ROYAL AIR FORCE Film TRUE BEARING (1960`s)#royalairforce

This is a dramatised documentary looking at the life in the RAF in the Far East, with the Britannias, Comets and Beverleys of RAF Transport Command much in evedence. A Shackleton is also featured as are RAF posts in the Maldives,Singapore and Changi.#youtube #militaryaviationphotography #aviation #militaryaviation #history #royalairforce #military #aviationphotography #airforce

[MikeJones-yocf]

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.

[lablackzed]

Golden days when we had an airforce all gone .

[deputydawgac]

Superb nostalgia, loved every minute of it!

[Fitnss]

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

[moley]

Fantastic! As an army kid in the 50s and 60s I got to fly in Hastings, Britannias and Comets - never managed a Shack! (how I wish!!) Many thanks for this brilliant bit of nostalgia.

[thesnazzycomet]

this is awesome footage, the golden days. That Britannia looks gorgeous!

[trevorfry]

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.

[Firebrand]

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 somebody had to!!

[johnbeck]

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.

[danieleregoli]

Spectacular video, spectacular times, spectacular aircrafts...

[bazza]

The "'shack's looks" was something only it's mother could love.

[KnowYoutheDukeofArgyll]

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.

[paulkirkland]

I flew to Singapore as a boy, via Gan, in a British Eagle Britannia. Great memories.

[limsengkong]

Even as a Malaysian, I have respect for British Forces for their humanity in earlier years before they declined.

[georgeridley]

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 .❤

[freddielaker]

Oh just to get back on a Britt for one more time into 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

[OldSonyMan]

last time I saw a flying Shackleton was in 1989, the day after the tianamin square atrocity !
It was at RAF Burtonwood Open day !

[highlander]

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.

[theart]

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

[shaunmcclory]

In the 1950's my dads RAF service involved sailing to New Zealand and playing cricket alongside trips to Tahiti, he never mentioned any flying!🇳🇿