newsletter: january 2010
DESCRIPTION
Air Force Association ~ Air Training Corps Branch Newsletter: January 2010TRANSCRIPT
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AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION
VICTORIA
AIR TRAINING CORPS BRANCH
ABN 96 091 342 304
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER
PRESIDENT SECRTARY TREASURER
L. BELL H. TANK A. SYNHUR
43 Stenhouse Ave. 11 Paulette Crt . 16 Landscape Dve.
BROOKLYN BLACKBURN STH EAST DONCASTER
Vic. 3 012 Vic. 3130 Vic. 3109
(03) 9314 6223 (03) 9877 3424 (03) 9841 7680
VICE PRESIDENT DELEGATE
M. McBAIN J. MacDONALD
10 Frier Ave P O Box 663
RESERVOIR RINGWOOD
Vic. 3073 Vic. 3134
(03) 9470 1556 (03) 9870 1665
ISSUE NO. 13
JANUARY 2010
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BUDDING TOP GUNS
BELIEVED TO BE MEMBERS OF
AAFC 408 SQUADRON
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THE MARVELOUS PC 9
PICTURE PROBABLY TAKEN AT RAAF BASE EAST SALE
Perhaps someone from 408 Squadron AAFC can tell the Editor who were
the cadets and where and when these pictures were taken.
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THE MAN WHO HELPED RE-ESTABLISH
THE CADET SYSTEM
OUR VERY OWN MEMBER DAVID CRICKMORE
After many telephone calls, letters, photos, and data to and from (as
David said, “this is starting to sound like an episode to rival Ben
Hur.”) the Editor has finally gathered together an interesting story.
A previous Government cancelled the Cadet movement in Australia,
and without David’s and others efforts we may not have Air Force
Cadets; or for that matter, any other cadets today.
So without any further delay, let David tell the Story.
WGCDR DAVID CRICKMORE
REGIONAL COMMANDANT OF THE
VICTORIAN SQUADRON ATC
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I was enrolled in the Air Training Corps with the serial number 8217 on 12 April 1949 at No
7 Flight which was at Coburg High School and reached the rank of Sergeant. I also attended
along with the late Bob Bennett, who was also at Coburg High and Ron King, No 3 Flight
which was a specialist training flight at the old HQ at North Melbourne.
On reaching the age of 18 years I was transferred to the Reserve and posted to No 14 Flight
with the rank of AC, and mustering of Education Assistant. On completion of RAAF
National Service Training in 1955, with the rank of Corporal, I was posted to No 26 Flight as
one of the inaugural members of that Flight, as an Orderly Room Clerk.
On 14 November 1957 I was Commissioned with the rank of Pilot Officer and a new
Category of Admin Officer and appointed as Flight Adjutant at 26 Flt.
On transfer to Melbourne in my civilian job I was posted to No 1 Flt as Adjutant, later to 11
Flt as Chief Instructor, No 1 Flt as Flight Commander, and then to Squadron Headquarters as
Squadron Chief Instructor the senior Reservist position with the rank of FLTLT.
With the closure of the Cadet Movement by the Whitlam Government I was one of the
foundation members of the Air Training Corporation, which was set up to take over the
assets and continuation of the Air Force cadets scheme following on Ron Elms paper “Quo
Vadis”. The work of the Corporation is well documented in Barry Videon’s book. During
the hiatus of the non service support for the cadets I held a variety of tasks at Headquarters,
including another time as Flight Commander at 1 Flt. It was during this time that we formed
a close relationship with the Victorian Division of the RAAF Association. An ATC Branch
was formed when I was appointed to the RAAFA State Council.
On 19 November 1978 I was appointed at Regional Commandant of the Victorian Squadron
with the rank of Wing Commander and also as the first National Coordinator of the AIRT,
which kept me pretty busy. At this time I presented the Crickmore cup as the trophy of the
winner of the Inter Squadron Drill Competition. In 1981 I received a Fellowship to study in
the USA and worked with the Civil Air Patrol and the California Cadet Corps. On return to
Australia in 1982 I was transferred to the Active Reserve and posted to No 21 (City of
Melbourne ) Squadron as the Admin Officer. Among the duties at 21 Sqn was the position
of Air Training Corps Liaison Officer-Victoria and ADC, at Government House to the
Governor of Victoria, Sir John McIntosh Young. During that time there were Sqn
deployments to Townsville for relief manning and later to East Sale to reform 32 Sqn, where
the new CO was Peter Cleary a former ATC cadet. I retired from 21 Sqn on reaching
compulsory retiring age of RAAF members at that time.
On retirement from my civilian job as school principal, I was offered full time service under
Air Force Regulation 4 J 3 and was appointed to Training Command to resolve issues with
the training of RAAF Cadets at the Defence Force Academy in Canberra, and Reserve Force
Training, later appointments were to Logistics Command as Admin O for the Engineering
Branch, which included Budget control, and the RAAF College in the Training and
Development Cell.
On Friday 28 Feb 1992, I left the RAAF after having continuous service since 12 April
1949, a total of 43 years.
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LEFT : WGCDRE D. CRICKMORE ATC
NEXT: CPT W. DENISCK USA
BEHIND: SQNLDR KEITH ANDERSON ATC
A PHOTO OF DAVID CRICKMORE, KEITH ANDERSON AT AIR TRAINING CORPS
ANNUAL PARADE JULY 1979. WAYNE DENISCK WAS THE FIRST CAPTAIN
EXCHANGE OFFICER (USA) WHEN DAVID WAS CO.
PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN AT POINT COOK
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THIS PHOTOGRAPH IS OF THE FIRST
RCOM/NAT CDO MEETING (REGIONAL COMMANDANT/NATIONAL CO-ORDINATOR
OF ATC CADETS)
TAKEN AT LAVERTON—SEPTEMBER 1979
* * * * * WGCDR DAVID WGCDR “BUNG” AGNEW LEIGH GPCAPT
CRICKMORE ,VIC. ? S.A. LOVEGROVE PETER GRIGG
“TROUBLE SHOOTER” TAS. PAF CO ORD
FOR ATC
PETER GRIGG
NOTE: REGIONAL COMMANDANT LATER CHANGED TO COMMANDING OFFICER THEN
OFFICER COMMANDING FOR EACH SQUADRON, NOW WING.
* NAT CO ORD—NATIONAL CO-ORDINATOR OF ATC CADETS
THAT WAS DAVID’S ROLE/FUNCTION AS WELL AS RCOM-VIC.
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THE FAMOUS ‘LINK TRAINER’
After requesting information from our readers on the LINK TRAINER Flight Simulator,
David Crickmore sent in the following.
With regard to the Link Trainer A13 series in the RAF Register of aircraft. There was one at
26 Flt Latrobe Valley, one at 15 Flt Melbourne HS and one at HQ. I think there was one at
Mildura. Ivan Scott Flight Commander at Morwell at the time and I were responsible for the
installation of the one at Morwell. This consisted on arranging for the transport of the Link
from east Sale then removing an external wall from the building at the Latrobe Valley Air-
port, hiring crane to lift it in, replacing the wall and then repainting and repairing the build-
ing, which is a story in itself. After it was installed is had to be set up by a PAF Instrument
Fitter who stayed with Mary and I whilst his did the job which lasted for about a week. I
would drive him out to the airport, Mary would supply him with a lunch, and then I would
pick him up of an evening. As well we had to pick him up from Morwell station and return
each six months as he did the maintenance check on the aircraft, I do have a picture of our
eldest son “flying the link”. After it was installed the local Latrobe Valley Aero Club would
“hire” the link for a reasonable sum each session and the flight got the proceeds. At that
stage the ATC was part of the RAAF system ,we could buy beer and drinks through the
RAAF Canteen Services, cheaper than at the local pubs, so we would buy the Aero Clubs
drinks and make a small profit on them as well.
Member Hugh Tank’s experience on the Link Trainer at ATC HQ North Melbourne is re-
counted overleaf.
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LINK TRAINER AT ATC HQ
A number of cadets from the then No 8 Flight Box Hill High School (Circa
1954) went into HQ at North Melbourne for flying experience on the Link
Trainer situated in that building.
After my ‘experience’ at the controls, and clamouring out of the machine, I
asked the Flight Sergeant, “How did I go Sergeant?” He replied, “Not too bad
son until you came in to land.” I replied, “Why, what happened?” The
Sergeant answered, “You were flying 200 foot underground.”
I think it was then that I knew I wasn’t going to be a pilot. Perhaps I should
have joined the Navy and become a Submariner. However, upon reflection,
when I recall Sir Winston Churchill’s comment about the Navy, I’m perhaps
glad that I didn’t.
“Don’t talk to me about the Navy, it’s nothing but Rum, Sodomy, and the
lash.” (Sir Winston Churchill)
!WHO’S NAVY WAS HE TALKING ABOUT! LORD NELSON’S?
After Hugh Tank’s effort on the Link Trainer, David Crickmore’s son, John,
appears to be doing a better job.
TAKEN AT 26 FLIGHT LATROBE VALLEY FLIGHT
(MANY YEARS AGO)
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RECOLLECTIONS OF RECOLLECTIONS OF RECOLLECTIONS OF RECOLLECTIONS OF
AN ATC CADETAN ATC CADETAN ATC CADETAN ATC CADET
Remember the article in the October 2009 issue by H. Tank on the infamous
‘Engineering Camp’ to Wagga? Our member David Crickmore takes up the
story.
Hello there Hugh,
Well the latest issue of our Newsletter really brought back memories for I too
was on the “Engineering Camp” to Wagga in the 1950’s. I certainly remember
the long train trips, the cricket match with the appies who were remaining in
camp, and the stripping down of the two aircraft engines and packing them up
for the eventual display at the old headquarters at North Melbourne. From
memory Hughie Power, Merv Radford were the two Reservists who accompa-
nied us on the trip. Not sure if Alan Marsden was also on the trip. I can recall
one day we all went into Wagga and sat around a lake and fed the tortoises.
Not sure what ever happened to the engines. I think after a while they may
have finished up at PCK in the Museum.
WHO WAS ROGER’S
LODGER?
AND THE YOUNG MAN WHO WAS VERY FOND OF
HER?
FIND OUT IN THE NEXT INSTALMENT.
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HIGH FLIGHT
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter—silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of—wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air…
Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew -
And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
POEM PENNED BY A YOUNG WW11 FIGHTER PILOT,
JOHN GILLESPIE MAGEE
A WORD FROM OUR CHAPLAIN ‘HAPPY NEW YEAR’
The hymn writer, George Smart, wrote:
“Through all the changing scenes of lift,
In trouble and in joy,
The praises of my God shall still
My heart and tongue employ”
We live in uncertain times. Our Country’s involvement in several theatres of war, tragedies
on road and rail and also in the air. In addition the current controversy about climate change
has more than our political parties concerned about the future.
In the past, New Year was a time to make resolutions about changing certain habits to ensure
a better future. On occasion some of those resolutions lasted a reasonable time, however the
sad fact is that most were broken not very long after they were made.
It appears that we need a force or power greater or outside ourselves to assist us with our
life. For the Christian that power is in the person of Jesus Christ. One of the great attributes
of the Christian life is hope. My hope is that we will enjoy a very happy and holy Christmas
and a joyous New Year.
CHAPLAIN STEVE BOX
WELFARE
Our member Charlie Lambeth, still unwell, sends his regards to all of our Branch Members.
For Welfare matters contact : Hugh on 9877 3424.
EDITORIAL
For Editorial matters contact: The Secretary, Hugh Tank, 11 Paulette Court, Blackburn
South, Vic, 3130. Phone 03 9877 3424.