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|
| Place |
Date |
Time |
Summary of Events Compilation Officer: Fg. Off. G.A.C. Gray |
Refs |
| |
|
|
 |
|
| JEVER |
JUNE 1955 |
|
Weather was generally good at the beginning of the month. Routine training flying
proceeded normally, hampered slightly by serviceability problems. |
|
| JEVER |
1st & 2nd |
|
The C.O. led a formation of four aircraft in practice for a forthcoming demonstration,
for students of the Imperial Defence College, at FASSBERG. Conversion exercises and
cross countries formed the bulk of the other flying. |
|
| FASSBERG |
3rd |
|
Four aircraft flew to FASSBERG for a demonstration rehearsal. An aircraft flown by
Flying Officer G.A.C. GRAY on a high level cross country flight had fuel gauge trouble
and was forced to divert to GUTERSLOH. It was found that the wiring to the fuel gauges
was incorrect. The aircraft arrived on the Squadron in this condition. |
|
| FASSBERG |
7th |
|
Four aircraft from the Squadron again flew to FASSBERG for the demonstration. The
pilots were Squadron Leader J.H. Smith-Carington, A.F.C., Flight lieutenant J. de M.
Severne, A.F.C., Flying Officer W.D. Brunger, and Flying Officer P.J. Hirst. |
|
| JEVER |
7th |
|
A reserve aircraft flown by Flying Officer W.E.F. OSTROM experienced complete hydraulic
failure on the return to JEVER. The pilot reverted to manual controls and when in the
circuit lowered the undercarriage by the emergency system. On the final approach, he
selected emergency flaps. However, the handle came away without operating the flap, and a flap-less manual landing was carried out successfully. The emergency brake system
was very satisfactory and supplied ample pressure. |
|
| JEVER |
8th |
|
Weather was very bad all day. No flying. |
|
| JEVER |
9th |
|
A parade was held in honour of Her Majesty The Queen's birthday. For the rest of the
day the station stood down. |
|
| JEVER |
10th |
|
Parade in honour of the birthday of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. |
|
| JEVER |
11th |
|
Weather poor. An informative lecture was given on the Hunter fuel system. |
|
| JEVER |
13th |
|
The Squadron pilots were given a lecture on harmonisation of the Hunter's four Aden
guns, by the Station Armament Officer. Obviously some snags still remain to be
ironed out but the effectiveness of these guns is apparently not to be doubted. |
|
| JEVER |
14th&15th |
|
All Hunter aircraft were grounded for a check to be carried out on the undercarriage
sequence valves. Rain and low cloud persisted on both days but some flying was done
in the Vampire trainers in preparation for instrument re-rating tests. |
|
| JEVER |
16th-18th |
|
Normal flying, but limited serviceability. |
|
| JEVER |
20th |
|
Exercise "CARTE BLANCHE" commenced today, but the Squadron is not participating until
22nd June. No. 2 Group who have been moved into the field could not be contacted until late
in the afternoon, so little flying was carried out. |
|
| JEVER |
21st |
|
Persistent low cloud and poor visibility precluded any flying. |
|
| JEVER |
22nd |
|
As from today, the Squadron is providing four aircraft and six pilots on Exercise
"CARTE BLANCHE". However, no sorties were called for by No. 2 Group. Stand down was
at 20.00 hours. |
|
| JEVER |
23rd-24th |
|
During this period the personnel taking part in "Carte Blanche" were available from
03.00 hours each morning. The weather remained fine almost throughout but no intensive
flying was called for on the exercise. Due to good aircraft serviceability normal
flying was carried out by all pilots not actively engaged on "Carte Blanche". This
flying had to take place inside a limited area and was therefore restricted to battle
formation, cine and individual details. On two occasions, the airfield was atom-bombed
and put out of action for some hours. However, these were only temporary phases, and
aircraft were always available when called for. |
|
| JEVER |
27th |
|
"Carte Blanche" ended today, a shade prematurely. A total of 40 sorties was flown by
the Squadron during the six days we were engaged on the exercise. |
|
| JEVER |
28th |
|
Weather continuing fine. Intensive flying all day. |
|
| JEVER |
29th |
|
Four aircraft took off this morning on attempt to intercept a formation of Hunters from
D.F.L.S., en route for SYLT. The four were split up during a snake climb when the
leader's compass became unserviceable. Numbers 1 and 2 eventually returned to base
without making any contacts. The other pair intercepted part of the D.F.L.S. formation
at about 40,000 feet but almost immediately Number 4, Flying Officer W.E.F. OSTROM,
experienced trouble with his engine which eventually flamed out. The pilot relit
successfully at 33,000 feet and returned to base. |
|
| JEVER |
30th |
|
Normal flying all day. |
|
| |
|
|
During this month the Squadron flew 307 hours on 397 details. Considerable flying was
done in training types. Three white and one master green instrument ratings were
renewed and three initial green ratings obtained. |
|
| |
|
|
ADMINISTRATION |
|
| |
|
|
Flight Lieutenant J. de M. Severne, A.F.C. was detached to Royal Air Force LAARBRUCH
as a member of a Court Martial from 14th to 17th June 1955.
Flying Officer W.D. Brunger and Flying Officer E.A. McCullagh attended an interview
with the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Second Allied Tactical Air Force at MUNCHEN
GLADBACH in connection with the granting of General List Permanent Commissions. |
|
| |
|
|
FLYING TIMES
Total hours on types (day).................................................................... 236.20
Total hours on type (night)................................................................... Nil
Total hours training types.................................................................... 70.40
Instrument flying (actual)..................................................................... 22.20
Instrument flying (simulated).............................................................. 15.20 |
|
| JEVER |
|
|
SQUADRON STRENGTH AS AT 30TH JUNE 1955
Officers SNCOs Cpls. Airmen
18 7 13 50
|
|
| |
|
|
Signed JH Smith-Carrington
(J.H. SMITH-CARINGTON)
Squadron Leader
Officer Commanding,
No. 98 Squadron |
