Newsletter

Tommy Haddon (LRDG) WW2 Rogues Gallery SARGE READING IS GOING WALTZING WITH MATLIDA Alan \"Sarge\" Readings is spending 5 weeks in Perth and is very keen to have a few beers with as many of his old ORAF shamwaris. Flew out today till 27th Feb 2014....Roll up, Roll up. Contact on christinemcarthy@yahoo.co.uk FORD AND THE B- 24\'S Compliments of Dick Warton (RhArmy) - Thanks Dick NOW YOU WILL KNOW---\"THE REST OF THE STORY\"----AND WHAT ARE THE CHANCES THAT WE COULD DO THIS TODAY!!!! Bet you didn\'t know Ford had its own pilots to test the B-24 Liberators it was building for the ARMY at the rate of one every 55 MINUTES!! A little bit of history for aviation buffs. This was BEFORE Pearl Harbor ! Ford \'s B-24 Bomber Plant at Willow Run, Mich . Henry Ford was determined that he could mass produce bombers just as he had done with cars. He built the Willow Run assembly plant and proved it. It was the world \'s largest building under one roof. This film will absolutely blow you away - one B-24 every 55 minutes. ADOLF HITLER HAD NO IDEA THE U.S. WAS CAPABLE OF THIS! Visit http://www.youtube.com/embed/iKlt6rNciTo?rel=0 FRANK TYRRELL AND BARNEY BARNARD LUNCHEON Mark Jackson Writes:- Those are great photos of Frank and Barney. Next week, the 28th January will be the 40th year anniversary of 32 LAR’s signing up. Time really has flown by. I wonder how many of us are still in aviation. I started my shop in Nelspruit after leaving 7 Sqn and am still there. (Leading Edge Aviation). I’m still in touch with Tom Willows who runs a maintenance facility of his own. I’m based at Stellenbosch Airfield with my Huey (ZS-HLA) on fire-fighting duty until the 1st May, so anyone who is visiting these parts is please pop in and visit me. The flying club has good food and plenty of ice-cold draught beer! I’m here until the 1st May when we fly back to our home base of Nelspruit. Regards and best wishes to the 32 LAR chaps, Refer http://rhodesianforcesreunions.blogspot.com/2014/01/frank-tyrrell-and-barney-barnard.html GOOD SHOW AWARD Geoff Dartnall (RhAF) Writes:- Thanks for the memory! The \"Good Show\" was accurate as far as it went but did not cover the whole story. Mike and I were taking an Alo, carrying jacks and other ground equipment to Rhotair at Charles Prince for a major service, when we heard a civilian a/c report a possible engine fire. Salisbury Control offered them immediate clearance to land. For some inexplicable reason they refused and chose to continue to their destination at C.Prince. Mike then joined discussion and said he would follow them. Within minutes, the civvy reported a worsening of their condition and said they were going to attempt a landing at the Gliding Club strip at Tynwald. Mike immediately said that he would follow thin and altered course accordingly. When we arrived at the GC strip we found the civvy, twin engine 10 or 12 seater, flat on its belly having knocked off the u/c in a ditch short of the runway. There had been a grass fire, caused by the a/c around and under the stbd wing. I tried to put out the odd sparks and small flames with the Alo\'s fire extinguisher whilst I was running around the wing to get to the a/c door. It didn\'t work! We then found that their was no-.one inside the a/c. Then we heard shouting coming from about 300 metres away down the strip. The crew had obviously put as much distance as possible between them and the a/c as quickly as possible. In light of future events, this was a good move. When they got back to us we could see that they had superficial burns to their hands and faces from when they ran thru\' the fire around the stbd wing. I offloaded all the ground equipment to make room for them, got them aboard and prepared for take off. Mike was renowned for being meticulous and the 2 patients were obviously agitated at the time it was taking to get airborne. Despite that , they were still at Andrew Fleming with a team waiting for them in 15 minutes. Not bad- from crash to hospital in less than 30 minutes. Having dropped them off, we returned to the crash site to collect our equipment. The sight that greeted us proved how lucky we had been when we went rushing up to the crash. The a/c was a flattened pile of aluminum ash with only the fin and props being above waist height. It must have exploded whilst we were airborne. My fire extinguisher failed to work because the pivot pin for the handle had worked loose. I have no idea how. The crew\'s gratitude for the rapid recovery was less than enthusiastic. A grudging letter of thanks was eventually received by OC 7 some 3 weeks later and only after the head man at the Rhodesian Civil Aviation Authority,( I think that is what they were called) whose senior instructor was in the crashed a/c, instructed him to send one. Refer http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=344139&comments=1 REFUELLING THE ALOUETTE 3 Erik Eilertsen (Signals) Writes:- In 2006 I was involved with a Helicopter company in Cape Town who had bought some HF radios for installation in some HUEY aircraft (reconditioned Vietnam era aircraft). I had to go there to oversee the installations (they worked first time after the intervention of a Rhodesian signaller!). I won\'t go into the details of it but suffice to say that the job was being approached incorrectly for the radio type. While I was there they learned that I had served in Rhodesia and in the course of conversation they took me to a Rhodesian HUEY that they had somehow obtained and they showed me the modification that you discuss in the article. These guys were not only helicopter technicians they were enthusiasts. They lived and breathed helicopters but they were truly, truly impressed by this pump – which I am sure is exactly the same mod that was used on the Alouettes. It surprised me that they should be so impressed and not have been aware of what was ultimately a very logical answer to a tactical need. They discussed several other innovations that they said they had seen on ex-RhAF equipment and were most complimentary in that regard. We, the Rhodesians, were the inventors of the mine protected vehicles and many other innovations large and small. From time to time one still comes across, or applies tricks, from Rhodesian days that surprise people when they see them for the first time. John Pringle (RhAF) Writes:- Methinks that genius was possibly Sandy Steel, but I could be wrong. Wobble (kamina – kawena) pumps and 44 gallon drums stirred some memories.... I never managed the great heights of Alouettes, but did spend plenty of time refuelling Trojans. We would head for the aircraft while rolling the drum at high speed. Just at the crucial moment, one leant down and with a deft flick of the wrist, jerk the drum upright and to a dead halt right underneath the wing requiring fuel. To the best of my knowledge, none of us ever did any damage. Well, no damage until my particular episode, many years later... I was then a WO, dug out of 1GTS, doing my regular two week stint as Tech Officer on a FAF. Eager to set high standards and to prove that even WOs can do the odd job, I enthusiastically got involved and propelled a 44 gallon drum towards a Lynx. I leant down and with a deft flick of my wrist created an eye-watering pain down my back, accompanied by an audible (to me) internal tearing sound... Somehow, I steadfastly stood there while the Lynx Tech (Jungs Forrester, I think) organised the putt-putt and refuelled. I don’t think he or anyone else noticed my clenched teeth, watering eyes or the silly grin on my dial... I got through that evening fortified only by the fine fare in the FAF bar. To this day I am regularly reminded by my back of that piece of stupidity and often repeat the story when remonstrating youngsters to avoid the temptation of showing off or being a smart-@rse. Mike Hamence (RhAF) Writes:- It was probably Brian Stead; \'Terence Henry\' would pass the buck on that kind of job. But we did have a brilliant TF in QA whose name eludes me. THE SOLDIERS BURDEN By Mike Hamence (RhAF) I read that one with interest since I have the book, \'Mimi & Toutou\'s Big Adventure\' - The Bizarre Battle of Lake Tanganyika by Giles Foden.* \'Mimi\' and \'Toutou\' were mahogany-hulled gunboats sent to Lake Tanganyika from England via Cape Town during WW1 to engage the intimidating German steamers on the lake. This incredible feat inspired the film \'African Queen\'. The two boats went by rail to Fungurume in the then Belgian Congo, where Rhodes\' Cape to Cairo railway dream ended, man-hauled overland and by river to the lake. * Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 2005. ISBN 1-4000-4157-0. The movie \'African Queen\' inspired Thornhill\'s No 1 Sqn\'s entry into the 1968 \'Gwelo River Boat Race\' which was held on White Waters Dam. 1 Sqn\'s boat was called \'The African Cow\'... Two single bedsteads bolted together, on inflated Canberra tyre inner tubes. The canopy was hessian supported by broom poles. The crew: Aubrey Staples, Leon Andrews, Myself & two others whose name escape me. Visit http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=323811&comments=1 to read an account of the race and view a few photographs of the \'boat\' TRIBUTES TO JIM LIGHT Can be viewed/read at Visit http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=1122551&comments=1 please scroll to and read the comments. HALTON AND ROGUES GALLERY Brian Goodwin Writes:- Just reading your latest newsletter I noticed the remarks about various Entries at Halton being mentioned. Just a reminder that the 76th Entry celebrated its 60th birthday this month. notable members of this entry from Rhodesia who I remember well are Derek Utton and Bernie Emms, also I believe there were a few others. Changing the subject, I don\'t think I ever made it into your Rogues Gallery, perhaps direct entry types don\'t qualify, or is it just that I was not Rogue-ish enough! No offence taken, Brian (Crack-One) Goodwin. Ex 76 Halton , Ex R.A.F. Secondment 1958-1960, ex Direct Entry 1970-1981. (A little unfair Brian, there has never been a difference to Regulars, be it via LAR , SSU, PTC, Direct Entry, TF, RWS or VR to ORAFs - all wore the same uniform. Also mention was made of 76 Entry as a reminder on December 01 - pity no one picked that error up. All records changed to November 19 on ORAFs. Eddy Norris Derek Utton Writes:- With reference to Halton Apprentices . I was a member of the 76th entry which joined Halton on the 19th January 1954, it was our 60th anniversary of joining 2days ago. The last remaining Rhodesian apprentices from the 76th entry apart from myself are Bernie Emms in Canada and Tony Whitten in California USA (All Halton), and John Robertson, still in Zim ( Locking). An Entry reunion is planned for October 2014 in Cardiff ,which I hope to attend. Regards Derek Utton 76th Entry Halton VIDEO/S YOU MIGHT ENJOY Now that\'s a toy Howard Parker (RhAF) recommends Quite amazing just watching the clip. Visit http://www.flixxy.com/huge-remote-controlled-airbus-a380.htm?utm_source=nl Darryl Burlin (RhAF) Recommends A380 Approach to San Francisco Visit Http://www.flixxy.com/pilots-view-of-airbus-a380-approach-and-landing-at-San-Francisco.htm PHOTOS - THANKS Bill Wardhaugh (RhAF) Writes:- I just wanted to say thanks to all the people who send in photos to the ORAFS and Umtali Folk sites .. we do really appreciate them. The Alouette at Sundown at Mana Pools and the Antarctica ones are great. We find John Britton’s photos very interesting indeed. We loved the Beira / Moz photos taken a while ago which shows just how things have changed over time. Until next time. (Thanks Bill - so many folk support us with wonderful stories and photographs but be assured there are still many out there lying in the closets. The Mossie Gary Fonternel (RhAF) Writes: The Mosquito was flown in WW II by a few Rhodesians. But besides this, it\'s a beautiful and incredible aeroplane. I thought you\'d like to include the link to this YouTube video for the ORAFS boys and girls to view as I am sure they will appreciate it! Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ha8h5Pfy_s REMINDERS Grand Get-Together in Cape Town in February 2014 Time is getting short - let John and Tony know if your coming or not. AFA (Cape) Monthly Braai First Friday evening of each month. Contact Johnny Ness and or Tony Cowell for details AFA (Gauteng) Monthly Prayer Meeting First Saturday afternoon of the month at Dickie Fritz Shellhole. Contact Cheryl Grover for details AFA (Natal) Social First Friday evening of each month. Contact Neville Mare (RhAF) for details SMILE A WHILE Ralph and Edna were both patients in a mental hospital. One day while they were walking past the hospital swimming pool, Ralph suddenly jumped into the deep end. He sank to the bottom of the pool and stayed there. Edna promptly jumped in to save him. She swam to the bottom and pulled him out. When the Head Nurse Director became aware of Edna\'s heroic act she immediately ordered her to be discharged from the hospital, as she now considered her to be mentally stable. When she went to tell Edna the news she said, \'Edna, I have good news and bad news. The good news is you\'re being discharged, since you were able to rationally respond to a crisis by jumping in and saving the life of the person you love... I have concluded that your act displays sound mindedness. The bad news is, Ralph hung himself in the bathroom with his bathrobe belt right after you saved him. I am so sorry, but he\'s dead.\' Edna replied, \'He didn\'t hang himself, I put him there to dry.How soon can I go home?\' \"At a Car Dealership: \"The best way to get back on your feet - miss a car payment.\" End of Newsletter Comments are always welcome - send them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com Ref. Rhodesian Air Force, ORAFs