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| PLACE |
DATE |
TIME |
SUMMARY OF EVENTS COMPILING OFFICER __FG.OFF. P.J.C. PHILLIPS_______ |
Refs |
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| R.A.F. JEVER |
2.3.53. |
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A thick fog
No Flying |
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3.2.53. |
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Quite a number of sorties were flown. These were devoted mainly to rehearsals for the
rocket and air/ground demonstrations. As it was not possible
to use Meppen Range, these rehearsals consisted of diving attacks on the airfield.
Battle formation, both high and low level, and cine sorties were flown in the course of
round Squadron training. PLT.OFF. Giffin was given dual instruction in opposite and
parallel quarter attacks by FG.OFF. Ewens our newly returned P.A.I. , but due to weather
conditions, was unable to complete his Vampire cine sortie.
Vampire 32 sorties 23.40 Hrs |
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4.2.53. |
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Two aircraft took off for Meppen Range but were recalled because of weather deterior-
ation. The afternoon was devoted to sport, when the Squadron winter survival experts
ran around the perimeter track in the teeth of an icy gale, complete with freezing
rain and sleet.
Vampire 2 sorties 1 Hrs
Meteor 1 sorties 0.35 Hrs |
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5.2.53. |
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The snow which started yesterday still persists, and now lies crisp and even. We
attended Wing and Squadron lectures concerned with ditching, Aviation Medicine and
Gun Sighting Theory.
No Flying. |
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6.2.53. |
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Lectures again in the morning. The Vampire fuel system was explained. The afternoon
found No 4 Squadron lending its support to our affiliated Regiment Squadron No 3
Armoured Cars, in their Soccer match against 57 Rifle Squadron. And so with much backing
it is hardly surprising that 3 A.C.s Emerged victorious. (No Flying) |
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7.2.53. |
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Snow again stopped everything, so SQN. LDR. Williamson, Acting Wing Commander Flying,
organised a Jever Winter Sports Day, which was a great success and so was the hot,
steaming punch.
No Flying |
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9.2.53. |
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Lectures were continued on Signals Organisation and Meteorology Battle Flight waited
hopefully but vainly.
No Flying |
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10.2.53. |
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Lectures again. A thaw has started, making the ground very unpleasant to walk upon, but
raising our hopes of flying later in the week. Snow ploughs are rushing madly up and
down the runway, but the layer of ice beneath the snow is untouched.
No Flying |
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11.2.53. |
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Battle Flight proceeded to taxy down the runway in a vain attempt to clear the ice.
Unfortunately yesterdays thaw was followed by a temperature below freezing at night.
The Squadron indulged in an afternoon of Physical Training when it became clear that
no flying would tale place.
No Flying |
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12.2.53. |
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Another snowfall during the night put paid to our hopes of a clear runway. Unfair to
pilots. So away to the Gymnasium to spent morning of Physical Training and Basket Ball.
No Flying |
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13.2.53. |
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Lorries were used in an attempt to clear the runway but they were unsuccessful in making
it fit to use. The Squadron spent the morning in the Gym and the afternoon in preparing
for the Station Commanders inspection.
No Flying |
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14.2.53. |
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Station Commanders parade was cancelled. His inspection of the Hangar and Airmens Block
went very well. Airmen and N.C.O.s under the command of the S.E.O. SQN.LDR. O'Hara were
given a lecture by FG.OFF. Vasey in the Pilots crew room, after which they were shown over
the aircraft by the rest of the pilots. No Flying |
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16.2.53. |
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A number of sorties were flown in the afternoon when the weather improved. These were
mainly individual trips - low level cross - countries, aerobatics, etc. Vampire 14 Sorties 8hrs 10min |
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17.2.53. |
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The day was spent on lectures and in the Gym. Lectures included Fuel System of the
Vampire and the working of the Goblin Engine. A discussion of air tactics was held in
the pilots crew room led by Sqdn. Ldr. Williamson.
No Flying |
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18.2.53. |
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The weather was again bad and the Squadron spent the morning in the Gym and attending
lectures., In the afternoon most of the Pilots went to Oldenburg to practice wet dinghy
drill in the baths.
No Flying |
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19.2.53. |
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Lectures on Fuelling and Defuelling and G.G.S. Theory were given to the Squadron Pilots
during the morning. A partial weather clearance allowed Flt.Lt Lee to get airborne for
a few minutes but it deteriorated again shortly afterwards.
Vampire 1 Sortie 15min |
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20.2.53. |
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The Squadron Pilots attended lectures on rocket motor trends and meteorology, lectures
on pressure Density and Lapse Rate. A weather clearance was again expected at lunch
time but this never came and no sorties were flown.
No Flying |
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21.2.53. |
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Station Commanders parade was held in high a wind. This was followed by a kit inspect-
- ion in the Airmens Block and some drill practice on the apron in front of the Hangar.
No Flying |
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23.2.53. |
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Weather was bad at first but improved during the afternoon. Battle Flight did two
sorties. After 17.00hrs several night flying trips of local flying and Q.G.H.s were
carried out. Two aircraft were involved in a taxying accident whilst returning to the
Hangar.
Vampire 29 Sorties 12,4hrs Day 10.50 Night Meteor 2 Sorties 40min |
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24.2.53. |
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Battle Flight did three trips of P.I.s and on Army Cooperation sortie. Air to ground
attacks were made at Meppen Range during the morning.
Vampire 29 Sorties 22.20hrs |
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25.2.53. |
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Battle Flight did three sorties including one simulated R/P attack. Several Cine sorties
and R/P missions to the range were carried out by the rest of the Squadron.
Vampire 31 Sorties 22.30hrs
Meteor 2 Sorties 1.10hrs |
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26.2.53. |
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The Squadron moved over to 112 Hangar in the morning for the 2nd T.A.F.Individual
Boxing Championships being held in 4 Squadron Hangar. Battle Flight did several strikes
on a disused airfield near Munster, landing at Gutersloh between strikes. Fg.Off
Phillips aircraft went U/S at Gutersloh and stayed there waiting for it to become
serviceable. As there were no other aircraft available there were very few sorties flown
by the rest of the Squadron.
Vampire 23 Sorties 15.15hrs Day 1.00hr Night
Meteor 1 Sortie 40min |
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27.2.53. |
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The days flying consisted exclusively of R/P attack at Meppen Range carried out during
the morning and the early afternoon. A crash on the airfield prevented further flying
after 15.00hrs and the Squadron spent the rest of the afternoon returning all the
Squadron equipment to our Hangar.
Vampire 18 Sorties 11.40hrs |
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28.2.53. |
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4 Squadron did not go on the Station Commanders Parade as we were expected to fly
immediately afterwards on radar calibration trials. The fog which was quite thick at
first never cleared sufficiently to fly and the morning was concluded with a discussion
with the Army Officers conducting the radar trials.
No Flying. |
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SUMMARY
The Months training was heavily curtailed by a long spell of bad weather
lasting eighteen days. Our only outside visit was one to Oldenburg baths
for wet dinghy drill practice. On the remaining ten days a considerable
number of Battle Flight and R/P sorties to the range were flown. There
was a short mobility move across the airfield to the No 112 Squadron Hangar,
while our own was used for the 2nd T.A.F. Individual Boxing Championships.
Flying Total Vampire Day 116.0
Total Vampire Night 11.20
Total Meteor 3.55
Grand Total 131.15Hrs
Compiled by..signed NH Giffin...PLT/OFF. Authorised by..signed GG Lee..Flt.Lt.
(N.H.GIFFIN) (G.G.LEE) |
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