SALTIRE BRANCH NEWS
Last Updated 19th May 2008
Another Scottish Saltire Branch Publication!
"60 Aircrew Experiences"
The Saltire Branch Book, "Well... You Wanted To Fly" did quite well by all accounts with readership in many countries. If that wasn't quite enough of an acheivement, it now has a new companion called "60 Aviation Experiences" based on stories and articles submitted to the web site following the publication of the first book. The range of material is wider in this latest offering with entries from fairly modern times and including some helicopter aviation experiences. The price of each copy is £15. As before, you can order your copy by writing to Woodfield Publishing, Babsham Lane, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO21 5EL (Please make cheques payable to "Woodfield Publishing") -Post and Packing: In UK, please add 10% (mimimum £1.50, maximum £5.00) Overseas, please add 15% (minimum £4.00). Order by post, phone or fax - Telephone: 01243 821234 Fax: 01243 821757 Order via the Internet - CLICK HERE - to see the book and order a copy. Remember too that "Well... You Wanted To Fly" is still in print and available at the same price from the same publisher.
Vic Campden, MBE, Hon.Secretarv, Scottish Saltire Branch. ACA.
As stated below, we congratulate Branch Secretary Vic on his well-deserved award. Vic Campden, MBE, took over the Secretary post from Bob Hamilton, DFC, in 1999. At one point, he took the job on the understanding that he would carry on for another year, until another member relinquished a former post and would then take over the reins - we are all still looking for that other member! In addition to the smooth running of administrative duties, Vic also assisted with the 1997 video project by interviewing members which facilitated setting up statistical records which proved invaluable during subsequent projects. Vic was also involved in proof-reading our two Saltire Branch publications. All-in-all, for long service - a popular and very well-deserved Presidential Award. Our photograph shows Vic being presented with his award at a branch meeting in Murrayfield Hotel Edinburgh on 12th December 2007. Left to right, Wg. Cdr. J. Brian Thornton, OBE, Branch Chairman; Vic Campden, MBE; and Gp. Capt. Mike Tinley, CBE, AE, FBIM, Branch President.
The most important message to emerge from the recent National AGM was that of the ongoing search for all the former (and present) aircrew members who have not yet joined our ACA membership. Like our Saltire Branch Appeal, National President Sir Christopher places special emphasis on the need for what he terms the "Cold War Warriors' to step forward. We are now approaching a period where it is essential for younger branch officers to take over responsibilities, a point we have repeatedly made in these columns.
We are pleased to congratulate Saltire Branch Secretary Vic Campden,MBE, on being one of the 27 members to be awarded a Presidential Commendation whose names were announced at the AGM. Names of all members who received the award are included in the Minutes of the AGM which were installed on the National ACA website www.aircrew.org.uk following the meeting in September.
Renewed Saltire Branch Invitation
Our Branch Meetings continue throughout the summer months without any breaks. We warmly welcome any potential member to pay us a visit without any obligation or pressure to join. After having a thorough look through this website, you will have noted after clicking on the 'Branch Info' section, that there are plenty of suggested ways to get in touch. For Edinburgh meetings, phone Bill Campbell on telephone number 01620 860 368 to let us know that you wish to pay a visit. From the west of Scotland, a visit to a Glasgow meeting can be arranged by a phone call to David Jarvie on 0141 339 4585.
By closer examination of the 'Branch Info' section, you will notice that we have even supplied maps of Glasgow and Edinburgh meeting venues to bring you into our company. Once again, Glasgow meetings are held at 12.00 noon on the second Wednesday of each month, and Edinburgh meetings on the fourth Wednesday.
If after reading this, you know of any aircrew member past or present and who is unaware of the above information, why not do him a favour, and enlighten him on all the above details. He should be very grateful for your help.
Farewell to No.56(R) Squadron - April 22"d April 2008
Prior to disbandment on April 22" , nine F3 Tornados made a farewell flight on 18t" April, taking off at 10 am flying over the Forth Bridges, Leith Docks, Britannia, Redford Barracks, Edinburgh Airport, Scone Airfield, Dundee, HMS Condor, Aberdeen, RAF Lossiemouth & Kinloss, returning to Leuchars for a flypast at 11 am. No.53 was the Tornado F3 Operational Conversion Unit, and also trained Qualified Weapons Instructors. Disbanding 56 Squadron is part of phasing out the Tornado F3 Force in preparation for the arrival of the Typhoon. All 79 service personnel are being redeployed. Our former and present Saltire Branch RAF Liaison Officers were both members of No.56(R) Squadron. Present Liaison Officer FIt.Lt. Martin Wild is now member of 111(F) Squadron.
B24 Liberator Restoration - Australia
Branch member Bill Ross and wife Elaine have returned to their home in Arrochar following an interesting visit to Australia. While there, Bill took the opportunity of visiting the Aviation Museum at Werribee, Victoria, which is intent on preserving Australian Military Aviation Heritage. Not least among the exhibits, is the mammoth task of restoring B24 Liberator A72-176 which through Australian grit and determination, they are striving to restore to its former glory. Determination certainly will be required as the mainplane and tail assembly had already been removed for scrap, and all military equipment had been removed, thus leaving what was described as `just a hulk' remaining.
Although the Liberator was one of the most versatile and heavily produced American aircraft during WW2, scrap dealers must have really worked overtime post-war. While so many Australian Squadrons had been equipped with Liberators for operations in the Far East, like the UK, none had been preserved. Not one complete Liberator was left in the Southern Hemisphere leading to a statement from Don Davis (SAAA) who wrote the following:-
"It is a deplorable national trait, this apparent determination to destroy the things about us that are old, or don't fit the current view of the world held by people and politicians totally devoid of heritage or historical appreciation. The curious things about wars, is the manner in which all the feverish activity suddenly ceases and the obscene haste with which governments move to rid themselves of all the expensive war-waging hardware, including the men and women whose lives have been in jeopardy. And so it was, that all surviving Liberators without a single thought of preservation, were unceremoniously sentenced to the smelter."
Among all the photographs and literature that Bill Ross brought back, one can sense the strong determination of the Australian restorers to complete the monumental task which they started in the year 2000. For those wishing to follow their progress, look up website www.b24australia.com In the United Kingdom we were more fortunate in receiving a fully functional Liberator from the Indian Air Force in 1974. A brief account of this event is given in our Branch Website, Library Section `Recovery of the Liberator' (Index No.41).
Bailing - Out - The Route Back to UK
Where discipline and loyalty go hand-in-hand, it is still extremely difficult for WW2 servicemen to reveal names and places when a breach of security meant death or torture for those being betrayed. Unlike today, when it seems everything has to be `transparent' with little thought for security, members of RAF aircrew who had the misfortune to be shot down over enemy territory, were fully aware of the dangers of revealing the identity of those helping them survive. It is therefore for the first time, that branch member Harry Fisher has recorded names, places and identity of those `helpers' who assisted him when he bailed out over France. Harry had several near misses before liaising with the Maquis, and eventually scrambling aboard a 'Hudson' aircraft on special duties to return to UK.
Harry Fisher's first-hand account bearing the above title, will be appearing as one of the latest additions in our Branch Website Library.
Wings Over Everest
Branch members who attended the illustrated talk given by Lord James Douglas-Hamilton will remember the clarity of photographs showing details of preparation work and actual flight over Everest by his father, the 14th Duke of Hamilton, in 1933. Unfortunately, due to under funding, detailed flight flight plans for the 70th aniiversary of this historic flight were never implemented. Dissappointment was felt at that time beause of the branch's link with No.602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron, but renewed interest has been created with news of a fresh attempt and also that the present Duke of Hamilton is an Honorary member of the Scottish Saltire Branch.
Quite undaunted, further similar plans have been made to attempt to replicate the 'Wings Over Everest' feat on its 75th anniversary in 2008. Once again, details may be followed on the Internet at www.wingsovereverest.com and we intend to follow progress which is already being reported from that web site.
Visit to RAF Leuchars
We are greatly indebted to our RAF Liaison Officer, F/Lt Neil Whitehead, for arranging a visit by Saltire Branch members, to RAF Leuchars on 31st May 2006. Not only did we enjoy Lunch in the Officers Mess, but also the talk by F/Lt Whitehead on his operational tasks in the Baltic and Iraq. This was followed by `hands on' inspection of Tornado aircraft in the hangar and safety equipment update. It therefore seemed ungracious after all this RAF hospitality, for several of our members to prang a number of sophisticated Tornados - I hasten to add purely on the Tornado Simulator. Thanks to No.56(R) Squadron, a highly successful visit greatly appreciated by Saltire Branch members. Although some members conceded afterwards, that present-day aircrew are flying away above our heads - in more ways than one!
Spitfire LA198 - Glasgow Display
There's a special interest in the news and photographs in the media regarding the appearance of Spitfire LA198 now on display in the recently refurbished Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow. Branch members have been following the restoration of this aeroplane on visits to the Museum of Flight, East Fortune. The plane is now recognised as the best restored Spitfire in the U.K. The special interest also stems from the fact that Spitfire LA198 flew with No.602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron and the pilot who flew it on its final flight was one of our Branch members Jim Johnston, who still resides in Glasgow. The new gallery is sheduled to open in mid-summer 2006.
The White Crows
A comprehensive description of life in RAF Coastal Command 1939-45 is contained in a book by Saltire Branch member Ian Currie. Ian provides frank and interesting details of both training and operational flying experiences including 'ditching' in the Atlantic Ocean. This incident occurred while fighting the U-boat menace which was placing a stranglehold on military and food supplies to Britain at this particular time during the war. The content of the book is not confined to UK but extends to aircrew experiences in the Far East.
Book details:-"The White Crows" 192 pages, Author:- Ian S. Currie, (Jan 19th 1996), published by Minerva Press. Price £7-99. Still available from www.amazon.co.uk
Golf Section
Jimmy Roxburgh, our Branch Golf Convener is now waiting for members to get in touch and give him names of those interested in participating this coming year. As Spring approaches, we are now looking out our clubs ready for the better weather. Please give Jimmy a ring on Ph. 0141 942 8608. By making contact now, this will give Jimmy time to organise some golfing events in the coming year.
Operation Manna.
A further response has been received relating to this article from Alastair Lamb which appeared in the Branch Newsletter and Web Library (No.030). Dick Roosa (who now operates a bulb-growing business in Castle Douglas) was an 8-year old at the time of Operation Manna. He and his family survived by eating tulip bulbs which were plentiful, due to his father being a bulb grower. Dick Roosa wishes to thank Alastair and all the many aircrew comrades for saving the lives of thousands of Dutch people, as 20,000 had already died of starvation due to German restrictive actions.
Web Master on the
65th Anniversary of the Dam Busters
I noticed a small item published in the Daily Record on May 17th 2008 with a fine picture of a Lancaster with the marking HW, followed by the air force roundel and then an R, flying low over the dam at Derwent Water where the dam buster crews, led by Guy Gibson of 617 squadron, trained before making their famous raid. The picture shows many people gathered along the dam and the text reports that the last surviving mission pilot, Les Munro, was guest of honour at the service. Obviously, it would have been nice to copy the picture onto the web site but I fear there might be copyright issues and so I haven't.
Many years ago, while still a young lad, I recall going on a bus trip to Anstruther's Regal Cinema to see the film version of this event. It was a family treat organised by my father and was the first visit to a cinema in my life! On such a big screen, you can be sure it left a lasting visual impression. The mathematics and design about how a rapidly rotating device would bounce and move in a predictable way illustrates the genius of its inventor, Barnes Wallace. Even the simple tools used to measure height at such low altitude and distance from the target deserve mention.
I know Barnes Wallace designed the Wellington bomber and the 'bouncing ball' technology was later called 'Highball' or something similar and fitted to Mosquito aircraft as an anti-submarine weapon but have no knowledge as regards how successful this application was. I'm aware Barnes Wallace also designed bombs capable of attacking reinforced armoured targets like submarine pens but again, my knowledge of this is limited. Maybe there are members out there who can expand my education?
By the way, the May edition of FifeServe has been published and yes, we're back on that damned subject of oil prices again as petrol prices exceed £5 per gallon. You'll notice the format is changing too and this will be more apparent in coming months. Click Here to Visit FifeServe