Newsletter

George Salmon Rogues Gallery PHOTOGRAPH - THORNHILL TENNIS CLUB TEAM Tol Janeke (RhAF) Writes Your memory-teasers are always good to awaken the brain a bit. Len is correct. George Parish’s wife is Thea, short for Cynthia. She attempted, with limited success, to teach me history in my matric year at Greytown High School in Natal, in 1955. Her husband George was my science master. He was also a mentor and the person who encouraged me to emigrate from South Africa to join the RRAF. Visit. http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=1115933&comments=1 SORRY RHODESIA Following message was received from Russia:- Good day! Posmotel your wonderful photos. http://rhodesianforcesreunions.blogspot.com/ I must say, my country USSR, committed a crime by supporting the terrorists. Sorry Rhodesia. (The various blogs that ORAFs administers are read in many countries. Name and email details withheld by ORAFs Eddy Norris) WRINGING A WET TOWEL IN ORBIT Bet this will be a surprise for most:- http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap130424.html ADEN GUN - TANGEMERE Bruce Harrison (RhAF) Writes:- Congrats to Colin on the excellent display of the Aden ammunition! I trust it is properly attributed to Colin and his craftsmanship.... Some time ago you published an article with pics about Brick Bryson flying the Harrier in the RAF. We also have living in retirement in SA, Commander Andy Auld RN who commanded the Harrier Strike Force during the Falklands conflict. I also had a look at the Transatlantic Air Race and found the following on Wiki: interesting that it was an \"individual entrant\" competition - the number of well-known names is amazing! There is also a log of all the entrants, aircraft and times. \" The race was held between the 4 and 11 May 1969, although named an air race it was actually a race of individuals between the Empire State Building in New York to the Post Office Tower in London. Each of the individuals or \"Runners\" had to use some form of air transport. With a number of different categories a total of 21 prizes could be won. A number of point-to-point world records for aircraft were broken. The shortest overall time between London and New York was by Squadron Leader Tom Lecky-Thompson flying a Royal Air Force Hawker Siddeley Harrier in 6 hours 11 minutes. The shortest time between New York and London was by Lieutenant Commander Peter Goddard a passenger in a Royal Navy McDonnell Douglas Phantom in 5 hours 11 minutes. The first civilian competitor to leave London was Miss Anne Alcock the niece of Sir John Alcock, she was followed by a number of other runners including Stirling Moss, Mary Rand and Sheila Scott, who used her own private aircraft. The Royal Navy entered three \"runners\" each to be flown across the Atlantic in a McDonnell Douglas Phantom. The navy runners used Phantoms which flew from the Floyd Bennet Naval Air Station to Wisley Aerodrome and were refuelled by Handley Page Victor aerial tankers over the Atlantic. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisley_Airfield On 11 May 1969 a Royal Navy Phantom of 892 Naval Air Squadron set a new world air speed record between New York and London in 4 hours and 46 minutes. The Vickers Alcock and Brown trophy was awarded to Lieutenant Commander Peter Goddard for his 5 hour 11 minute crossing which was the fastest West to East crossing.\" Replies to orafs11@gmail.com ERROR IN DEATH NOTICE FOR BSAP MEMBER Peter Huson (BSAP) Writes:- A very minor correction to Iain Harper’s notification, but just for the record the surname was Symmons, not Simmonds. The B.S.A.P. Assn death notice below refers “On behalf of Hon. Sec. United Kingdom Branch, Peter Biddulph reports, with regret, the death of 6130 Randolph Castillion (Randy) Symmons on 29 April 2013 in Hitchin, United Kingdom. He was 73 years of age. Randy served in the BSA Police between February 1960 and September 1965. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends, to whom we extend our deepest sympathy.1 May 2013” Mike Reeler (BSAP) and Mike Mays sent in corrections. Writes;- (Hopefully no one was inconvenienced by this error. Apologies to all. Eddy Norris) DC3 Alan C Evans Writes:- As an old DC3 pilot with 42 years in the air, I am very interested in your articles. The Vickers which replaced the old DC3 on the Dakota canteen was the first aircraft TREK airlines had starting its UK service. Later proceeding to Constellations. The Shackleton was I believe sold to an Indian fellow from the North Coast and I understand is still in bits on a property some where near Stanger. I had the privilege of flying all of the DC3 series including a single pilot aircraft but excluded the turbine 3 and the DC3 on floats. THE REMEMBRANCE DRIVEWAY ORAFs recommends a visit to above site Honouring Australia\'s War Heroes with a Living Memorial Located along the Hume and Federal Highways between Sydney and Canberra. Launched in 1954, with the Queen and Prince Philip each planting a Plane tree in Macquarie Place, Sydney, marking the beginning of the Driveway. A living memorial honouring all those who served in the Australian Defence Forces in World War II and subsequent wars or conflicts. Visit http://www.remembrancedriveway.org.au/default.asp Or you can read about the Australian Victoria Cross Winners by visiting the link below. Visit http://www.remembrancedriveway.org.au/vc-citations/default.asp HUNTER AMMUNITION BELT CLIPS David Marais (RhAF) Writes:- I have box of around 30 clips from a Hunter Aden gun and am loathe to throw them out. They are not corroded as they have been well looked after, ex Singapore Air Force. Would they be any use to anyone, or should I dispose of them? Contact David direct on david.p.marais@gmail.com WAR HEROES BURIED NEARLY 100 YEARS ON IN A FOREIGN LAND FOUND The bodies of the WWI soldiers were found in a field four years ago but were finally laid to rest with full military honours today (April 23, 2013) Read the full article by visiting the link below. Visit. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/first-world-war-heroes-buried-1849703 PHOTOGRAPH - DAKOTA ROADHOUSE Tony Munnik (RhAF) Writes:- Regarding the Dakota Roadhouse featured in despatches, I have a recall (I hope) that after many years on top of the roof there, it was taken down, totally refurbished, and returned to flying. I wonder if anyone out there has the details, or otherwise, of this story? As a parting comment, there was a very good book on the Dakota, by the Title of \"The Goony Birds\", again going back a long time.... a good read if you can find one. PHOTOGRAPH - DAKOTA CANTEENS AND EATING HOUSES Bill Teague (SAAF and RCAF Writes:- Wow, a McDonald’s Dakota.....what ever will they think of next Must be a distant Scottish relative of Donald Douglas..... RHODESIAN SOLDIER SEEK ASSISTANCE Andy Mazhawidza Writes:- Was just reading through some of your publications and just thought you would help me out, My uncle is an ex Rhodesian Soldier and he was injured in 1978 during the war, he tried to get compensation from the Zimbabwean Government and it has all failed. Who can best assist him ORAFs requested further information and Andy replies:- He was at 11 Infantry Battalion Bulawayo, based at the Llewellyn Barracks. He alleges that he was then dismissed from the Army on demobilization Grounds instead of Medical grounds. He was Rhodesian Forces. Replies direct to Andy Mazhawidza on amazhawidza@Angloplat.com PHOTOGRAPH - OFFICERS AND WOS COURSE Following names have been submitted:- Keith Kemsley (RhAF) Writes:- F1 Dudly Barlow, F3 Jack Rowe, F4 Graham Smith, F5 Bat Maskill F6 Mac Geeringh F7 Ted Strever (?) B1 Jim Boyd B2 Goofie Proudfoot F4 Dick Obourne (sp? Accountant) Bruce Harrison (RhAF) Writes:- F1 - Doc Holliday - F3 - F4 - Bat Maskill (?) - Mac Gheering - F7 - Ted Brent - Alan Bradnick M1 - Ian Donaldson - Ian Harvey - Eric Mitchell - Alec Thompson5 - Keith Corrans - Derek De Kock - Ron Dyer B1 - Jimmy Boyd, Goofy Proudfoot - B3 - Dick Oborne - Mark Smithdorff - Tol Janeke Frans Meyer (RhAF) Writes:- Back row left to right :- No 6 Bert Fenn WO CED No 8 Alec Thompson OC CED No 13 Sandy Steele? Elect ( Name spelling could be wrong) Dave Panton (RhAF) Writes:- I can only add a couple of names this week :- F3 Jack Rowe & B1 Jimmy Boyd Terry Bennett (RhAF) Writes:- F1 is Dudley Barlow. F3 Sqn Ldr Rowe(?) F4 Gp Capt Smith OCVR(?) Ivan Holshaisen (RhAF) Writes:- F1 Barlow, F2 [a VR? ] F4 I think OC VR, F7 Bill Dawson ? Jean Fletcher (RhAF) Writes:- It\'s Geoff proud foot not Jim proud foot Geoff is no longer with use passed away couple of years ago Johnny Ness (RhAF) Writes:- Back Row nk nk nk Jim Proudfoot Ian Harvey nk Erick Mitchell nk nk Keith Corrans Mark Smithdorp Derek De kock Tol Janeke Ron Dyer Front Row nk (nk Bell?) nk Bat Maskell Matt Geering nk Ted Brent Alan Bradnick. Ian MCullough (RhAF) Writes:- B1-Jimmy Boyd ,B2 -Goofy Proudfoot, B4 accounting Officer? M3 – Ian Harvey, M4 – Eric Mitchell,M6 –Keith Corrans, M7 Derek de Kock, M8 Ron Dyer Dave Thorne (RhAF) Writes:- Back row: Jimmy Boyd, Goofy Proudfoot, U/K, U/K, Mark Smithdorff, Tol Janeke Middle row: U/K, U/K (not Nobby Clarke – this one has pilot’s “wings”), Ian Harvey, Eric Mitchell, U/K (not Alec Thompson), Keith Corrans, Derek De Kock, Ron Dyer Front Row: Dudley Barlow, U/K, Jack Rowe, U/K, Bat Maskell, Mac Geeringh, U/K, Ted Brent, Alan Bradnick. Derek de Kock (RhAF) Writes:- The Group Capt F4 is Group Capt Smith who was OC VR at the time and the course was a promotion course for Sqn Ldr. Gp Cpt Smith was one of the most obliging senior officers in the Air Force who would always come out to PTS to present Wings to the Paratroopers on the DZ after their final jump. It was always at sparrow minus and usually very cold he was always willing to come out at very short notice. A true friend of the Meat Bombs. Yes I am the guy with the Funny Hat. Soft Landings Undisclosed Source This was a photo of the No.2 Officers Course at No.1 GTS in August 1964 List of names is as follows :- Back row – Jimmy Boyd, Geoff Proudfoot, Bert Fenn, Dick Oborne, Mark Smithdorff, Tol Janeke Middle row – Geoff Fenn , Ian Harvey, Eric Mitchell, Alec Thompson, Keith Corrans, Derek DeKock, Ron Dyer Front Row – Dudley Barlow, Bob Reynolds, Jack Rowe, Graham Smith, Bat Maskell, Mac Geeringh, Ted Strever, Ted Brent, Alan Bradnick Hope This helps – sorry I can’t help with name of second person in middle row. Len Pink (RhAF) Writes:- F1 Dudley Barlow (3Sqn) F2 Otto Geriche ? (tech) F4 Gp Capt Graham Smith OC VR B1 Jim Boyd/ B3 W/O I/c Drawing Office B4 Sandy Steele? Tony Smit (RhAF) Writes:- F1 is Dudley Barlow (3 Sqn), but I do not remember F 2, 3 and 4? Terry Leaver (RhArmy) Writes:- Could F7 have been Bill Dawson ? Willy Jervois (RhAF) Writes:- B2 - Geoff Proudfoot - B4 - Sandy Steel - F3 - Jack Rowe Sally Diplock (RhAF) Writes:- I was Nobbie Clarke\'s Secretary when at Thornhill, and M2 is definitely him. Doug Smith (RhAF The Swing) Writes:- B4 is Dick Oborne. Refer. http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=1116253&comments=1 SEEKING CONTACT Joan McLaren-Smith Writes:- I was married to Doug smith and would like to try and find his son Michael from his marriage to Margie Replies direct to Joan at joanmclarensmith@gmail.com GERMAN DORNIER DO 17 BOMBER TO BE RAISED FROM THE SEA. An operation to raise a unique German bomber from the seabed began today. A floating crane was towed into place above the Dornier Do 17 shot down in the Battle of Britain. Tomorrow divers are expected to start building a steel frame around the wreckage. They hope that within three weeks they will be able to lift it on to a barge. The plane – the last of its kind – was found by a diver in 50ft of water off the Kent Coast in 2008. Read the article by visiting he link below. (Thanks to Alan Smith for sharing this information with ORAFs) Visit. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/only-surviving-german-second-world-1867866 CODED MESSAGES ORAFs distributed an account by Rob Birbeck on Des Plunkett of the Great Escape. Visit this link to read another story of this nature. Visit. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/prisoner-wars-coded-messages-hidden-1863983 DES PLUNKETT - GREAT ESCAPE MAPMAKER Nick Baalbergen (Intaf) Writes:- Incredible material! Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/05/flt-lt-des-plunkett-great-escape.html SMILE A WHILE A boy asks his granny, \'Have you seen my pills, they were labelled LSD?\' Granny replies, Bugger the pills, have you seen the dragons in the kitchen?! \"Men have feelings too. For example, we feel hungry. .\'\' End of Newsletter Comments are always welcome - send them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com Ref. Rhodesian Air Force, ORAFs