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Belvedere XG463
at Dhala 1963
Photo Roland Pickering
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No. 26 Squadron was formed on the 8th October, 1915, and served
marked success throughout both World Wars.
On the break of World War II, the Squadron,
then engaged on A Co-operation duties was
moved to France, subsequently returned to
the United Kingdom at the time of Dunkirk. |
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In October 1941, the Squadron was re-equipped
with Tomahawks, which were soon replaced with Mustangs,
and as a welcome change from A Co-operation duties,
commenced activities in the ground attack role, which
lasted until the cessation of hostilities in 1945.
After
the war there followed a period of service in Germany,
and in June, 1955, the Squadron had the honour of being
presented with its Standard by H.R.H. The Prince Philip.
The disbandment of the Squadron took place at Gutersloh,
Germany, in December, 1960, it then being equipped with
Hunter F.6's.
Re-formed at Odiham on the 1st June, 1962, with
Belvedere Helicopters, the Squadron flew to Khormaksar
in February, 1963, where it is now operating.
The first two aircraft of No. 26 Squadron arrived at
Khormaksar on 1st March, 1963, after the longest flight
made by helicopter, a total of 4,200 miles.
Belvedere XG463
at Khormaksar 1964. Photo Peter Pickering
After an
intensive trials period the aircraft were employed in
specialist load lifting tasks which included
Land-Rovers, field howitzers and even a small motor
roller. They have also been employed on operations up
country in support of the F.R.A. in a tactical role, and
for casevacs from remote villages where no conventional
airstrip has been available.
With the
two Rolls/Napier Gazelle engines the Belvedere can lift
eighteen fully armed troops and it is already a familiar
sight in many parts of the Federation.
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In 1962
Derek Palmer was serving with the Army Air
Corps in Aden at 653 Light Aircraft
Squadron's "Falaise" airfield, Little Aden.
At that time the squadron was equipped with Auster 9s which were used to support the
Federal Regular Army. |
Army Air Corps
Airfield at Falaise Camp, Little Aden. Photo
Roland Pickering
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His Auster had suffered a series of oil
pressure problems which were eventually
solved by shipping the fuselage away in a
Beverley for an engine change at the
R.A.F.'s M.U. at Khormaksar. When the Auster
arrived back Derek was about to do an air
test but was told that it had been involved
in a collision with a taxiing Hunter and had
been returned to the Maintenance Unit.
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"By the end of the Auster's second
repair one of the early
Belvederes
from the RAF's No.26 Squadron had arrived in
Aden on 'hot and high' trials and this
provoked some bright spark to suggest that
the Auster's fuselage be taken back to
Falaise slung on the hook beneath the
Belvedere.
Not only would this enable its return but
also provide a useful hot weather task for
the
Belvedere. Up to that time there
had been no helicopters serving in Aden, so
the distinct noise of one, flying close by,
drew almost all of 653 squadron personnel
out to the airfield to watch the
proceedings".
"The
pilot made one approach to familiarise
himself with the ‘field’. On the second
approach the Belvedere hovered in front of the
audience before starting to descend. I do
recall some wag in the crowd saying, 'What’s
the betting they drop it?'. When the Auster
fuselage was still approximately ten feet
above the runway, descent stopped and, to
the consternation of all, it was released.
Its tailplane flapped dramatically down
ending with the tips almost touching the
ground. The undercarriage was squeezed
rapidly upwards for it had never been
designed to take such a short landing, not
even from trainee Army Air Corps pilots! And
one can only imagine the shock loading to
the new engine!."
"I
believe an Air Loadmaster had positioned
himself at the window halfway down the
pencil shaped
Belvedere
where he gave instructions to the pilot as
to position, descent, load touch down and
hook release. The story goes, and I cannot
vouch for its veracity, that at around ten
feet the Air Loadmaster had coughed. The
pilot thought he heard ‘Drop’, went into the
hover and released the hook!"
"Needless
to say the Auster went back to the M.U. for
the third time, and I never saw it again for
by then I was flying the Immortal Beaver." Derek Palmer |
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