Twenty Four The Magazine of 24 Sqn Association Issue 6 Summer 1999 guests for the days events. The Contents Page No The ‘98 ReUnion Squadron crew room was soon full to bursting with Wing The '98 Reunion 1 Commander Paul Oborn providing a warm welcome to The Constitution 2 everybody as we all arrived. The IGGER AND BETTER congestion eased for a while Flying Machines 3 during the AGM but that Memory Banks 1 4 business was quickly dealt and That’s how the 1998 then it was all back for a briefing ReUnion looks from all BUMF 6 on what was really going on in angles this year, with today’s 24 Squadron. Keeping in Touch 8 each event breaking record numbers for attendance. Friday evening started off in a big way With the Squadron being Memory Banks 2 10 with the Association taking over resident in the current buildings for over 25 years, which must be Nav’s Diary 13 the main bar area at the Hilton and making it a party atmosphere record in itself, a certain presence could be felt that made WW1 POW 14 from the word go. This was a great asset, especially with so the ReUnion weekend that much more special. Operations 24 Squadron Update 16 many new faces to meet and introduce along with a few of the involving both the Station and the Squadron were on-going as Late News 24 regulars on parade in setting the mood for the weekends events. the briefing started due to troubles in Kosova. This nearly Editor resulted in the flight scheduled David Burgin Brian Baker and his wife were for the local area being cancelled Association President there from Perth, Australia for for the nth time but not quite. their first Association weekend, a AVM John Tetley pleasant surprise for them as their Association Committee original itinerary put them in the Our briefing this year started with a short video clip of the Richard Bates - Chairman UK at a different time from the ReUnion. Word must be getting how RAF Lyneham works as a Pincher Martin - Dep. Chair around as this is the second year complete unit with all the back Keith Rayner - Treasurer in a row that the Commonwealth up support required to keep the Hercules flying in its many David Burgin - Secretary countries have made us a special visit, which is much appreciated. tasks. The Squadron has recently forged links with 12 Air Squadron Liaison Support Brigade of the Royal With such long journeys being W/C Paul Oborn Engineers, building on the theme made, along with the years that Major Hawker was also a F/L Trevor Jarvis ( creeping on, it was noted by a Royal Engineer in his day. few that the same trip each year seems to be increasing in Twenty Four is the The Squadron is the sixth oldest Newsletter of 24 mileage, could this just be in the mind! still operating the Royal Air Squadron Association and Force, a fact that everybody is issued once a year to rather proud of being a part of. all members. CROWDS FLOCK TO We were all treated to a very Contributions to Assoc. REUNION interesting and at times amusing Sec at :- presentation which included a 15 Birch Grove The weather was on its best sample slide show of some of CHIPPENHAM behaviour for Saturdays full the 75 aircraft types flown by 24 Wilts SN15 1DD itinerary with a record turn out of over the years. A couple of 60 Association members and pictures of some of the ‘Wizard email sps-cf13b1@dpa. Prangs’ at Colerne and West Page 2 Issue 6 Twenty Four Raynham, which gladly were of great success. Fine wine, music The Constitution the walk away type, caught the and food was the order of the eye of Association members night with a brace of jovial and who were here to retell the tale thoughtful speeches to round off themselves. proceedings. A plaque donated by Jack McWicker from Florida It was then time for a first class was presented to OC 24 n the spirit of openness lunch and the serious business Squadron to add to the other that seems to be in vogue of catching up with a few friends mementoes dotted around the nowadays, this issue of and as many stories as you could crew room. the Newsletter is going remember. The outside world into print with a copy of was suddenly a million miles It should not be forgotten that the main points of the away. around 50% of Squadron Association Constitution. Despite being drawn up in members could not join us as our guests on this occasion due 1986, it looks as relevant as For the first time in a few years, ever and is a good measure of it was possible to have a bit of to Mess rules, which is the ban on SNCO’s, even if Air Crew how well we are keeping to air experience in a military those well thought out aircraft, stripped of the veneer from attending these functions. This is a situation that no body objectives and guidelines. and cabin services we are normally used to. Demand is particularly happy about and outstripped supply on this will hopefully be remedied for AIM occasion as 25 special the 1999 ReUnion. passengers trooped out for a The aim of the Association is breathtaking view of the local So that’s what happened on to foster in a practical form the area, with only a cargo net October the 3rd 1998, why not spirit of comradeship, co- between them and the Wiltshire join us all for the next one and operation and mutual service countryside 2,000 feet below. make it even bigger and better. founded in No 24 Squadron This trip down the Bristol Royal Flying Corps and Royal Channel, over the two Severn . Air Force based on the special bridges and up through Cheddar Ed relationship that extends gorge before heading back to between present and ex- Lyneham was flown with a members of the Squadron. father and son team. The son was the captain in the guise of MEMBERSHIP Sqn Ldr Buckland and father Buck Buckland of the Association, himself doing his Anyone who has served with bit by keeping a watchful eye on No 24 Squadron Royal Flying the flight path. Yet another Corps or Royal Air Force, in piece of icing on the ReUnion whatever capacity, including weekend cake. honorary members, shall be eligible for membership of the Association. Membership The day time events categories and associated unfortunately drew to a close but subscriptions shall be agreed not before everyone had chance from time to time at a General to meet and chat to a packed Meeting of Members. crew room of like minded aircraft buffs. There was not much time to draw breath before ADMINISTRATION a quick change was needed to be presentable for the evening Members of the Association, at ‘Ladies Guest Night’ in the a General Meeting which will Officers Mess. Unexpectedly, be held at least annually, will the Association was placed in elect a Committee whose the position of being the host for principal tasks shall be to: the evening, with the Squadron as our guests. It was a a) Administer the affairs of nomination we were proud to take on board and because of the the Association on their behalf excellent co-operation with the and in accordance with its agreed liaison staff, the evening was a aims, as agreed in General Twenty Four Issue 6 Page 3 Meeting. Flying Machines of 24 - Lancastrian b) Maintain a Register of Members in order to enable Members to establish and maintain Pinky found the Lancastrian MORE ON THE story of interest and was a fan of contact. LANCASTRIAN the aircraft with its superb manually operated Bendix c) Despatch a Newsletter to As with any interesting article, MN26 radio compass, the most Members from time to time. it has prompted a couple of accurate that he had ever come letters that go to adding to our across. He notched up flights in d) Organise re-unions of store of knowledge on the the following airframe numbers Members. Lancastrian. John Mitchell while on 24, VL 976, 980, VM passed on our last Newsletter to 702, 725, 726, 727, VM 735 and e) Recommend to Members at a to a pal of his, Air Cdr Pinky 736. General Meeting the subscriptions Grocott an ex Navigator of 24 which are necessary for the running from the Bassingbourn days Jock Hanna Remembers of the Association and in due course who remembered this tale. to account for their expenditure. Jock recalls a rapid introduction On 19th October he was to the Lancastrian as a wireless f) Encourage and facilitate the navigator on Lancastrian VM operator in early 1946. It came collection and preservation of 735 carrying VIP’s to the after a couple of long haul records, photographs and PICAO conference at flights to the States in a lend- memorabilia which assist in Indianapolis. Air Marshal lease Skymaster to Washington extending the known history of the Cochrane AOC-in-C Transport and Norfolk before ending up at was carried from Northolt to Bassingbourn to join an all Kiwi Squadron. Lagens and Bermuda and on to crew. The flight was authorised Washington National (transiting to take Air Chief Marshal Sir A full copy of the whole then to Bolling). On 22nd document, which goes on to talk William Dickson on a tour of October we added Sir Watson the Far and Middle East plus about Rules for the Committee Watt and Air Marshal Goddard and Finance, is available from India.