|
|
| PLACE |
DATE |
TIME |
SUMMARY OF EVENTS COMPILING OFFICER __Fg. Off. J.F. Farley._________ |
Refs |
| |
|
|
 |
|
| R.A.F. Sylt |
1.4.59 |
|
Today flying had to be cancelled at lunch time due to low cloud and drizzle. Most
of the morning's sorties were flown however. Two pilots received dual demonstrations.
SORTIES : 16 HOURS : 10.10 |
|
| |
2.4.59 |
|
A full flying day today as regards weather, with a few cancelled sorties due to
aircraft serviceability. Three more demonstrations were given.
SORTIES : 32 HOURS : 19.20 |
|
| |
3.4.59 |
|
Today the Squadron started the operational cine' phase of the detachment. Sorties
were carried out by formations of three aircraft, comprising one target and two attackers.
SORTIES : 40 HOURS : 26.40 |
|
| |
4.4.59 |
|
A full flying programme was planned for today, but due to low cloud no flying was
possible up to lunch time when the stand-down was given.
SORTIES : NIL HOURS : NIL |
|
| |
6.4.59 |
|
Today the C.O. and seven pilots of the Squadron left by road and air for R.A.F.
Gutersloh to attend the address, by the Chief of Air Staff, arranged for tomorrow.
The weather precluded any detachment sorties by the remaining pilots.
SORTIES : NIL HOURS : NIL |
|
| |
7.4.59 |
|
After the Chief of Air Staff's address the Squadron Officers attending, left for
the return to Sylt. The air party arriving in the afternoon. The pilots left at Sylt
flew all day, all pilots flying at least three sorties.
SORTIES : 25 HOURS : 14.45 |
|
| |
8.4.59 |
|
Weather caused a late start this morning, and then several pauses in the subsequent
programme. During the day the road party from Gutersloh returned without mishap.
SORTIES : 21 HOURS : 13.15 |
|
| |
9.4.59 |
|
Visibility problems led to a late start on the Operational Cine' sorties this
morning. However most of the days subsequent programme was carried out successfully.
SORTIES : 25 HOURS : 15.30 |
|
| |
10.4.59 |
|
No flying all day due to very dense local fog patches which drifted about on the
airfield until evening.
SORTIES : NIL HOURS : NIL |
|
| |
13.4.59 |
|
Another late start this morning due to weather problems, but after this the day held
fair and the rest of the sorties were carried out with only a few exceptions. Fg. Off. P.D.
Jennings is sick.
SORTIES : 25 HOURS : 24.30 |
|
| |
14.4.59 |
|
Today the firing programme was troubled by cloud conditions on the range which
resulted in the range going unserviceable for periods during the day. Fg. Off. P.D.
Jennings - sick.
SORTIES : 32 HOURS : 28.40 |
|
| |
15.4.59 |
|
Today was a very full day of air to air, only one flag was cancelled. However, of
those sorties flown several were non-effective due to aircraft unserviceability when
airborne. Fg. Off.'s P.D. Jennings and B.H. Dale are both sick.
SORTIES : 35 HOURS : 22.35 |
|
| |
16.4.59 |
|
No flying was possible until 1400 hours today, and when it did start the Squadron
took the opportunity of finishing the cine weave phase. After these sorties two flags
were flown for live firing. Fg. Off.'s P.D. Jennings and B.H. Dale are still sick.
SORTIES : 14 HOURS : 8.50 |
|
| |
17.4.59 |
|
Air to air firing all day today with two pilots receiving dual demonstrations in the T11.
Fg. Off.'s P.D. Jennings and B.H. Dale - sick.
SORTIES : 35 HOURS : 22.40 |
|
| |
18.4.59 |
|
Flying cancelled, weather thick fog. Fg. Off.'s P.D. Jennings and B.H. Dale - sick.
SORTIES : NIL HOURS : NIL |
|
| |
20.4.59 |
|
Our last full day of the detachment with the first four flags lost due to weather
on the range. Sick - Fg. Off.'s B.H. Dale and P.D. Jennings.
SORTIES : 32 HOURS : 20.10 |
|
| |
21.4.59 |
|
This morning completed the active part of the detachment, with the post detachment
conference taking place this afternoon. Sick - Fg. Off.'s P.D. Jennings and B.H. Dale.
SORTIES : 17 HOURS : 9.15 |
|
| |
22.4.59 |
|
Today the Wing flew back to Jever. It had hoped to fly 30 aircraft in one
formation flypast, however in the event unserviceability, weather conditions, and circuit
problems led to the three squadrons returning independently at the same time. Fg. Off.
P.D. Jarvis on leave.
SORTIES : 10 HOURS : 5.45 |
|
| R.A.F. Jever |
23.4.59 |
|
All aircrew who had returned from Sylt arrived at the Squadron this morning. With
no groundcrew, it was decided to stand down. On leave - Fg. Off.'s P.D. Jarvis and B.H. Dale.
SORTIES : NIL HOURS : NIL |
|
| |
24.4.59 |
|
This morning was spent cleaning the aeroplanes, in particular the nose area
around the gun ports. With the number of groundcrew available, a limited number of aircraft
had their drop tanks renewed. On leave - Fg. Off.'s P.D. Jarvis, B.H. Dale, J.F. Farley.
SORTIES : NIL HOURS : NIL |
|
| |
27.4.59 |
|
One aircraft was flown to Laarbruch to C.M.U. and the pilot collected by Vampire.
All other aircraft had tanks fitted and flow checks completed. Fg. Off.'s P.D. Jarvis,
B.H. Dale, J.F. Farley, on leave.
SORTIES : 1 HOURS : .25 |
|
| |
28.4.59 |
|
A normal days flying which began with six aircraft which diminished to two by the
end of the day. Emphasis was placed on battle formation for the days flying and an S.T.I.
61 was carried out. Fg. Off.'s P.D. Jarvis,
B.H. Dale, and J.F. Farley are on leave. Flt. Lt. A.A. Boyle - sick.
SORTIES : 12 HOURS : 14.05 |
|
| |
29.4.59 |
|
Ooops! 2 Sqn Swift X XD950 on the grass. Merv believes that this was either Flt Lt Taff Wallis or Flt Lt Bengy Hives and was the result of landing with "Brake Boost" accidentally selected. Unknown damage.
(Click to see) Believed to be this incident reported in the 4 Sqn F540 for 29Apr59.
(Thanks to Merv Hodson) [Photograph added, not in the original F540]
Flying this morning was held up for a considerable period whilst a Swift was cleared
from the runway after bursting both tyres. In all nine Hunter sorties were flown mainly
on High Level Battle Formation. One S.T.I. 61 was carried out.
In the Station rugby seven - a - side competition, the Squadron came fourth. The
event being won by 101 Signals Unit. Leave - Fg. Off.'s P.D. Jarvis, B.H. Dale, J.F. Farley.
Sick - Flt. Lt. A.A. Boyle.
SORTIES : 11 HOURS : 12.15 |
|
| |
30.4.59 |
|
Low cloud and rain this morning delayed the start of flying until mid-day, when
two pairs were scrambled on a Toolshed exercise. Both pairs intercepted the jamming
Valiant within 15 minutes of becoming airborne. The remainder of the afternoon was spent
carrying out low level strikes in the low flying areas. Leave - Fg. Off.'s P.D. Jarvis, J.F. Farley,
B.H. Dale still on leave, Flt. Lt. A. A. Boyle and Fg. Off. W.R. Anderson - sick.
SORTIES : 11 HOURS : 10.40 |
|
| |
|
|
April Summary - Social Events
At Sylt the Squadron pilot's took part in several excellent parties in the mess, to
mark various occasions. The Squadron also held a very good party with the airmen towards
the end of the detachment, to show appreciation for the hard work well done on the air
firing programme. On return to Jever there was an excellent dining in night and informal
dance. |
|
| |
|
|
RJ Spiers S/L
(R.J. SPIERS)
Squadron Leader
Officer Commanding,
No. 4 Squadron. |
|
