8 Squadron Galleries

5 - On Ops

Other squadron galleries

Life on the line     

1
Crème de la Crème     

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On the range     

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Aircraft     

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At ease!     

6

Pilots

Air Cdre David Lee and Station Commander during inspection of 8 Sqn prior to it being declared operational as a Hunter unit, 08-03-60 (Ronnie Hush)

Ken Hayr, Jock McVie and another pilot walk in from their aircraft after a sortie from Sharjah in 1961. Note that the apron surface is still compacted sand (Robin Morrell)

'Mac' McLauchlan surveys a quiet Hunter line at Khormaksar at the end of another working day ('Mac' MaClauchlan)

Mac McLauchlan is about to go flying in his aircraft, XE651-M, from Khormaksar, 1962 (Mac McLauchlan)

'Mac' McLauchlan, Dave Edmonston and Pete Loveday pictured at Luqa, Malta, while ferrying three FGA.9s back to the UK for refurbishment ('Mac' McLauchlan)

Mike Murden, 8 Sqn Engineering Officer, barters for groceries at an up-country airstrip in 1962 (Robin Morrell)

There is probably a rational explanation for the behaviour of these 8 Sqn pilots on an unidentified up-country airstrip in 1963. Judging by the black stains, one would assume that the starboard engine on KN452 was checked for leaks before departure! (Robin Morrell)

Martin Johnson and Chris Cureton in deep thought as they walk between squadron offices at Khormaksar in 1963 (Nick Adamson)

Martin Johnson and Nick Adamson strolling between squadron offices at Khormaksar in 1963 (Nick Adamson)

Paul Constable standing on a vantage point above Thumier while duty BASO at HQ 39 Brigade from 11-19 June, 1964 (Paul Constable)

Note the holstered weapon; a necessity when up country!

It's June 1st, 1965, and Sqn Ldr Des Melaniphy (left) takes over command of No. 8 Sqn from Sqn Ldr Tam Syme (Mal Grosse)

Newly arrived OC Strike Wing, Martin Chandler, climbs out of the T.7 cockpit after his familiarisation flight over the Aden hinterland with Tam Syme (Mal Grosse)

Ready for action in the squadron crewroom in 1965 are Mike Flynn, Kiwi Hounsell, Andy Bell and Dick Wharmby (Mal Grosse)

Nick Kerr was the squadron's Royal Navy exchange pilot in 1964/5 and he is seen here relaxing between flights in the crewroom (Mal Grosse)

OC 8 Sqn Tam Syme is captured talking to wartime fighter ace and AOC AFME, AVM Johnnie Johnson, at an official function in 1964 (Mal Grosse)

Border patrols

The colour sequence below was taken in 1962 and contributed by ‘Mac’ McLauchlan

Sequence of five images taken from the cockpit of 'Mac' McLauchlan's FR.10 .....

..... during one of many patrols flown by the .....

..... Squadron along the border with the Yemen .....

..... following incursions by Migs and helicopter gunships .....

..... in 1962. The second aircraft is FR.10 XE589

Three more images taken by 'Mac' depicting a recce sortie .....

.... by two FR.10s through the stunning mountainous terrain which .....

..... comprises the Hadramaut

The bleak and varied geography of the EAP provided an imaginitive 'playground' through which a pilot's flying ability would be tested to the limit

What looks like the 'Gotthard Pass' of the Aden hinterland can be seen winding its way up the mountainside in this view from 'Mac's' Hunter

Precariously located villages, some under sheer ridges with huge bolders scattered all round were a common sight .....

..... or atop this rock formation. Both this and the next view are unfortunately blurred but they give some indication of just how difficult .....

..... it was to take photographs while flying low through turbulent air and at high speed with the control column clasped between your knees

Flying through the mountains required a high degree of concentration .....

..... and precision flying as some valleys ended with a vertical face.

Their task completed, the two Hunters begin to climb .....

..... and head towards Khormaksar at high level .....

.... against a slowly setting sun.

Performing the task

One last time! Fully armed Venom on the pan at Ksar in late 1959 awaiting departure for one final scramble (Ronnie Hush)

Of note is the red flag on the nose of the aircraft, a pair of HE rockets under the starboard wing intake and the ammunition boxes.

An 8 Sqn Venom beating up Sharjah for the last time before being re-allocated to 208 Sqn (Mike Halpin)

Lined up at Khormaksar for inspection by the AOC, 8 Sqn is about to become operational on the Hunter, 08-03-60 (Ronnie Hush)

To celebrate, all ten Hunters then flew in formation over Khormaksar

To prepare the Sqn for anticipated assignments away from Khormaksar, six FGA.9s undertook a detachment to Sharjah in March 1960 (Roy Hollow)

A small cloud of sand can just be seen eminating from beneath the second aircraft as its Avpin starter bursts into life

Another view of the March 1960 detachment depicts XG135, XE651, XF424, XF455, XG169 and XG128 on the makeshift line (Roy Hollow)

Prototype FGA.9, XG135-P, one of the six Hunters to participate in the inaugural Sharjah detachment (Roy Hollow)

Of interest is the initial underwing rocket rail configuration - just two pairs between the drop tank pylons; the third outer rail was added at some time later point in time.

Another of the March 1960 Sharjah detachment aircraft was XG169-B seen here parked in front of a line of visiting Venoms (Roy Hollow)

Any idea which squadron the Venoms belonged to - anyone please?

Flying low over a Rhodesian township during the 1960 good-will detachment are XK151, XE620, XG128 and XG136 (Roy Hollow)

The name of the town would be nice to know please?

XG169-B about to lift off from RRAF Thornhill during the 1960 good-will detachment (Roy Hollow)

Do my eyes deceive me or is the undercarriage in the process of retracting before the aircraft has left the tarmac? Surely not!!!

Royal Rhodesian AF Vampires lined-up on the pan during a good-will visit to Khormaksar in 1960 (Ronnie Hush)

Another view of four RRAF Vampire FB.9s and a solitary T.11 on the Hunter pan during the type's final detachment to Aden, 10-60 (Herbie Nute)

The pilots of XK151 and XE620 take in the the spectacular scenery as they pass over the Kariba Dam (Roy Hollow)

Close up view of XK151 and XE620 as they turn away from Kariba Dam (Roy Hollow)

XK151 and XE620 fly low over over Rhodesian hinterland as they head back to base (Roy Hollow)

The large dagger motive which formed the squadron emblem and was applied to its aircraft during the first year or two of Hunter operations, can be clearly seen on the forward fuselage.

XG136-C taxies in at Thornhill during the squadron detachment to Rhodesia in 1960 (Bill Horspole)

A serious discussion going on between airmen as they congregate round XE620-F at Thornhill in 1960 (Bill Horspole)

8 Squadron pan shortly before the unit departed for an exercise in the Persian Gulf in late November 1960 (Ron Dunn)

The four FGA.9s in evidence are XE649-S, XE651-M, XK151-X and XE654-E.

Fully armed and ready to go! Fine shot of XE654-E+XG136-C+XE651-M at Akrotiri on an October 1961 detachment (Mike Halpin)

An 8 Squadron FR.10 beats-up the AAC as seen from the nose camera of a second FR.10, 1962 (Sandy Burns)

The same pair roar low over an up country village, 1962 (Sandy Burns)

Two FR.10s, XF436-U and XF460-X, on the pan at Khormaksar in 1963 (Mac McLauchlan)

The red ammunition boxes connected via cords to the aircraft noses indicates that both aircraft are armed.

XE614-W, merges well into the rugged, mountainous background, 1962 (Sandy Burns)

How low can you go! XF436-U about to wake RAF Masirah from its slumbers, 1962 (Sandy Burns)

Carrying concrete-headed rockets and accompanied by F.6, XG204-B from the CFE/DFCS, XE618-D takes off from Sharjah in 1963. (author)

XE618-D about to land at Sharjah in early 1963 (author)

XF440-S on the approach to Sharjah in early 1963 (author)

Touching down on the Sharjah runway in early 1963 with a hang-up under the starboard wing is XG237-T (author)

Over the threshold and on onto the runway, XG255-G is about to land at Sharjah in early 1963 (author)

XG256-H and XF376-K taxi out for another sortie from the Khormaksar pan in 1964. (author)

A sequence of two images depicting a Hi-Lo take-off with XG237-M and XE618-D (Hi) leading the second pair. Khormaksar, 1964. (author)

The Lo pair, XG154-E and XF376-K, hug the runway as they gain speed before climbing to catch the leading pair. Khormaksar, 1964. (author)

XE609-A demonstrates standard procedure on Middle East Hunter squadrons - landing with brake chute deployed. Khormakser, 1964 (author)

Excellent view of XF440-L and XF421-C flying in formation over the coast, north-east of Khormaksar in 1963 (Nick Adamson)

In addition to operational flying, Hunter pilots had to maintain their competence in formation flying, as witnessed here with an 8 Squadron flypast in 1963 (author)

8 Sqn formation of FGA.9s taken from 1417 Flt FR.10, in honour of 78 Sqn, 11-02-65. (Peter Sturt)

Peter was flying No. 7 in XG261.

Five 8 Sqn FGA.9s, XE618, XF440, XF435, XE609 and XE620, on the Hunter line at Embakasi while on detachment in 1963 (Tom Banks)

The three 120 Squadron Shackleton MR.3s in the background were on the homeward leg of a round-the-world good will trip.

Five 8 Sqn FGA.9s start-up prior to departing Embakasi for Khormaksar at the end of the 1963 detachment to Kenya (author)

XE620-B, XF435-E, XF440-S, XE609-A, XE618-D, XG237-T

On an overcast day, OC 8 Sqn, Sqn Ldr Tam Syme, leads out in XE620 for the ferry flight from Embakasi to Khormaksar, 06-08-63 (author)

XE647-H of 208 Sqn and 8 Sqn's XG237-T, on the right of the flight line, remained at Embakasi for a few more days to allow defects to be rectified.

Seen on short finals, XE609-A swoops low over the threshold at Khormaksar in 1964 (Charlie Donaldson)

This view from the control tower depicts two 8/43 Sqn FGA.9s taxiing out passed the Helicopter pan for another sortie up country (Malcolm Stelfox)

FR.10s XF429-X and XF460-F on patrol over the Radfan shortly before the final withdrawal in 1967. (Noddy Hawkins)

XF429 was the prototype FR.Mk.10 and first flew as such in 1959.

3-ship formation of Buccaneer S.2s, with Crater as a backdrop, on 06-05-67. Ex-8 Sqn pilot Peter Sturt was flying at No.3 in XT282-321. (Peter Sturt)

An account of the incident is contained in Peter's page in the 8 Squadron Anecdote section.

'Two wheels on my wagon .......'

Herbie Nute relaxes on the wing of XE649-S while awaiting the recovery team after the aircraft made a two-wheeled landing on the sand runway at Sharjah in 1960 (Mike Halpin)

The recovery team begin the task of lifting the nose of XE649 - Sharjah, 1960 (Mike Halpin)

The pilot made such a good job of this two-wheeled landing that he was awarded a green endorsement

'Sorry, I thought the runway was wider than a carriers' whispers Tim Notley as Bob Browning susses the situation, Khormaksar 1962 (author)

This is what happens when the RAF allows the Navy to fly its aircraft from dry land.

What was it with naval pilots! XA430-FOAC ran off the Ksar runway at exactly the same place shortly before Tim's excursion (author)

FOAC = Flag Officer Aircraft Carriers

Can you dig me out please? EO Owen Truelove (left) supervises the extraction of the errant FGA.9 with Baz Clake on the shovel and Bob Browning clearing sand from the main wheel (author)

(Any more names please?)

Formation fever

Formation flypasts were a common occurrence in Aden and were usually flown to mark special occasions as depicted in some of the views below, reproduced by kind permission of Chris Bain. Many of them are from Chris’s book ‘Cold War, Hot Wings’, published by Pen & Sword in 2007 and purchasing information for which can be found in the Bibliography section. As the time for the British departure drew near, the more spectacular the formations became as they combined with aircraft from the Royal Navy.

This J-shaped formation was flown by 8 Sqn on the occasion of the departure of AVM Johnnie Johnson from Aden on 14-12-65 (Chris Bain)

Signed photograph of an 8 Sqn diamond-nine formation over the rolling desert (Chris Bain)

Chris Bain always flew in the No. 2 position, to the right and rear of the leader.

The same diamond-nine formation flying low over the Radfan mountains (Chris Bain)

Over the sea this time and an 8 Sqn diamond-nine flies over HMS Hermes at full speed while a Buccaneer lands-on (Chris Bain)

The photograph was taken with fantastic timing by Ken Simpson from his Hunter FR.10.

Growing ever larger, the squadron performs a diamond-sixteen bringing memories of 'Treble One' and 'Blue Diamonds' teams, 12-05-67 (Chris Bain)

Breaking into 4 x 4, the 8 Sqn Hunters lead a mixed formation of eight Sea Vixens and six Buccaneers on 12-05-67 (Chris Bain)

Sea Vixens of 892 and 893 Sqns and Buccaneers of 801 and 809 Sqns with 8, 43, 208 and 1417 Flight Hunters approaching Aden on 17-05-67 (Chris Bain)

The multi-type flypast of RAF and RN aircraft passing over HMS Hermes en-route to Khormaksar, 17-05-67 (Peter Sturt)

An account of the event is contained in Peter's page in the 8 Squadron Anecdote section.

A more unusual formation was flown by four 8 Sqn Hunters alongside a 42 Sqn Shackleton as it flew from Khormaksar to Sharjah (Chris Bain)

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