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F540 Operations Record Book August 1955.
RAF Museum Hendon. Holds 2nd copy of F540 1945 to 1970.
PLACE DATE TIME SUMMARY OF EVENTS                     COMPILING OFFICER   __Fg. Off. C. Boyack.___ Refs
     

chasboyack.jpg, 1427 bytes

 
R.A.F. JEVER 3.8.55        For most of the day only one aircraft was serviceable, so that only six sorties
were flown.   The conversion training is continuing however, and all pilots are
keener than ever after August Grant, to become operational on type as soon as
possible.   Lectures on the conversion syllabus were also given to the remaining
half of the Squadron, which as yet has not completed this portion of training.
                                       Hunter Flights 6       Hunter Hours   4.20
 
  4.8.55        Serviceability improved slightly today so that in spite of flying being stopped
for about an hour this afternoon, ten training flights were carried out.   The
reason for flying being temporarily stopped was that a Hunter from another Squadron [Ed: 118
Sqn]
abandoned a take-off and ran off the end of the runway, thus blocking all traffic.
                                       Hunter Flights 10     Hunter Hours   7.15
 
  5.8.55        A fair days flying was done today and half of the squadron are now half way
through the conversion syllabus.   The troubles that we are experiencing at the moment
are all the more annoying because of the good weather which is prevailing.   However,
our hopes are high for an improvement in our present position.
     One of our Sabres was air-tested today preparatory to being flown away, but it
was unfortunately found to be unserviceable.
                                      Hunter Flights 11         Hunter Hours   8.05
                                      Sabre Flights     1         Sabre Hours .50
 
  6.8.55        There was no Hunter flying today to enable the ground crews to get fully
up to date on the S.T.I.s and L.T.I.s and so improve aircraft serviceability next
week.   The only flight from the Squadron this morning was an air-test on a Sabre
and the airfield closed at 12:30 hours for the week-end.
                                     Sabre Flights 1        Hours   .50
 
  8.8.55        Flying as slightly hampered today by weather, but the conversion exercises are
being carried out whenever possible.   Practically all pilots have completed the
lecture programme and questionnaire, so if serviceability improves and the generally
fine weather holds out, it should not be too long before the Squadron, as a whole, is
fully converted.
     Two of our pilots today began attending a course of lectures to prepare them
for the "B" Promotion Examinations, which will be held next week.   Only these two
officers are taking all examinations and we have only one officer with a partial
pass who is re-sitting the examination this time.
                                               Hunter Flights 8   Hunter Hours   5.45
 
  9.8.55        With good weather and two aircraft serviceable for most of the day, a considerable
amount of training was carried out.   Three more pilots completed their first
Hunter exercises and several need only three trips to be fully converted.
     Two air tests were also carried out on Sabres.
                                             Hunter Flights 12        Hunter hours   7.55
                                             Sabre Flights     2       Sabre hours 1.25
 
  10.8.55        All pilots have now completed the programme of lectures and have taken and
passed the Hunter questionnaire.   Two more pilots did their first Hunter flights
today, so that only four members of the Squadron have not yet flown our new
aircraft.
     Only six training flights were carried out before the airfield closed at
12.30 hours for Sports afternoon.
                                         Hunter Flights 6   Hunter hours   3.55
 
  11.8.55        The Squadron was severely restricted in training today by unserviceable aircraft
and very little flying was done.   Once more the weather was fair generally, in
spite of poor conditions initially.
                                               Hunter Flights 4      Hunter Hours   2.40
 
  12.8.55        Today showed a slight improvement in our aircraft serviceability state and a fair
amount of flying training was carried out.   Two more pilots completed their first
Hunter exercises and one pilot has now completed the entire conversion flying
syllabus   The spell of fair weather is still, fortunately, continuing.
                                           Hunter Flights 16   Hunter Hours   12.10
 
  13.8.55        There was no flying today.   A Station Commander's parade, followed by an
inspection of the Airmen's blocks was held and following that, the Squadron's
efforts were devoted to aircraft servicing.   The airfield closed at 12:30
hours for the week-end.
 
  15.8.55        A fair day's training was carried out today, and two more pilots completed
the conversion syllabus   Flying is still being restricted by the serviceability
problem, but the situation is already improving.   A large number of pilots
have now flown the Hunter in manual control and the general feeling is
that while it is obviously very heavy, there should be no real panic about
having to return to base in manual control, except in extremely turbulent or
cross-wind conditions.
                                             Hunter Flights 16   Hours   11.35
 
  16.8.55        Hunter flying continued today with the normal conversion syllabus and with
the addition that one pilot did practice Ground Controlled Approaches at
Ahlhorn.   The weather was fine and flying was limited only by aircraft availability.
     Three pilots left today for Oldenburg, where the promotion examinations are to
be held starting today.
                                       Hunter Flights 12   Hours   9.20
 
  17.8.55        Three aircraft were serviceable all morning thereby permitting seven training
exercises to be carried out.   The spell of good weather seems to have ended, at
least temporarily but hopes are still high that the conversion of the Squadron
plus a fair amount of other flying, will be completed before Autumn is really
upon us.   The airfield closed at 12:30 hours for Sports afternoon.
                                      Hunter Flights 7             Hunter Hours   5.05
 
  18.8.55        Bad weather initially prevented all flying before mid-day with the exception
of one flight.   From then on however, considerable training was carried out,
with the emphasis being on G.C.A.s, in addition to the normal conversion
syllabus.   Late this afternoon the Squadron's three promotion examinees
returned from Oldenburg with very despairing airs, muttering low threats about
Examiners and Examinations generally.
                                             Hunter Flights 13   Hunter Hours   9.15
 
  20.8.55        There was no flying today.   The morning began with a full rehearsal for
the C. in C.'s Parade in addition to the normal Colour Hoisting Parade and
a very minute inspection of all personnel on parade was carried out by the
Station Commander.
     After the parade, the efforts of all personnel were devoted to servicing in
an attempt to clear up the S.T.I.s and L.T.I.s which are still restricting our
flying hours.
 
R.A.F. JEVER 22.8.55        Good weather permitted considerable training to be carried out today.   The
main exercises carried out were high and low level cross country flights, in
addition to the conversion syllabus.   One more pilot completed his first Hunter
flight, so that only two pilots have yet to fly our new aircraft.
                                    Hunter flights 14     Hunter hours 11.45
 
  23.8.55        With continuing good weather and improved aircraft serviceability, a good day's
flying was completed.   In addition to the Ten-exercise conversion Syllabus for
the Hunter, a training programme to cover the first 30 hours or so has also been
drawn up.   This programme varies from high level aerobatics to low level cross
country exercises and including formation and cine practices.   As each exercise
is completed, a chart is suitably annotated to ensure that Squadron training is
carried out on an overall basis per pilot.
     The main training carried out was low-level navigation aerobatics at medium and high
altitudes, and forced landings.
                                       Hunter flights 25        Hunter hours   17.05
 
  24.8.55        Another rehearsal for the C. in C.'s Parade was held this morning and things
seemed to flow more smoothly than at the last rehearsal.   A concession to
the high temperature was made on the Parade, as shirt-sleeve order was the dress
for the occasion and this was very much appreciated by all ranks.
     In addition to the conversion syllabus, which was completed by two more pilots
this morning, high-level aerobatics and mach runs were practised.   After flying
the Sabre, it is quite a pleasure to watch the Mach meter register such high speeds
as are possible in the Hunter.
     The airfield closed at 12.30 hours for Sports afternoon.
                                     Hunter Flights 11      Hunter hours   8.45
 
R.A.F. JEVER 25.8.55        On six of today's flights, flying in manual control was practiced, including
controlled descents and landings.   Several high level cross-country exercises
with rendezvous were also carried out, with about 50% success as regards the
rendes vous part of the exercise.
     Slowly the backlog of S.T.I.s and L.T.I.s is being wiped out and more
aircraft are becoming available, thus permitting more training per day to be
carried out.   Hopes are now high that by the end of November the greater part
of the Squadron will be classed as "operational".
                                             Hunter Flights 19          Hunter Hours   15.35
 
  26.8.55        Today saw the first formation-flying on Hunters carried out by the Squadron.
Comments generally are very favourable, although the limitations of the existing
elevator system are only too apparent in tail-chases where .95 Mach can be
reached with great ease.
     In addition to the formation flying, a wide variety of exercises ranging from
high-level aerobatics to manual control circuits, was completed.
                                        Hunter Flights 25         Hunter Hours   18.10
 
  27.8.55        "Amber" weather conditions prevailed on the airfield initially, thus restricting
flying to "one transmitting aircraft per Squadron".   However, by 10:30, full flying
was in progress and from then onwards full programme. including close and battle
formation
practices and conversion exercises, was carried out.
     Since yesterday morning the remainder of the Wing has been engaged in "Exercise
Loco".   The feelings of the Squadron was initially disappointment at not taking
part, but on hearing that our aircraft would be "stooging" as bombers, the feeling
changed to relief that we were able to continue with our training programme.
     The airfield closed at 16:00 hours for the week-end.
                                        Hunter Flights 17     Hunter Hours   13.05
 
R.A.F. JEVER 29.8.55        The main training carried out today was close and battle formation at 40,000 feet.   Poor visibility restricted flying initially once more, but a good day's
training was carried out.   Several pilots have now flown the Hunter on G.C.A.
and are very impressed by it.   With the correct trim the aircraft seems to fly
itself round the circuit.
     Two of our three remaining Sabres were ferried out today.   They were flown by
our Squadron pilots and went to Bruggen.
     Before flying commenced this morning there was a period of aircraft recognition
training supervised by the Station Intelligence Officer.
                                              Hunter Flights 14  Hunter Hours 10.35
                                              Sabre Flights     2  Sabre Hours 1.20
 
  30.8.55        With the same pressure distribution over our area which has prevailed for the
last few days, no-one was surprised to find poor visibility on the airfield this
morning.   Thus there was a period of aircraft recognition training followed by an
antique Meteorological film.
     When full flying began at approximately 10.30 hours, the main training carried
out was high level navigation and close and high level battle formation practices.
     One of our pilots while on a high-level cross-country flight, found himself
rather a long way off track and was obliged to land at R.A.F. Wahn due to fuel
shortage.
     Two of our pilots who recently returned from leave carried out Exercise 1 on
the Hunter Conversion Syllabus.
                                               Hunter Flights 21   Hunter Hours   16.25
 
  31.8.55        Flying was only slightly delayed this morning and four of our aircraft were
airborne by 09.45 hours.   The main exercises completed were aerobatics and low
flying with some formation flying.   Today two of our Hunters were flown to England
for modifications.   They were taken by Squadron pilots, and these pilots will
bring back two fully modified Hunters as temporary replacements as soon as possible.
     The airfield closed at 13.00 hours for Sports afternoon.
                                 Hunter Flights 11       Hunter Hours

SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH
     During the month 126 of our airmen were posted from the squadron and only four
replacements came in.   The Squadron with a figure of 74 airmen including all N.C.O.s
is now six men under strength.   It is well worth noting that the establishment for
ground personnel on Hunter Squadrons is roughly 50 below that of Sabre squadrons, thus
the Squadron is now just over half as strong as it was three months ago.
     Fourteen pilots are now converted to Hunters, leaving six to finish their conversion
training.   These six have been on leave for part of the month.;
     In the main, flying has been confined to conversion exercises and individual
training including forced landing practise, manual and cross-country flights.   A
start was made on formation flying on the 26th.
     In the early part of the month, manpower had to be diverted to getting Sabres
serviceable for disposal, and two are now left.   S.T.I.s on Hunters also took up
time, and this reflected in the low flying hours of 205.55 on Hunters.
     Two Hunters are now at Lyneham being extensively modified, and it is hoped that
next month should see most of our Hunters modified, before the bad weather sets in.
MONTHLY FLYING HOURS
                                                       Sabre Flights   6       Sabre Hours 4.25
                                                       Hunter Flights 278     Hunter Hours 205.55
 
           CBoyack                                                                          CAVasey
     (C. BOYACK)                                                                     (C.A. VASEY)
     Flying Officer,                                                                    Flight Lieutenant,
     Compiling Officer                                                       for Officer Commanding
                                                                                                  Number 4 Squadron
 
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