I was posted to Singapore (RAF Changi Movements Sqn) in January of 1970 until November 1971 and RAF Gan July 1974 until April 1975. Two of the very best postings available for RAF personnel EVER! Thanks for posting these memories for me
I know the world has changed from way back then, during the Cold War years, but the way it's been slashed, is something else. Yet our politicians seem to act as if we are still an empire.
This video brought back so many memories! In November 1959, my late father (Frank R. Jones) was posted to RAF Changi as a Pathologist. He was a Squadron Leader. He was accompanied by his wife, Eileen, and 4 young children. I was the eldest at 8 years old. We flew out to Singapore in a Britannia. The flight out was much delayed: firstly by a puncture and then an engine fire. We took off some 24 hours late! I don't know if this was an RAF or civilian flight. We stopped in Istanbul and somewhere in India (Calcutta?). Maybe someone here might know. The images of Singapore city and Changi bring back so many memories. Swimming, sailing, canoeing was how I spent a lot of my free time. I went to the RAF Changi primary school along with my brother and oldest sister. My Mum was a teacher at the school and the school uniforms in the film were exactly as I remember them! In July 1962, my Mum and I flew back to the UK so that I could start at grammar school. We flew in a RAF Transport Command Comet with overnight stops at Gan and El Adam (?) in north Africa. My Mum was the only woman on Gan that evening and was entertained in the Officers Mess by another RAF doctor - Brian Kelly. He had taken his speedboat to Gan in the bomb bay of a Shackleton so the that people could water ski. My Mum returned to Changi after settling me into school. The family left Changi in October 1962 and returned to the UK on the SS Canberra. My father retired from the RAF in April 1989: he was an Air Commodore and CO of IPTM, RAF Halton when he left. He died in July, 2000. Mike Jones.
I have loved the Shack forever. One used to fly over my house in Cape Town for many years, until our last one crashed in the desert. I am 81 years young and still thrill to the ground runs here at Ysterplaat.
Landed at Gan in 1971 on way to Singapore in a RAF VC10, and then on to South Vietnam in an RAF Belfast. Remember looking down at Gan thinking of a postage stamp. Amazing long gone days.
While all this was going on, I was suffering the same...hot fickle zephyrs, the warm blue green sea, the pleasing Tiger beers, the faint sound of local song over the setting blood red sun....at 'war'- torn RAF Labuan, North Borneo......well, somebody had to!!
Yes, been there, done that; Nov '65/6. Where the Labuan chopper pan was is now the airport terminal. Tower has been moved to the opposite side of the strip, north of the terminal. Main pan now has RMAF C-130's on it instead of Hastings, Shac, Bev, Twin-Pin, etc. Strike pan is still in the same place, though.
Singapore. My dad was stationed there in the early Seventies. He was one of the lucky generation of young RAF serviceman to be posted to such an exotic location, before the country eventually gained its independence.
Great video, thanks for sharing. Liked all the details the movies miss, like the hiss of the pneumatic brakes coming off as the Shackleton began its take-off roll.
I asked for a posting to the far East, typically got to raf khormaksar, 1958,all these aircraft were there, apart from the Comet, posted to raf Masirah for a year 1959, enjoyed it, the weather was amazing after Aden. Flew home in a Brittania on its proving flight after a overnight stop in Libya. A lot of difference to the BEVERLY going to Masirah. Think of it sometimes every day when the photos come up on my tablet .❤
Oh just to get back on a Britt for one more time into Gan..... The language used is a bit old and we never talked like that when I was in. it was qth and Ascot6*** whatever the flight number was only the first figure was the aircraft type like Ascot2 was a VC10....I was in Singapore so this was a memory blast for me. Thanks
Terima kashi, lah. If it hadn't been for British Forces involvement in Konfrontasi and if Sukarno had been successful, Malaysia might well not exist today, but that was probably before your time.
My Grandad was in Hong Kong in those days and from all the photos I've looked at of his, those days as a European Officer in the Far East looked pretty idyllic for a young Family
There is a fascinating documentory about the RAF groundcrew going on strike in India and it spread to the middle east.They were treated appalingly by their officers and had enough.I was an RAF baby and as a toddler living in married quarters,the old man was stationed in Bahrain then Dishforth, fixing and maintaining radar.
@@peterbamforth6453 They were RAF WWII personnel in India . A year after WWII had ended, they were still waiting for transport home to Britain, to be”de/mobbed” (Kym in Darwin Australia - where our celebrated dish is Laksa)
Really enjoyed this film. Could I ask that you include the credits and titles front and back please?. It just seems to make them complete and adds that atmospheric effect.
My uncle was in the RAF Marine Craft Service, did a tour at Gan and 2 tours at Marsaxlokk in Malta with 1151 MCU. Great holidays in Malta as a teenager.
Spent 21/2 years on 205 Sqn in Changi 1965-1967. Several detachment to Gan for a couple of weeks each time on SAR duties. There was a war going on then so spent many night hours flying up and down the Malacca Straits. A great tour
Dad was posted to El Adem 1962. As a scaley brat, I remember all those aircraft transiting through, plus Hunters, Javelins, Beverlys and whistling tits (Argosies). Happy days.
Days gone by when we had an air force. Curious that then we could afford an airforce, not today... We will need an air force again. Can't afford it now, later, won't cut.
Did an 'indulgence' flight Akrotiri to Gan on a Nimrod courtesy of my old boy, in 72 or 73 I think. Back to Akrotiri on a Britannia. One of his colleagues was on the crew out and introduced me to mess life during my overnight stay! Made me want to join up which is what, I suspect, the old fella was looking for!
Yep real posting real men real aircraft over 1200 front line aircraft no earings no tats visible no stockings no decent pay either but a fantastic life for 36 years ....today forget it
I seen this before on this very excellent channel. Did it get taken down? If so I'm more than happy to watch it again. It's one of my favourites. I'd better add it to the liked list. 😁✔️
Good film not seen that before. Do you have any film of the old Air Malta, Fawcett airline, 727 OB-1303? I flew from London Heathrow to Malta and back in her. We had Don Mintoff onboard for the outbound flight, October 1988. Sadly she crashed in the Atlantic, in 1990.
I was posted to Singapore (RAF Changi Movements Sqn) in January of 1970 until November 1971 and RAF Gan July 1974 until April 1975. Two of the very best postings available for RAF personnel EVER! Thanks for posting these memories for me
Thanks for the info!
Golden days when we had an airforce all gone .
Yes sold down the pan! Cannot be any decent postings now!
I know the world has changed from way back then, during the Cold War years, but the way it's been slashed, is something else. Yet our politicians seem to act as if we are still an empire.
GB is so powerful Starmer has just ensured Ukraine that GB can protect Ukraine from Russia.
@johnsmith-ht3sy What with bows and arrow's 😠
@@lablackzed With machete rap street warriors.
This video brought back so many memories! In November 1959, my late father (Frank R. Jones) was posted to RAF Changi as a Pathologist. He was a Squadron Leader. He was accompanied by his wife, Eileen, and 4 young children. I was the eldest at 8 years old. We flew out to Singapore in a Britannia. The flight out was much delayed: firstly by a puncture and then an engine fire. We took off some 24 hours late! I don't know if this was an RAF or civilian flight. We stopped in Istanbul and somewhere in India (Calcutta?). Maybe someone here might know. The images of Singapore city and Changi bring back so many memories. Swimming, sailing, canoeing was how I spent a lot of my free time. I went to the RAF Changi primary school along with my brother and oldest sister. My Mum was a teacher at the school and the school uniforms in the film were exactly as I remember them! In July 1962, my Mum and I flew back to the UK so that I could start at grammar school. We flew in a RAF Transport Command Comet with overnight stops at Gan and El Adam (?) in north Africa. My Mum was the only woman on Gan that evening and was entertained in the Officers Mess by another RAF doctor - Brian Kelly. He had taken his speedboat to Gan in the bomb bay of a Shackleton so the that people could water ski. My Mum returned to Changi after settling me into school. The family left Changi in October 1962 and returned to the UK on the SS Canberra. My father retired from the RAF in April 1989: he was an Air Commodore and CO of IPTM, RAF Halton when he left. He died in July, 2000.
Mike Jones.
Glad that you enjoyed it!
this is awesome footage, the golden days. That Britannia looks gorgeous!
I have loved the Shack forever. One used to fly over my house in Cape Town for many years, until our last one crashed in the desert. I am 81 years young and still thrill to the ground runs here at Ysterplaat.
Lekker days John
I still have one of those WD Avos
1980 had a Air Force display at Waterkloof Pretoria and a Shackleton flew up for the display. Ek was daar, in die SAAF.
Last link with the Lanc
Superb nostalgia, loved every minute of it!
Landed at Gan in 1971 on way to Singapore in a RAF VC10, and then on to South Vietnam in an RAF Belfast. Remember looking down at Gan thinking of a postage stamp. Amazing long gone days.
Spectacular video, spectacular times, spectacular aircrafts...
While all this was going on, I was suffering the same...hot fickle zephyrs, the warm blue green sea, the pleasing Tiger beers, the faint sound of local song over the setting blood red sun....at 'war'- torn RAF Labuan, North Borneo......well, somebody had to!!
Yes, been there, done that; Nov '65/6. Where the Labuan chopper pan was is now the airport terminal. Tower has been moved to the opposite side of the strip, north of the terminal. Main pan now has RMAF C-130's on it instead of Hastings, Shac, Bev, Twin-Pin, etc. Strike pan is still in the same place, though.
Singapore. My dad was stationed there in the early Seventies. He was one of the lucky generation of young RAF serviceman to be posted to such an exotic location, before the country eventually gained its independence.
I enjoyed this so much!!
I flew to Singapore as a boy, via Gan, in a British Eagle Britannia. Great memories.
We flew to Singapore in 65, British Eagle Brittania, routing London, Istanbul and Bombay as it was then , landed at Payar Lebah on Singapore
Great video, thanks for sharing. Liked all the details the movies miss, like the hiss of the pneumatic brakes coming off as the Shackleton began its take-off roll.
Thanks 👍
I asked for a posting to the far East, typically got to raf khormaksar, 1958,all these aircraft were there, apart from the Comet, posted to raf Masirah for a year 1959, enjoyed it, the weather was amazing after Aden. Flew home in a Brittania on its proving flight after a overnight stop in Libya. A lot of difference to the BEVERLY going to Masirah. Think of it sometimes every day when the photos come up on my tablet .❤
Oh just to get back on a Britt for one more time into Gan..... The language used is a bit old and we never talked like that when I was in. it was qth and Ascot6*** whatever the flight number was only the first figure was the aircraft type like Ascot2 was a VC10....I was in Singapore so this was a memory blast for me. Thanks
Looks like a military paradise.
I served for 22 Years it definitely doesn’t look like the same airforce to me
last time I saw a flying Shackleton was in 1989, the day after the tianamin square atrocity !
It was at RAF Burtonwood Open day !
The "'shack's looks" was something only it's mother could love.
Even as a Malaysian, I have respect for British Forces for their humanity in earlier years before they declined.
Terima kashi, lah. If it hadn't been for British Forces involvement in Konfrontasi and if Sukarno had been successful, Malaysia might well not exist today, but that was probably before your time.
Wow, I've still got one of those plastic compassy things - excellent video (if a tad before my time)
It's called a protractor!😉
@@jeffkwells2003 30+ years as a pilot, and I never knew! 🤣
Glad it was helpful!
My Grandad was in Hong Kong in those days and from all the photos I've looked at of his, those days as a European Officer in the Far East looked pretty idyllic for a young Family
There is a fascinating documentory about the RAF groundcrew going on strike in India and it spread to the middle east.They were treated appalingly by their officers and had enough.I was an RAF baby and as a toddler living in married quarters,the old man was stationed in Bahrain then Dishforth, fixing and maintaining radar.
@@peterbamforth6453 They were RAF WWII personnel in India . A year after WWII had ended, they were still waiting for transport home to Britain, to be”de/mobbed” (Kym in Darwin Australia - where our celebrated dish is Laksa)
Really enjoyed this film. Could I ask that you include the credits and titles front and back please?. It just seems to make them complete and adds that atmospheric effect.
Fantastic!
Glad you like it!
My uncle was in the RAF Marine Craft Service, did a tour at Gan and 2 tours at Marsaxlokk in Malta with 1151 MCU. Great holidays in Malta as a teenager.
Thanks for your comment.
Spent 21/2 years on 205 Sqn in Changi 1965-1967. Several detachment to Gan for a couple of weeks each time on SAR duties. There was a war going on then so spent many night hours flying up and down the Malacca Straits. A great tour
Thanks for watching!
Dad was posted to El Adem 1962. As a scaley brat, I remember all those aircraft transiting through, plus Hunters, Javelins, Beverlys and whistling tits (Argosies). Happy days.
Days gone by when we had an air force. Curious that then we could afford an airforce, not today... We will need an air force again. Can't afford it now, later, won't cut.
The communist EU stole all our money and technology.
Did an 'indulgence' flight Akrotiri to Gan on a Nimrod courtesy of my old boy, in 72 or 73 I think. Back to Akrotiri on a Britannia. One of his colleagues was on the crew out and introduced me to mess life during my overnight stay! Made me want to join up which is what, I suspect, the old fella was looking for!
Yep real posting real men real aircraft over 1200 front line aircraft no earings no tats visible no stockings no decent pay either but a fantastic life for 36 years ....today forget it
The good ol days to be sure.
Dad flew the Shackleton out of RAF Kinloss for Coastal Command in the fifties
I seen this before on this very excellent channel. Did it get taken down? If so I'm more than happy to watch it again. It's one of my favourites. I'd better add it to the liked list. 😁✔️
It was on my other channel, so i had uploaded it again,Thanks for following!
Thanks so much for taking the time to post. It's much appreciated.
Good film not seen that before. Do you have any film of the old Air Malta, Fawcett airline, 727 OB-1303? I flew from London Heathrow to Malta and back in her. We had Don Mintoff onboard for the outbound flight, October 1988. Sadly she crashed in the Atlantic, in 1990.
i only have a short clip of it! thanks for following.
God Bless them, probably all passed away now. I served in RAF and I am no spring chicken I can assure you.
👍👍👍
if it is such a great assignment, why did they have to make a recruiting movie to attract people to go there?
The film seems to coincide with the end of national service. Maybe they had a recruiting problem.
1:57 Not suprised the equipment is unserviceable, look at the state of those console screws 😅
Cathode Ray Direction Finder. No doubt long obsolete today.
It's a pity the the sarcastic ones can't Calculate in their own head. They need A.I.😂
WB829 Shackleton
Why does the Britannia sound like a Viscount?
They had mixed the audio i think.
Hope there are more comments. Only at 55, this moment.
👍
Theres always a "Nobby"... every team had one...
Where are the blix!
Rech!!!
Next door wrecking GB.
Guess it's the flux capacitor at fault Marty .
Some new dilithium crystals should do the trick.
@@tangerinedream7211 Jesse Mach agrees !
SWEET SURRENDER IM CRYING BANDS SONGS TOMMY MOVIE THE GRADUATE MOVIE GREAT WHITE HOPE MOVIE HENRY GREEN JIM JENNINGS COLLEGE PRO FOOTBALL SUCCESS