Meteor 1951 - 1952 (1)

This section is the concluding part of the presentation given by ‘Twinkle’ Storey that bridges the Spitfire and the Meteor Chapters.


I returned to the Squadron in mid-December 1950 and the new aircraft commenced to arrive in the February of ‘51. The conversion period slowly proceeded and during that time I recall two major incidents: the first was at APC when, on a ground attack, the pilot failed to effect recovery in time. That was a heavy blow for the Squadron but, in my opinion, could be listed under “conversion” since the response to the stick in the pull out was very different from that of the good old “Spit”. A second crash, but with a happy ending, occurred when a newly arrived young pilot was about to land the Meteor 7 at Fayid. At the point of touchdown, the aircraft landed heavily, careered off the runway, across the desert and stopped when it hit a solid built guard-post. The post was completely destroyed, the aircraft wrecked and the pilot a little shaken but generally in good form.


Towards the end of ‘51, December, the A Flight commander said to me, as B Flight commander, that he was starting a flight formation aerobatic team. Accepting this for what it was, a challenge, I said it was a good idea and B Flt would do the same. Thus we commenced our training. This was not difficult as the blue sunny skies, and good weather, meant that we could carry out practices on a daily basis. We soon had two proficient aerobatic teams as well as a Squadron Seven. For the AOC’s Inspection in March we presented him with a Squadron Formation and the two Flights then performed their individual displays in front of him. The competition was judged by four senior staff officers, who were a part of the Command HQ at Abu Sueir, and I am happy to report that the winners were B Flt. However, to be fair, there was not much difference between the two flights: only that B Flt was better? The Squadron, with the old Spits, had been the Cinderella of the Canal Zone. Now we were truly the best. The other squadrons certainly could not provide two teams and, at that particular time, I doubt whether the home squadrons, practising in the UK weather, could have matched our displays. I left the Squadron in May of ‘52.


…...continued

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Meteor Chapter 1951 – 1952

‘Twinkle’ Storey
Guest of Honour 2006

Meteor 1951-1952  Page  1  2

Meteor 1951 - 1952 (2)
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