conquerthem ... togetheras friends, delivereda 'weather' as allies.In the end, onlyone thing could possibly divide us. to those assembled Fortunately, it has nothingto do with politics. It comesin a jar. in the Briefing It's madeby Kraft.It's calledVegemite, the breakfastspread that Room. His final instructions had L.=~~---~------' doublesas axlegrease . Couldthis culturalgap becomea gorge? been: 'Take care of the aircraftas we need all of them for the Is vegemitea weaponof massindigestion? flypastat Spithead(Portsmouth).' FormerLeading A irman Alan Winchcombe,57 , and former Leading Hewas the first to land backon boardafter the flightand I'm not AirmanKeith Taylor , 60, of the US-Australian135th Assault Helicopter sure whetherhe 'hit the wrong knob' or what. However, if he is Company, wereawarded the USAir Medalfor flyingmore than 100 hours readingthis, it musthave been an oleofailure. over enemy territory. The medals were presentedat an informal ceremonyin WA by formerRAN commanding officer Winston James . Cananyone shed any lighton the incident? Bob Winton

DearEd I am passingthis on to you becauseit has definitelyworked for me. By followingthe simple advice I read in an article, I have finallyfound inner peace. It reads: "Theway to achieveinner peace is to finish all the thingsyou've started." looked around to see all the things I had started but not finished. So, today I have finished one bottle of white wine, a bottleof red wine,a bottleof Drambuie,my Prozac,a largebox of chocolateand six cansof Jager. You haveno ideahow good I feel. JohnPurcell

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DearEd WHATDID YOU DO On 30 May 1970, Melbourne anchored near the island of IN THEFLEET AIR ARM, DADDY? PULAU-TIOMANoff the EastCoast of Malayafor R & R duringa SEATOExercise . The Ships Companywere to go ashorefor A questionasked by our children, probablya longtime ago, and swimmingand barbecues, but, seekingsomething a little more likelyto be askedagain by our grandchildrenas we preparefor adventurous,Bill Kinrossand BarryBeck arranged for a groupof the FAAReunion 2003 next October . What'syour answer? 816Squadron members to hikeup the highestpeak on the island. Bob'Windy ' Geale, HonoraryCurator of Australia'sMuseum of When the day arrived, leave was cancelledbecause of the Flight, previouslythe AustralianNaval Aviation Museumand weathercond itions, but after some fast-talkingby one of the beforethat , The (Australian)Fleet Air Arm Museum, has been officers, the team was allowed to proceed ashore for the askingex-Birdie's that questionfor manyyears ; andfor a specific expedition. purpose. It was a day I will Bob has spent all those years researchingthe history of always remember, Australia's participation in Naval Aviation, with particular cutting our way emphasison the FleetAir Arm FixedWing era, documenting that through the rain researchinto a seriesof 'FiveYear Diaries '. forest so thick that His aim is to producea RoyalAustralian Naval Aviation and the pouring rain FleetAir Arm day by day history, similarto the: 'HistoricNaval was only getting Eventsof Australiaday-by-day ', producedby Lew Lind in 1982, through as drizzle. butwith emphasis on the days, year by year. Several times we It is intendedto havedraft copies of at leastone five-year diary had to strip off and ready for the comingreunion , probablythe period 1950 - 55 burnthe leechesoff beingvery significant, and we wouldappreciate expressions of our bodies. I also interestto purchasea copyto offsetcosts of final productionof remember Barry hardcopies and/or discs . Beckhaving a close Naturallythere are a lot of gapsin the historydocumented thus encounter with a 'JUNGLEBUNNIES' far, particularlywith regard to 816 Squadronin its various deadlyscorpion . Enjoyingthe filteredsunlight commissionsand exploits . Practicallyall recordsthat wouldhave Whenwe reached L-Rfacing camera : _become archival material and eventuallymight have found their the peak, Barry FredRubly -Barry Beck -Col Payne way to the Museumwere destroyed in the disastrous'H' Hanger climbed the tallest~ ------' fire someyears ago . treeand strung an Australianflag at the top. The remains of which All ex-Birdies, and survivingrelatives of departedshipmates, maystill be theretoday . are invited to search out those old SC's (Certificatesof We arrivedback onboardabout 1800wet and worn out but it Service-AS 549), EDP recordsof Service, diaries,Squadron was a greatday. I wonderif we coulddo it over againtoday . It photo's and anything else which you think could provide wouldbe goodto hearfrom any of the othersthat were on that historicaldata which should be recordedfor posterity. trip. Myemail address is [email protected] Extract that material, including name, rank if/as/when Ray Murrell applicableto photo, incidentor whatever, official number, etc. andsend a copyto Windypost haste . Doyour bit to preserveour Fromthe RedCross Blood Service heritage.The Curatoris in his officeevery Wednesday from 1000 It's amazingwhat some sick people will do! to 1445. A few weeksago in a movietheatre in Melbournea personsat on Address: The Curator, Cl-AMoF somethingthat was pokingout of one of the seats.When she got up to seewhat it was shefound a needlesticking out of the seatwith a note 489AAlbatross Road Nowra Hill. NSW 2540 attachedsaying , "Youhave just beeni nfectedby HIV". FaxNo: (02) 4424 1999 -E-mail: [email protected] The Disease control Centre in Melbournereports many similar incidentshave occurredin many other Australiancities recently. All PLEASENOTE! If anyex-FAA members do notwish to have testedneedles are HIV Positive. The Centrealso reportsthat needles their names/ detailspublished in the diaries,please advise havebeen found in the cashdispensers in ATMs. We ask everyoneto the Curatorprior to publication. use extremecaution when faced with this kind of situation. All public , ...... \ chairs/seatsshould be inspectedwith vigilanceand caution before use . The 2nd AnnualAircraft Handlers Reunion is to be held at 17people have been tested positive in the Westernsuburbs alone in the the PrinceAlfred Hotel, BrisbaneRd . Booval(near Ipswich,Qld.) last2 months! on Saturday November 1, 2003 at 11.00am. The hotel has A carefulvisual inspection should be enough. In additionthey ask that provideda roomthat holdsat least 150, bar facilitiesand 'pokies' eachof you passthis messagealong to all membersof yourfamily and for those who wish to indulge, along with excellentfood at very yourfriends of the potentialdanger . We all haveto be carefulat public reasonableprices. places!This is veryimportant. Just think about saving a life of someone evenyou don 't knowby forwarding this message. Boova/is on the main railwayline to Ipswichand the pub is only 400 metresfrom the stationso you can leave your cars at Please, takea fewseconds of yourtime to passi t along. home and have an extra ale or two. Pleasecontact one of the RobBates followingas soonas you can to adviseof your intentionto attend, AustralianRed Cross Blood Service this will enablecatering arrangements to be made. Ph: (08)94212877 -Fax : (08)94212366 E-mail:[email protected] GlenHartig (07) 3299 6336 - or emailbqrc@primus .com.au ...... DougMurray (07) 3281 3428 or BoxerBanks (07) 4123 6164 16 Slipstream

in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the TWOSHORT STORIES THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST approachingdanger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehowd ivert themfrom the fleet. STORYNUMBER ONE Layingaside all thoughtsof personal safety, he dove into the formationof Japaneseplanes . Wing-mounted50 calibre's blazed Many years ago, Al Capone virtually as he chargedin , attacking one surprisedenemy p lane and then owned Chicago. Caponewasn't famous another. Butchwove in and out of the now brokenformation and for anythingheroic. He was notoriousfor fired at as many planesas possibleun til all his ammunition was enmeshingthe windy city in everything finallyspent. from bootleggedbooze and prostitutionto Undaunted, he continued the assault.He dove at the planes, murder. trying to clip a wing or tail in hopesof damagingas manyenemy Caponehad a lawyernicknamed 'Easy planesas possibleand renderingthem unfit to fly. Eddie'. He was his lawyer for a good L.:'.LL....L.=_..J,__.. Finally, the exasperatedJapanese squadron took off in another reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie's skill at legal direction.Deeply relieved , Butch O'Hareand his tatteredfighter manoeuvringkept Big Al out of jail for a long time. To show his limpedback to the carrier.Upon arriva l he reportedi n and related appreciation, Caponepaid him very well. Not only was the money the eventsurrounding h is return. big, but Eddie got special dividends. For instance, he and his The film from the gun-cameramounted on his plane told the familyoccupied a fenced-inmansion with live-inhelp and all of the tale. It showedthe extentof Butch'sdaring attempt to protecthis • conveniencesof the day fleet. He had in fact destroyedfive enemyaircraft. The estate was so large that it filled an entire ChicagoCity This took placeon February20 , 1942, and for that actionButch block.Eddie lived the high life of the Chicagomob and gave little becamethe Navy'sfirst Ace of W.W.11, and the first NavalAviator considerationto the atrocitythat went on aroundhim . Eddiedid to win the CongressionalMedal of Honour. haveone soft spot, however. He had a son that he loveddearly. Eddiesaw to it that his young son had the best of everything: A year later Butchwas killed in aerial combatat the age of 29. clothes,cars , and a good education. Nothingwas withheld. Price His hometown would not allowt he memoryof this WW II heroto was no object.And , despitehis involvementwith organisedcrime , fade, and today, O'HareAirport in Chicagois namedi n tributeto Eddieeven tried to teach him rightfrom wrong.Eddie wanted his the courageof this greatman. son to be a betterman than he was. Yet, with all his wealthand So, the next time you find yourselfat O'Hare International, give influence, there were two things he couldn't give his son, he some thoughtto visiting Butch's memorial displayinghis statue couldn't passon a goodname and a goodexample . and his Medalof Honour. It's locatedbetween Terminals 1 and2 . One day, Easy Eddie reacheda difficult decision. Easy Eddie So whatdo thesetwo storieshave to do witheach other? wantedto rectifywrongs he had done. He decidedhe wouldgo to ButchO'Hare was Easy Eddie 's son. the authoritiesand tell the truth aboutAl 'Scarface'Capone , clean NORFOLK(USA )·-- Oneo f the military'sla rgesttransports was stuck on up his tarnishedname and offer his son some semblanceof a runwayatop the 1-564overpass , unableto turn aroundat the westend integrity. To do this, he wouldhave to testifyagainst The Mob,and of ChambersField a t the NorfolkNava l Station.The incidentforced the he knewthat the costwou ld be great.So , he testified. closingof the field for most of the day to all b.ut helicoptertraffic and Within the year, Easy Eddie'slife endedin a blazeof gunfireon madefor a dramatic sight to hundredsof motoristspassing beneath it a lonelyChicago Street. But in his eyes, he had given his son the during the morning rushhour . greatestgift he had to offer, at the greatestprice he would ever Theaircraft's nose was so far overthe end of the ramp, the crewwas pay. unableto see the runwaywhere it was supposedto turn around.The pilot stoppedthe aircraftand prevented it from runningoff the ramp. Theyalso s tatedthat it wastoo tightof a turn to turnthe aircraftaround . STORYNUMBER TWO TheAir ForceC-5 Galaxy, largesta irplanein the free world, is almost as long as a footballfield and· as high as a six-storeybuild ing. At 420 tons with a full load, it uses a systemo f 28 wheels to distributeits WorldWar II producedmany heroes. One weight. such man was LieutenantCommander The aircraftspent most of the day waiting for a speciallymade to w 'Butch' O'Hare. He was a fighter pilot barto be truckedto the basefrom Dover, Del. No onewas hurt, andthe assignedto the aircraft carrier Lexington planewas not damaged. in the SouthPacific . One day his entire squadronwas sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he lookedat his fuel gaugeand realisedthat someonehad forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He wouldnot have enoughfuel to completehis missionand get backto his ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly,he droppedout of formationand headedback to the fleet. As he was returningto the mothership he saw somethingthat turned his blood cold. A squadronof Japaneseaircraft were speedingtheir way toward the Americanfleet. The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenceless. He couldn'treach his squadronand bringthem back

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-'fl/ MOMENTSIN TIME v,.

1953 or 54 - Openingnight of the RANASJunior Rates''new' Wet Canteen. L-R: Kevin 'Legs' Brady, RussellBraddon , ?, ?, ?, ?, 'Eddie' Bracken Photocourtesy Kevin Pavlich

'MELBOURNESUN'· JUNE1948 Ratingpilots of the RoyalAustralian Navy, who have startedtraining to fly from Australia's new aircraftcarriers, made their first flights in Moth trainingaircraft yesterday when they begantheir flyingcourses at PointCook. L-R:FT Lane(Vic) , RR Sinclair(WA), C E Champ(Qld) , W J Sweeting(WA), H J Hurley (WA),H T Streeter(NSW), I Webster(TAS) , J Herrick(VIC), J Roland(NSW)

2003 - LieutenantCommander GeorgeJenkins Mackenzie , RAN (Rtd), said he was verysurprised whenhe learnedhe had received an Order of Australia in the generaldivision of the Queen's BirthdayHonours List. 'I don't know who nominated me,· but whoever it was, congratulationsto them."he said. "It was very pleasing, but whateverI've done, it has beena team effort with a lot of other people." LTCDR Mackenzie retired from a;;;:...... Jl!.,..Jt.a~lllz.-...u11u:..a11a11 the Navy after 31 years in 1977 but hasbeen very active in the communitysince then . 'I settledin Shoalhavenin 1949,and havebeen here ever since, on andoff, except when I wasat sea. 'WhenI left Perthin 1947to join the Navy,all my mothersaid was that 12years in the Navywould do megood. "Thirtyone years later, I realisedshe was right.' LTCDR Mackenziereceived his award for service to the communityof Shoalhaven, particularlyto peoplewith disabilities . He hasbeen president of the DisabilityAssistance for Shoalhaven sincethe 1980s,and is currenttreasurer for ShoalhavenPeople for Acc~ss,and BomaderrySub Branch·of the ReturnedServices Leagueof Australia. He hasbeen president of the ShoalhavenNeighbourhood Centre since1998 , previouslysecretary then president from 1992 -1995 . He is alsoa memberof the committeethat establishedHavenlee Schoolfor DisabledChildren in 1967and was a formersecretary of NowraTrotting Club for manyyears. NOWRA1988 · FLEETAIR ARM REUNION LTCDR Mackenzie is alsoa justiceof the Peace. GENTSL-R: Garth Perkins , Bill Barlow, 'Woody'Herman , TerryPayne , Col Poulton, [Articlecourtesy South Coast Register] DonParkinson , RogerKelly and George'XYZ' Szymoniczek. (Nonames given for the ladies.Ed]

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THE'OLD' FLEET AIR ARM MUSEUM Previouslylocated in the vicinityof the newmuseum car park. Photographcourtesy AMoF

723SQDN DETACHMENT TO WOODSIDE 3 RAR BAROSSAVALLEY -1976

L-R:Mick Skewes , 'Blue'Crispin , DarylNowak , GregMorris , DonParkinson , HenryBirtles , Col Payne, JohnTant FRONT: Col Chessell, Bill ....? Photocourtesy Don Parkinson

19 Slipstream _ $? ------

AUSTRALIA'SMUSEUM of FLIGHT by NeilRalph

BeingWinter, our visitorrate has reducedas usual.The last few RANASNowra Control Tower 1 monthshave seen an upturnin touristtraffic to the Shoalhaven and to the Museumand a few wet weekendshave improved attendances. Althoughthe seasonalreduction i s not good for revenueit does enable in- hangar activitiesto be done and progressis being made with the major display upgrade.Mark Claytonhas been doing the scriptingand gathering the imagesfor the upgradeand we are planningfor the upgradeto be finishedby the year's end, hopefullyby 7 Dec., the centennialof the Wright Brother'sfirst flight. We havealso managedto securean IroquoisUH1 H in the US whichwas used by the 135thAssault Helicopter Co/RANHFV in Vietnam. It is of coursein the desertand we now haveto figure out howwe are goingto get it here. We will try RAAFbut if that .. fails we will have to look at expensivecommercial options . It wouldbe a greatprize for the collection. Anotherpossible acquisition is a Concorde.A letter has been writtento Lord Marshall, the Chairmanof BritishAirways asking for an allocationof one to this Museumand he has repliedsaying that our requesthas beenreferred to a specialcommittee set up to recommendtheir disposal. The FederalMinister for the Arts has supportedthis bid and we also have the Australian High Commissionerin Londonlooking out for us. Possiblyanother greatprize and a gooddraw card. Securedin our backyardis the air watch tower of the 'old' .controltower at NAS. We asked the demolitioncontractor to donateit to us and he generouslycraned it down in one piece, loadedit ontoa truckand locatedit at the rearof our hangar.Only two of the big glass paneswere broken in this difficult operation. Demolitionof the. oldAircraft Control Tower The roof was concreteand had at HMASALBATROSS to be cut out. Our aim is to restoreit LieutenantCommander Bruce Fallon has the honourof takingthe to its formerfit and first swing at the Old Air Traffic Control Tower at HMAS createa displayof ALBATROSS. air traffic control Bruceis the last of the Navy'soperational air trafficcontrollers , facilities. There and had workedin this towerfor over ten yearsbefore moving to maybe alternative the new facilityin February2000 . The towerwas the secondAir appropriateuses. Traffic facility at the airfield, the first being the site of the Considerable commissioning of HMAS ALBATROSS before it was publicityhas been decommissioned in the late generatedby our 1950's. bid to the Bruce said that he was sad to Shoalhaven City see the "old girl" go, and still had Council for a fond memoriesof controlling from subsidygrant. The the consolethat faced the wrong local media way but "you had the best view of thoughare very supportiveof the Museumand haveoffered their BeecroftPeninsula ". A benefit of co-operationin givingthe Museumpublicity and we have been beingable to see the wavescrash pleasantlysurprised by the amountof localsupport expressed by in JervisBay was that it gave the a widevariety of people. surfies of the section time to The Museumis lookingforward to playingits part in supporting ponder which beach they were the Reunionin Octoberand we hopethat thosewho cometo the goingto hit afterwork . Reunionwill onceagain enjoy time here.

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AUSTRALIA'SMUSEUM OF FLIGHT availabilityto the Museumof artefacts, obsoleteaircraft and other TheEditor· Slipstream FAA memorabiliafrom Navy and Defence to maintain an up-to-datecollect ion. Thesedays military aircraft certainly are very The last edition of Slipstreamincluded a letter hardto obtainand the Museum, undercurrent Defence rules , has fromJim Hillto FederalMP JoannaGash strongly to competewith commercialbuyers for the few obsoleteaircraft criticalof the loan by the Museumof one of the anchorsof the whichare soldby a Defenceagency for the bestfinancial outcome carrier HMAS SYDNEY to the air maintenancetra ining for Defence.HS748 and Macchiare casesi n point.We are having establishmentat RAAFWagga . great difficultyin obtaininga former RAN Macchias Defence Thetone of the letterwas also generallycritical of an apparent treats all collectioninstitutions as bidders in an open market. trendin Museumactions towards the erosionof Navalhistory at Currentlywe havearranged to borrowone fromthe RANHistoric Nowraw ith 'insignificantgeneral aviation light aircraft and foreign Flightuntil we fightthis out with Defence.Imagine what it is going Migs'displacing naval heritage relics . to be like to get a Squirrelhelicopter . ObsoleteFAA aircraftare Jim's viewsare quiteunderstandable given that his readingis of not beingpaid off at a rate enablingtif'!1ely additions to the FAA the outwards igns of changein the Museum.Since I know his displays,so the Museumdisplays are at risk of becoming_static sentimentsare sharedby many, andsince I havebeen invo lved in causinga low re-visitationrate. A museummust be dynamicand all of theseactions as a memberof the Boardof Directorsof the progressiveto attractvisitors and maintainentry receipts. AMoF, I thoughta- full explanationmight assist in understanding Grapplingwith these and other factors, the Boarddec ided to the Museum'sactions and to presentthe otherside of the story. changethe nameto Australia'sMuseum of Flightin whichthere Thereare threemain and interactingreasons for the Museum's wouldbe four themeswith Navalaviation as the principaltheme. actions: The changewould enable the collectionto be expandedto include • survival as an institution, aircraftwhich have featuredin Australia'sav iation history and • enabling as broad a public access to the heritage as whichwould be morereadily available than militaryaircraft . It also possible, would enablethe Museumto displaymore of the scienceand technologyof flight and fulfil an educationalfunction more • developingthe Museuminto a stronginstitut ion with national effectively.Already this has resultedin some prize aircraftand recognition. engines being donatedor loaned and for the museumto be Firstly, survivalas an institution. In Australia, most museums recognisedas being in the mainstreamof the nation'scollection and like institutionsare subsidisedeither by local or State institutionswhich is goodfor inter-museumco-operation and loans governmentsor otheri ndependentlysourced funds because entry of aviation-relatedrelics . There has also been establishedan chargesare insufficientto meet operatingcosts. Up until recent in-houseair technicaltraining function for youngpeople who wish times, this Museumhas survivedby subsidisingoperating costs to trainfor an aviationtechnical career . Therei s beingestablished fromdonations , particularlyfrom ex-FAApersonnel and from HIH an educationprogram on aviation for secondaryschool students Insurancewhich had , untilit collapsed, paidone annual salary and which fits into their curriculum. We now have a betterclaim on met all the insurancecosts , as well as providinga large capital Governmentsfor grantsand funding and we are workingvery hard funddonation , nowsome time ago , whichwas alsoused in partto to realisethis advantage, but at least we are no longer at a meetoperating and maintenancecosts .. ShoalhavenCity Council disadvantagevis-a-v is otherbidders . also provideda donationof $500.000 in ten annualinstalments , Enablingbroader access to the heritagecollection. It is common which expired in 2001, this was also used mainly to offset practice among museumsto loan items to other appropriate operatingcosts . Navy helped by providing services such as institutions and so enablesobjects of historicalimportance to be garbage collection, ground maintenanceand in many other seenelsewhere in the community. Australiais a very largeplace 'in kind'ways. geographically and this is one way to improveaccess by _more The collapseof HIH, the end of the Councildonation , the peopleto the commonheritage . Thedisplay of the SeaFury 1 n the gradualreduction in privatedonations and · the end of Navyhelp KoreanWar context in the Australian War Memorialis an example due to most of the domesticoperations being contractedand of a meansof increasingawareness of the RAN FAAto a wider coupledwith soaringinsurance costs, compelled the Boardto find audience, thoughwe did not have much of a part in that.. This otherways to keep the Museumrunning , which of courseis its Museum has loaned Wessex to Victorian and Queensland first priorityand duty. It decidedthat it had to earn morethrough institutionsand there is one hangingin the NationalMar itime the gate, and thereforeit would be necessaryto enhancethe Museumin Sydney. Theseaircraft are usedas exhibits with their Museum'sattraction to the public.It had to improveits appealto story attachedso an awarenessof the FAA should be more the variouslevels of governmentfor grantsand corporationsfor broadlybased . This museumwill alwayshave on displayat least funds and kill the perceptionin governmentand in corporations one of each type of former RAN FAA aircraft-we have yet to that Navywas responsiblefor the Museumand wouldtherefore obtain a Sea Fury, but we are on a promisefrom the Historic subsidiseits operations. Flight and it will have a prominentplace in the new, hangar A notableand influential MP advised that to improveits chances configuration. . of considerationfor Governmentfunding , the Museumshould be It wasthis practice in partthat led to the loaningof the anchorto seen more as a communityicon with more of a community Wagga. Whythat anchor? Well mostRAN air technicaltra iningis purpose, suchas education, thanallow a perceptionof it beingan undertakenthere and we respondedto a call to loan a former esotericNaval establishment. Whatever might be thoughtof that, naval aircraftor relic to the airmen's' mess to add some naval it wasauthoritative advice . flavourto the establishmentand giveRAN tra ineessome sense of Anotherimportant factor in survivalis continuedmuseum and belongingto the Navy, in particular the FAA. Sinceall air technical displaydevelopment. An issue here was, and is, the continued (Continued on page 22)

21 Slipstream trainingwas either here or at Nirimba, this was not a problem N0.18 RADARSTATION RAAF-KIAMA NSW earlier. We know that aircraft do not weatherwell during long periodsof exposureto the elementsand the maintenanceof whateverrelic was to go there had necessarilyto be as low as An Unidentifiedplot at Kiama possible. The SYDNEY'sanchor seemed to be the most Fiftyyears ago , Jo Dunbar(nee Lehmann) wrote a letterto a magazine, it read... appropriate, it hasa navalaviation history and a storybehind it, it is obviouslynaval, it is relatively easy to maintain,almost 'Kiama was one of the early AW installationswhich was indestructibleand is a proudsymbol of the organisationto which subsequentlyreplaced by a Mk V COLbut it retainedthe oldAW RANair technical traineesbelong. It is on loan and when it has aerial.It was the highestair warningset operatedby the RAAF outlivedits usefulnessthere we will haveit backhere. It is not lost, beingat 1321feet above sea level. it will be lookedafter , it remainsan enduringpart of the heritage It was 19 February1943. The place 18RSon Saddleback and, properlypresented and its historydescribed , it hasa valueto Mountainnear Kiama.I was on duty in the dark old dooverhut , othersnot able to visit the museum. As most would know, we on the tubegazing at the blackscreen and pulsating green light . havevery good modelsof the formercarrier SYDNEY which are Nothingbut permanent echoes were showing on the screen. The popularamong visitors and these are centralto the RAN carrier aerialswept round monotonously; the sameassorted PE'S came story. up fromthe same mountains. Developmentof the Museum.As stated earlier, the Museum ThenI detecteda tiny blip not seenbefore . I calledthe plot and operatesin a commercialenvironment which means we compete begantracking it. Theblip was so tiny that it kept gettinglost in with other organisationsto win the tourist dollar, government the regular"grass" and than it wouldshow up again.When it was grants and corporate donations. This can be done more time for me to leavethe tube the followingoperator was unable successfullyif we projectas a strong,well-based institution to to locatethe mysteriousblip. So, I wentback "onthe tube"and whichthey can moreconfidently make donations. So the Boardis wasable to followa brokencourse for sometime. Fighter sector pressingahead to upgradethe hangardisplays to stateof the art advisedthat they had no aircraftin that area and that the plots to attractmore visitors , tell the story of eachtheme more vividly weretoo erraticto do anythingabout them. and be truly a national resource.The strongerthe museum. Unkindsuggestions came back , suchas "oneshould not drink becomesthe betterthe navalaviation story will be toldand then to alcoholfrom the compasses"and otherdistressing implications . a greateraudience. Isn't that what we want? We see that as The station was put on alert as the plot showed that an keepingfaith with thosewho have put moneyand effort into this unidentifiedplane was coming our way.We never actually saw it enterprisein earliertimes , thosewho madethe historyand those andthat whole thing was forgotten.' ... whoare makingit nowand in the future.That, and only that, is the GraemeSteinbeck loves a mysteryand always wantedto Board'sagenda. solvethe abovemystery. Fifty years later, he was readingthe We are currentlynegotiating with Navy for a closerrelationship SydneyMorning Herald. David Jenkinshad writtenan article that we thinkwould be in our mutualinterest. We wouldalso like abouta JapanesePilot who had madetwo flights in Australia betterrelations with the FAAAssociation which might come about and neverbeen challenged. The first was over SydneyHarbour with bettercommunication -that is why I was urgingsome sort of beforethe midgetsubmarine attack in May 1942.The second liaison committeeperhaps meeting twice a year to exchange was on 19 February1943 when he flew very low rightdown the viewsand ideas.We need the Association'ssupport in gaining NSWcoast and then returned to his submarineoff the coast. FAAmaterial and aircraft from Defence.I can seethat our actions SusumiIto saidthat he flew low betweenthe mountainpeaks , in the past may have seemedarrogant and insensitive,mostly so as to remainundetected . He did not go undetectedafter all. becausewe have not consulted very widely when making Jo Lehmannplotted him while on duty at 18 Radar Station, changesand this ~rhaps becausewe expectedan overwhelming Kiama.Susumi was ableto take his photo'sand went home . no-changeadvice . At the end of the day the Board has the responsibilityto maintainthe Museumand develop it to its Today, SusumiIto is the presidentof an officeequipment and potential, though always keepingfaith with its origins and the computerfirm in Japan. He was interviewedby DavidJenkins navalaviation theme will alwayspredominate . andthe full reportof this ventureis to be foundin his book,Battle surface:Japan's submarine War Against Australia, 1942 -45 . I hopethis explainsthe actionstaken by the Boardand we are happyto answerany queries or discussany pointsat anytime. JUSTTHE FACTS ...

Sincerely, Joe Smith startedthe day early having set his alarm clock (MADEIN NeilRalph JAPAN)for 6 a.m.While his coffeepot(MADE IN CHINA)was perking, he shavedwith hiselectric razor (MADE IN HONGKONG) . He put on a dressshirt (MADEIN SRI LANKA), designerjeans (MADE IT AIN'TJUST FOR FOIL IN SINGAPORE)and tennis shoes (MADE IN KOREA). The verypeak of the WashingtonMonument is not stone, but a After cookinghis breakfastin his new electricskillet (MADE IN INDIA) 100-ouncesolid aluminiumpyramid , constructedas part of the he sat downwith his calculator(MADE IN MEXICO)to see how muchhe monument'slightning protection system . couldspend today. In the 1880s, aluminiumwas a rare metal, sellingfor $1.10 per After setting his watch (MADE IN TAIWAN)to the radio (MADE IN ounceand used primarily for jewellery. INDIA)he got in his car (MADEIN GERMANY)and continuedhis search for a goodpaying Australian job . Thepyramid at the top of the monumentwas the largestpiece At the end of yet anotherdiscouraging and fruitlessday, Joe decidedto of aluminiumof its day and was such a novelty that it was relaxfor a while. He put on his sandals(MADE IN BRAZIL)poured himself displayedto thepublic in Tiffany'sjewellery store until required for a glass of wine (MADE IN FRANCE)and turned on his TV (MADEIN placingin position. INDONESIA), andthen wondered why he couldn'tfind a goodpaying job in Australia!

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told him that was nothingwas too big a sacrificecompared to ~ ;fflebiebalm:ale Arthur'slife andthe preservationof the RoundTable . Hence, their KingArthur was ambushedand imprisonedby the wedding was proclaimed,and the witch answeredArthur's monarchof a neighbouringkingdom . The monarch questionthus : Whata womanreally wantsis to be in chargeof couldhave killedhim , but was movedby Arthur's her ownlife. youth and ideals. So the monarchoffered him Everyoneinstantly knew that the witchhad uttereda greattruth freedom, as long as he could answer a very and that Arthur's life would be spared. And so it was. The difficult question. Arthur would have a year to neighbouringmonarch granted Arthur total freedom. figureout the answer; if, after a year, he still had What a weddingGawain and the witch had! Arthurwas torn no answer, he wouldbe putto death. betweenrelief and anguish. Gawainwas properas always,gentle Thequestion : Whatdo womenreally want? and courteous.The old witch put her worst mannerson display, Sucha questionwould perplexeven the most knowledgeable and generallymade everyonevery uncomfortable. The hour man,and to youngArthur , it seemedan impossiblequery . But, approached,Gawain , steelinghimself for a horrificexperience , since it was better than death, he acceptedthe monarch's enteredthe bedroom. But what a sight awaitedhim! The most propositionto havean answerby year'send. beautifulwoman he hadever seen lay beforehim! He returnedto his kingdomand beganto poll everybody:the The astoundedGawain asked what had happened. The beauty princess,the prostitutes, the priests, the wise men,and the court replied that since he had been so kind to her when she'd jester. He spoke with everyone,but no one could give him a appearedas a witch, she would henceforthbe her horrible, satisfactoryanswer. Many people adv ised him to consultthe old deformedself half the time, and the otherhalf , she wouldbe her witch-only she would know the answer. The pricewould be high; beautifulmaiden self . Whichwould he want her to be duringthe the witchwas famousthroughout the kingdomfor the· exorbitant day, or duringthe night? pricesshe charged. What a cruel question!Gawa in ponderedhis predicament. Finally, the last day of the year arrived and Arthur had no Duringthe day, a beautifulwoman to showoff to his friends,but at alternativebut to talk to the witch. She agreedto answerthe night, in the privacyof his home-an old witch?Or wouldhe prefer question, but he hadto accepther pricefirst. The old witchwanted havingby day a hideouswitch, but by night a beautifulwoman to marryGawain, the most notableof the Knightsof the Round withwhom to enjoymany intimate moments? Tableand Arthur's closest friend! Whatwould you do? Young Arthur was horrified: she was hunch-backedand NobleGawain replied that he would let her choosefor herself. hideous, hadonly one tooth, smelledlike sewage, madeobscene Uponhearing this ; she announcedthat she wouldbe beautifulall noises... etc. He had never encounteredsuch a repugnant the time, becausehe had respectedher enoughto let her be in creature. He refusedto force his friendto marryher and haveto chargeof herown life . enduresuch a burden. Whatis the moralof this story?The moralis: Gawain, upon learningof the proposal, spokewith Arthur. He 'If a womandoesn't get her ownway , thingsget ugly.'

THEGOLFING COMMODORE: "Howwas yourgolf game, dear?"asked the Commodore's wife. . "Well,I hit the ball prettywell , but my eyesight'sgot so bad, I can'tsee where it goes." "You're seventy-fiveyears old, darling!"admonished his wife. "Why don't you take my brotherJoe along?" "Buthe's eighty-five and doesn 't evenplay golf anymore," protestedthe Commodore. "Yes, but he'sgot perfecteyesight and canwatch your ball for you," his wife pointedout. The next day the Commodoreteed off with Joe looking on. He swung and the ball disappeareddown the middleof the fairway. "Didyou seewhere it went?"he asked. "Suredid ," Joe answered. "Well,where is it?"yelled the Commodore, peeringoff intothe distance. "I forgot."

THE FREEFEED: The Commodorewas walking down the streetwhen he was accostedby a particularlydirty and shabby-lookinghomeless man who askedhim for a few of dollarsfor dinner.With great effort, the Commodoretook out his wallet, extractedfive dollars and asked,"If I gaveyou this money,will you buysome beer with it instead?" "No, I hadto stopdrinking years ago," the homelessman replied . "Willyou useit to gambleinstead of buyingfood?" "No, I don'tgamble" the homelessman said . "I needeverything I canget just to stayalive." "Willyou spend the moneyon greensfees at a golf courseinstead of food?" "Areyou NUTS!"replied the homelessman. "I haven'tplayed golf in 20 years!" "Well," said the Commodore, "I'm not going to give you the five dollars. Instead, I'm goingto takeyou homefor a terrificdinner cooked by my wife." The homelessman was astounded. "Won'tyour wife be furiouswith you for doingthat? I knowI'm dirty, and I probablysmell pretty bad ." "Undercertain circumstances, profanity provides a The Commodorereplied , "Hey, that's okay! I just want her to see what a reliefdenied even to prayer." manlooks like when he's given up beer, gambling, andgolf!" MarkTwain (1835 - 1910), Americanauthor .

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FAAPILOT RECEIVES PRESTIGOUS I have been receivingSlipstream for some yearsnow and find it a mineof information, AWARD especiallythe storiesof ex crew from the carriersin the 1950setc. CommanderKeith Engelsmanhas recently achieved an aviation I am the authorof the bookThe Illustrated milestone,celebrating 40 years of flying. Encyclopediaof Aircraftin Australiaand New Zealand, the first edition of which was His first flight was on 05 July 1963, when he flew a 20-minute publishedin 1983by Childand Henry;and the 2ndedition in 1988by famil,iarisationin a de HavillandChipmunk. Child and Associated. I am at presentcompleting a new editionfor To celebrate his 40-year milestonethe Aviation FEG surprised publicationnext year. However,instead of just havingaircraft types CMDR Engelsmanwith a flight in a Hiller 12C, the aircraft type in whichare extant,as the originalpublishers asked , andwhich came to which he did his rotary wing training in 1963. The Hiller, one of about550 types, I am nowincluding all typesfrom the beginningof the only three in operationin Australia,was flown from Bankstownto lastcentury , whichnow amounts to about1 ,050aircraft types. Each is HMASALBATROSS especially for the occasion. extensivelycovered and has a photograph. The reasonfor this Jetteris the fact that after WorldWar JI large CommanderEngelsman has had a long and illustrious career. numbersof Lend-leaseaircraft were left by Britishforces at Nowra, Over 40 years of flying he has amassed a total of 7677.2 flying Schofieldsand Bankstown.I know for certain these comprised hours- a most respectableaverage of almost 200 hours per year. GrummanHellcats , GrummanAvengers and Chance Vought Corsairs. I Even more impressive is that he has piloted over 189 different believesome Supermarine Seafires were left at Nowraand were used aircrafttypes. for taxyingpractice and instructional airframes. A graduateof the ETPS in the UK, CommanderEngelsman is a Mostoverseas records indicate the LendLease aircraft were returned respected Test Pilot. His work was recently recognised by the to the UnitedStates and scrapped.However, I don't believethis Royal Aeronautical Society, who have awarded CMDR happenedto many,if any. Engelsman the prestigious RP Alston medal, for his vast WhenI workedin the PoliceDepartment in thelate 1950's early1960s experienceand courageas a test pilot. Previousmedal recipients Policetold me aboutearning extra money on escortduties , escorting includeformer Soviet fighter pilot Grigory Sedov and Bob Cole of aircraftdown to the docksin SydneyHarbour where the aircraftwere placedon barges,taken out the headsand pushedover the side. I the UK's Civil AviationAuthority. certainlyknow this happenedto GrummanAvengers as I have CMDR Engelsman now clocks up flying hours in his own photographsof a coupletaken at the time.I believeit alsohappened to aircraft, a home built RANSS-7 light aircraft, call sign VH-RAN. Hellcatsand Corsairs.Certainly over the yearsparts of Corsairshave beencaught in fishingnets. I wouldlike to confirmfrom any of your readersif they remember thesepraciices , of takingthe aircraftto sea and dumpingthem, and whattypes were involved. There is a questionmark over the Hellcats butI believethey were included. Anyhelp anyone can give in thisregard would be muchappreciated. My addressis: 35 BenwerrinCrescent , Grasmere, NSW2570. Myhome email is: david [email protected]

DEFENCEDELIVERS RECORDMILITARY MEDAL ENTITLEMENTS

The MinisterAssisting the Ministerfor Defence,Danna Vale, said that currentand former Australian Defence Force personnel received a record 102,000medals in 2002, more than double the amount issuedin any previousyear. "Overrecent years the numberof medalsentitlements has grown by almostone million,placing pressure on the abilityof the Defence Directorateof Honoursand Awardsto processapplications. "The FederalGovernment recognises that currentand formerADF personnelare eager to receivetheir medalsas quicklyas possible and is actingto streamlineprocessing times." "The opening of the new Defence Directorateof Honoursand Awardsin the ChurchesCentre, Tuggeranong, in the ACT, brings together,for the first time, the whole Directorateof Honoursand Awards,which has, until now, been locatedin separatedivisions at RussellOffices, Queanbeyan, and Melbourne." SenatorHumphries said , "Togetherwith the introductionof a new applicationprocessing system, the co-locationof the Directorateis a significantstep towards improving the processingof applicationsand the distributionof medals. "The presentationof Defencehonours and awards is a tangible TOP:Captain Tim Barrett presenting Commander Keith Engelsman with mark of respectfrom our grateful nation to an individualfor their hiscertificate of achievement serviceand sacrificein the defenceof our nation. LEFT:Hiller 12C helicopter "As well as streamliningprocessing and distribution, the new RIGHT:Commander Engelsman at thecontrols of the Hiller centre will also provide employment for 50 staff here in Photographsby LSPHPHOT Brad Fullerton - PANASPhotographic Section Tuggeranong."

24 Slipstream

Thenthe soundhits. The two explosionsare like a simultaneous crackof thunderas the building'swalls seem to swellmomentarily, ELITEATHLETES ...... then burst aparton an expandingfireball that slowly,eerily, boils 111111111.WIaboveBaghdad casting rotating shadows as the fire climbsinto the night. Debrisbegins to rain; structuralsteel, chunksof concrete, It is darkand Mike Smith's clothing is wet. shardsof glass, namingfabrics and papers. MikeSmith is an athlete,an eliteathlete in fact. He is a triathlete, On the tail of the two laserguided bombs a processionof BGM- has done lronmanseveral times, a coupleadventure races and 109G/TLAMBlock IV EnhancedTomahawks begin their terminal evenrun the MarathonDes Sables in Morocco-a 152mile running plunge.The laser-guidedbombs performed the incision, the GPS racethrough the Saharadone in stages. andcomputer guided TLAM Tomahawks complete the operation.In Mikehas some college , is giftedin foreignlanguages, reads a lot rapid-firesuccession the missilesfind their mark and riddle the and has an amazingmemory for details.He enjoystravel. He is a Palacewith massiveexplosions , finishingthe job. Theearth heaves quiet guy but a very good athlete.Mike's friends say he has a in a finaldeath convulsion. Mike's job is donefor tonight.Now all he naturaltoughness. He can't spend as much time training for hasto do is get home. triathlonsas he'dlike to becausehis job keepshim busy. Especially Mikeand his friendsdrive an old Mercedesthrough the streetsof now.This is Mike'sbusy season. But he still seemsvery fit. Even Baghdadas the sirensstart. They take Jamia to Al Kut,cross Al Kut without much training Mike has managed some impressive and go right (South} on the Expresswayout of town. An performancesin endurance events. unsuspectingremote CNN camera mounted on the balconyof the It's a big nightfor Mike.He's at worktonight. As I mentionedhis Al RashidHotel picks up their vehicleheaded out of town.Viewers clothingis wet, partiallyfrom dew, partiallyfrom perspiration.He at home wonderwhat a car is doing on the street during the andhis four co-workers,Dan , Larry,Pete and Mauriceare working beginningof a war. Theydon't know it is packedwith five members on a rooftopat the cornerof JamiaSt. and KhulafaSt. acrossfrom of the U.S. Army's SFOD-D, Special Forces Operational OmarBin Yasir. Detachment-Delta. Mikeis lookingthrough the viewfinderof a Britishmade Pilkington Six milesout of town they parktheir Mercedeson the shoulder, LF25laser designator. The crosshairs are centeredon a ventilation pulltheir gear out of the trunkand beginto run intothe desertnight. shaft.The shaftis on the roof of The RepublicanGuard Palace in The moonis nearlyfull. Instinctivelythey fan out, on line,in a "lazy DowntownBaghdad across the TigrisRiver. W". They run five miles at a brisk pace, good trainingfor this SaddamHussein is inside,seven fioors below , threefioors below evening, especiallywith 27 poundpacks on theirback. Behind .them groundlevel, attending a crisismeeting. there is fire on the horizon.Mike and his fellow athleteshave a Mike'sco-worker, Pete (also an lronmanfinisher, Lake Placid, meetingto catch, andthey can't be late. 2000)keys some information into a smalllaptop computer and hits Twentyseven miles out a hugegrey 92 foot longinsect hurtles 40 "burst transmit".The DMDG (Digital MessageDevice Group) feet abovethe desertat 140 mph The MH-53JPave Low Ill is uplinksdata to anotherof Mike'sco-workers (this time a man he's pilotedby anotherathlete, also a triathlete, namedJim, from Fort nevermet, but they bothwork for their Uncle,"Sam") and a fellow Campbell, Kentucky.He is fiyingto meetMike. athlete, at 21'500 feet above Iraq 15 miles from downtown After runningfive miles into the desert Mike uses his GPS to Baghdad. This man's office is the cockpit of an F-117 stealth confirmhis position.He is in the right placeat the right time. He fighter.When Mike and Pete'ssignal is receivedthe man in the removesan infra-redstrobe light from his packand pushesthe red airplaneleaves his orbit outsideBaghdad, turns left, and heads buttonon the bottomof it. It blinksinvisibly in the dark. He and his downtown. friends form a wide circle while waiting for their ride home. Mikehas 40 secondsto completehis workfor tonight,and then Two milesout Jim in the PaveLow sees Mike'sstrobe through his he cango for a run. night visiongoggles. He gentlymoves the controlstick and pulls Mikesqueezes the triggerof his LF25and a dot appearson the backon the collectiveto line up on Mike'sinfra-red strobe . Mike's ventilatorshaft five city blocksand acrossthe riveraway from him ridehome is here. andhis co-workers. Mikespeaks softly into his microphone;"Target The big Pave Low helicopterfiares for landingover the desert illuminated.Danger close. Danger close. Danger close. Over." and quicklytouches down in a swirlingtempest of dust. Mikeand Secondslater two GBU-24Btwo thousandpound laser guided, his friendsrun up the rampafter their identityis confirmed.Mike hardenedcase , delayedfuse "bunkerbuster" bombs fall free from countsthem up the rampof the helicopterover the screamof the the F-117.The bombs enter "the funnel" and beginfinding their way engines.When he showsthe crewchief five fingersthe helicopter to the tiny dot projectedby Mike'sLF25 . Theyglide approximately liftsoff andthe rampcomes up . Thedark grey Pave Low spins in its threemiles across the groundand fall four mileson the way to the own length and picks up speed going back the way it came, spotmarked by Mikeand his friends. changingcourse slightly to avoiddetection. Whenthey reachthe ventilatorshaft markedby Mike and his The men and women in our armedforces , especiallySpecial friendsthe two bunkerbusters enter the roof in a puff of dust and Operations, are often well trained, gifted athletes.All of them, debris. Theyplough through the first fourfioors of the buildingiike a including Mike, would rather be sleeping the night away in two-tonsteel telephonepole travellingover 400 mph, tossing anticipationof a longtraining ride ratherthan laying on a damproof desks,ceiling tiles, computersand chairs out of the shattering in an unfriendlyneighbourhood guiding bombsto their mark or windows. Thenthey hit the six-footthick reinforced concrete roof of doingother things we'll never hear about. the bunker.They burrow four morefeet and detonate. Regardlessof your opinionsabout the war, the sacrificesthese The shock wave is transparentbut reverberatesthrough the peopleare makingand the risksthey are takingare extraordinary. groundto the riverwhere a Dopplerwave appears on the surfaceof They believethey are makingthem on our behalf.Their skills, the Tigris.When the seismicshock reaches the buildingMike is on daringand accomplishmentsalmost always go unspoken.They are he levitatesan inchoff the rooffrom the concussion. truly'Elite Athletes' . 1 25 Slipstream ------~ ***********~*~* ***~**** ! Congratulations!You've made it! ! NATIONALPRESIDENT'S REPORT * Accordingto today's regulatorsand bureaucrats,those of us * tr who were kids in the 40's, 50's, 60's, and 70's probably* It has been a busy period for the members * shouldn'thave survived. ../>r of the National Executiveand the Reunion * Our babycribs were coveredwith brightcolored lead-based * Committee and I thank the committee * paint. We had no childprooflids on medicinebottles , doorsor 1' membersfor their time and effort. cabinets, andwhen we rodeour bikes, we had no helmets. 1k ! Whilst on the subject of the Reunion I Notto mentionthe riskswe tookhitchhiking . * ! must expressthe thanks of the FAAA to CaptainSimon Cullen, As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air * CO NAS NOWRA, and CommanderJames Tobin, Executive * bags. * Officer, HMASALBATROSS for their supportand assistancewith Ridingin the back of a pickuptruck on a warm day was iJr * the venuesand the arrangements. * alwaysa specialtreat. * We drankwater from the gardenhose and not from a bottle. For those who 'surf the Net' you will see a new versionof the ! ! FAAAAweb-site at: www.faaaa.asn.au The NationalExecutive Horrors! * took over responsibilityfor runningthe web-siteearlier this year. * We ate cupcakes,bread and butter, anddrank soda pop with *' sugar in it, but we were never overweightbecause we were Arrangementswere made for a local webmasterto supervisethe * * site but he unfortunatelymoved interstateat short notice leaving ,tr alwaysoutside playing . * us in the lurch. * We sharedone soft drinkwith four friends, from one bottle, ~ * andno oneactually died from this . -&­ My brother, Harley, who residesin Canberra, noticedthat I was ! We would spend hours buildingour go-cartsout of scraps ; tearingout what little is left of my hair and kindlyoffered to take on * and then rode d~wn. the hill, only to find o.ut we forgot the -er the job of Temporary, Acting,Unpaid , FAAAAWebmaster. He has * brakes.After runninginto the bushesa few times, we learne-df­ spe.nta lot of time changingthe presentationof the site and there * to solvethe problem. -p.­ have been problems.However good progressis being madeand * We would leave home in the morningand play all day, as u by the time you read this report I am hopefulthat all gremlinswill * longas we wereback when the streetlights came on. ~ . have beenconsigned to the trash can. * No one- was able to reach us all day. No cell phones."'r What is requirednow is for the Divisionsand the membersto * Unthinkable! 1'- read and to use the site. The Executivewill updatenational news * We did not have Playstations,Nintendo 64 , X-Boxes, no ~ and informationon a weeklybasis and I hopethe Divisionswill do * video games at all, no 99 channelson cable, video tape fr the same. I encourage members to log onto the 'Contacting * movies, surround sound, personal cell phones, personal, - Friends'page and renew old friendships, as well as passingon * computers, or Internetchat rooms. ..!,.. informationabout peopleand local activities. We havea lreadyhad * We hadfriends! We went outside and found them. ;- someinput from the Flightsoperating in the war againstIraq . ! We played ball games,and sometimesthe ball wouldreally : I was delightedwhen CommodoreGeoff Ledger, Commander, * hurt. ..,.,. AustralianNaval Air Commandagreed to presentthe first of the *. We fell out of trees,got cut and brokebones and teeth, and * FAAAAMedallions of Merit at a ceremonyheld at NAS Nowraon * there were no lawsuits from these accidents.They were -er 14th April. Details of the medallionsand the recipientsappear -tr accidents. No onewas to blamebut us. Rememberaccidents? k elsewherein SLIPSTREAMand on the web. We hadfights and punchedeach otherand got blackand blue --tr * I know we were all disappointed to read in the last andlearned to get overit. * SLIPSTREAMthat John Arnold felt that he needed to have a We made up gameswith sticks and tennis balls and ate * * break from the onerousand time consumingtask of editing and ! worms, and althoughwe weretold it wouldhappen , we did not ! * put out very many eyes, nor did the worms live inside us ..,.,. producingSLIPSTREAM . Many of the readerswill have little idea of just how mucheffort John has expendedi11 taking our magazine forever. * * to the high qualityproduct that you read today.For sometime now * We rodebikes or walkedto a friend'shome and knockedon .A. * the door, or rangthe bellor just walkedin andtalked to them. * he has not been enjoying good health but has carried on * Tryoutswere held for sportingteams and not everyonemade * regardless. * the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with * I thank the many memberswho contactedme with a plea to · ~~~~ * encourageJohn to remain in the wheelhouseand at the helm. ! Somestudents weren't as smart as others, so they failed a ! Their concernwas a real expressionfor what John has achieved. * gradeand were held back to repeatthe samegrade . Horrors! "& We would all like John to continuebut the decisionto take leave * Testswere not adjusted for any reason. or remainis for him to make. In the meantimewe must look at the * Our actionswere our own. Consequenceswere expected. .,. optionsavailable should John step down. If there are any budding * The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke a law was * journalists out there please contact me or one of the National * unheardof. Theyactually sided with the law. Imaginethat! sk Executive. Better still, contact John and see if you can offer the * This generationhas producedsome of the best risk-takers* necessaryhelp that wouldsupport him , and allow him to continue. ! and problemsolvers and irwentors,ever. The past 50 years ! I lookforward to seeingyou at the Reunionin October * havebeen an explosionof innovationand new ideas. We had * TozDadswe/1 * freedom, failure, successand responsibility,and we learned* * howto dealwith it all. * "Beinga newspapercolumnist [read Editor] is like beingmarried to * Andyou're one of them! Congratulations! * a nymphomaniac.It's greatfor the firsttwo weeks. LewisGrizzard **********~****** ****** 26 Slipstream

for my lapsein supervisionafte r relocatingthe missingMonsignor NATIONALSECRET ARV'S in goodshape. REPORT Lo and behold, anothershipmate dropped out of the sky aftera long absence, in the form of one of somenotoriety , John Cooke, The arrangementsfor the 2003 National now retired after a long and successfulcareer in civilian life Reunionin Octoberare falling into place and (aviation-aligned)and previouslya fellow Sea Fury pilot on 805 applicationsfor the various functions are Squadron. arrivingin a steadystream . We were able to fill in a few of the gaps left by a passageof I wouldremind members that two of the functionshave a limited some 20 years since our last meeting. Therewas a fair bit of placeon numbersthat can attend,the WardroomCocktai l Party 'scuttle-butt' with other' old and bold'; Jim Davidson(and Phyllis), on Thursday2nd and the FAAAACocktail Party on Friday3rd . It John Champion (and Enid), 'Cal' Pain, 'Hank' Fargherand Ivor will be a strict'first in bestdressed' for boththese gatherings . So if Jansz at the assembly point and later at lunch at the Naval youdo intendcoming to the Reunionand have not yet sentin your Centre, South Yarra. John McAlisterjo ined us for the march, but application, thenI suggestyou act now. other commitmentsden ied him the opportunity to win any of the Accommodationin the Nowraarea will be strainedas it is a valuedprizes in the usual successful raffle at lunch. holidayperiod , the ShoalhavenTour ist Centre can advise on Stalwarts, Warren and DorothyKemp were welcomeregulars , accommodationetc , theirphone number is 1300662 808. supportiveas theyare of a numberof navalgatherings . Brianand You will also find enclosedin this issueof Slipstreama Raffle Phillipa Terry once again found there way down from their • Book, the proceedswill be usedto off-setthe runningcost of the exclusiveanchorage on the Murray River elsewherethan their Reunion{buses etc .). The prizesare excellentbeing $700.00 for normalabode due to a deficiencyin the depthof water. First Prizewith minorprizes for 2nd and 3rd. Pleasehelp us to Our regular makethis Reuniona hugesuccess - the bestof luck. caterers, with the Mini Reunions- Informationconcerning these will be displayed assistanceof lady whenyou reg ister. Associate Regardsto all andsee you in Octoberat the Reunion andAGM. Members led by Val Christ ie, MikeHeneghan ensured that we were well fed and VICTORIANDIVISION the ever-popular raffle well conducted , Attentionon theflight deck! benefiting the Ronand Valda Christie showing that theirduties Ourheartiest congratulations to the brothers Division to the do not stopwith the gaveland raffle. Dadswellfor solvingthe mysteriesof IT and tuneof $290. gettingour web site up and runningagain - John Cooke, 'Hank' Fargherand I visited Jim Fergusonat his BravoZulu! Sadly, that is not the end of the new'digs ' in Frankston,and althoughhardship has followed Jim 's problemsassailing our central nervoussystem. It would seem stroke,I feel he appreciatedthe company. Jim wouldbe pleased therehave been no rash of applicationsto take on the task so to see any whommay like to drop in for a yam, and I can supply admirablymanaged for so longby JohnArnold -editorship of the address and popular magazine, Slipstream. Then, sadly, anotherman of many phone number to talents,Nev Newbold, passed away after a longbattle for survival, any interested his essentialpre-occupation leaving another gaping gap . Time to parties. He may standto andseek solutions! even allow you to We were all distressedto hear of the demiseof popularfather read his memoirs figure, protectorof junior miscreants, sometimesla rrikin, one-of­ over a cup of tea. the-boys, ColWheatley , lateof BribieIsland . Lestwe forget! It is good to see Blessedby perfectweather , some 35 to 38 (depending on the improvement whosecount you believed)rolled up for our Anzac Day march. in his mobility,the MonsignorFrank 'Tiger ' Lyonshad insistedon joining our group result of regular 'ThreeMusketeers' showing the benefitof hair for the full distance,ably assistedby Rob Jordan, son of Les. exercise in a restorationtreatment. 'Tiger's' guardian angel, Carmel, reluctantly entrusted his nearby heated 'Hank'Fargher -Jim Ferguson-John Cooke temporarywelfare to us followingsincere assurances . pool. At the completion, as we broke off near the Shrine, our OurTreasurer , John lkin, at the time of writing, is aboutto enter trustworthinesswas severelydented by a near-hystericalCarmel hospital again for a second hip replacement.We wish him a when 'Tiger' and his wheelchair were nowhereto be seen. speedy and total recovery- perhapsa future entrant in the Unbeknownto us in the lead, Robhad pee-led off with 'Tiger' after StawellGift? You can 't keepa goodman down . passingthe VIP standto positionhim in thefront row of observers, Don and Judy McIntoshhave relocatedto Yarrawongaon the his recent customary site, from whence he might most Murray, whichmove is apparentlyproving beneficial for Judy. convenientlyreview following Associations in the march. A hugelysuccessful 50 thann iversaryreun ion of membersof 9 Pantingin pursuit of a desperatelady , I was eventuallyforgiven Continued on page 28)

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CourseRAAF/NAC4 Navy wings recipients(Point Cook 6/5/53) duringsome heavy weather that soonhealed but as timewent on was heldat RAAFFairbairn, Canberra , on the eveningof Tuesday left me with arthritis. Fiftyyears later it was finallyfixed with a full 6th May. Naval representativesincluded Rob Waites, Bill knee replacement.Will I be ableto marchnext Anzac Day? Mulholland,Bob Whitten, Bob McBride, Graydon Taylor and Geoff Anzacday in SA was a huge success. The SA divisionwas Litchfield.Sadly missedwere the late Don Davidsonand Brian once again blessedby marchingadjacent to one of the many 'Soapy' McKean,and an indisposedJohn Williams. bandsenabling all to lookmost professional. The guest speakerwas Air Vice MarshalJim Flemming,AO, PresidentJohn Siebert took the lead.One of our regulars, CPO DFC,who had a fascinatingtale to tell of eventsthat led to his Jack Krieg, marchedwith the Korean veterans on the 50th motivationto seeka servicecareer as a pilot. Anniversaryof the beginningof hostilitiesin Korea.He will march Fewof us were awareof the escapadesof Japanesepilot, Ito, with us again next year. I noticedthat Ken Hydeis still able to who flew over EVERYCapital city of Australiaat sometimeslow wearhis mateloteuniform , whichis quiteremarkable . level, in daylightand at night, virtually unchallenged(it can't Beforethe march, John Siebert laid a wreath at the Dawn happen here!) reaping intelligenceon the location of allied Serviceand RogerHarrison and Ian Laidlerattended a serviceat warships, returningwithout electronic aids to a submarinelocated DawPark Chapel. I am surethat similaracts took placeat country over 100nautical miles off the coastof Australia(see No.18 Radar centres. Station, Kiama- Page22. Ed]. Afterwardsit was fellowshiptime at the AdelaideInternational Our group visited, and were guided through appropriate Hotel.Each year Dinsleyarranges for this feastto take placeand revampedsections of the AustralianWar Museum, Canberra, by we alwaysenjoy the time.Roll on nextAnzac Day! Rohan,a memberof 97 RAAF Course! I would most highly The SA Annual General Meeting in March producedfew recommenda visit to this awesomefacility by any ex-serviceman, surprises.It is nearlya 'no change'report. John Siebertis still and encouragethe accompanimentof youthful membersof President.John Saywell had to standdown from all positionsdue 'modern'families. to a healthhiccup . He is now (after all positionsbeing allotted) Thereis muchto be learntby the observantand inquisitive. back on deck. Roger Harrisonwon the hotly contestedVice It is, no doubt, a sign of the times that, of 31 membersof 9 Presidentjob, and MichaelCain is the Treasurer. He worksat an CourseRAAF/NAC 4 Navy,just 12 originalsattended the reunion accountancyfirm andhas learnthow to add up. in good (?) health;12 have been killed or died naturallyand 7 We havethree sources of income.Subs , an annualraffle , anda wereunable to attenddue to serioushealth problems! monthly'sausage sizzle' project. Our outgoingsare kept to a That, to me, promptsthe question- where do WE go from niggardlyminimum and Michaelarranged that the audit of those here?A gradualdecline in membership,the apparentinability to transactionsbe done properly.I have filed away a five foolscap attractyounger members of the currentFleet Air Arm to maintain page independentaudit done by Grant Thorntonsaying we are the traditionsand a perceivedloss of the old espritde corpsof an honestpeople . I am still the Secretary.Dinsley is still to do all the eliteforce! work,and four committeemenhave beenelected. We will refuse An eveninginterview of childrenfrom a State Public School to allow John Saywellto retire becausehe is the only one who seemedto explainit all in the wordsof one youngbuck. Having knowswhat's going on . been presentedwith the reflectionof an older TV interviewerof The NationalExecutive asked to take controlof the website.We herearly school days and the acceptedproclamation of dedication would have liked to play with it a bit longerbut becauseit was to Queen,country and flag, he respondedwith wordsto the effect always the intentionto hand it over to the Nationalbody we "Nobodytells US who to honouror follow!"- from the mouthof agreedto the change. SA no longerhas any responsibilitywith the babes. website management.The site hasa differentlook but is basically Don't likewhat you read?Then how about a bit of input? the same. It is unfortunatethat Divisionscannot directly update Carryon! their pagebut I expectthis will soonbe resolved.The website has enhancedour imageand now needs fine tuning. GeoffLitchfield - NOTEnew e-mail [email protected] .au New members... Leigh and Kerry Dickie have recentlyjoined. Welcomeaboard . AlsoWarren Wittman is a newmember . Warren SOUTHAUSTRALIAN wasn'tin the Navy, but whilstworking at WRESalisbury , wentto DIVISION Nowrato do somethingwith the Sea Venoms.Probably hush­ hushsecret installations that neverworked out! Warren also helps Everycouple of monthsDinsley Cooper prints us with the 'SausageSizzle' business.The Divisionseems to our local newsletter. He, helpedby his wife, average50 members. Junice, has been very faithful with this Robin Pennockkeeps us informedabout OVA machinations. documentthat keepsthe divisionup to date The latest is that OVAhave changedtravel allowancerates for withevents. veteran'sattending medical treatment. Dinsley 's newsletterwill In the last editionthere was a brief memoirfrom an unnamed spellout the detail. RN pilot who flew in Avengers.The articlewas most interesting Robinalso emailedthat VADM Sir JamesWillis died Sunday and he describedthe squadronas a goodfun squadron. He also 15th.He livedat Walkerville, Adelaide, but his funeralwas heldin mentionedthe carrier Indomitable.It brought back a flash of Canberra.A MemorialService was also held at Christ Church memoryto me becauseit was from the deck of that ship that I NorthAdelaide on 24thJune. I can rememberJames as a clean experiencedmy first take off and landing.It was a Barracuda(in cut 'twoand a halfringer' when I was a juniorsailor. thosedays still a frontline machine!)and the takeoff wasfree, my Health.. . otherthan the fore mentionedJohn Saywellsaga and first and only ever free take off. I also damagedmy left knee me havingmy kneecut out I thinkwe are all in onepiece .

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MaryWidger is a bit frail but was very spriteat the AnzacDay to the FESR reunionin South Australia.We had no musicto luncheon. Richardand Mary are RN WW2 veterans. Mary was speakof and I wasthe onlyone in step!Lord help us if, nextyear, aboutto be draftedto Maltawhen Richardproposed. She chose we havea bandnear us andare all in step.The Governor, instead Richardand it must have been a qualitydecision for that was of givingus a 'Welldone , Navy'will probablyrun over and join us! about60 yearsago It was goodto get backto BulimbaBarracks on the riveronce It has been a sad time for Ken and Ann Hyde. Their son, again and to have plentyof food. Our thanksto Mick Blair and Michael,died on 3rdJune from illness and his funeraltook place Trevor Tite for making the necessaryarrangements with the on the 10thJune. Ken sent me a very impressiveeulogy about caterers.The Presidentof the Submarinershas suggested that we Michael.It was packedwith many tributes and achievements get togethernext year to organisea joint BBQ. I'm surewe 'll be completedin his shortlife. wellfed andwatered next year . Michael must have been a strange mixture for he went Our raffleswent well but I can't recallwho won them. Trevor successfullydown so many paths. He qualified as a senior and LorraineTite do verywell in selectinga goodrange of prizes. commercialpilot at age 23 which is most outstanding. He Thanks, guys. Paddy and Ron Powell didn't march. Paddy achievedan archeologydegree wrote about botany, researched explainedthat he'd beenissued with an 'ExcusedMarching' chit in history,and amongstother things gained admission to the degree 1954and had givena copyto Ron Powell, and, as it was never of Doctorof Philosophy. Michaelwas only 49 years old. Our cancelled,still appliestoday. Who am I to argueabout that! Hegot thoughtsand prayers extend to Kenand Ann. the Crownand Anchorgoing , but it could be starteda bit earlier Salutesto all. nextyear, I reckon. BarryLord - Secretary Footnote Othermemories of the Indomitable... It must have been the Med. FleetFlagship for I salutedan admiralon the flightdeck. He hada Scottishname. It was alwayseasy to get accessto a hot shower. I was with four otherAussies , RoyPrior, John Dudley, Keith Potts, and Peter Zafer.We were all supposedto be on boardthe Indefatigablethat wasalongside Plymouth. We were messedwith aircraft handlersand had to do their duties. I thoughtthat a squadronof Sea Hornetsonboard was the mostawesome naval aircraft ever . I pulledout a handkerchieffrom my pocketwhilst on deck and lost 14 Pound's Sterling.I cannotremember how we got backto Englandto commencean Observer'scourse. ANZACDAY CROWN and ANCHOR [UPDATE:With deep regret , Barryhas informedme that Mary L-R: PaddyWilliamson -Des Kelly and Bill Julius Widgerhas since passed away. My condolencesto Richard. Ed] Our next function will be held at the Rising Sun Hotel, Rosewood. The ownersasked Geoff Beardsleywhen we were QUEENSLANDDIVISION comingagain. It's a popularspot for us so it's on again. There's plentyof room, good food and heatersif needed.We won't be there as we're off to the UK. We got one of the half price Warmestregards to all from us here who·are SingaporeAirlines FabulousOffer deals, giving us 2 nights in generallyhaving a 'tough' winter. The other Singaporeon the way. We wantto spenda fair bit of timein Crete, day, it was 27C hereand I heardon the radio though it's peak seasonthere . Son Georgeis in Londonplus that it was snowingin Canberra!The evenings plentyof friendsto visitas well.We get backin August. havecooled off a bit heresince then , butwe 're getting23-26 each day . It's a hardlife in QLD. '------~ -- -' Max and NormaWilson are just back from Bali and Max is feelingon top form again. Dave Randallhas recentlyhad both Timemoves on. We heldour AGMat CurrumbinRSL on March kneesreplaced. I told him that if he'd cometo the AGM, I'd carry 16 and enjoyeda niceday. Mostof the Committeewere returned his crutchesfor him. I advisedhim to stay on the grass so he to office; Mick Blair and I are now into our 12th year. Brian wouldn'tgravel rash his knees; he did comeand left the crutches Simpsonand BevanMewett stood down and we thank them for at home. Amazingstuff . He and Joanare backfrom NorfolkIsland their supporton the committee. John Stewartand Bob McBride and are off on anothercruise from Bostonto Greenland, ,Iceland, joinedus as newmembers . We hadaround 70 attending, it was a etc.. Whata life. goodday with plenty of laughs,as usual. Arthur Sharlandhas been up here again. We playedgolf at The FAAACaps are provingpopular and Trevor has ordered Beerwah,got totally soakedand retiredto the clubhouseafter 9 more. Warren Walters is flaunting his around the Squthern holes.He cameto our committeemeeting the nextday andwe all Californiangolf coursesand in Europe,where he and Maria have enjoyedhis visit. beenon tour. They are planningto be here for AnzacDay next yearwhich will be fun. Ray Murrelland Bob McBrideare gettingthe Wessexat the Air Museuminto shape . Bobtells me that the enginewith accessories We enjoyedAnzac Day, the rainstopped , the crowdin Brisbane hasarrived. was hugeand verysupportive. The numberswere down a bit due (Continued on page 30)

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Tom Christopherand Beau Bosanquethave been on the sick AnzacDay at the BulimbaArmy Barracks list withprostate problems . We wishthem much improvement . We were sad to learn that 'Rocky'Newsome had passedon recently.He was in palliativecare in Ipswichfor a while. RayLarson and FrankBirtles drove up to be with RonSmith at Withcott, near Toowoomba, for Anzacweekend . Ron had been the maininstigator for the erectionof a newWar Memorialthere and the official Flag RaisingCeremony was at 8 am on Anzac Day.Well done, Ron . Ray also laid a wreath on behalfof the Associationat either Withcott, or Helidon.I can't rememberwhich. Anyhow, thanks, Ray. Theylater went over to HelidonRSL where there were some veteransof the LongTan affair . Obviously, all hada finetime! Arthur Rowe has informed me that Graham Husband is Presidentof the Warwick RSL and has been awarded the Centenarymedal for his servicesto the VeteranCommunity . It was presentedto him by BruceScott on 3 rd May. Congratulations, Graham. •

GrahamHusband being presented with medalby BruceScott

I guessthat's most of the news, exceptthat we welcomeBi ll Juliusas a newmember , and that Neil Kassulkeis gettingon well in hisfight-back from a stroke. KathyDay - DeeLister -Noel Fischer - JohnStewart - BarryLister - President 'Blue' and Betty Ditcham All photo'scourtesy Mick Blair

welcometo partakeof an excellentlunch and drinks that are WESTERNAUSTRALIAN discountedfor members. DIVISION As of our next meeting on Sunday August the 10th - commencingat 1130. Rosieshave offered us own meetingroom and full bar and luncheonservice . PeterWelsh , our hardworking 'Ahoy!Shipmates . Happywinter everybody! secretary, will informall membersby mailwith the full details.We On SundayJune 16 we all enjoyeda great certainly enjoy the support of the managementwho have get togetherluncheon, many of us with our supporteda FAAVietnam veterans group for severalyears. ladies. Thirty of us celebrated over a A heartywelcome to newmembers Keith ' Squizzy' Taylor, Marie sumptuousbuffet at the EsplanadeHotel Fremantle. It was good James(wife of our Vice President, CommanderWinston James) , to have the companyof Gladysand Kerry Gault, mother and GarryStephens and DanVan Amsted daughterof the late' Pappy' Gault. Jack Surianoreported that he had been in contactwith Leon ANZACDay was as usualwell attended. On completionof the Battlewho , as reportedin the last issue,is on the sick list. march and service, we proceededto our new venue, 'Rosie O'Gradys', the Irish pub in Northbridge.We were made most It is with regretthat we reportthat the followinghave passed welcomeand the hospitalitywas more than we had hoped. away Denis 'Bomber' Brunswick,Jack Griffin and Ray 'Merlex' 'Rosies' is nowour wateringhole and every Wednesday we are all Bradley. Oursincere condolences are extendedto all the families.

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Seasons'Funerals conducted the servicefor Jack Griffinand includeda specialreading. We were so impressedwe have now permissionto offer this readingto all. [Reprintedin the 'Last Farewell'. Ed] · The Reunionat Nowrais fast approaching2nd, 3rd , 4thand 5th October. A reminderto makeyour bookingsNOW. Full details are in the last Slipstreamon Page35 . [Andthe FAAAweb page at www.faaaa.asn.au.Ed] Ourmembers unable to attendwish you all a greatReunion Ourbest wishes to all thoseon the sicklist JohnGreen THEBATCHELOR BROTHERS AT THEMEMORIAL Unit1/7 Prinsep road , AttadaleWA 6156 L-R:C lifford- Percyand Walter Phone(08) 9330 7386 - Mobile.1422943 488 Percyis wearingCaptain Cherry's medals includ ing the VC Email: [email protected] An interestingobservation is that Tasmaniahas the highest percentageof VC recipients per capita, than any other State in TASMANIANDIVISION Australia. Bravemen , all of them. Whereverthey camefrom we sincerelytrust that their sacrifice was notwasted . That's all for now,so from all of us 'downhere ' to all of you 'up Weare still here, butwith winter upon us we're there', our verybest w ishes. nottoo lively. Matt 'Jake' Jacobs- Scribe Firstoff , let me say howsad we are that one of our old FAAshipmates has passedon . Eric CyrilWelch , ex-AH Driver1951-1957 , known NSWDIVISION as 'Eck' or 'Tas' went to schoolwith me in Launceston. We also servedtogether in Vengeancein 1954/ 55, and paid off together It is with deep regretand feeling of sorrowthat I at HMASHuon . Althoughhe was not a memberof the FAM, he takeover as Presid~ntof the NSWDivision from waswell known to us all andwill be sadlymissed . Neville, his losswill be felt by all. Les and Fiona Kube are still on their caravantour of the The numbersthat haveind icatedthat they will mainland.The last we heardof themthey were in Darwin. If, or be attendingthe annuald inner in Octoberare whenhe readsSlipstream , we sendyou both our bestwishes. very encouraging. and all but ensure a night of nostalgic Gus Tuck, ex-AH {The Immortal)is recoveringfrom a heart reminiscingalong w ith the inevitable'couple of schooners' and a problem, bothhe and his wife Joan,assure me that everythingis dittyor two.(We w ill providea busto get you backto yourmotel in goingfine. He saysthat humanitycan 't do withouthim so he has one piece.). If you havenot had your nameadded to the list and to keepgoing . Gusalways looks on the brightside of things! intendcoming , pleaseget in earlyas the numbersare limited, the AnzacDay in Launcestonwas the best seen for many years. Social Secretary (Phil Robinson who can be contacted at Thespectators showed their appreciationby continuousapplause [email protected])will be happyt o allotyou a table. The price for the wholeroute of the march.The fine weatherbrought people of the ticketincludes a 3 coursemeal and discounted drinks . out in theirthousands to seethe parade. OurWelfare Officer , Ray Burt, is concernedthat thereis always The ExtremelyDisabled War Veterans of Australia(EDA) held a someonefeeling ill or is in hospital that he doesn't knowabout. If meetingin CampbellTown in Tasmania's NorthernMidlands in one of our memberis in this category, pleaselet Ray knowand May. Of the twenty-fivemembers in attendance,two were FAAA he will try and arrangesome ' goodwill and cheer'to help brighten members. The ladies of the Campbell Town Bowling Club the person'sday . If you needto get in touchwith him, his e-maili s providedsoup, sandwiches and other refreshments.I have been on the FAAweb site at: www.faaaa.asn.auunder NSW division . toldthat the daywent really well. This is a goodexcuse to havea goodloo k at the newsite and Our last meetingwas held in Launcestonat the '50 and Overs viewits progress.A lot of work hasgone into its reworkingand it is Club'at Ravenswood.There was a goodturn out and all areasof getting to the stage where we can use it to keep up to date the Statewere well represented. informationavailable to all our membersboth Stateand Federal. This mediummeans we can let you all know aboutevents and Brothers' Walter and Clifford Batchelorattended ; they both occurrencesalmost as soonas they happeninstead of waitingfor servedfrom 1951 / 57 and saw servicein Korea aboard the the nextmagazine to be distributed. Sydney.Cliff now lives in New Zealandbut was in 'Tassy' for medical treatment-all at the expenseof DVA. The treatmenthe The other meansof communicationthat seemsto work these is receivingis reallyworking and he hasgone from a wheelchairto daysi s to standon the cornerof Junction and KinghornStreets in walkingonce again -they must be doingsomething right! Nowrafor a whileand count the 'old salts'that passby . Recentlya memorialwas built and dedicatedin Hobartfor the I did this with my brotherArthur the otherday , in no time at all thirteenVictoria Cross winners from Tasmania. Walter and Clifford we had passeda very pleasanthour or so and said a welcome Batchelor, andbrother Percy , wereinvited to attendas theiruncle , goodday to a lot of peoplewe had not seenfor a fair while. The CaptainPercy Cherry AIF won the VC in Franceon 27 March constantflow of visitingex-birdies to our town is a heritageto the 1917. Sadly, three days after his heroicdeeds , CaptainCherry unionsand friendshipsmade ove r manyyears that are remadeat diedfrom a shellblast and the awardwas madeposthumously. frequentintervals by membersof an eliteservice , 'BIRDIES'. (Continued on page 32)

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We are still gainingnew membersand this is almostcertainly becauseyou talk to the unenlightenedones and convincethem that it pays to belongto a groupsuch as ours, the 4 copiesof Slipstreamalone are morethan value for the annualfee. Addressingof annualfees by the committeehas been done and I am glad to let you knowthere will not be any increasethis ·comingyear . Our fund raisingventures have been sufficientto allow us to retainthe statusquo . This in the main is due to the resultsof our raffleand our sincerethanks go to the artist (John Downton)who has suppliedus with such exceptionalart prizes at a veryreasonable rate . GregWise - President

A.C.T.DIVISION

Helloeveryone! Well , at least we seem to be getting down to some sort of normality in • Canberra,after the terribleJanuary bushfires . Therewere some 513 houseseither damaged or lost completelyand the wholeareas affected lookedas if bombshad fallen. People are either rebuildingnow or demolishingtheir housesand startingagain. Others have cleared the block, sold it and movedout. Therei s a wonderfulspirit here and groupshave formedto help the peopleof Duffy(the worst affectedsuburb) to replanttheir gardens etc . We finallydid get rain, but not enoughto fill the damsand we are still on water restrictions-the main dam, Cotter, was badly pollutedand cannot be usedfor sometime . Followingthe AGM, the officebearers are : BrianCourt ier Pres. LesPowell-Treasurer and BerylGreen-Secretary. Just as a by-theway , both our grown-upchildren got married this year-my daughterin Perthand my son herei n Canberraand we arefinally expect ing ourfirst grandchildin December. At lastl We held our annualAnzac Day BBQ after the marchon 25th April and, as luck would have it, the rain held off until after the march. We were undercoverand still enjoyedourselves and the beautifulrain! [See photo 's on nextcolumn] We had about 40 people this year and it was good to see visitors- Des Rogers, his son Mark with wife Diana and their daughterSophie . Des was visitingfrom Perthand I hadn'tseen himfor about40 years.Other vis itors were Joyanneand Captain Andy Goughwith their daughterErin , and Mike and Margaret -Astbury'sdaughter and husband . I thank all those ladies who broughtalong saladsetc . and all thosewho contributed to makeit a verypleasant get-together. We all hada greattime and held a successfulraffle. We are all lookingforward to the reunionin Nowrain October andhope to catchup withyou then . We are remindedof tropicalQueensland now that winter is here in Canberra, so pleasespare a thoughtfor us downhere -brrrrrrrr! Cheeriofor now-keep happy , keepsafe and Godbless. BerylGreen - Secretary WRINKLES- Granddaughteris sitting on grandpa'slap , studyingthe wrinkleson his face as he readsthe paper.She rubs her fingersover the wrinklesand then over her ownface and looksmore puzzled . Shefinally asks, "Grandpa, did God makeyou?" " He sure did honey, a long time ago", he replied. "Welldid God makeme?" she said. "Yes He did, and that wasn'ttoo long ago," he said. She thoughtfor a minuteand then DesRoge rs -'Sandy'Sandberg -S hirleyO'Halloran -Mary Ke lly -and said, "Boy, He'ssure doing a lot betterjob thesedays , isn'tHe? " Cynthia Sandberg

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PRESENTATIONOF MEDALLIONSOF MERIT • BasicAircrewman Course TheBasic Aircrewman course is conductedat 723Sqn and is designedto In October2002 Commodore T.A. (Toz)Dadswell , AM, RAN(Rtd) , the train Aircrewmanstudents i n all facets of helicopterut ility operations. NationalPresident of the Fleet Air Arm Associationapproached the Beginningwith Ground school , the topicscovered include Theory of flight, CommandingOfficer , HMASALBATROSS , with a proposalto allowthe Air traffic control, Meteorology, Aviation medicineand CombatSurviva l. Associationto recogniseach ievementsof membersof the RAN Naval The airbornephase teaches the studentswinching , load lifting, low level AviationBranch. navigation, search and rescue proceduresand surface swimmer This proposalrece ived enthusiasticsupport , and at the Association's operationsusing the AS350BA Squirrel Helicopter. On successful 2002 AnnualGeneral Meeting it was agreedthat Medallionsof Merit completionof course, studentsare awardedtheir wings and postedto a would be awardedannually to personnelwho placedfirst in theiraviation squadronfor consolidationand Operational Fl yingTraining. trainingcourses . Forachieving first place in the BasicAircrewman Course FleetAir ArmAssociation Medallions of Meritfor 2002 LS AdeleShimmings LS Shimmingshas now completed her Aircrewman Rotary Wing Basic • Air EngineeringOfficer Application Course course, andis currentlyworking as a StaffA ircrewmanat 723Squadron , The roleof the AerospaceEng ineerSpecialisation involves the use of consolidatingher knowledgebefore commenc ing her OperationalFlying technologyto deliver stateof the art aircraft, ancillarytechnical equipment Training. and relatedaviation ground combat support systems in the supportof aerospacecapability aga instADF airworthiness requirements. AerospaceEngineers are responsiblefor technical maintenance, logistic support, projectengineering and designengineering in ensuring technologyis efficientlyand effectively employed to maximiseaerospace capability.Aerospace Engineers may also be responsiblefor the managementof technicaland logisticspersonnel associated with the engineeringenvironment. The AEOAC course covers the management, coordinationand supervisionof aircraftmaintenance activities at the squadronlevel , as well as on detachmentsashore and embarked. The coursealso covers the increased responsibilities for the management of aircraft configuration, performancetest ing, QA andOH&S.

Forachieving first place in the Air EngineeringOfficer Application Course FAAAMEDALLIONS OF MERITPRESENTATION -14 APRIL2003 L-R:CORE G . A .LedgerRAN who made the presentations LEUTDavid Matthews CORET . A. DadswellAM RAN(Rtd) -LS A. Shimmings- LEUTMatthews is currentlyposted to 816Squadron as the Squadron CPOWilliams -LEUT D . Matthews FlightSupport Aeronautical Enginee ring Officer. Photograph courtesy RANASP hotographic Section NOTE:The medallions were designed and made by the late Neville • ChiefPetty Officer Aviation Advanced Technician Training Newbold, National Treasurerand Presidentof the NSWFAAA . Course(CPOA T·A TT) The AviationAdvanced Technical Training Cont inuum is designedto NAVALAVIATION TRAINING -FOR BETTER or WORSE providethe RAN with Chief Petty OOcerswho can undertakethe By CPOATV Antony Williams demandingduties of the FlightSen ior MaintenanceSailor (FSMS) . Such duties require high levels of professional competence, foresightand On Monday1 4 April 2003 at a ceremonyat the Museumof Flightin flexibility. The responsibilitiesassociated with TechnicalAirworth iness Nowra, I was awardedthe inauguralFleet A ir ArmAssociation Medallion cannotbe underestimated, and the associatedtraining must be of the of Merit for first place on the CPO AdvancedTechn ical Training higheststandards. It couldbe arguedthat the positionof FSMSis one of (CPOATT) course. This followedthe presentationlate in 2002 of the the most arduoustasks that can be given to a Non-Commissioned Diplomaof Engineering(Aerospace - Maintenance) to the initial CPOATT Officer, in theADF . courses. So now I am a CPO and I have very good civil accreditation. The CPOAT-ATTcourse covers the management,coordination and Howdid I getto this position, at this rankand with these qualifications ? supervision of aircraftmaintenance activities at the squadronlevel , as Today's aviationsailor must know more about a greater numberof well as on detachmentsashore and embarked. The coursea lso covers systemsin orderto achievethe end aim of keeping the aircraftflying . the increased responsibilitiesfor the· management of aircraft Your averageaviation sailor at sea is no longera 'bludgingbirdie ', but configuration, performancetesting , QA andOH&S . partof the wholeship 's dynamics: duties, jackstays, storesh ip etc. That, On completionof the CPO coursegraduates are awardedwith a coupledwith technologicaladvances in aircraft has added to a more Diplomaof AerospaceEng ineeringfrom the RoyalMelbourne Institute of complicatedwork environment.Naval av iation training has been at the Technology. forefrontin managingthis change, both in the military and the civilian world.Instruction and trainingis an evolutionaryprocess and fortunately Navy have managedto keep pace and continuesto producea well­ Forachieving first place in the trained, knowledgeableand confidentaircraft tradesman who is able to ChiefPetty Officer Aviation Advanced Technician Training Course do thejob in a varietyof circumstances. Theadded benefit to the sailoris that the accreditationof aviationsailors has alsofallen into line with the CPOATVAntony Williams civilianworld , allowinga greateropportun ity in futurecareer choices. CPO Williamsi s currentlyposted to RAAF School of Technician Training, WaggaWagga as the NavyAdministration Chief . (Continued on page 34)

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When I joined the Navy in 1987, there were two ways for technical sailors-apprenticeship at HMASNirimba , and phasedtraining -I chose a.- OBITUARIES the latter! After recruittraining I was postedto HMASAlbatross and commencedmy Phase1 trainingas an ATWL.I was a little over awed with the placeand the people,but my first recollectionsare of workingin BrianNeville NEWBOLD the SeniorSailors Mess and thinking" I will neverbecome one of those CPOMET19551976 (probablyalluding more to the 'dinosaurs' at the lunchtime sesh than 26 JUNE2003 actuallyever makingthe rank)". After a coupleof monthsI commenced my trainingin a smokefilled classroom in PhillipBlock (desks came w ith It is with sadnessin our hearts that we say their own ashtrays)listening to some grumpyold PO explainingthe farewellto a friend, a shipmate, and a nice principletheories of electricityand ponderingthen whetherI had made blokeinto the bargain. the rightchoice . A manwho during his time in the service, and I hada successionof posUngsto 723SQN, AircraftSupport Unit (ASU) , afterwards, devoteda great amountof time to the comradeship 816SQNand HMAS Melbourne, intermingledwith postings to HMAS and companionshipof the pastand presentmembers of the Fleet Nirimbafor furtherPhase training . Amongstall theseI alsocompleted the Air Arm. leadershipand managementcourses . After havingcompleted 8 years serviceI can rememberworking out that I hadspent roughly half my time He was a familyman , a communityhelper and a tirelessworker in the Navyon course!In the early 90's the technicaltraining scheme for the FleetAir ArmAssociation . {TTP92)was introduced, alongwith the amalgamationof the ATWLand Nevillewill be missed. (GW) ATC branches.I consideredmy self reasonablylucky to be skipping • alongjust in frontof the all thesechanges, but of courseit wasnot to be. Justwhen I thought'they ' couldn't changeit any more,it was decided Andrew'Shorty' ELLIS that we would be offereda chanceto re-streamto TechnicalTraining. 30 DECEMBER2002 This meant a PO in the old systemwould have to retrospectively Age40 completethe Petty OfficerAdvance Technical Training (POATT) , and from there be eligiblefor the CPOATT.My generalbelief is tharNavy 'Shorty'joined the RANin 1978as an ATA and paidoff in 1996, rarely changesanyth ing to benefit the sailor, however, after much remainingwithin defence public service positions . deliberationI decided to makethe switch. The two greatestadvantages I During his time in the service, he worked with Trackers, couldsee werethe openingup of bettercareer opportunities within the Wessexand Sea Kings,he also spentsome time at the training. RAN and the civil accreditationin the 'big ship'. The majorityof ATT school. trainingi s carriedout at the Royal MelbourneInstitute of Technology (RMIT). My positionat that time was as an instructorat the Training Shorty'spostings included time with 816, 851, 723 and 817 Centreat NASand attending a civiltraining institution was an experience Squadronsas well as time in HMAShips Melbourne, Stalwart and in itself-we werethe weirdosbecause we hadmilitary style haircuts and Tobruk.(AR) dressedconservatively , and it sure madeyou appreciatethe qualityof servicetraining. Both courses were a surprise, due mainlyto the diversity of subjects.I rememberon the CPOATT courseone of my classmates Richard'Dick' COPPING commenting'I can't see howthis coursewill makeme a betterFSMS.' I 2002 don't believethe RMITcourse benefits are instantlyevident to an aviation Dick Coppingpassed away late last year - date unknown. His sailor, but I do believethat the subjectscontribute to a betterall round deathnotice was postedin the RSLReveille . seniorsailor. Dickserved a 6 Yearengagement in the fiftiesas an armourer Thepeople that populatethe NavalAviation world nowadays are better andwas well likedwithin the branchand among his messmates. equippedto copew ith a myriadof situations.Not only are they aircraft After leavingthe service, he joinedthe NSWPolice Force and specialists, but they are also better leaders, managersand divisional wasfrequently seen directing traffic in the SydneyCBD. officers. My currentposting is to RAAFSchool of Technical Trainingat RAAFBase Wagga, where we have (currently)120 traineeson their He was eventuallyposted to a countrybillet and disappeared InitialAv iationTechnical Training , the otherend to whereI am now.As fromthe radar. (JP) well as constantlytrying to m;3intaina Navy ethos in a RAAF environment, I dailycome across personnel , technical and administrative issues that challengeall that I have learnt, both in my trainingand Edwin'Ed' CROSS experience. In a constantlychanging work environmentI believethat 13 APRIL2003 today's SeniorSailors are betterarmed to copewith theseschallenges EdwinCross was bornin Englandand migrated to Australiaunder morenow than ever before. The qualityand type of bothtechnical and oneof thejuvenile migration schemes whilst in his teens. othertraining the RAN now providesto aviationsailors is amongstthe best in the country.So here I am in 2003, confidentI am well enough He joined the navy soon after arrivingin Australiaand was trainedand experienced to solvemost situations that the Navycan throw selectedfor safety equipmenttraining . There followeda great at me, andif I am not sureof the solution, I knowwhere to go to findout! variety of posting includinga stint at RAAF Richmondsafety -- ~ On behalfof all currentaviation sailors let equipmentcentre and to generalservice ships as a sail maker. me expressmy gratitudeto the Fleet Air On retirement,Ed movedto Canberrawhere he was veryactive Arm Association for initiating this in communityservice. He was an officerin the St. Johns. Brigade prestigiousaward . In additionto raisingthe for manyyears and was also activewith the Lionsand Legacy profile of the FAAA amongst current servingmembers it will also raise the bar Clubsof Canberra. for thoseundertaking the CPOATTcourse . He is survivedby his wife Kate,a sonand daughter and several [Congratulationsand thank you , Antony.Ed] grandchildren . Theauthor at WaggaWagga display ing his Ed was one of nature'sgentlemen and the worldwas a greater Diplomafrom the RoyalMelbourne placefor his havinggraced it. (JP) Instituteof Technology

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Thomas'Tommy' Allan LEGGE INCREASEDPENAL TIES FOR DEFENCE MEDALS FRAUD . 05 JUNE2003 Penaltiesfor fraudulentlyclaiming Defence service w ill increase Age77 15-foldunder legislation introduced into Parliamenttoday by the Tommy passed away after a short illness in NepeanPrivate MinisterAssisting the Ministerfor Defence, DannaVale . Hospital. "Our communityholds veteransand servingpersonnel in the He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1927and migratedto highestregard ," Mrs Vale said. Australia with his family in about 1930. The family settled in "Theirservice and sacrificein Defenceof our nationdeserves Lithgowwhere Tommy went to school, andworked , untilhe joined protection from those who wrongly seek to claim the same the RAAFin 1943. honourand respect." · He saw war service in the South Pacific area and was in Under the Federal Government'sproposals , the penaltyfor Morataiwhen the war ended.Because he was 'low down' on the wronglyclaim ing to be a returnedsoldier , sailor or airman, or repatriationl ist, he was still therein mid 1946. wearing medals to which an individual is not entitled, will At this time, the remainingtroops were advisedthat if they increasefrom a $200fine , to a maximumpenalty of $3,300 and couldarrange the ir own passageback to Australiathey werefree up to six monthsimprisonment. to do so. Beingin the RAAF, he had no great difficultyin hitching Mrs Vale said Defencelegislation specifically excluded family a ride on an aircraftto Darwin and thenceby variousmeans to membersof servicepersonnel who were permittedto wear the Sydney. It was here that he took his dischargeand returnedto member'smedals. Lithgow. • "This Bill will also increase the penalty for defacing or Tommyjoined the RANin 1949as a NavalAirman and trained destroyingDefence medals or decorationsfrom a $200fine to a as an Armourer. He was part of Sydney's Air Groupi n 1951/52 maximumpenalty of $6,600and/or12 months imprisonment ," the during the Koreanconflict. He alsoserved several deployments to Ministersaid. the South East StrategicReserve aboard Melbourne in the late 1950s. He had the ratherdoubtful dist inctionof havingseen war MinisterVa le saidthe changeswere a resultof concernsof the service in boththe RAAFand the Navy. Governmentand the wider communityregarding practices that wereunlawful , deceitfuland disrespectfulto veteransand service He was dischargedfrom the navy medicallyunfit in the 1960s, personnel. he thenr eturnedto Lithgowand worked for the LithgowRSL until "Theincrease in thesepenalties will enablethe Governmentto he retiredand remainedthere until his death. (JP) better protect the honour of Defence veterans and service personnel," MrsVale said. A LASTFAREWELL "I call on the Oppositionparties to supportth is legislationas !Jfrea, .,ociatwn~ wit/IiIWJ!tRL tlk ckat& ottlk soon as possible so that we can provide that increased fofhu.t!UUJ,~, "liip,nah<)and ~ : protection." Andrew'Shorty' Ellis Members'E-mail Directory BOB CRONIN 30 December2002 'Missme , but let me go' ENTITLEMENTS FAAAof Australiaweb siteat ADVISORYCENTRE SydneyGeorge Campbell WhenI cometo the end of the http://www.faaaa.asn.au 12 March2003 road For help with Disability Changeof addresses: Edwin'Ed' Cross And the sun hasset for me, claims, Pensions and 13Ap ril 2003 I want no fuss in a gloomfilled Kevinand MaggieRolfe Welfare for Serving and ex­ room [email protected] Members of the ADF and JackGriffin Whycry for a soulset free? their dependants. 10 May2003 RonMelville Located on the airfield side Missme yes, all the daysof [email protected] RegHolton of the Australian Museum 21 May2003 yourlife Sueand Geoff Litchfield Butwith yourhead bowed low [email protected] of Flight and manned Dennis'Bomber' Brunswick Rememberthe lovethat we between - 24 May2003 onceshared , PeterKeys 1000 - 1500 Monday, [email protected] ThomasLegge Missme , but let me go. Wednesday and Friday. 05 June2003 For this is a journey Newpostings : Phone for appointment on Ronald'Rocky' Newsome Thatwe all musttake (02) 4424 9067 09 June2003 And eachmust go alone. Kevin'Bert' Simonsen Address: 489A Albatross [email protected] BrianNeville Newbold It's all partof the way of life, Road, Nowra Hill, NSW 26 June2003 It's a stepon the roadto 2541 home. KenStaff LenAckerley [email protected] NO FEES, NO FRILLS, 30 June2003 So whenyou are weary [email protected] MANNED BY RETIREDADF MaryWidger And sick at heart 01 July2003 Go to the friendsyou know, I was sitting outsideone cloudy day, reminiscing on all the bad luck I was having. And buryyour sorrows in Everythingwas going wrong. Feeling bad, I looked up to the heavens with Ray'Murlex' Bradley Doinggood deeds , outstretchedarms and said , "Whyme , Lord? Why me?" June2003 Miss me, but let me go. All of a suddenthere was a clap of thunderand a bolt of lightning, and as the cloudsparted , a boomingvo ice came down from the sky, and said, "Because, there'ssomething abou t you thatjust peesme off!"

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FAA ASSOCIATIONSTATE CONTACTS

NATIONALEXECUTIVE

President:CORE TA DadswellAM RAN(Rid) 17 JamesPlace , CURTINACT 2605 Phone/ Fax (02)6281 5896 Secretary: Mr MikeHeneghan POBOX 7115, NAVALPO, NOWRA2540 Phone/Fax (02)4422 3633 (PhoneWednesday only) Or - 16 Ibis Place, SUSSEXINLET , NSW2540 Phone/Fax:(02) 4441 2901 [email protected]

AUSTRALIANCAPITAL TERRITORY DIVISION

President:Mr BrianCourtier 61/15 JohnC lelandClose , FLOREY, ACT2615 Phone: (02)6259 7736-Mobile : 04 08166741 Secretary:Beryl Green PO BOX3652 , WESTONCREE K, ACT2611 Phone:(02) 6258 9891 WESTERNAUSTRALIA DIVISION • President:Mr BevanDaws 46 BerryDrive , MAIDAVALE WA 6057 Phone: (08)9454 7228 - Mobile0411 831 609 Secretary:Mr PeterWelsh 42 SaddlebackCircle - MaidaVale WA 6057 Phone: H (08)9454 6045 - W (08)9411 7781 Fax: W (08) 94112860 Email: [email protected]

SOUTHAUSTRALIA DIVISION

President:CMDR John Siebert RAN PO BOX 177, MITCHAM, SA 5062 Phone: (08)8299 0445 Secretary: Mr BarryLord 65 Whitmore Square, ADELAIDESA 5062 Email: [email protected]

VICTORIADIVISION

President:Mr Ron Christie 15 Bianca Court, ROWVILLEVIC 3178 Phone: (03) 97645542 - Fax: (03)9755 5417 Secretary: Mr Geoff Litchfield 9 Stringybark Road, ELTHAMSO UTH, VIC 3095 Phone/Fax: (03) 94399 736 Email:geoff805 @tpg.com.au

NEWSOUTH WALES DIVISION

President:Mr GregoryWise 4 BindareeS treet, Greenwell Point, NSW2540 Phone: (02)4447 1602• (02)4447 0143 Secretary: Mr Mike Heneghan PO BOX 28, NOWRANSW 2541 Phone/Fax: (02)4441 2901

TASMANIADIVISION

President:Mr John Nobes 8 ElizabethStreet , SOMERSET, TASMANIA7322 Secretary:Mr John Nobes Address as above

QUEENSLANDDIVISION

President: Mr BarryLister 3 RoyalC lose, Regatta Park, WURTULLAQLD 4575 Phone: (07) 54934386 TOP:The layout on the introductionpage to the FleetAir Arm on the Defencewebsit e. E-mail: [email protected] Secretary: Mr TrevorTile CENTRE:LSATA NORT ON inspectsthe rotorhead of HMASSY DNEY'S helicopter prior to 37 Miles Street, CABOOLTU RE QLD 4510 take-off duringOperation Slipper . Photographby ABPH Yuri Ramsey-Courtesy RAN. Phone: (07) 5499 3809 BOTIOM:HMA S CANBERRA'SAircraft Technicians replace a Seahawk's rotor bladeat sea. SLIPSTREAMEDITOR - SEEFRONT COVER Photographby LSPHOT DamianPawlenko - CourtesyRA N. [email protected]

36 Typesetby JohnArnold -Printed by KlimptonPress cnr Angus Aven ue & FlindersR oad SouthNowra NSW 2541 - Phone(02) 4423 1996