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| PLACE |
DATE |
TIME |
SUMMARY OF EVENTS COMPILING OFFICER __Fg. Off. B. Watson___ |
Refs |
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| SYLT |
1.10.54 |
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The air firing programme started well to time this morning the first
aircraft being airborne at 07:00 hours. By 12:30 hours when "B" Flight came to
fire, sixteen successful shots had been carried out. Using Amrun high range in
the afternoon was not quite so good however and of nineteen flights, only ten
good shots took place. Much effort was wasted today by the weather, mainly thunderstorms
moving across the ranges, and later by dropped flags.
Flights - 39 Sabre Hours 20.50 |
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2.10.54 |
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No flying. Weather poor. |
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4.10.54 |
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An 06:55 hours start produced only four flights and two shoots. A front
crossed the area at 09:00 hours and stopped further flying.
Flights - 4 Sabre Hours 2.15 |
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5.10.54 |
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A repeat of yesterday's dismal story. Four flights and only one successful.
Flights - 4 Sabre Hours 2.40 |
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6.10.54 |
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No flying. Low cloud all day. |
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7.10.54 |
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Bad weather prevented all flying before 12:50 hours and prevented firing by
"A" Flight today. "B" Flight were more fortunate and after the low cloud had
dispersed, flew until 17:40 hours, achieving twenty successful shoots in twenty-six
flights. Scores maintained an average of 8 %.
Flights - 28 Sabre Hours 15.45 |
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| SYLT |
8.10.54 |
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Today, whilst on an air-to-air practice on Amrun High Range, Flying Officer
K.A. Richardson was killed. The exact cause and circumstances of the accident
are not yet known but he was seen to crash into the water a mile off the South
coast of Sylt. He had recently returned from Leconfield as a qualified P.A.I.
and had been on the Squadron fourteen months.
[Report from Colin Cumming's Book "Category Five": Sabre F.4 XB937 9 miles from Sylt. Whilst
carrying out violent manoeuvres at comparatively low altitude the aircraft dived into the sea. It is
assumed that the pilot blacked out during the final high 'g' turn to port.
Flying Officer Kenneth Alan RICHARDSON aged 24.]
Flights - 41 Sabre Hours 25.20 |
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9.10.54 |
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An extra-early start was attempted this morning but fog on the mainland which
threatened to envelop the airfield at any time, prevented flying until 10:20, a
loss of seven flights. Fg. Off. Bradley was first off and his was the only
successful shoot of the day. Flags fell off, aircraft became unserviceable,
gunsights failed, in all making the further five flights of no value.
Flights - 5 Sabre Hours 2.45 |
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11.10.54 |
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Quite regularly now, the first five or six flights of the day are being
cancelled because of early-morning low stratus - today was no exception. The
attachment is now starting its last week and, given good weather, it can be made
worthwhile, so far however the shooting flights per pilot have been far too few and
with too much time - two or three days - between successive shoots
Flights - 23 Sabre Hours 12.50 |
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12.10.54 |
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This morning, two fours attempted the double re-arm practice but a rainstorm
prevented the full exercise being carried out. By lunchtime the weather had
improved sufficiently to try again. Four "fours" took off at twenty-minute intervals
and climbed through 32,000 feet of thick haze and, under G.C.I. Control, each fired
250 rounds from his guns. The object was to test the speed of re-armament which
could be obtained by the Squadron armourers. Unfortunately, fourteen stoppages
occurred during the firing of the 18,000 rounds.
Flights - 21 Sabre Hours 15.10 |
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| SYLT |
13.10.54 |
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Eighteen pilots and nearly one hundred airmen attended today the funeral
of Flying Officer Richardson.
Although some pilots and groundcrew remained at Sylt for firing, bad weather
prevented any.
No Flying |
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14.10.54 |
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No flying - bad weather. |
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15.10.54 |
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The Advanced party left for Wunstorf today. No flying because of bad weather.
Much time was spent packing up ready for the main move tomorrow.
No Flying |
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16.10.54 |
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The main part of the squadron moved to Wunstorf today by rail. Although
certain groundcrew remained to service the aircraft, bad weather prevented any
flying.
No Flying |
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18.10.54 |
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The air party remained at Sylt because of bad weather both here and at Wunstorf. |
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19.10.54 |
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Late by one day, the air party flew to Wunstorf today. The movement of the
fourteen aircraft was completed in forty-five minutes without any trouble.
Flights - 14 Sabre Hours 9.40 |
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| R.A.F. WUNSTORF |
20.10.54.
20.10.54. |
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The commencement of flying was rather delayed this morning by a very large number
of aircraft being on primary inspections. When flying did begin however, it was
restricted by poor serviceability and a period of RED weather conditions. Most
flights were Sector reconnaissance concluding with controlled descents, and, in
many cases, G.C.A.s
Pilots were complaining today of the poor accommodation here at Wunstorf.
A very large majority are in attic rooms without a carpet on the floor or a
chair to sit on.
Flights 8 Sabre Hours 5.05 |
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21.10.54. |
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Serviceability was slightly improved today, and flying was slightly more varied.
A few more Sector reconnaissances with controlled descents and G.C.A.s and one high
level battle formation flight, were carried out. This afternoon five aircraft
including one spare, were engaged on Exercise Barrage flying from Wunstorf to
Coblens to Guilenkirchen to Wunstorf. Our formation was not intercepted.
Sabre Flights 15 Hours 14.00 |
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22.10.54. |
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Poor weather and serviceability restricted flying to a large extent. Instrument
flying including the use of Radio Compass and Controlled descents and G.C.A.s, was
the main training carried out.
Sabre Flights 10 Hours 6.55 |
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23.10.54. |
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A colour hoisting parade was held by the Station Commander this morning and
was followed by a Wing formation flight by 12 aircraft including three from the
squadron.
Sabre Flights 3 Hours 1.30 |
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25.10.54. |
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Rather better weather allowed close, high and low level battle formation flights
although the number of flights is still restricted by serviceability. In addition
to these flights, more controlled descents and G.C.A.s were practiced.
Sabre Flights 28 Hours 26.25 |
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| WUNSTORF |
26.10.54. |
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The day started with a successful strafing attack by a pair of aircraft on
R.A.F. Fassberg in Exercise Red Rover. Flights during the day varied from level
formation with dummy attacks, to high level formation with cine tail-chase. The
Wing Commander announced today that unless a total of 300 flying hours was obtained
this month in normal working hours, we would fly all this coming week-end in an
attempt to get as close to the target as possible. We are also flying one hour later
in the evening to increase our flying hours.
Sabre Flights 31 Hours 30.30 |
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27.10.54. |
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Poor weather stopped all flying at 15:00 hours but by that time, three "Rat and
Terrier" exercises had been flown in addition to some aerobatic and G.C.A. Flights
and Battle formation.
Sabre Flights 14 Hours 15.20 |
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28.10.54. |
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The Squadron Battle Flight was scrambled only three times, but was put on
"stand-down" early. The reason for this was the grounding of all Sabres pending a
check on a technical defect. In addition to Battle Flight, four "Rat and Terrier"
exercises were carried out and close formation was also practiced.
Sabre Flights 24 Hours 25.30 |
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29.10.54. |
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The suspected "technical Defect" which kept our aircraft on the ground
for part of yesterday afternoon, was checked on more and more of our aircraft
throughout the day, until all were serviceable by this afternoon. More "Rat and
Terrier" exercises, and low level flights with dummy attacks were carried out.
Our Wing Commander Flying announced that our Flying Wing would be stood down over
the week-end.
Sabre Flights 25 Hours 24.30 |
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| R.A.F. WUNSTORF |
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Summary of Flying for October
Sabre Hours 254.55
Meteor 7 Hours 16.30
Vampire T. 11 Hours 12.25
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SUMMARY OF THE MONTH
Flying. For the first three weeks of the month the Squadron was attached
to the A.P.S. at Sylt. It was our first attachment with Sabres and extra-
ordinary keenness was noted amongst both the aircrew and groundcrew. On the
aircraft side we were all a little apprehensive of the possible serviceability
state and gun stoppage rate. The Groundcrews worked extremely hard, in particular
the armourers, and an infinitisimal number of flights were lost
through lack of aircraft. As usual for an Autumn attachment in that part
of the Zone, the weather was unkind to us. Although we were able to do
more flying than normal due to the recently installed G.C.I. Unit which
enabled the tow lines to be flown above cloud on may occasions.
Our ambition was to use the Radar Gunsight fitted to the Sabre but in
this respect we were again unfortunate. Various types of radar reflecting
Flag targets were used but they all had extremely poor aerodynamic qualities
and were continually parting their cables or rolling too badly in flight to
be aimed at accurately. Most of the pilots showed great promise with the
little shooting they were able to do, but the coveted Duncan trophy is
just out of reach.
For the latter period i.e. 19th to 31st, the Squadron has been
attached to Wunstorf while the runway at Jever is being modified. The
normal training programme has been in operation and in addition the
G.C.A. Unit at Wunstorf is available for full use. This is a landing
aid that we have had very little opportunity to operate with in the past.
Operations. Owing to the Sylt detachment and the move to Wunstorf, no
operations were carried out apart from one day's Battle Flight.
Ground Training Normal ground training continued throughout the month for
both Air and Ground Crew. A number of L.A.C.s are preparing for forthcoming
Trade Tests to S.A.C. |
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B.Watson
(B. WATSON)
Flying Officer
Officer Compiling
Form 540
JSMWallace
(J.S.M. WALLACE)
Flight Lieutenant,
Officer Commanding
No. 4 Squadron |
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