North Luffenham, England

January 1 to June 30, 1953
Daily Diary – National Archives of Canada


DAILY DIARY
North Luffenham, England
From 1 January to June 30, 1953

1 Jan 53

The year started with four sorties at the end of the day by the "Fabulous" aircraft. Visibility extremely poor and the last two aircraft encountered severe icing while on GCA. The Officers who were on duty visited the NCO's mess led by the Group Captain.

2 Jan 53

A good day for weather and general squadron flying carried out all day with at least two of the "Fabulous" aircraft airborne. Four sorties of bomber affiliation flown with a B-29 as target.

3 - 4 Jan 53

Weekend. No flying.

5 Jan 53

Light fog clung to the aerodrome all day and flying was limited to two aircraft at a time, mostly practicing GCA's. Welcome news to most pilots was the order from the COpsO to remove the long range tanks from the Sabres, which is being carried out this afternoon. Lecture in Geography by F/O Seitz.

6 Jan 53

Heavy fog and ice on the runways washed out any possiblilty of flying. The COpsO gave a very informative lecture on the air fighting in Korea. Mr. Poole from the Defence Research Board visited 1 (F) Wing to discuss Sabre aircraft.

7 Jan 53

Icy runways held us up until the afternoon, when several air tests and single sorties were flown. Lecture by F/O Seitz in Geography.

8 Jan 53

The persistent fog and haze, which has held up flying, let up long enough for a few sorties to get airborne in the morning. Flying was suspended for a few hours again in the afternoon. Lectures by F/O Seitz on Geography and F/O Cheesman on Service Writing.

9 Jan 53

Back came the fog and flying was out of the question all day. Informal discussions were held in the pilots room.

10 - 11 Jan 53

Weekend standdown.

12 Jan 53

Flying operations got off to a good start this morning with nine sorties airborne between nine and ten o'clock. About this time, however, the weather turned capricious, and the ceiling over most of area dropped from 1200 to 400 feet, with patches down to a reported 50 feet. Flying was cancelled for the rest of the day.

13 Jan 53

Fog all day. Station duties and studying occupied the time of the pilots.

14 Jan 53

Still no prospects for better weather, according to the "Met" forecaster. More studying and station duties for the pilots.

15 Jan 53

The fog continues all day, but at 1500 hours F/L Kelly took off and carried out a weather check. He reported the top of the fog at about 2000 feet, but it was thick enough below to require GCA for all approaches. Mr. Lambert and party, Aero Sales visited the unit.

16 Jan 53

At long last a break in the weather arrived. The fog thinned enough to get 12 aircraft flying at 1000 hours. F/L Kelly and F/O Ronaasen intercepted a formation of Lincoln aircraft returning from the Dutch coast. Best day of the month so far.

17 - 18 Jan 53

Weekend. No flying.

19 Jan 53

All Sabre aircraft were grounded today until a new special inspection could be carried out. A Sabre in Canada had jammed elevator controls due to a loose bolt in the cockpit, and all aircraft had to be checked for similar obstructions. Most pilots were writing promotion examinations.

20 Jan 53

Weather fine, clear and cold but only a few pilots available for flying, the others being engaged in writing examinations. W/C Bird-Wilson, RAF, also down for another two trips in the Sabre. Two men from RFD visited unit re target towing.

21 Jan 53

As Wednesday is a non-flying day at Luffenham, the morning's flying was restricted to three air tests for the afternoon's operation. At 1400 hours, eight aircraft of 441, led by F/L Ian McDonald, were airborne with eight of 410 and eight of 439, to practice strafing the station for ground defence operations. Unfortunately the heavy haze cut visibility so low that only half a dozen aircraft managed to do a strafing run anywhere near the aerodrome. The 24 aircraft landed shortly afterwards without incident.

22 Jan 53

Weather still rather duff. The air/ground firing is very limited so far due to the lack of suitable ranges and weather, so as a substitution, pairs of aircraft do dummy runs at targets at Tichwell range whenever possible. F/L Turner and F/O Neilson took two Sabres to Spike, near Liverpool, for overhaul at Airwork Ltd. F/L Kelly later made the trip and returned with the pilots. F/L McGuire arrived as replacement for F/L Prince 410 sqn. F/O Tuplin arrived to assume duties of CE Officer.

23 Jan 53

Flying continued all day, with air tests, PI's and dummy air/ground attacks. W/C Bird-Wilson returned again and flew two trips in the Sabre. On the second trip GCI led the formation far out to sea, and F/O Villeneuve, the leader, decided to land at West Raynham rather than return to base short of fuel. F/L Kelly took the Wing Commander's Meteor to West Raynham and returned with the Sabre with the rest of the formation. F/L Kelly put in a 40 minute trip in the Meteor earlier in the day, and F/O Cranston also checked out in it.

24 Jan 53

Saturday. No flying.

25 Jan 53

At 0900 hours today "Alert One" sounded, and the personnel of North Luffenham took up defence postions for the ground defence exercise "Dead End One". RAF Hastings aircraft proceeded to drop paratroops north east of the 410 dispersal area, while four Meteors accompanying them had a grand time doing strafing runs on the parked aircraft. At noon the war was officially over. The verdict of the umpires was that the aerodrome had been successfully defended, although the paratroop commander pointed out that a drop in full daylight was very poor tactics and would not be considered normally.

26 Jan 53

General squadron flying. F/L's writing qualifying examinations. 439 attended lecture by Canadair Reps on the F-86E. F/O Balfour assumed duties of Technical Adjutant. F/L Cooke temporarily assumed duties of OC Repair.

27 Jan 53

General flying during the morning. Lecture by Canadair Reps. Night flying was laid on, and commenced at 1800 hours with fifteen pilots from 441 Squadron taking part. Flying ceased at 2200 hours.

28 Jan 53

Mr. C Bancroft and Mr. R Miller of Brooklands Aviation Co Ltd, Buttocks Booth, Moulton, Northampton visited this Wing to discuss gliders in connection with aerial gunnery. Nil flying. Lecture on Escape and Evasion movie in intelligence room during morning.

29 Jan 53

439 Squadron commenced air to air firing for the first time since coming overseas. General flying was carried out all day. One went to Ostend and return, two more to Paris and return and F/O Villeneuve completed a trip from base to Orkney Islands and back at 40,000 feet.

30 Jan 53

Flying commenced at 0815 hours and ceased at 1600 hours. Officer's attended a CO's Mess Dinner.

31 Jan 53

Station Standdown.

1 Feb 53

Station Standdown.

2 Feb 53

Planes made a general survey of Britain's worst flood in history. Practice is being given on armament exercises in hopes that air-to-air firing programme may soon become effective.

3 Feb 53

Restricted flying to four aircraft per squadron due to duff weather. A number of airmen were sent to the flood area to fill sand bags.

4 Feb 53

Skeet shooting was laid on today. F/L Davis gave a lecture on Formosa. The Canadair Representative also gave a lecture. 439 pilots each swung the aircraft compass of the aircraft allotted him.

5 Feb 53

Air firing started this morning. Annual B2 Medical Examinations began today.

6 Feb 53

Low ceilings and haze again restricted flying to four aircraft per squadron. Many of the airmen are still away working on the dykes in the flood area, consquently manpower is low. 441 Squadron bid farewill to F/L MacDonald who is returning to Canada.

7 - 8 Feb 53

Weekend. No flying.

9 Feb 53

Snow and ice on the runways held up operations until after lunch. F/L Atherton took a section of four up at 1300 hours and attacked a B-29. On return the weather had deteriorated badly and flying was suspended by the COpsO. One formation got off later in the afternoon during a short break. 439 Squadron had a "G" suit lecture and fitting for same.

10 Feb 53

Heavy snow, sleet and rain washed out flying. Pilots had a lecture on the operation of the new anti-G suit. Most of the ground crew still away at Norwick working in the flood areas.

11 Feb 53

Weather still bad. Pilots watched training films during the morning and talked to IAM representatives for a few hours in the afternoon, making suggestions for improvements in the safely equipment. F/L Davis gave a lecture on Indo-Chino.

12 Feb 53

Weather still bad. F/L Kelly made one trip in the afternoon, but the visibility was too bad to fly any more aircraft. Aircraft serviceability is still very low due to manpower shortage.

13 Feb 53

Flying commenced at 1030 hours. It has been decided by 441 Sqn that the training for the month shall be concentrated on armament exercises, so as to be better trained for the spring exercises in the sector. Competition is expected to be keen among the squadron pilots. F/O's Wheeler, Sills, Fitzgerald and Everard left on leave for the continent.

14 Feb 53

439 Squadron carried out dawn to dusk patrols.

15 Feb 53

439 Squadron - readiness daylight to dark, (dawn to dusk patrols). F/O Pappas lost starboard wheel on landing. Did minor damage to aircraft.

16 Feb 53

439 Squadron - readiness daylight to dusk. Nil flying.

441 Squadron - Armament exercises continued with only limited flying because of low visibiity in haze. The runway lighting was partially u/s, and some difficulty was experienced in approaches. F/L Ecker led a section of four on an interception in Western Sector, and on his return F/L Kelly experimented with a crew of airmen standing near the button of the runway firing off pyrotechnics. This worked fairly well for the first aircraft landing, but the rest were blinded by the dense smoke and took a poor view of the whole idea. G/C Harding and a pary of RAF personnel arrived to conduct Meteor firing-in trials. S/L Bain conducted and supervised the party.

17 Feb 53

Visibility very low all day. Dawn patrol was carried out by 439 Squadron. F/L Cooke and the sand-bag fillers returned today from Horsham St. Faith. Statistics are not available, but estimates by the people involved range up to a hundred thousand sand-bags filled. The operation was generally successful in holding back further floods.

18 Feb 53

439 Squadron again carried out readiness daylight to dark. F/O's Pappas, Jennett and Raymond, on different flights, had their aircraft refuse to lift from the runway. All managed to stop but both brakes and tires in all cases were damaged. An inquiry was started. Pilots attended a lecture on Escape and Evasion by F/L Davies. F/O's Paquette, McIlraith, Neilson and Ronaasen travelled to RAF Station Tangmere in the Expeditor. G/C Mackay, Mr. Harrison and Mr. Sturgess visited this unit to discuss and view, with S/L Bain, Meteor firing-in trials being carried out.

19 Feb 53

Rain and low cloud all day, little flying. Pilots saw some camera-gun films that W/C Lindsay, the new COpsO brought back with him from Korea.

20 Feb 53

439 Squadron - readiness daylight to dark. Weather not too good. F/O's Smiley and Fowler diverted to Abingdon and F/O Hamilton to Wattington. All returned when weather improved.

441 Squadron - Flying held up by shortage of pilots. Six had to go to RAF Hospital at Ely for eye tests. Seven more on are on leave. Today marks the first anniversary of 441's arrival in the UK, and S/L WTH Gill, DFC, took over officially as squadron commander. The event was marked by the demolition of a large birthday cake by all available personnel.

21 Feb 53

Station standdown.

22 Feb 53

Station standdown.

23 Feb 53

An attempt at air-to-air firing was made this morning, but weather proved unsuitable. A Bomber Command Canberra landed and arrangements for an affiliation exercise in the afternoon was made. Several sorties were flown at high altitudes and valuable experience was gained. A second exercise had to be cancelled because of fuel,

24 Feb 53

A fine, sunny flying day, about the best weather of the winter. Flying commenced at 0825 hours and ceased at 1630. F/L Kelly experimented with a Sabre carrying only one drop tank, and was able to stay up for an hour and thirty-five minutes. This was rather longer than might have been expected.

25 Feb 53

Mr. Fillingham of Columbus-Dixon Limited, Wembley carried out demonstration of floor cleaning and polishing equipment. The demonstration was attended by W/C's Spruston and Spear.

A non-flying day, the pilots attended lectures on aviation medicine by the SMO and one on Escape and Evasion. Airmen went to trade advancement classes. F/L Kelly and four pilots went, in the Expeditor, to Chilbolton, where they saw the Swift production line, and talked to the Submarine test pilots.

26 Feb 53

The best flying weather of this year saw all available pilots airborne. Several dogfights occurred, and a few B-29's and Lincolns patrolling the Wash area provided all the Bomber affiliation practice we could use. F/L Cooke returned to the Squadron as engineering officer, and F/L Lorne Cox returned to the Wing HQ.

Total Flying time:

441 Sqn

44:40 hrs.

439 Sqn

43:50 hrs.

Mr. Bridges of Titanine Products visited this unit to discuss with S/L Bryne problems arising from the use of their product.

27 Feb 53

A party of officers from Air Ministry under S/L Corbell visited the unit to discuss and view with S/L Byrne various subjects on Sabre maintenance. Another good flying day, mainly tracking practice, and considerable improvement can be seen in the more recent films as the competitive spirit becomes evident. F/L's Kelly and Hanson flew to Grostenquin. Several airmen and NCOs from 441 Squadron left early this month for Canada when their overseas tours expired. Among them were WO2 Wright; Sgts Vary, Taschereau, Duhamel, Hachley, Mitchell and Gilbert; Cpls Park, Larush, Bonin, Maidens, Jermyn, Hawryluk and Edmondson.

28 Feb 53

Saturday, no flying

1 Mar 53

Sunday, no flying

2 Mar 53

Freezing rain and fog prevented flying. 439 Squadron attended a lecture on Korea by W/C Lindsay, while 441 Squadron pilots spent the day painting the flight room, assessing films, and reading intelligence publications. F/L Simmons left for a tour with a joint USAF - RAF Accident Prevention Board. F/O Wilkinson departed for Ely.

3 Mar 53

More fog, no flying at all. Pilots attended lectures on aircraft recognition and allied subjects, while ground crew worked on getting the aircraft serviceable for a forthcoming operation. 439 Squadron had a written exam on AIC4 gunsight.

4 Mar 53

Today the fog lifted in the afternoon long enough for some aircraft to get up on test flights. Pilots attended lectures on Harmonization of the F-86 and a Met. lecture by a local meteorology expert. Stalin reported to have died at 1900Z (Confirmed).

5 Mar 53

The fog seems to be almost a permanent fixture in England; the weather maps show no signs of any change. Pilots attended a lecture on the Asiatic political situation by F/L Davies. Stalins death confirmed.

6 Mar 53

A slight clearing in the afternoon allowed some aircraft to get off. Only eight pilots available. S/L Bricker returned to 439 Squadron following his second major operation this year. F/L Bliss departed on two weeks leave prior to going to Korea.

7- 8 Mar 53

Weekend. No flying.

9 Mar 53

The sun dispesed the fog long enough to permit flying but heavy haze still limited visibility severely. Air to air firing carried out with some success.

10 Mar 53

Operation "Jig-saw" was carried out. Scrambles were not as numerous as hoped for. Most of the interceptions were "identification only" so no attacks were made.

11 Mar 53

Trade advancement, films on escape and evasion and the CO's open forum took up most of the day. Some skeet shooting was done by pilots. F/L Neil Burns arrived from Canada to take the place of F/L McDonald, 441 Sqn. 439 Sqn stood down at 1300 hrs.

12 Mar 53

Several pilots returned from leave. Flying Officer Ruecker returned with his new bride from Canada. Formations of four were flown on "lurking" exercises, always popular with the pilots, in which the skies are searched for Meteors, Canberras and anything else willing to play games. Some Cine-gun exercises were flown. Flying washed out between 13 - 1500 hours due to a fog.

13 Mar 53

Solid overcast all through the day, but visibility was good above and below the cloud deck. Good serviceability throughout the day kept the hours up, although several aircraft are mysteriously losing oil, and some concern is felt because no reason can be found for it. Armament and navigation exercise made up most of the flying. 439 Squadron carried out low level, cross countries and interceptions.

14 Mar 53

Saturday, no flying

15 Mar 53

Sunday, no flying

16 Mar 53

Excellent flying weather, however, flying suffered because of lack of serviceability and trade advancement lectures. AVM Miller, Vice Chief of Air Staff, made an informal visit to the station and talked to officers and airmen about the latest personnel plans. F/L Burns made his first trip today on a sector reconnaissance with F/L Turner.

17 Mar 53

439 Squadron carried out air to ground firing exercises on the new range at Tichwell. The Squadron attended a half hour lecture on the new RAF Air Sea Rescue set-up. Helicopter's now being introduced.

441 Squadron carried out air-to-air firing. First attempt was abortive. Second attempt was better and both aircraft made several attacks. A third attempt was aborted when the target came adrift after take-off, and landed in a field outside of Stamford.

F/O Annis, while on a low-level navigation exercise, collieded with a large bird, which shattered the canopy. Annis was saved from injury by his crash helmet. He landed at Brize Norton, a B-50 base, and a ground crew was despatched by road with a new canopy.

18 Mar 53

441 pilots visited Martin Baker Company, who make ejection seats for British aircraft. Each man had a ride in ejection-seat trainer.

Fox Movietone News visited 439 Squadron and obtained some air-to-air shots.

W/C Milne and S/L Elviss (AIB) visited this unit to discuss salvage and aircraft accident investigation procedure with W/C Spruston and S/L Byrne.

19 Mar 53

F/L Turner led a section of four Sabres off at 0950. Seveal Meteors were encountered over East Anglia, and other Sabre formations joined in the flight the rest of the day. While attacking a 439 Sabre F/O Cranston crossed someone's slipstream, and the port drop tank fell off. Unfortunately the tank did not clear the wing, and tore several large holes, which will put the aircraft out of service for some time. Pilots attended Aircraft Recognition Lecture in the Intelligence building.

F/O Mike Bradley arrive to join 439 Squadron.

20 Mar 53

Low stratus and fog held up flying for most of the day. 439 held open house for No. 1 Fighter Wing at the Officer's Mess from 1700 to 1900 hrs. Appropriate gifts were presented to F/L Bill Bliss who is to leave for Korea in the near future.

21 Mar 53

Manchester fly-past cancelled due to weather. F/O Villeneuve was to have taken part in an air display at Cranwell but due to extensive fog the show was also cancelled.

22 Mar 53

Sunday, no flying.

23 Mar 53

During the morning 4 aircraft from 441 Squadron were held on "available" for Fabulous. No scrambles were received and general flying was carried out in the afternoon. Mr. Wishart, a supervisor with RAF Training Command Technical School arrived to study the electrical aspects and problems of Sabre aircraft to include same in RAF Technical Training programs. S/L Byrne afforded him all assistance necessary to acquire the desired information.

24 Mar 53

W/C Lindsay briefed pilots of 439 and 441 Squadrons for a practice flypast over the Manchester area to take place at 1500 hours. Due to poor visibility the show was cancelled and pilots took part in sports. F/O Wheeler missed runway 26 and wrote off the undercart of aircraft 19204. (Pilot Error)

25 Mar 53

During the morning 441 pilots posed for photographs for the Squadron "rogue" gallery. Several people made use of the Skeet range. 439 Squadron attended Aircraft Recognition and Intelligence Lectures. F/L Davis of 43 Group arrived with Mr. Watson and Mr. Gibson of No 4 MU Ruislip, to make drawings of Sabre aircraft ground handling equipment. All drawing to be approved by C TEch O before release.

26 Mar 53

439 Squadron carried out air-to-air firing, while 441 Squadron planned for air/air work on the Leman Bank range. Only two sorties were flown before poor weather on the range called a halt. Remaining flying time was put in on bomber affiliation, cine exercises, cloud flying and GCA runs.

27 Mar 53

Flying began at 0900 hours and two air to air firing sorties were flown. F/L's Turner, Benson and F/O's Haverstock and Jolley flew to Grostenquin. F/L Kelly and F/O Ronaasen flew to Villa Coublay (Paris) returning later in day. Four aircraft were flown in a practice flypast over Manchester, W/C Lindsay leading the show. F/O's Bedard & Wilkinson collided on take-off when Bedard crossed in front of Wilkinson. Aircraft 19191 was very badly damaged while 19196 suffered minor damage. Cause of accident unknown.

28 Mar 53

Practice flypast cancelled again due to weather.

29 Mar 53

Manchester flypast cancelled again due to weather.

30 Mar 53

Practicd for Manchester flypast in PM. F/O Bedard and F/O Wheeler visited Ely Hospital for X-rays.

31 Mar 53

A drum-head service was held at 0800 hrs on parade square. Very cold. S/L Elviss AIB Branch at AMCJS arrived for investigation of accident on Sabre 19191.

1 Apr 53

Twelve aircraft from 441 and 439 took part in the RAF flypast at Manchester, with the COpsO leading in a 441 Sabre. The flypast went off perfectly, with no abortive flights, and cloud over Manchester gave very little trouble.

Drum-head service held in NAFFI Bldg in morning. S/L Coons lectured on ears, nose and throat and gave the latest gen on the RAF's new development in the field of medical research.

2 Apr 53

Drum-head service held again this morning. An extremely high south west wind today forced the squadrons to use one of the short runways. The first exercise was an affiliation with No. 1 Sqn, RAF (Meteors). No contact was made, and it was later learned that the RAF effort had been cancelled by higher authority.

3 - 6 Apr 53

Easter Weekend

7 Apr 53

Air firing was carried out by 441 and 439 Sqns. F/O Smiley's aircraft refused to lift on takeoff and swerved off runway. A full investigation will follow. Five aircraft from 441 took off for Zweibrucken, a base of No. 3 Wing in Germany for two days. F/O Villeneuve, while returning from the range in bad visibility while towing a flag, ran short of fuel and decided to land at Marham. He returned at about 1800 hours.

8 Apr 53

The weather was again suitable for air firing. W/C Lindsay returned from Zwiebrucken with Sabre 146. Mr. Poole and party from Redifon Ltd, London visited this unit for discussions with S/L Byrne. Mr. Payne and Mr. Jones of Airwork, Speke also visited the unit to duscuss ARC3 radio installation in Sabre aircraft.

9 Apr 53

W/C Shields, an Australian attending the RAF Flying College at Manby, checked out in a 441 Sabre this morning. Air to air firing was carried out, but scores were low.

10 Apr 53

Four Sabres, led by F/L Turner took off this morning under Sector Control for an interception with the Linton Wing of Meteors. The exercise was designed to simulate Korean theatre operations, and worked out in the usual way, with virtually no Meteors managing to get good shots at Sabres. The Sabre still has things all its own way against a Meteor, as long as it is flown by a competent pilot. Some air firing was done. A practice Coronation flypast was held in the afternoon, with 441 and 439 taking part.

11 - 12 Apr 53

Weekend standdown.

13 Apr 53

Air to air firing and interceptions were carried out by 439 Sqn. F/L Turner led a four plane section over the south coast to meet a four plane section led by F/L Walker for a "bounce".

14 Apr 53

Sabres were scrambled at 1000 hours to intercept the DFLS course returning from the continent. The scramble came a little late, and the Meteors were encountered while we were still climbing. The results were rather confusing and disappointing.

15 Apr 53

Another Coronation Flypast was held this afternoon. Some pilots visited the Armstrong Diddeley Engine plant at Bitteswell, by invitation, and saw the Sapphire engine demonstrated.

16 Apr 53

In the afternoon a Coronation flypast was flown, but abandoned half way around the route because of bad visibility.

17 Apr 53

General flying took place with emphasis on cine-gun exercises. PI's and bomber affiliation was carried out.

18 - 19 Apr 53

No flying.

20 Apr 53

Practice for the Coronation flypast was carried out. Later in the day a few sorties were flown. Cpl Currie of 68 MU Udzell arrived to gather technical information on safe tying and armament on Sabre aircraft.

21 Apr 53

Flying commenced early today and was mostly air firing practice. Several pilots flew to Zweibrucken. S/L Bricker resumed flying after long lay-off due to illness. A party of men from 58 MU Honnington arrived to pick up Sabre 19204 to deliver to Bristol Aircraft for repairs.

22 Apr 53

OC's parade and drill was held at 0800 hrs. 439 pilots attended a briefing for the Escape and Evasion exercise to be held this weekend. In the afternoon pilots went to Leicester for dinghy drill in swimming baths.

23 Apr 53

The weather was good and flying started early with emphasis on cine-gun exercises. A Coronation flypast practice was held in afternoon. Mr. Bancroft and Mr. Miller of Brookland Aviation visited this wing to study Sabre a/c from a repair contractors viewpoint.

24 Apr 53

Air-air and formation practice was carried out. 439 pilots left for RAF Station at Newton for the commencement of the Escape and Evasion exercise to be held in the vicinity of Nottingham. S/L Murphy flew another trip in a 441 Sabre. Mr. Bevan of Regent Oil (District Manager) visited the unit to discuss deliveries of POL.

25 - 26 Apr 53

Weekend, no flying. Eighteen 439 pilots started out on the Escape and Evasion exercise but only six were successful in evading capture and reaching their destination.

27 Apr 53

Heavy continuous rain washed out all hope of flying any time today. Pilots assessed cine-gun films, while the ground crew worked on aircraft. F/O Jerry Kerr joined 439 Squadron.

28 Apr 53

439 spent the day on bomber affiliation and cine work.

441 carried out general squadron flying. F/L Kelly flew to RNAS Ford to display a Sabre.

Five Chipmunk aircraft visited our station from Cramwell with students and instructors. F/O Villeneuve put a Sabre through a series of low level aerobatics for their benefit. Five 441 pilots were given a quick trip in a Chipmunk.

29 Apr 53

Limited flying took place. Most pilots were away on a visit to the Armstron Siddley works at Bitteswell.

30 Apr 53

Passage of two fronts and an occlusion left us with none too good weather. Few trips were flown in the morning. Four aircraft took part in low level strafing runs on USAF bases at Lakenheath and Sculthorpe. Lectures on the new radios were given by the Canadair Reps. Mr. Horsborough and Mr. Young of Marshall Airport, Cambridge visited this wing to study Sabre aircraft from a repair contractor's viwpoint.

1 May 53

The month began with the announcement of a limited flying programme consisting of two trips per day per aircraft. Further notice arrived later in the day that the Squadrons could only fly eight aircraft. Two Meteor affiliations sorties were flown during the day, four aircraft from 441 and four from 438 Squadron. F/O Hamilton had a flameout over Skegness at 36,000 feet and after two attempts had a successful re-light at 12000 feet.

2 - 3 May 53

Weekend, no flying.

4 May 53

Mr. Gunn and party from Boulton Paul Aircraft Company visited this unit.

439 spent the day on cine, GCA's and sector recces, with some cloud penetration.

441's flying consisted of one sortie by the aerobatic team and ten trips to Tichwell air to ground range.

5 May 53

Air to ground firing dominated today's flying programme. W/C Lindsay and F/L Kelly flew to Acklingon to take part in air to air gunnery with 410. After flying ceased there was a baseball game between Officers and airmen of 439 Squadron.

Mr. Highley and Mr. Garr of Marshall's Aircraft at Cambridge visited this unit to study Sabre aircraft from a repair contractor's viewpoint.

6 May 53

Squadron parades were held at 0800 hrs, followed by a lecture by S/L Coons on Oxygen. Later in the morning a group of the Wing's cine films were presented with comments on attacks by F/L Joy. The afternoon was devoted to sports and skeet shooting.

7 May 53

Flying consisted of cine attacks and practice for the Coronation flypast.

8 May 53

441 Sqn carried out twelve air to ground firing sorties during the day and three aircraft on a bomber affiliation sortie.

439 Sqn ceased flying at noon after sorties of cine-gun and bomber affiliation were flown. In the afternoon F/L Davies lectured on intelligence.

9 - 10 May 53

Weekend, station standdown. F/O Villeneuve demonstrated a Sabre today (May 10) to a gathering of the Royal Observor Corps at RAF Station Newton. He opened with a sonic "Boom" and followed with a fine display of aerobatics.

11 May 53

F/L Kelly visited RAF Station West Malling. F/O Sills was flown to Titchwell Range to act as RSO. W/C Lindsay flew on a practice for the Coronation. Remainder of the day was spent preparing for the coming visit of HRH Duke of Edinburgh on 21 May 53.

12 May 53

Aircraft flew on a Coronation practice flypast. The aerobatic team consisting of F/O's Brine, Villeneuve, Annis and Gaudry flew a practice. From 1900 hours to 2115 hours sorties were flown on a low level "Rat and Terrier" exercise in conjunction with the ROC.

13 May 53

Squadron parade at 0800 hrs. followed by a review of the week's cine films and lecture by S/L Coons on bailout procedures from jet aircraft. Remainder of day spent polishing aircraft and general cleanup. 439 visited the swimming baths at Northhampton for dinghy drill. S/L Bricker and F/O Fowler went to London for a series of lectures on current events.

14 May 53

W/C Lindsay and F/L Wenz did a flypast at Horsham. Films were shown in pilots room during the day. The CO inspected the squadrons in preparation for the coming visit of HRH Duke of Edinburgh.

15 May 53

Full scale rehearsal for next Thursday's show. The aerobatic team and F/L Kelly got airborne but poor weather cancelled their practice.

16 May 53

Another "Rat and Terrier" exercise was held with the Sabres doing the low-level interceptions against Meteors. The exercise was quite successful with an interception in nearly every sortie.

17 May 53

W/C Shields, RAAF, flew two sorties with 441 Squadron. R&T exercise consisted of high level interceptions. Although GCI was not too good, contacts were made with Venom and Meteor aircraft. F/O Neilson flew to RAF Station Leuchars to display Sabre aircraft.

18 May 53

Pilots busy polishing aircraft for the Duke's visit, and practice for the Coronation flypast and a trip by the aerobatic team.

19 May 53

Another Coronation flypast was flown. The Guard of Honour, practicing regularly for six weeks now held their final full-scale rehearsal today.

20 May 53

Practice flypast and cleaning filled the day.

21 May 53

HRH the Duke of Edinburgh arrived this morning at 1000 hrs and visited the Station. The aerobatic team put on a very creditable show. F/L Kelly also ran through the usual very fine solo aerobatic show. A Cocktail Party and Luncheon was held in the Officer's Mess in honour of the Duke.

22 May 53

Station stood down today for the long weekend, with only skeleton staff. 441 is working on aircraft as they are on "Fabulous" next week.

23 - 25 May 53

Whitsuntide holiday. 441 Squadron on "Fabulous".

26 May 53

Flying was restricted because of Coronation flypast committments. A few individual sorties were flown and F/L Turner flew to Zweibrucken. F/O Villeneuve made a trip to Bentwater in the evening, after the C Ops O had made an emergency landing due to aileron failure.

27 May 53

A low cloud base of 200 feet and drizzling rain cancelled most of today's flying. Lecture was attended on Geopolitics and Current Affairs by a professor on staff at University of Montreal. Mr. King of Vicom Ltd and WO2 McGin of 314 TSU visited the wing to gain advice on APG30 test equipment. F/L Murchie conducted the visitors.

28 May 53

G/C Hale flew one general practice trip. Four aircraft on low level beat-up on American aerodrome. "Fabulous" trips at dawn and dusk.

29 May 53

Last day of "Fabulous". 410 Sqn took over the committment for two hours, releasing 441 aircraft for the final Coronation flypast rehearsal. Promotion examination results for officers received.

30 - 31 May 53

Weekend, station standdown.

1 Jun 53

Station standdown.

2 Jun 53

Today's date is marked in history by the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. 24 aircraft from this station took part in the flypast of 168 jet aircraft. They passed across the Mall from south to north at 5:45 PM while the Queen watched from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

3 Jun 53

In the afternoon limited flying was authorized. 439 stood-down.

4 Jun 53

A normal days flying again. S/L Gill flew over the flypast route for the Coronation Review, to check the timing, and landed at Tangmere for a conference. F/O Brine and the aerobatic team flew to Zweibrucken to spend the night.

5 Jun 53

Limited flying. The aerobatic team returned. S/L Gill again flew over the route for the Coronation Review. F/L Wenz did a practice trip for the RAF review at Odiham.

6 - 7 Jun 53

Weekend, standdown.

8 Jun 53

441 Stood down. Flying consisted of general practice, cine, PI's etc. F/O Pappas damaged the nose door of 203 while in the circuit.

9 Jun 53

Air to air firing was carried out despite haze over the range. F/O's Hamilton and Cheesman went to Lee-on-Solent to visit the RCN boys who are there at present practicing for the flypast of the Navy at Spithead.

10 Jun 53

Squadron parade followed by CO's open forum occupied the morning. F/L Nichols, just back from Korea, also gave a briefing.

11 Jun 53

The weather was cloudy and todays trips were flown on GCI's with cloud penetration. The aerobatic team went up to practice for the forthcoming air show at Southend.

12 Jun 53

Rain and fog. F/L Turner led a section of four to Warminster for a demonstration of air-to-ground firing for the School of Infantry. Four pilots flew to Copenhagen and four went to Germany.

13 Jun 53

The sections returned from the various stations. F/O Gaudry flew to Horsham St. Faith today for an aerobatic display.

14 Jun 53

Station stand down. F/O Gaudry returned from Horsham St. Faith.

15 Jun 53

Weather was duff, nil flying. 439 Squadron held a party in the Officer's Mess to celebrate their anniversary at North Luffenham.

16 Jun 53

Flying was attempted early but cancelled by flying control. After lunch flying consisted of PI's and cine.

17 Jun 53

G/C Hale gave a lecture to all squadron pilots of 1 (F) Wing on the new Armament program to be carried out by this Wing. Two aircraft were taken to Bristol for weight check. F/O's Brine, Cranston, McDonald and Fine went to Copenhagen for the night.

18 Jun 53

Trips consisted of American Low Level Beat-up and air-to-air firing. Aerobatic team practicing for a show on Saturday at Southend-on-Sea.

19 Jun 53

Weather duff in morning. Cine, cloud and GCA comprised flying time. F/O's Smiley, Cheesman, Seitz and Raymond off on trip to Furstenfelbruck. F/O's Fitzgerald and Hamilton to Bristol for aircraft check. A farewell party was held in the evening to bid farewell to F/O's Brine and Cranston who leave the Squadon July 10th or soon after.

20 Jun 53

Squadrons on Rat-Terrier exercise with RAF (Horsham St. Faith) and ROC. The exercise was very successful. The aerobatic team put on a show at the air races held at Southend-on-Sea.

21 Jun 53

12 aircraft from the Wing acted as stooge aircraft on high level interception for practice with RAF. Each Squadon put up 4 aircraft.

22 Jun 53

439 Squadron stand-down. 441's flying was limited to two trips per a/c.

23 Jun 53

Flying is again curtailed. We were limited to practice flypasts for the Coronation Review and such flying was laid down by higher authority or test flights. In the PM trips were on PI's cine.

F/O Ray Bedard was on an exercise with F/O's Fowler and Wilkinson when he became separated from them. Later a call was received that a Sabre had crashed near Boston, investigation proved it to belong to 439. There had been some hope that F/O Bedard had ejected himself but investigation of the wreckage proved that he had crashed with the aircraft.

24 Jun 53

Cine films taken during the past week were shown to all pilots in morning. Mr. Fairbanks gave an hour lecture on Gunsight. Nil flying in afternoon. Pilots participated in sports. There was an informal mass held in the RC Chapel by S/L Davignon at 1700 hrs.

25 Jun 53

4 aircraft beat up Lakenheath and Sculthorpe aerodromes at 1000 hrs in cooperation with the American A/A on low flying air rat. There was another practice flypast for the Coronation Review. F/L Hanson took off for Odiham to see about arrangements for the static display to be held in July. Weather was below limits and he later in the day returned to base. A Rat and Terrier exercise took place after 1800 hrs.

26 Jun 53

The funeral service of F/O Bedard was held this morning in the RC Chapel with interment in Exton Cemetary.

Pilots spent the morning skeet shooting. There was another practice flypast over Odiham in the afternoon.

27 - 28 Jun 53

Station standdown. Despite low ceiling and poor visibility F/O Villeneuve put on a very good aerobatic show at Ramsgate. F/L Atherton flew an a/c to Manston to act as a spare for F/O Villeneuve's a/c.

28 Jun 53

Sunday, no flying.

29 Jun 53

Pilots wrote an exam on F-86 aircraft in Intelligence library. Mr. Fairbanks lectured on gunsight. Practice for Odiham flypast.

30 Jun 53

Nil flying in morning. W/C Lindsay, F/O's Fitzgerald, Fowler and Raymond took 4 aircraft to Odiham for static display on RAF Review. They will be away approximately three weeks.