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F540 Operations Record Book January 1956 NO 98 SQUADRON.
PRO Kew No. AIR27 Piece 2640 Microfilm Row1 Draws 52-71
Place Date Time Summary of Events                                                  Compilation Officer:   Fg. Off. P. Barrow Refs
R.A.F. JEVER 2nd. January 56        A period of aircraft recognition followed met. briefing.  During the day 14 sorties were flown and 8 sorties by night.  The day sorties consisted of cine exercises.  Two Hunters which have been in the U.K. for gun modifications were flown back by Flying Officers B.B. Sharman and P.J. Hirst.  
  3rd.        A total of 52 sorties were flown during the day, of which 11 were night sorties.  The programme consisted of Cross-Countries, G.C.A.'s, and Cine.  
  4th        Low cloud over the North German Plain prevented more than two sorties being completed.  Pilots carried out normal Squadron Duties.  
  5th   No flying carried out owing to fog.  Bad weather programme of lectures was organised.  
  6th   Poor visibility again prevented flying.  A programme of Aircraft Recce., Meteorology and Signals lectures was carried out.  
  7th   A Squadron Parade was held this morning, after which the airmen carries out Primaries.  The Pilots did their normal Squadron Duties.  
  9th. Monday.        Only two sorties were flown owing to extensive low cloud coverage.  Bad weather programme carried out.  
  10th        Again limited flying - 5 sorties of cine flown - so a programme of lectures on Aircraft Recce. and instructional films ensued.  
  11th        Good flying weather, all day and a total of 15:55 Hunter hours were completed.  Two more Hunters were returned after modifications flown by Flying Officers R.A. Edwards and D. Young.  
  12th        Another good flying day with 22 sorties flown, consisting of Battle Formation and some very successful P.I.'s.  
  13th        A total of 12:25 Hunter hours flown covering Battle Form., Cine and Air to Air details.  
  14th   Poor weather conditions, low cloud and poor visibility prevented flying.  
  16th. Monday.        A good flying day during which 27 sorties of Battle Formation and Cine exercises were carried out.  Twelve sorties of C.C.Ms and close formation were completed at night.  
  17th        Today, Exercise "SID" produced some successful P.I.'s, in addition to other details of Battle Formation and Cross Countries.   Sqn.Ldr. D.T. Adamsonn and Fg.Off.D.G.Riley flew a Sabre belonging to No. 93 Squadron.  
  18th        Only two sorties were flown during the day owing to low cloud. The afternoon was devoted to sports.  
  19th        A sudden deterioration in weather compelled a section of four to divert to Oldenburg and they returned later in the afternoon. Overall, only twelve sorties were flown.  
  20th        The weather remained poor throughout the day, but 19 sorties of Cine were carried out amounting to 12:35 Hunter hours.  
  21st        Poor weather prevented flying and while airmen attended trade lectures, the Pilots did their Squadron duties.  
23rd. Monday. 29th        Snow showers rendered the runway unserviceable preventing further flying. Pilots attended an Aircraft Recce. Lecture and did simulated ejections on the Martin-Baker ejection seat rig.  
  24th        Limited flying due to heavy snow showers.   Flying was carried out between the showers.   In the afternoon a formation of eight aircraft led by the C.O., Sqn.Ldr. Adamson flew a close formation flypast over the airfield.  
  25th        Frozen snow and ice covered the runway and taxi-ways preventing flying.   Pilots attended a lecture on aircraft recce.   The remainder of the morning being spent in Squadron Duties.   The afternoon was a sports afternoon.  
  26th        Ice still covered the runway but some flying was possible.   Eleven sorties were flown consisting of Battle Formation and Cine details.  
  27th        Only 7 sorties were flown owing to snow showers and icy runway conditions.  
  28th        Pilots attended to their Squadron Duties after Met. briefing; fog preventing flying.  
  30th. Monday.        Further showers of snow over the weekend caused more ice on the runway and taxi-ways.   Flying was limited to experienced pilots and only 9:00 Hunter hours were flown.  
  31st.        Flying again limited to experienced pilots and a total of only 9 sorties of G.C.A's were flown with some cine.  
      Hours Flown
                                            Operational (Day)                        139:25?
                                            Operational (Night)                        13:55?
                                            Training Types                                59:30?
                                            Instruments (Actual)                      20:30?
                                            Instruments (Simulated)                 5:30?
 
  7th.?   PERSONNEL
     Fg.Off. Scott left for U.K.???(???)
 
  8th.?        Fg.Off. Barrow with Plt.Off. Rastall posted to the Squadron from ???
 
  11th.?        Flt.Lt. C.J. Barrey D.S.C., A.F.C., D.F.M. posted to the Squadron from 56? Squadron
to command 'B' Flight vice Sqn.Ldr. Simpson?.
 
  12th.?        Fg.Off. Sawyer returned from U.K. leave.  
  15th.?        Sqn.Ldr. J. de M. Severne A.F.C. posted to command No. 26 Squadron.  
  28th.?        Fg.Off. McCullagh and Fg.Off. ???????? detached for a Winter Survival Course in South Germany.  
  30th.?        Fg.Off. Scott? returned from U.K. leave.  
      OPERATIONAL
     The month has been marred by bad weather.   For several days of the month low clouds, fog, snow and ice restricted flying.   Much of the flying done was accomplished in marginal weather conditions.   In the early part of the month the number of aircraft unserviceable rarely exceeded three, but in the better part of the month a serviceability rate of between four and eight was ????????????   The total Hunter hours of ???? hours was flown throughout in poor weather conditions.
 
      ADMINISTRATION
     Tremendous strain has been placed on certain ground trades, due to ?? ..............

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