Historical Record
1 Dec 61 to 31 May 1962
7 Dec 61
Exercise Roulette carried out.
9 Dec 61
Unknown track 35LD intercepted by Jailer Romeo sections. Identified as RCAF T-33 #614 returning to base.
13 Dec 61
USAF T-33 TR268 – SOS. No receiver or transmitter and low on fuel. Emergency GCI/GCA into Grostenquin handled by Yellowjack. Landed safely.
14 Dec 61
Jailer Quebec 2 declared an emergency when his canopy opened slightly and pressurization was lost. Recovered safely by Yellowjack at Soellingen.
17 Dec 61
Horseman November 2 declared an emergency for engine compressor stall. Recovered safely at Grostenquin by Yellowjack.
20 Dec 61
Madcap Delta 2 declared an emergency when his engine flamed-out. Emergency GCI/GCA into Soellingen handled by Yellowjack and Soellingen GCA.
29 Dec 61
Horseman Charlie 1 under Yellowjack control, declared emergency when his airspeed indicator went unserviceable. Handed over to Grostenquin GCA by Yellowjack. Landed safely.
4 Jan 62
Exercise Roulette carried out.
8 Jan 62
1501Z Jacket Mike 2 was given an emergency GCI/GCA into Soellingen by Yellowjack because of fuel shortage. Mike 2 was one of 4 aircraft returning from the UK. Weather poor.
13 Jan 62
1054Z Sandal 76 (T-33) declared an emergency by squawking 4. Aircraft had no radio. Horseman November section was directed onto him by Yellowjack and they took him into Grostenquin.
15 Jan 62
1400Z Chopstick Uniform 3 under Yellowjack control, lost one engine and was given flight following back to base.
18 Jan 62
Exercise Roulette carried out. 1910Z Handcuff Kilo 2 declared a "Pan" because of electrical difficulties. Given flight following back to base by Yellowjack.
23 Jan 62
1525Z Handcuff Mile 1 and Cashbox 7 had a slight mid-air collision. Both landed damaged slightly.
25 Jan 62
Exercise Roulette carried out. 1545Z Cartridge Bravo Lead declared an emergency when he suffered power failure. Given a GCI/GCA into Marville by Yellowjack. Landed safely.
27 Jan 62
1305Z Horseman November Lead declared an emergency when he suffered power failure. Given GCI/GCA into Grostenquin by Yellowjack. Landed safely.
29 Jan 62
Exercise Silent Spectre carried out.
5 Feb 62
1927Z Checkerboard 46 declared a "Pan" due to a stuck fuel gauge. Directed to base by Yellowjack and landed safely.
7 Feb 62
2051Z Horseman Charlie 2 declared an emergency due to smoke in the cockpit. Given a GCI/GCA into Grostenquin by Yellowjack and landed safely.
9 Feb 62
1434Z Horseman Charlie Lead declared an emergency due to double fire warning light and subsequent flameout. Directed straight into Grostenquin by Yellowjack and landed safely.
14 Feb 62
1321Z Madcap Fox 2 declared an emergency due to flame-out. Steered to Bitburg by Yellowjack Fighter Marshal after which MCF2 attained a re-light and landed safely at Grostenquin.
15 Feb 62
Exercise Super Roulette and Tactical Evaluation of Yellowjack by 4 ATAF carried out.
26 Feb 62
0911Z Sandal Tango Lead declared an emergency due to severe engine vibration. Given a GCI/GCA into Grostenquin by Yellowjack and landed safely. Silent Spectre Exercise carried out.
1 Mar 62
Exercise Roulette carried out.
6 Mar 62
1035Z Strongbox Tango Lead bailed out immediately after takeoff from Zweibrucken when engine flamed out. Landed 3 miles off runways uninjured. Exercise Silent Spectre carried out.
8 Mar 62
Exercise Roulette carried out.
15 Mar 62
Exercise Roulette carried out.
16 Mar 62
1136Z Bulldog Echo Lead declared an emergency due to engine oil pressure failure. Completed a modified GCI/GCA (Reduced power) by Yellowjack and landed safely at Marville.
19 Mar 62
Exercise Silent Spectre carried out.
22 Mar 62
Exercise Roulette carried out.
26 Mar 62
1134Z Mystere III from Frescaty crashed near Woippy area. Pilot killed after delaying bailout until aircraft was clear of built up area.
27 Mar 62
Exercise Co-Op carried out.
29 Mar 62
1415Z Student Alpha Lead declared an emergency due to hydraulic pressure failure. Given a GCI/GCA into Marville by Yellowjack and landed safely.
30 Mar 62
1239Z Jacket Lima 2 declared an emergency due to power surge. Steered to Soellingen by Yellowjack and handed over to GCA. Landed safely. 1259Z Jacket Lima 3 declared an emergency due to flame-out. Steered to Soellingen by Yellowjack and handed over to GCA. Landed safely.
4 Apr 62
Exercise Roulette carried out.
6 Apr 62
0937Z Horseman Charlie 2 declared an emergency due to a fire warning light. Given a GCI/GCA into Grostenquin by Yellowjack and landed safely.
8 Apr 62
1244Z Horseman Oscar 2 declared an emergency due to flame-out. Given GCI/GCA into Soellingen by Yellowjack and landed safely.
11 Apr 62
Yellowjack took first active part in Exercise Grand Slam using 2 scopes assigned to N/SOC.
17 Apr 62
1221Z Bulldog Quebec One declared an emergency due to Oxygen problems. Given a GCI/GCA into Soellingen by Yellowjack and landed safely.
19 Apr 62
Exercise Roulette carried out.
26 Apr 62
Exercise Roulette carried out.
1 May 62
1942Z Checkerboard 61 declared an emergency due to loss of transmitters. Given GCI/GCA into Marville by Yellowjack and landed safely.
3 May 62
Exercise Roulette carried out. 1923Z Horseshoe Echo 3 declared an emergency due to double flameout. Obtained a re-light and was given a GCI/GCA into Marville by Yellowjack and landed safely.
8 May 62
1030Z Bulldog Quebec 1 declared an emergency due to normal systems hydraulic failure. Given surveillance to Soellingen by Yellowjack and landed safely.
10 May 62
Exercise Roulette carried out.
17 May 62
Exercise Roulette carried out. 1400Z Roulette Target 36, a CF-100, declared an emergency due to flameout of one engine. Given a straight-in GCI/GCA by Yellowjack and landed safely at Marville.
19 May 62
1740Z Yardarm Victor 2 declared an emergency due to a fluctuating generator. Returned to Soellingen under Yellowjack surveillance and landed safely.
21 May 62
Exercise Quick Train carried out.
23 May 62
0618Z Yardarm X-Ray section declared an emergency due to low fuel state and inability to pick up Soellingen beacon. Given GCI/GCA into Soellingen by Yellowjack and landed safely. Exercise Senior Sentinel carried out.
24 May 62
Exercise Roulette carried out.
31 May 62
Exercise Roulette carried out.
Signed By:
(HC Vinnicombe) W/C
CO, 61 AC&W Squadron, RCAF
Historical Summary of Technical
Events Occurring During
The Period 1 Dec 61 to 31 May 62
Technical Services
There was no construction undertaken during the period and all items which had been approved for 1962, such as culverts around the Height Finders, and MPS-11, have been cancelled because of the very limited funds approved by AFHQ in this primary.
Communications Services
1 Air Division Headquarters directed that four of the spare UHF equipments be sent to 3 (F) Wing. This did materially affect the unit basic UHF communications facilities. There were no other major changes in the communications complex.
Radar Services
Annual Overhauls – CHQ agreed with a unit proposal that service technicians carry out as much of the third echelon maintenance as possible and that MRP assistance only be used for such functions as were completely beyond unit capability. In keeping with this proposal the TSO wrote Engineering Orders to cover the overhaul of the Fixed Coil and Type 80. Approval was also given to overhaul the three Height Finders and the MPS-11. Work commenced on HF #2 in May 62.
SIF – Word was received from CHQ that SIF would go into full operation for 1 Air Div on 12 Jun 62. Considerable difficulty was being experienced with interference due to the IFF suppresser unit being unable to cope with the complicated SIF pulse trains. At this date this problem is still unresolved.
Turntable Vibration – The vibration experienced after the 1961 overhaul has now settled to a reasonable level and no degradation has been noticed during this period. Operations are still being carried out at 4 RPM. The turntable that previously failed at this site has been sent to John Curran in Cardiff for a repair estimate. No decision has yet been made regarding its repair.
Motor Alternator – An MRP was required from Brush Electric to repair the motor alternator.
Organization and Administration
FSRs – AMCHQ notified 1 Air Div of the possibility of the non-renewal of the 61 Squadron FSR contracts. At this date the matter is still not resolved.
Personnel – F/O Reynolds arrived in December 61 as replacement for F/O Shaw who is leaving in August. A second Tech/Tel was transferred to 61 Squadron, however, it was subsequently changed to 1 Air Div HQ. It now appears certain that one Tech/Tel establishment has been deleted from 61 Squadron.
Training – (a) Ten airmen completed training at RAF Locking on Type 80, Fixed Coil and height Finders. Training for Tech/Tel at Locking has been discontinued by AFHQ decision. Four more airmen are now at Locking. (b) All 61 Squadron Technicians were given a three day course on transistors during this period. (Cpl. Estabrook did the instructing).