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Wed, Jan 07 2004, 0:55:28 [ VoyUser Login optional ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1 ]

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Date Posted: 24/02/04 8:48:46
Author: John 'Gary' Cooper
Subject: RAF El Adem

Anyone serve on this station, one thing comes to mind here, ZIFT as they say in Arabic. I worked on Staging Aircraft Servicing Flight from Oct 1963 to August 1965, for 15 months I lived in the Palace Hotel, Tobruk in a hiring.

Would like to hear of anyone else's experience of the place El Adem aptly meaning 'The End'

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Replies:

[> Re: RAF El Adem -- John Cooper, 31/03/04 7:23:11

I am now in touch with the following from TASS Transit Aircraft Servicing Flight RAF El Adem 1962-1966

Norman Bonney
Ginge (Tony) Herbert
Pete Kennedy
Andy Louden (Ground Equipment Section associated to TASS)
Barry Salt
Mick Frost
Roger Harris

Anyone want to get in touch with these bods please let me know

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[> [> Re: RAF El Adem -- John Cooper, 31/03/04 15:47:03

...............and another one today! Two in one day is too much! Pinky (Peter) Walton Engine Fitter TASS 1963/64 before going to SAR Nicosia. Peter now runs a guesthouse in Datmouth, Devon

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[> [> [> Re: RAF El Adem -- Alan Langford., 8/12/05 11:22:10

I remember"Pinky" Walton.He was with me on 1564 Flt (Sycamores)in 1964.
I have some 8mm. film of him goingnout to the shower room - what a sight!!
I am now semi-retired but still doing a bit in aviation with a Maintenance Company, ATC Lasham, Hampshire and living not far away in Alresford, near Winchester.
B/rgds,
Alan Langford.

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[> [> [> [> Re: RAF El Adem -- John Cooper, 8/12/05 13:59:37

Hi Alan
If you knew Pinky and was at El A in 64 we should know each other, what trade were you?
John

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[> [> [> [> Re: RAF El Adem -- Jim White, 9/01/12 20:19:30

Just spoke to Ken Patchett who also lives in Emsworth Hants, after visiting the RAF Forum 2 site.
Very nice to see familiar names again:
Jock Patrick.
Eric SKIN Skentlebury.
Tap Tapper.
FS Cockburn was our shift Boss.
Was very lucky that FS Churchill sent me to Akrotiri in May 1964, I followed Tapper who also escaped El Adem.

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[> [> [> Re: RAF El Adem -- David Corbett, 26/02/13 12:43:51

Would appreciate any information on Peter "Pinky" Walton. Where he is these days and if he served at Maralinga? Cheers David Corbett, Australia

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[> Re: RAF El Adem -- John F. Brignell, 20/05/04 13:22:53

We must have been at EA at the same time. I was there from late '64 to late'66. I also was on TASF. Can't remember which shift. Bernie Byrne was the Cheify I lived across the road from the mosque in August Square. (Dustbin Alley) on the back path to the sailing club. My eldest daughter was born in sick 1/4s at EA . Regards Briggers.

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[> Re: RAF El Adem -- Ted Marston, 9/04/05 16:30:48

Stationed at El Adem June 56 to Jan 59. With 62 and 1 Field
Squadron RAF Regiment. I am in touch with 50 of the 'Lads'
(We were then) and we have just had a re union. I think
it was El Adem that has kept us pals.

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[> Re: RAF El Adem -- Doug Lovatt, 20/05/06 21:27:39

Posted in from Akrotiri Mar.57 to TASF(air radar mech)until Aptil 59,then to Marham(El A.with grass).Memory shot now,but names remembered are Ron Chidgey,Lionel Nanton,Barry Egerton,Sgt.Lyons.Anyone who is relevant to this period please get in touch.

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[> Re: RAF El Adem -- Bert Webb, 4/12/06 11:36:18

Hi Fellas,
Our paths must have crossed. I was a fireman at El Adem from 62-64. I was I/C the crash crew when the Canberra came in gushing fuel out of the side of the port engine unknown to the pilot. When we told it to halt, the engines were still running until the pilot saw the lake of fuel his plane was standing in, which was almost an inch deep. I break out in a sweat now when I think of the risk I was taking by not flooding the area with foam.
But I knew Kero is not as inflamable as petrolium and as long as nobody caused a spark we would be OK. We pushed the plane out of the puddle to safety.
I also knew the damage the foam could do to the A/C.
Well it paid off and I got a pat on the back by the TASS crew. I can only imagine what was said by the fire section out of hearing.
I love the dessert country so much I requested another posting there as safety equipment fitter and was there again I/C safety equip sect. 1969 till Kadafi asked us to leave.
I lived in one of the high rise blocks of flats on main street in Tobruk with a view over the harbour.
I live in Australia now with a view over Moreton Bay.
Look me up if you are ever this way.
All the best.
Bert Webb

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[> [> Re: RAF El Adem -- Alan Winfield, 11/10/11 17:54:45

Hi,
I was at El-Adem for 9 months in 1969.
Not in the RAF but with A Coy 3 Para. While there I made great friends with Dave Myles BW 66(Arm).
I have been trying to contact him for some years.
I wondered if anyone on here knew him, or better still is in touch with him, and could let me have his E-Mail address.
Regards,
Alan Winfield.

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[> Re: RAF El Adem -- Ken Patchett, 17/05/07 13:28:16

I was at El Adem 1964-5 working on TASS and worked with a lot of the names mentioned and also see Jim White (engines)in Emsworth. I am now self employed on a contract with BAA at Gatwick and South east airports

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[> Re: RAF El Adem -- Frank H Muirhead, 18/06/08 20:04:42

I served with Air Movements ELA from Jan 61 until Jan 63, and can remember the Hasting crashing flying Maltese REME back home after an exercise and loading coffins into a Shackleton through the small entrance and having to turn them on their sides, not a nice thing to do. I was a Corporal in charge of a shift during that and we used our coach to search the Bondu. I also had to fit stretcher columns to a Hastings flying other bodies back to Malta.
Another time was the first Gulf war, when all UK and Cyprus aircraft met at ELA for fuel and food. We worked around the clock for two days. What about the transit of Swedish J29 aircrfat on UN duties to the Congo. I lived in a hiring in Misurata Street, opposite the Palace Hotel near the Gazoosa bottling plant. Good days down the Lido on the Airmen's beach.
Frank

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[> Re: RAF El Adem -- Allan Walker, 5/10/08 9:48:54

I served as DAMO in the Air Movements from 60-62 and remember the Hastings crash. Flt Lt Adams was DAMO the night it happpened and was suspended from Duty until after the Court of Inquiry was completed. I was also on Duty DAMO the day they eventually returned the bodies. At that time we had no coffins at El Adem and the bodies were wrapped in stretchers covered with sheets. A week after the accident a Beverly arrived and was stacked full of various sizes of coffins.

On a lighter note during this period there was a spate of writings which appeared as "OGG" on all ground equipment, vehicle and eventually on some file covers. I eventually got out of one of my shift that it meant "Oggie has Got to Go." The Oggie in question was Chief Tech Ogdon on TASS who bored his shift constantly with the fact thta he could "temper & tension any steel strut" no doubt because he was considerably oder than any of the Shift.

Another memory is seeing OC TASS a 6'3 Flight Lieutenant struggling across the "pan" on his little motorbike with knees akimbo.

Coming across this site has brought back many memories and will post a detailed report later.

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[> Re: RAF El Adem -- Dave (Taffy) Foulkes, 15/10/08 11:49:08

Hello all you Ex-El Ademites.
I was stationed in El Adem 65-67 in the Fire Section.I had a lot to do with Football,playing for the Station Team and sometimes running it.I have a few photo's,of which some are on the "TEARS"radio Web site.
Anyone remember each section building there Bars at Christmas time?What a time we had.Do you remember they had to chain the wagons in the MT Section bumper to bumper,in case anyone decided they'd make a get-away.Remember Friday Bingo nights on TEARS,one of my Mates a Ron Christian(who later became my best man)well he won £90 on the bingo,all i can remember we had a great party on the Airmans beach in Tobruk.
I am in touch with a Brian Higgins,he was a CPL promoted to SGT before he left El Adem.He is now retired after 39yrs finishing off as a WO.
I have enjoyed reading all the posts and will certainly pay some more visits to this site.:)_:)_:)_:)_:)_:)_:)_:)_:)_:)_:)_:)_:)_:)_:)_:)_

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[> Re: RAF El Adem -- VICTOR CLIFFORD, 21/06/10 15:09:02

I WAS AT EL-A 1959 TO 1961,EQUIPMENT SECTION/AIR RADAR/WIRELESS STORES,STILL IN TOUCH WITH OTHERS OF SAME ERA

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[> Re: RAF El Adem -- john (Taff ) challingsworth, 24/01/11 19:02:18

I was at stationed at El Adem air movments 1962/64 lived in Tobruk el mabri street the wife worked as clerk for the police at the gate house Tobruk and I enjoyed the football on the well grassed pitch in El Adem ???? .my best memory, the Libyan air force landing at at El Adem one C-47 and three shooting stars the entire air force, just befor King Idris left

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[> Re: RAF El Adem -- Stan Lubner, 25/02/11 10:46:11

There 1962-4 (plus an earlier APC detachment from Leuchars) as an Armourer servicing visiting squadrons on APC & using the bombing range.
Spent most of the time at the sailing club & travelling the Med on Medair indulgence flights to team race in dinghies (Cyprus, Malta, Benghazi & Tripoli)
Strange to see those names attached to the current horror in Lybia.
Does anyone remember the Beverley that landed short of the runway & sat out in the Bondu for months until they cut her up? (or the locals carted her away piecemeal!)

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[> Re: RAF El Adem -- Pete Dickinson, 5/02/12 14:13:58

1957-60ish. RAF Police. I am in touch with an ex fireman who now lives in New Zealand and have heard from one copper but there were quite a few other snowdrops stationed at El ADEM at the same time as myself - where are they all ?. Send me an E-mail if you remember me as it would be good to hear from some of the folks from 'Way back when'. Pete

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[> [> Re: RAF El Adem -- Mike Thompson, 24/07/12 17:28:12

I´ve been tryiong to contact someone as I have a few photos taken in 1961 when I was serving as a fitter on TASF. (Inc Stan Stennet arriving for his show)

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[> Re: RAF El Adem -- John Moir, 13/02/12 12:00:08

Hello ex-El Adem people everywhere ! Just thought I would let you know that The Friends of The El Adem RAdio Service (TEARS) are holding their 11th Reunion in October 2012. You would be very welcome to join us all there for some real nostalgia. Full details of the event can be found on the TEARS web site at www.tears.org.uk

If you would like to attend, please contact me. I am the founder member of the association and would be delighted to hear from you.

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[> Re: RAF El Adem -- Jim Robertson, 25/02/13 15:40:16

SAC Telegraphist 1967-1968. Anyone remembers if we were stationed same era? Also joined TEARS as a controller.

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[> Re: RAF El Adem -- john mclellan, 21/03/13 12:01:21

to davie bumford dave jones brenden bergan or any stroremen from 64 to 66 who were at my 21stbirthday

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