|
Place |
Date |
Time |
Summary of Events COMPILING OFFICER Fg.Off. G.A.C. GRAY |
REF TO APPENDICES |
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MAY |
1955. |
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JEVER |
2nd |
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Strong winds across runway persisted throughout the day prevented any flying. |
|
JEVER |
3rd |
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The V.C.A.S. Sir RONALD IVELAW-CHAPMAN visited the station and inspected the Squadron
in the morning. Little flying. |
|
JEVER |
4th |
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Poor weather conditions all morning. 21 Hunters from D.F.L.S. came in on a training
exercise. Among the pilots was Flt. Lt. Severne. |
|
JEVER |
5th 7th |
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High wind persisted across the runway and this coupled with poor visibility reduced
the chances of flying considerably. On the 6th the weather improved for a period and
a high rate of serviceability enabled the pilots on the squadron to continue with the
Hunter conversion exercises. |
|
JEVER |
9th 12th |
|
Continuous flying on conversion exercises. On the 9th the remaining pilots from
FASSBERG rejoined the squadron at JEVER. |
|
JEVER |
13th |
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Strong crosswinds were again experienced and only two details were flown before all
flying was stopped. |
|
JEVER |
16th |
|
Violent hail storms kept the total number of flights down to eight. The aircraft which
did fly suffered some damage to the finish and in particular to the radar nosepiece.
It was found that even at fairly low speeds if heavy rain was experienced during the
flight the aircraft finish tended to suffer. |
|
JEVER |
17th&18th |
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Winds at approaching gale force and low cloud at 700 ft. precluded any chance of
flying. An Avon engine was inspected by members of the squadron and the working parts
explained by the Rolls Royce Representative. Advantage was taken of the impossible
flying weather to qualify some of the pilots for daily servicing of the Hunter. |
|
JEVER |
19th 20th |
|
Fine weather. Intensive flying carried out on both days. All pilots have now soloed
on the Hunter. A number of close formation trips were carried out, largely experimental
in nature, to determine formation positions. Some battle formation was also tried and
the aircraft performance in this role at high level was found to be very reasonable |
|
JEVER |
23rd |
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A.C.M. Sir BASIL EMBRY paid a short informal visit to the squadron. An approaching
front brought flying to a halt at 1530 hours. |
|
JEVER |
24th 25th |
|
Fine weather. Routine flying. |
|
JEVER |
26th |
|
Sqn. Ldr. SMITH-CARINGTON, Flt. Lt. SEVERNE, Fg. Off. BRUNGER and Fg. Off. HIRST
carried out a close formation practise in preparation for a forthcoming demonstration
at R.A.F. FASSBERG for students of the Imperial Defence College. Some experimental
cine exercises were carried out to determine method of attack etc. When flying ceased
the squadron stood down for the Whitsun Grant. |
|
JEVER |
31st |
|
Serviceability rate was down slightly which limited flying. A further practise for the
demonstration was carried out; also some cross country flights.
During the month the squadron flew 192.25 hours on 244 sorties. |
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ADMINISTRATION.
Fg. Off. P.B. MAILLARD was detached to R.A.F. LECONFIELD on a P.A.I. Course on the 9th
Fg. Offs, HUGHES, SANDERSON, BYWATER, SAWYER and GRAY, rejoined the squadron
from FASSBERG on the 9th.
Flt. Lt. J.de.M. SEVERNE A.F.C. rejoined the squadron on completion of the Day Fighter
Leaders Course at R.A.F. WEST RAYNHAM on the 10th.
Fg. Off. D. SAWYER was detached to attend an engine handling course run by Rolls Royce
Ltd on the 13th.
FLYING TIMES.
Total hours on type (day) 171.25 HUNTER 5.20 VENOM.
Total hours on type (night) NIL
Total hours on training types (night) 15.40
Instrument Flying (Actual) 17.00
Instrument Flying (Simulated) 1.25
SQUADRON STRENGTH AS AT 31st. MAY, 1955. Officers 18 S.N.C.O.'s 8 Corporals 15 Airmen 52 Total 93
Signed JH Smith Carington J.H. Smith-Carington. Squadron Leader, Officer Commanding, No. 98 Squadron. |
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