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|
| Place |
Date |
Time |
Summary of Events COMPILING OFFICER Fg. Off. C.W. Powell |
REFS TO APPENDICES |
| |
|
|
 |
|
| JEVER |
1.7.55. |
|
STAND-DOWN |
|
| JEVER |
2.7.55. |
|
STAND-DOWN
Personnel
Fg. Off. Hardy's tour in 2nd T.A.F. finished today and he returned to U.K. this
morning, along with Fg. Off. Dodds who is going on three weeks leave. |
|
| JEVER |
3.7.55. |
|
STAND-DOWN |
|
| JEVER |
4.7.55. |
|
STAND-DOWN |
|
| JEVER |
5.7.55. |
|
Operational
Now that the other two squadrons have returned from Sylt, when the airfield colour
state is above amber, individual squadrons are rather limited as only four transmitting
aircraft may be airborne at one time.
Consequently, only 9 sorties were flown, a total of 8 hours and 10 minutes.
At 16.00 hours, a Rolls-Royce test pilot gave is a talk on the handling of the
Avon Engine. |
|
| JEVER |
5.7.55. |
|
Personnel
Flt. Lt. E.J. Goodwin was posted into the Squadron from the P.A.I.staff at Sylt.
Now that 'B' Flight Commander has been promoted to Sqn. Ldr. , Flt. Lt. Goodwin will
no doubt take over 'B' Flight. |
|
| JEVER |
6.7.55. |
|
Operational
Again the airfield colour state was amber, so only six sorties were carried out
this morning. This afternoon was occupied with Station Sports, and the Squadron
was well represented in most events. |
|
| JEVER |
7.7.55. |
|
Operational
Even though the cloud base was down to 450 feet at times, a much better days flying
was done with 22 sorties. Most of these were on battle formation and cine practices.
A practice fly-past was made in conjunction with No. 98 Squadron, in preparation
for the No. 26 Squadron colour presentation at Oldenburg next week. |
|
| JEVER |
8.7.55. |
|
Operational
The cloud base this morning was 300 feet and visibility 2,500 yards. No flying
was done at all, but a few compass swings were carried out.
We now have one less Hunter due to a taxying accident yesterday, not involving a
squadron pilot.
This afternoon the weather improved, although the cloud base never got up to 1,000
feet. A number of sorties were carried out, including eight aircraft on battle formation
and P.I.'s. This was the last detail and because of low cloud, about 100 feet base, all
eight were diverted to Oldenburg,where the aircraft stayed for the night. |
|
| JEVER |
9.7.55. |
|
Operational
Very little flying was done this morning even though the weather was excellent.
The eight aircraft which were diverted yesterday were flown back. |
|
| JEVER |
10.7.55. |
|
Operational
This morning the two Hunter Squadrons, ourselves and No. 98, did some practice
for next weeks fly-past at Oldenburg. Later in the day, a four did a show at Bremen
for the German Air Show. This consisted of a formation, sonic boom and a high speed
fly-past. |
|
| JEVER |
11.7.55. |
|
Operational
The final rehearsal for the Oldenburg fly-past was timed for 16.00 hours today;
consequently flying was restricted to ensure that 6 a/c 1 plus spare were serviceable
at the right time. A section from No. 14 Squadron joined in the rehearsal. |
|
| JEVER |
12.7.55. |
|
Operational
The fly-past over Oldenburg went off very well in spite of the limited visibility.
Again the flying effort was restricted to ensure the requisite number of aircraft . Even
so we flew 18 hours. |
|
| JEVER |
13.7.55. |
|
Operational
Eleven sorties this morning in fine clear weather. Only 5 aircraft serviceable
with 3 on primary inspections. Sports afternoon. |
|
| JEVER |
14.7.55. |
|
Operational
The fine hot weather continues and 34 sorties were flown for 29 hours. The train-
ing emphasis is on tactical flying with pre-arranged P.I.'s and some cine exercises. |
|
| JEVER |
15.7.55. |
|
Operational
Friday started well with 19 hours flown in the morning, but at mid-day all Hunters
were grounded. After three incidents of serious hydraulic leaks a thorough inspection
was made and it was found that many hydraulic selector units were leaking badly. This
was caused by the end plating becoming un-screwed. All selectors must now be removed
and refitted.
The pilots did dinghy drill in the afternoon. |
|
| JEVER |
16.7.55. |
|
Operational
Work continued on the Hunter hydraulic systems and no flying was possible. |
|
| JEVER |
17.7.55. |
|
STAND-DOWN. |
|
| JEVER |
18.7.55. |
|
Operational
Only one aircraft to fly, a second becoming serviceable at the end of the day. |
|
| JEVER |
19.7.55. |
|
Operational
Two aircraft to begin with rising to four in the afternoon. The removal of the
hydraulic selectors, the tightening of the plates and re-fitting is a straight-
forward job, but there bleeding of the whole hydraulic system takes a long time. With
only two sets of jacks and ground locks, only two aircraft can be worked at a time. |
|
| JEVER |
20.7.55. |
|
Operational
A series of snags on the fuel system reduced the flyable aircraft to one. |
|
| JEVER |
21.7.55. |
|
Operational
Eighteen sorties today on five aircraft , although we flew five different aircraft
some were serviceable for the whole day. Fuel gauge trouble and jet pipe temperatures
continue to plague us. The weather continues fine. |
|
| JEVER |
22.7.55. |
|
Operational
Two aircraft only. The fuel gauge snags are proving most difficult to deal with,
and practically no progress has been made in two days. |
|
| JEVER |
23.7.55. |
|
Operational
Colour hoisting parade this morning followed by five sorties with our two serviceable
aircraft. |
|
| JEVER |
24.7.55. |
|
STAND-DOWN |
|
| JEVER |
25.7.55. |
|
Operational
Only three aircraft were serviceable all day, so some co-ordinated cine quarters
were carried out, giving a total of 15 sorties. |
|
| JEVER |
26.7.55. |
|
Operational
A total of 21 sorties was made today. Almost all of these were on cine exercises,
some co-ordinated quarters and some P.I.s At the end of the day, seven aircraft were
serviceable. |
|
| JEVER |
27.7.55. |
|
Operational
A good morning's flying produced 18 sorties and 15 hours. Most of these were on
battle formation and cine exercises. This afternoon was a sports afternoon. |
|
| JEVER |
28.7.55. |
|
Operational
Again a good day's flying, with a total of 31 hours in 34 sorties. The total for the
month is now 280 hours. Once more, the emphasis was on P.I.s and cine exercises. |
|
| JEVER |
29.7.55. |
|
Operational
Today was the last flying day of the month due to the August Grant. The total hours
on Hunters for the month reached 300. |
|
| JEVER |
29.7.55. |
|
STAND DOWN |
|
| JEVER |
30.7.55. |
|
STAND DOWN
|
|
| JULY 1955 |
|
|
SUMMARY OF FLYING HOURS
Aircraft Hours ------ Minutes Sorties
Hunter 4 302 ------ 30 354
Vampire T11 6 ------ 05 8
Prentice 3 ------ 00 3
TOTAL HOURS : 311 : 35
TOTAL SORTIES : 365
SQUADRON STRENGTH AS AT JULY 1955
Officers SNCO (PILOTS) S.N.C.O.s Cpls A.C.s Total
16 1 6 13 38 70
signed CharlesGibbsS/L
(C.M. GIBBS)
Squadron Leader
Officer Commanding
No. 118 Squadron
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