F540 Operations Record Book January 1957 NO 98 SQUADRON. PRO Kew No. AIR27 Piece 2640 Microfilm Row1 Draws 52-71 Place Date Time Summary of Events                                     Compilation Officer:   Fg. Off PA. BARROW. REFS TO APPENDICES         R.A.F., Jever. January 1957 1st Despite rigorous attempts to clear the runway of ice by use of ploughs and hot - sanding machine, the runway still remained unserviceable and there was no flying. During the morning pilots attended to their squadron ground duties.   In the afternoon a lecture and film was given on thunderstorms by Mr. J. Newton, the station meteorolog - ical officer.   Afterwards Group Captain S.W.R. Hughes C.B.E., A.F.C., gave some practical hints as a result of his experiences in thunderstorm research with the U.S.A.F.      /TD> 2nd A further freeze occurred during the night and the runway remained ice covered through most of the day, but late in the afternoon a general thaw took place and limited Vampire flying was possible.   Pilots attended further lectures on thunderstorms during the morning and following this performed their respective Squadron duties.       3rd Although the runway was fit for flying today the weather remained at Amber 3 because of low cloud and poor visibility over the North German Plain.   In all seven sorties were flown consisting of air cine sorties and one air test.       4th Weather conditions remained poor today this time with heavy showers.   There was a slight improvement later in the afternoon permitting nine sorties to be flown.   Of these four were cine , four were battle and one air test.       5th The airfield state was Red all the morning and no Hunter flying took place, pilots attended their Squadron duties.       7th A good days flying with thirty three sorties flown.   These consisted of sixteen sorties of battle formation, eight cine , two practice interceptions and several individual sorties.       8th The airfield state was Red throughout the day.   Pilots attended lectures on aircraft recognition in the wing briefing room and "Flight Instruments" and "A Vampire T.11 quiz" at the Squadron.       9th The Squadron flew seventeen sorties of cine and battle formation during the morning. The C.F.S. Examining Wing visited the Station and flew with some of the Squadron pilots.       10th A fair days flying with twenty seven sorties flown.   Of these ten were high level battle and two low level battle.   The remaining fifteen sorties were individual exercises of low flying, mach runs, practice forced landings , Q.G.H.'s and G.C.A's.     January 11th During today the Squadron flew twenty eight sorties of high level battle formation and practice interceptions with G.C.I. during which eighteen successful interceptions were made.   A further five individual sorties were flown.       14th Today the Squadron flew thirty two sorties of which eleven were local night sorties. Day sorties consisted of fourteen high level battle formation exercises and seven individual sorties of low flying and aerobatics.       15th The weather today was fair at first with light snow showers during the morning.   In the early afternoon an occlusion moved through producing heavy snow fall and the airfield state went to Red.       16th The runway and perimeter track were covered with ice and snow throughout the day and the day was spent in clearing the ice left on the runway after the snowplough had been used.       17th Although the runway was almost clear of ice a thin layer of mist persisted for most of the day.   The Squadron flew four Vampire T11 sorties of circuits and landings in an effort to melt the remaining ice patches on the runway.   The wing was stood down from its exercise "GUEST" commitment.       18th Low stratus and fog covered the North German Plain throughout the day.   During the morning pilots tended to their Squadron ground duties.   In the afternoon lectures were given on "First Aid" illustrated by Canadian training film on this subject and "Crossing the Atlantic in a Single Engine Fighter".       19th There was no flying this morning and pilots attended to their ground duties on the Squadron.       21st The weather for most of the day consisted of low stratus the base varying between 600 and 1200 Feet.   The airfield state started at Amber 3 in the morning rising to Amber two for a short period during the afternoon.   Sorties flown amounted to fifty - seven and the exercises completed were eighteen of cine , six on practice interceptions and three on weather checks.       22nd A good days flying with thirty nine sorties flown.   These consisted of high level battle formation, cine exercises, practice interceptions and individual exercises of mach runs, aerobatics and practice pairs.       23rd The weather today was good and eight high and low level battle formation sorties in addition to six individual sorties and two Vampire air to ground demonstrations were flown.   The afternoon was devoted to sport.       24th Fog covered the airfield until late in the morning when it disappeared.   Some twenty sorties of cine , battle formation and individual sorties flown.       25th Another fair days flying with twenty four sorties flown.   Exercises were carried out in pairs,owing to poor aircraft serviceability and consisted of battle formation and cine .       26th There was no flying this morning owing to low cloud and poor visibility.   As the Squadron learnt today that it is going to Sylt on February 11th preparations were started both for the Squadron's movement and its flying at Sylt.       28th Flying today concentrated on simulated flag exercises and fifteen sorties were flown. Again poor weather conditions prevented flying before 1100 hours.       29th In all thirty one sorties were flown today of these twenty two were simulated flag cine exercises and the remainder individual sorties including two dusk ones.   Some pilots attended promotion examination lectures.       30th Low cloud and rain covered the North German Plain.   There was no flying and pilots attended to their Squadron duties.   The afternoon was devoted to sport.       31st Again low cloud and rain prevented flying.   During the morning pilots attended either a film on "Static Air Defence System of Great Britain" or promotion examination lectures.                                                        FLYING    HOURS.    Operational Day        275.10                               Instrument Flying Actual          23.55    Operational Night          9.00                               Instrument Flying Simulated    5.05     raining Type                34.00                               Other Pilots:                                 4.20                                                            PERSONNEL.     January 2nd Squadron Leader D.T. Adamson left to attend a course at Butzseilerhof .   Fg/Off. D.G. Hipperson left on U.K. Leave.       3rd Fg./Off. D.A.W. Todman returned from U.K. Leave.       10th Fg/Off. A. MacNae returned from U.K. Leave.       11th Fg/Off. D. Shore returned from U.K. Leave.       12th Fg/Off. J.D. Rastall left for the Winter survival course at Bad Kohlgrub.       21st Squadron Leader D.T. Adamson returned from Butzseilerhof.   Flt/Lt. R. Smith attached to the Squadron from Wunstorf for Hunter conversion.       22nd Fg/Off. D.G. Hipperson returned from U.K. Leave.       26th Fg/Off. J.D. Rastall returned from Bad Kohlgrub.       29th Flt/Lt. R. Smith returned to Wunstorf.       30th Fg/Off. D.A.W. Todman left on Continental Leave.   Flt/Lt. I.P. Weston left for Continental Leave at St. Moritz.                                                      OPERATIONAL. The month of January has been marred by bad weather; fortunately there has been little snow.   Of the flying days available seven days were impossible for flying.   The flying exercises carried out varied over the whole range of the syllabus although considerable emphasis has been placed on battle formation tactics and cine .   On only one night did conditions permit a full night flying programme to take place.    The total Hunter hours for the month was 284.10 which shows a considerable improvement on Decembers figure but is unfortunately short of the target. The Central Flying School Examining Wing visited the Station on the ninth of January and flew with three members of the Squadron, Flt/Lt. I.P. Weston, Fg/Off D.A. McCullagh and Fg/Off. P.A. Barrow. Flt/Lt. R. Smith who was attached from Wunstorf, carried out a six sortie Hunter Conversion with the Squadron.                                                                    ADMINISTRATION. The average serviceability through the month was six aircraft.   Three engine changes and two minor inspections were completed during the month.   The ground crew strength is below establishment by three corporals of the Airframe, Electrical and instrument trades.                                                                                                 signed DTAdamson                                                                                                          (D. T. Adamson)                                                                                                          Squadron Leader,                                                                                                          Officer Commanding,                                                                                                          No. 98 Squadron.