Radschool Association Magazine

Vol 47

The Magazine by and for Serving and Ex-RAAF People,

and others.

Page 19

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Your say.

Weights and Measures.

We heard from a daughter who says, “Hi, I am filling out a DVA form for my father who served in the RAAF between 1947 and 1983, at most bases in Australia and then Butterworth at Transmitting Stations. I’m requiring 'weight's and measures' height of antenna's etc, approx weight of equipment he used on exercisers etc for his claim and would be most grateful if someone can assist, as he has dementia and I am his full time carer. Would also be grateful if my name is not mentioned for personal reasons.

Mirages.

Kev Rosser says, “the pics below were taken back in 1987 out the back of the airfield at Darwin.

If you’re looking for parts for your Mirage mock up, this could be the place for you.”

Yungarurra.

We got this from Ted McEvoy who says this is a copy of an email received from Graham Anderson OAM JP, National Secretary, Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia Inc.

”Yesterday I fulfilled a special wish on my ‘bucket list’. We travelled to Yungaburra on the Atherton Tablelands to visit the ‘Avenue of Honour’ a very moving memorial to those who lost their lives serving in Afghanistan. As I expected this is a very special place situated overlooking Lake Tinaroo. Leading to the memorial there is a long pathway lined with Flame Trees, the whole area is beautiful and manicured. While we were there paying our respect to young men who gave all there was a lady moving down the avenue of trees picking up fallen leaves by hand … she does this every day. She told me she did it for all their mates who if they were able would be here ensuring the memorial to their mates was always immaculate. I asked her what her name was, but she said that’s not important. We walked away and she kept moving down the avenue picking up leaves.

A very moving experience that I commend to anyone up this way.

Darwin 2 CARU.

Howie Campbell writes, he says: I have just read your last newsletter, and it brought back many pleasant memories. I was particularly interested in the RAAF Darwin article. I spent seven and a half years at No 2 Control Reporting Unit at Lee Point. I was blown out of Darwin by Cyclone Tracey in 1974. Three years ago we had the 50th Anniversary Reunion of the formation of No2 CARU.

I was an Aircraft Plotter/Operator, Air Defence Supervisor, during my postings to this unit. During one of my tours, I worked with Cpl Neil Hunter, up grading and installing Inter console communications. I was an ex PMG Trainee Technician. The old 2 CARU building was recently demolished, and will now be the site of another northern Darwin suburb.

Over the years, I knew many Techs and Telstechs on CARU's, but memories have faded and names have escaped. I am presently on the "Friends of Rathmines Inc" organizing committee who are organizing the 75th Anniversary of the formation of RAAF Base Rathmines, a WW2 Flying Boat Base which closed in 1961, also celebrating the 100 years of Australian Military Flight.

This event will take place at Rathmines Park, on the shores of Lake Macquarie NSW, on 27th-28th September 2014.

The RAAF Band will be present and the Military Dog Unit from RAAF Williamtown. 41 Wing is also supplying equipment and personnel. There will also be a Navy and Army input. Air Commodore Chris Westwood, the Commander of SRG RAAF Williamtown will perform the official opening on the Sunday.

Howie Campbell

Welfare Officer, Radar Branch RAAF Association, NSW Div.

Chairman Central Coast Pension & Welfare Officer Network.

2 Preece Close.

SPRINGFIELD NSW 2250 (Near East Gosford).

Phone 02 4322 1505

Mobile 0405 424 186

Landrovers??

Dav Ross says I had this boss who loved Landrovers. It was an unnatural passion, strange, perverse, never spoken of in polite company.... anyway...no names but his initials were Kev Rosser.

I held back in fear for a while, but being young and impressionable, with incredible fashion sense, (see pic) I realised that what uncle Kev was trying to pass on was that Radtechs needed to be less nerdy, more hands on and mechanical. This new thinking gripped me with excitement, it kept me awake at night in my sumptuously appointed Dog Box, 11 x 11, airmen for the use of.

What was a young man to do? On the horns of a dilemma, (Through not having a pommy, rear axle snapping Landy) it was with some trepidation I brought in what I did have; my mighty 1976 RD400 2-Stroke twin Yamaha (I also had a Gemini, it came to know the inside of that workshop well too.) Cobber Fenwick on the other hand succumbed easily, soon taking delivery of his own mighty piece of British off-road thuggery. It was subtle yellow I believe.

But I digress....Stay with me in this next bit, because now it gets interesting:

I was chatting to Ted Lander about the section today, (I shared this photo with credit on the 75Sqn Darwin Facebook site) and he reminded me that it was one "Chinny" Lennon who spray painted the pure white ceiling of that building with hydraulic fluid whilst doing RAAF work. (Not in a well thought through way though) It was forever pink, like my shorts. But I digress again...

The obvious conclusion? Well obviously it was safer and more caring of the taxpayer's décor to service motor vehicles in air-conditioned RAAF facilities. This now being established beyond question, it is obvious that you Kev, in your daring to think outside the box, were an outstanding leader of men. :) Or I have become quite the snake oil salesman over the years.

Stewart and his wife Barbara go to the county fair every year and every year Stewart would say, "Barbara, I'd like to ride in that helicopter" Barbara always replied,"I know Stewart, but that helicopter ride is seventy quid, and seventy quid is seventy quid!" One year later Stewart and Barbara went to the fair, and Stewart said, "Barbara, I'm 75 years old. If I don't ride that helicopter, I might never get another chance" To this, Barbara replied, "Stewart, that helicopter ride is seventy quid, and seventy quid is seventy quid" The pilot overheard the couple and said, "Folks I'll make you a deal. I'll take the both of you for a ride. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and don't say a word I won't charge you a penny! But if you say one word it's seventy quid. "Stewart and Barbara agreed and up they went. The pilot did all kinds of fancy manoeuvres, but not a word was heard. He did his daredevil tricks over and over again, but still not a word...When they landed, the pilot turned to Stewart and said, "By golly, I did everything I could to get you to yell out, but you didn't. I'm impressed!" Stewart replied, "Well, to tell you the truth I almost said something when Barbara fell out, but you know, seventy quid is seventy quid!"

Words of wisdom??

Ernie Gimm sent us this…..

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works. And here’s another one worth considering.
Seems we constantly hear about how the Australian Old Age Pension Plan could run out of money. How come we never hear about welfare running out of money? What's interesting is the first group "worked for" their money and paid taxes like an insurance policy for their old age, but the second group didn't.

I realised the needed to purchase a hearing aid, but didn't want to spend a lot of money. "How much do they cost?" I asked the salesman. "Anything from $2 to $7,000." "Can I see the $2 model?" I asked. The salesman put the device around the man's neck, and said, "You just stick this button in your ear and run this little string down into your pocket." "How does it work?" was my question. "For $2, it doesn't work," said the salesman. "But when people see it on you, they talk louder."

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