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|
| Place |
Date |
Time |
Summary of Events COMPILING OFFICER Fg. Off. C.W. Powell |
Refs |
| |
|
|
 |
|
| Fassberg |
1.5.55. |
|
STAND-DOWN |
|
| Fassberg |
2.5.55 |
|
Operational
The Squadron has now virtually finished flying, the only sortie being 1 air test.
Most of the time is now taken up packing for the Squadron move to Jever
which takes place this Friday. Tomorrow morning the Advance Party leaves followed by
the rest on Friday.
Personnel
Fg. Off. R.G.V. Irish went on 3 weeks U.K. leave. |
|
| Fassberg |
3.5.55. |
|
Operational
Fg. Off. W. Dodds left early this morning with the Advance Party. He was wished
God's speed and not breakdowns. Here meanwhile, everything and everyone is at a
tense pitch of excitement. Packing and loading is going on fast and furiously - the
whole place is being moved from under our feet.
Personnel
Fg. Off. F.A. Butcher returned from Compassionate leave. |
|
| Fassberg |
4.5.55. |
|
Operational
Once again the only activity was more preparation for the move. All the offices
are now bare with the odd telephone sitting in the corner of the room on the floor. |
|
| Fassberg |
5.5.55. |
|
Operational
The pack-wagons were loaded up to-day ready to move off tomorrow morning. |
|
| Fassberg |
6.5.55. |
|
Operational
Fg. Off. Hardy left this morning by rail with the Main Party. A number of other
pilots departed in their own cars.
Four officers attended the funeral at Hanover of a pilot of No. 14 Squadron
Flt.Lt. J. Castagnola left for Jever in the Vampire T.II. |
|
| Jever |
7.5.55. |
|
Operational
This morning was spent moving furniture into the Squadron offices at Jever.
The office layout seems quite good, but the crewroom is much smaller than at
Fassberg. |
|
| Jever |
8.5.55. |
|
STAND-DOWN. |
|
| Jever |
9.5.55. |
|
Operational
Today was spent unpacking and moving in generally. Nine Hunters were already here
and another one arrived today. |
|
| Jever |
10.5.55. |
|
Operational
The first Hunter came back to the hangar today after its acceptance check by A.S.F.
Another two were sent over for check.
Personnel
Sqn. Ldr. G.M. Gibbs arrived here today from Fassberg after completion of the
D.F.L.S. Course. |
|
| Jever |
11.5.55. |
|
Operational
The Squadron started its first acceptance check in the hangar today, and another
two Hunters arrived, bringing the Squadron total to twelve.
The offices are now beginning to take shape and the Squadron seems to be settling
down quite well. |
|
| Jever |
12.5.55. |
|
Operational
Sqn. Ldr. G.M. Gibbs got airborne today on the first flight of No. 118 Squadron
Hunters. Later in the day both Flight Commanders also flew.
All Squadron pilots were issued with flying clothing this afternoon. This in-
cluded "bone-domes" and "anti-G" suits. |
|
| Jever |
13.5.55. |
|
Operational
Only one flight was made today, as a strong cross-wind prevented any first solos
being made.
Personnel
Fg. Off. B.G. Faulkes has gone to the U.K. on the Avon Engine Course. |
|
| Jever |
14.5.55. |
|
STAND-DOWN |
|
| Jever |
15.5.55. |
|
STAND-DOWN |
|
| Jever |
16.5.55. |
|
Operational
Bad weather most of the day prevented any first solos until late afternoon.
Fg. Off.'s Hardy and Wraight then made their first trip in swept wing aircraft.
There are now five aircraft on acceptance checks, but one of the aircraft was u/s.
There are now five aircraft on acceptance checks in the hangar and another in
A.S.F. |
|
| Jever |
17.5.55. |
|
Operational
Only one sortie was made today due to fairly low cloud, intermittent rain and poor
visibility.
The aircraft state remained as yesterday. |
|
| Jever |
18.5.55. |
|
Operational
Because of a strong cross-wind, no flying was done this morning.
Eight aircraft have now been accepted, although two of them are un-serviceable.
Three more are now on acceptance checks and the other is A.O.G.
This afternoon was a sports afternoon. |
|
| Jever |
19.5.55. |
|
Operational
This mornings forecast was strong gusty winds and frequent showers, possibly of
hail.
Nevertheless four first solos were made and a few pilots did their second con-
version trip, a total of ten sorties.
Two more aircraft arrived today bringing the Squadron up to full strength of 14
aircraft.
Personnel
Fg. Off.'s McLennan, Darrington and Yeomans arrived today from Fassberg. |
|
| Jever |
20.5.55. |
|
Operational
Today was the best flying day since the Squadron converted. A total of twenty-
four sorties were made, mainly on conversion flights.
Six aircraft were serviceable all day.
One or two pilots reached the stage in conversion of flying the aircraft with the
controls in "manual". |
|
| |
21.5.55. |
|
Operational
A station parade was held this morning, followed by an inspection of the airmen's
barrack block and the hangar. Consequently, no flying at all was carried out. |
|
| Jever |
22.5.55. |
|
Operational
STAND-DOWN. |
|
| Jever |
23.5.55. |
|
Operational
All the original twelve aircraft have now been accepted.
Reasonably good weather and serviceability enabled the Squadron to carry out 19
sorties, all on conversion exercises, except for one or two airtests. |
|
| Jever |
24.5.55. |
|
Operational
Another fairly good day with a total of 18 sorties. Again most of the sorties
were conversion exercises, but one cross-country flight was made.
The last two aircraft which arrived last Thursday are still undergoing acceptance
checks. |
|
| Jever |
25.5.55. |
|
Operational
Because of the Whit-sun Grant today was a full working day. A total of 27 sorties
were made including a couple of close formation trips and a cine trip.
One or two pilots have now completed their ten conversion exercises.
A number of cases of R/T trouble were reported today. Pilots were transmitting
quite well but could not receive the controller. |
|
| Jever |
26.5.55. |
|
Operational
Poor serviceability cut down the number of sorties today. Three aircraft were
in primary inspections. Even so, about a dozen flights were made on conversion
exercises. |
|
| Jever |
27.5.55. |
|
STAND-DOWN |
|
| Jever |
28.5.55. |
|
STAND-DOWN |
|
| Jever |
29.5.55. |
|
STAND-DOWN |
|
| Jever |
30.5.55. |
|
STAND-DOWN |
|
Jever
Officers
Airmen
S.N.C.
Cpl's |
31.5.55.
/Aircrew
O.'s
and below |
Personnel |
Operational
An anti-cyclone with its associated ridges promised good weather today.
With three aircraft again on primaries only a limited number were available. Even
so, sixteen sorties were made on conversion exercises, including two cross-country
and a formation trip.
Personnel
Fg. Off. B.L. Rogers arrived from Fassberg.
Flying Hours and Sorties
Strength Aircraft Hrs. Mins Sorties
16 Venom F.B. 1 1 35 3
1 Vampire T XI 15 1
7 Hunter F.IV 93 05 136
69 TOTAL 94 55 140
signed CharlesGibbsS/L
(C.M. GIBBS)
Squadron Leader,
Officer Commanding
No. 118 Squadron
Royal Air Force |
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