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| Place |
Date |
Time |
Summary of Events Compilation Officer: Fg. Off. G.A.C. Gray |
REFS TO APPENDICES |
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| JULY 1955 |
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| JEVER |
1st-5th |
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The Squadron was stood down during this period after the long hours worked during
Exercise "CARTE BLANCHE". |
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| JEVER |
6th |
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Some battle formation details were flown during the first part of the day, but the
Squadron stood down at 12.00 hours for Station Sports. |
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| JEVER |
7th |
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Colour state of the airfield remained amber during most of the day with low cloud
around 700 feet. Five pilots from the Squadron took part in a wing formation
practice. No flying after 12.00 hours due to low cloud base. |
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| JEVER |
8th |
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Weather conditions poor all day. Limited flying, mainly individual details. |
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| JEVER |
10th |
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Although a Sunday, number of personnel worked during the morning when a further
wing formation practice was held. |
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| JEVER |
11th |
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Temperatures in the eighties. Normal routine flying. |
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| JEVER |
12th |
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Weather still very hot. No clouds. Excellent visibility. Flying details were largely
individual aerobatic flights and low level cross countries. Twelve aircraft from the
Wing carried out a formation flypast over R.A.F. Oldenburg in the presence of His
Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, who was there to present a standard to No. 26
Squadron. The five pilots who took part from this Squadron were: Squadron Leader
Smith-Carington, Flight Lieutenant SEVERNE, Flying Officers Brunger, Hirst, and Gray.
Flying at low altitudes in very hot weather conditions was not particularly comfortable
and most of the pilots emerged from their aircraft soaked in perspiration. The cockpit
cooling system on the Hunter under these flight conditions could stand some improvement. |
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| JEVER |
14th |
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A further instance of hydraulic failure was experienced on one of the Squadron's
aircraft by Flying Officer J SUTTON of Station Flight. A normal manual landing was
made without further trouble. |
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| JEVER |
15th to 20th |
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As a result of numerous hydraulic failures all Hunter aircraft were grounded for an
inspection of the system. The caps on the hydraulic selector valves were found to be
incorrectly fitted. The rectification of this defect was not in itself a large job;
however, it involved removal of all selector valves from the aircraft before it could
be accomplished and this entailed considerable work. Ground-crew worked on the aircraft
throughout the weekend and managed to produce one serviceable aircraft by the 18th.
This was followed rapidly by one other. Details were mainly cine and low level
exercises. On the 19th an information lecture was given on the latest ejector seats
by a representative from the Martin Baker Company. |
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| JEVER |
21st to 28th |
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During this period the Squadron suffered from lack of aircraft due to the hydraulic
and other unserviceability. The accent on the flying was largely on cine exercises.
A new pattern of attacks, worked out by one of the Hunter Squadrons of Fighter Command,
was tried out and some favourable results obtained. |
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| JEVER |
29th |
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As from this date the Squadron stood down for the period of the August Grant.
During the month the Squadron flew a total of 192.15 hours on 286 sorties. It is
expected that most of the Squadron pilots will become operational on the Hunter in the
near future. |
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10th
18th
16th
26th |
-16th
-20th |
ADMINISTRATION
Flying Officer B.B. SHARMAN attended a Guided Weapon Course at R.A.F. MANBY.
Captain S.H. Lampell of the Royal Swedish Air Force arrived on the Squadron and will
be attached for three months.
Flight Lieutenant J. de M. SEVERNE attended an investiture at Buckingham Palace for the
award of the Air Force Cross by Her Majesty the Queen.
Flying Officer P.B. MAILLARD returned from C.G.S. LECONFIELD.
SUMMARY OF FLYING HOURS
Total hours, operational types (day) 175.55
Total hours, operational types (NIGHT) __
Total hours, training types 45.55
Instrument flying (actual) 13.20
Instrument flying (simulated) 5.20
SQUADRON STRENGTH AS AT 31ST JULY 1955
Officers S.N.C.O.s Cpls A.C.s Total
19 7 15 48 89
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Signed JH Smith-Carrington
(J.H. SMITH-CARINGTON)
Squadron Leader
Officer Commanding,
No. 98 Squadron |
