No II (AC) SQUADRON, ROYAL AIR FORCE
MEMORIES OF THE SWIFT ERA by Phil Holden-Rushworth
Before ever flying a II (AC) Squadron Swift, a pilot was conscious of the fact that it had failed the in-service competition with the Hunter: the Hunter went into quantity production and a low-level role was allocated to the existing Swifts. Hence the improved Swift FR5 with F95 cameras, saw-tooth leading edges, a ventral tank, brake boost and a primitive reheat. However, there was a great secret, shared only among those privileged to fly it: the Swift FR5 was a great aircraft for low level operation (if a little short on range).
Because of its reputation as a somewhat unforgiving aircraft, it seems that the Powers-That-Were had decided never to post inexperienced pilots to the Swift squadrons. A pilot arriving at Jever following the Hunter course at Chivenor found himself surrounded by a particular breed of fellow officers which one finds it difficult to define clearly. Certainly they were all very experienced. Certainly some were career officers. Equally certainly, some were not. Together, however, under long-suffering commanding officers of squadron-leader rank, they formed a viable force in the fighter reconnaissance role.
A newly arrived pilot was often given the thespian treatment. On his arrival, as soon as he had arrived in the mess and unpacked, he would be told that his squadron commander and other senior officers were expecting him and waiting to meet him in the bar. There he would meet the actors - all officers he had never met before - playing their parts with skill: Station Commander, Squadron Commander, OC Flying Wing, etc. The following morning was then very confusing for our new arrival who, armed with his arrival chit, found that the senior faces didn't fit their appointments. Those "sirs" of the night before were all smiling junior officers.
In the late 1950s and early 60s the Cold War was waged vigorously between the West and the East. A hot war felt very close: it needed only a provocation like the later Cuban crisis to precipitate World War III and Armageddon. Perhaps it was for this reason that Monday to Friday training for war was a serious business but, at the end of the week, parties were in order to relieve the tension.
One memorable party was hosted by the II (AC) Squadron officers. A ship was hired in nearby Wilhelmshaven. It sailed at the appointed time with all the Jever officers and their ladies aboard, and the party commenced. After two or three hours the ship was ordered to return to the quayside to drop off those wimpy guests who couldn't stand the pace. The No II (AC) officers were not expected to leave. Those who did disembark early were rousted out of their beds by the senior flight commander quite early the following morning (a Saturday or a Sunday) and ordered to present themselves in the Squadron Commander's office in No. 1 uniform, hat on, immediately. A strongly-worded castigation was administered. A pregnant wife, or a wife collapsed because of the strength of the punch provided aboard, or even a death in the family were not viable excuses.
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