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SUMMARY OF EVENTS COMPILING OFFICER Fg. Off. A.J. Landon. |
REF. TO APPENDICES |
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| R.A.F. JEVER |
1st July,
1957. |
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The first part of the month was conspicuous by its lack of pilots. The Aerobatic
Team went on leave. However, although the crews were willing to go, the weather
fluctuated and ended up with a large thunderstorm. The Squadron flew 19 varied
sorties with four serviceable aircraft. |
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2nd |
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Today two of the pilots did a decompression run and again reduced the pilots in
numbers. Trips were given to members of the disbanding squadrons which eased the
problem. 24 sorties were flown in excellent weather conditions. Flt. Lt. J.J.
Parker flew to England this morning in a Vampire T.11 to make arrangements for the
Duxford visit. He took with him the Sergeant Armourer with a view to arranging a
common harmonisation for the exchange to enable 93 and 65 Squadrons to use each
others gun-packs. |
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3rd |
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Today flying went well with from 4 - 5 aircraft most of the morning. We achieved
12.05 hours, with emphasis on cine.
Flt. Lt. J.J. Parker and Sgt. J. Grainger-Phillips returned from U.K. in time
for lunch. The Squadron ceased flying at 12.30 and played games in the afternoon.
A signal, was received derating our engines to 7.850, all serviceable aircraft were
run-up and checked. |
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4th |
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Still under strength on pilots but the flying went well. Three pilots went to
Geilenkirchen with their aircraft for lunch. They must have eaten well as they took
a long time coming back.
30 varied sorties were flown and we made 19.15 hours. At cease flying we
totalled 61.15 for the month. |
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5th |
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Today was pleasantly hot with a cool breeze which made flying very pleasant.
Serviceability fluctuated from 3 - 6 aircraft. Two pilots went to Geilenkirchen for
lunch. Cine and low level strikes were the order of the day, and 30 productive
sorties were carried out. Fg. Off. Howard of 118 had a sortie this afternoon. We
are hoping that he will be coming to us in the very near future. |
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6th |
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We did a very good mornings flying with 3 - 4 aircraft and achieved 20 sorties.
Flt. Lt. J.J. Parker flew the Chipmunk to Kiel and back. Flying ceased at 12.30. |
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8th |
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The weather was cloudy and pleasantly warm which made flying enjoyable. We did
26 sorties with four aircraft reducing to two. Flying ceased at 17.00 hours. |
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9th |
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At 0230 hours the Station was alerted and at 0410 our first pair were airborne.
The patrol time was down to Aachen and back to base. By 0530 all the airmen had
arrived and there appeared to be too many if the exercise was to last 48 hours.
However, luckily it ceased at 1100 and normal Squadron training continued. The sky
clouded over at about 1130 hours and it remained cool all day. We kept one pair
going until 1700. 23 sorties for 16.25 hours were flown.
Fg. Off. A.W.E. Johnston arrived back from U.K. today. |
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10th |
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Four aircraft were kept serviceable the whole morning and we did 16 sorties for
10.40 hrs. The weather was fair and the sorties well balanced. The Squadron
ceased flying at 12.30. |
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11th |
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Except for one trip today we had four aeroplanes the whole time. We are still
short of pilots as a result we all got four trips. 12 sorties of P.I.s were
done with Goodbrain which was excellent. Cine sorties and air tests filled in the
rest of the day. The weather started by being cloudy and dull but eventually the
skies cleared and ended with a very pleasant evening. |
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12th |
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We did well on the flying hours today for about five minutes
we had five aeroplanes. The fifth was taken to Buckeburg as it was having
fuel trouble. Flying eased up as our aircraft went unserviceable. A long week end
started in the evening and 5 pilots went north to Kiel, and the rest went south to
Gutersloh. 2 pilots remained on the station. |
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15th |
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We started off today with a full Squadron. Some of the pilots did Air to Ground
on Meppen Range. in Hunters and some with our P.A.I. in a Vampire T.11. We did 23
sorties with sometimes two and sometimes three aircraft, and 15.20 hours were flown. |
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16th |
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Air/Ground all day. The highest score for the day was the C.O. Sqn. Ldr. H. Minnis
with 60.1%. The squadron average for the day was 28.9%. However the weather was not
good as there was cloud hanging around the range at 2,000 ft. |
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17th |
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Today was taken up with air tests and cine. We had two to three aircraft: the
weather was reasonable but cloudy. The Squadron stood down at 12.30 hours. |
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18th |
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The Squadron took part in Exercise Guest all day, several aircraft landing away
at Geilenkirchen. Several trips were also flown in the Vampire T.11 on instruments.
A total of 26 sorties were flown, 20 sorties on Hunters were flown for 15.55 hours. |
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19th |
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Due to a falling off of serviceability the squadron stopped flying today in order
to have sufficient aircraft for the Duxford detachment on Monday. One airtest was
flown and T.11 trips. Half the squadron carried out dinghy drill in the station pool. |
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20th |
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No flying this morning, the rest of the squadron carried out dinghy drill. Six
pilots visited H.M.S. Submarine 'Springer' at Wilhelmshaven during the morning. Four
airtests were flown during the afternoon. |
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22nd |
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Six aircraft departed for Duxford today after a delayed start due to serviceability
leaving three unserviceable aircraft in the hangar. Four aircraft arrived from 65
Squadron Duxford at 1030 hrs. 65 sqn. flew several sorties in the afternoon. |
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23rd |
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We had no serviceable aircraft today, 65 sqn. flew several sorties and we flew one
sortie with I.R.S. |
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24th |
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We had one serviceable aircraft in the morning which flew 4 sorties. One
aircraft was airtested in the afternoon. |
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25th |
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Only one aircraft again this morning which flew 5 sorties. The weather started off with low
cloud and drizzle quickly clearing to 2/8 Cu. |
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26th |
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One aircraft today which flew 3 sorties. The weather was very poor, cloud base
400 ft. in drizzle most of the day. 4 of our aircraft returned from Duxford. 4 of 65
sqns. aircraft returned to Duxford. No.2 of the third pair failed to become airborne
and received CAT. 4 damage, the pilot was not injured. The No.1 landed back at Jever
The squadron mounted an all night guard on the damaged aircraft.
[Report of accident from Colin Cummings excellent book "Category Five": Hunter F.6 XE595. The
take-off was abandoned but the undercarriage was then raised to stop and the aircraft over ran
the runway and struck the approach lights.] |
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27th |
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No flying this morning, the squadron attended ground lectures all morning. |
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29th |
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We had two effective aircraft today and flew 11 sorties. 2 pilots were flown up
to Sylt to gain some air firing experience. One sortie was flown with I.R.S. One of
our aircraft returned from the U.K. accompanied by one 65 Sqn. aircraft also an Anson
arrived from Duxford bringing the pilot of our aircraft remaining in U.K. and a 65 Sqn.
pilot. |
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30th |
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Battle Flight. All day we had one pair at five minutes and one pair at thirty minutes
flying. Three sorties were flown by 65 Sqn. pilots during battle flight, we also had
to use one of their aircraft. Battle Flight were stood down to a two hours standby at
1700 hrs. |
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31st |
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Battle Flight flew all morning and were stood down to 2 hours at 12.30 hours.
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FLYING HOURS
Operational type Day Night Sorties
Hunter Mk. 6 302.45 Nil 467
Training Types
Vampire T.11 56.25 Nil 36
359.10 Nil 503 |
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1st
2nd
9th
23rd
29th
29th |
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PERSONNEL
Sqn. Ldr. H. Minnis proceeding on 14 days leave.
Flt. Lt. B. Watson proceeding on 14 days leave
Flt. Lt. C. Taylor proceeding on 14 days leave
Fg. Off. W.R. Clayton-Jones proceeding on 14 days leave
Fg. Off. P. Faid proceeding on Continental leave for 14 days
Fg. Off. A.W.E. Johnston returned from the U.K. after delivering the late Flt. Lt. Sandersons car.
Fg. Off. Hymans proceeded on 4 days leave in the U.K.
Flt. Lt. J.J. Parker proceeded on continental leave
Fg. Off. P. Faid posted to R.A.F. Handorf.
OPERATIONAL
(a) Training
The dismal picture regarding serviceability has not improved and the amount of
effort put into these aircraft by the groundcrew is out of all proportion to the
meagre results represented by the number of hours flown. This has had an adverse
affect on morale and of course puts a large question mark against the effectiveness of
the Hunter Mk.6 in operational conditions.
Training
(i) 302 hrs. 45 mins. Hunter 6 and 56 hrs. 25 mins. Vampire T.11 were flown.
(ii) The squadron first attempt at air to ground firing produced an average
of 23.2% for 15 shoots.
(iii) 140 cine sorties, mainly high level ¼ attacks, were completed.
(iv) High level battle formation and navigation trips formed the bulk of the
remainder of the training.
(v) An exercise of 6 aircraft and pilots to R.A.F. Duxford provided a change of
scenery.
Battle Flight
In its present form Battle Flight is non-productive regarding flying time and
when the time comes when it has to be done every 2 or 3 weeks it will seriously
curtail the squadron training.
FLIGHT COMMANDER CAPABILITY
Flt. Lt. J.J. Parker |
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Signed HMinnis Sqn.Ldr.
(H. MINNIS.)
Squadron Leader,
Officer Commanding
No. 93 Squadron. |
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