Reopened xxx 2004, under administrative control of raf scampton, but operational control of the asacs force command at raf boulmer. As it covers the years 1927 1971, there are only two chapters covering the war years. The officers quarters compound, raf officers mess of the exroyal air force station kai tak now houses the kai tak campus of hong kong baptist university. A depiction of raf photo reconnaissance spitfire pr mk xix number ps852 of 81 squadron, based at kai tak, hong kong, in 195253. He was the commanding officer of the raf station at kai tak immediately before the start of the war. Thomas stanley horry was born in boston, lincolnshire on 21 may 1898. World heritage encyclopedia, the aggregation of the largest online encyclopedias available, and the most definitive collection ever assembled.
Raf regiment history raf regiment association official. Hornet f3 wb909 of 80 squadron raf based at kai tak, hong kong in 1954. In 1966 the station was transferred to the royal artillery and renamed rapier barracks, closing on 31 mar 2004, after which it reverted to raf control. Sulphur channel from the new volume 3 of gwulos books. The definitive history of 603 city of edinburgh squadron, rauxaf volume ii. Detachments from the squadron however were still located and kept busy at a wide range of airfields across the southeast asian theatre of operations.
I eventually arrived at 117 after having been sent to little sai wan by mistake, in february 1959. See classic airliners, the concorde and much more in this 2 hour dvd. From 1968 to 1978 it was used by various raf helicopter units, as well as the royal hong kong auxiliary air force. Raf kai tak stock photos and images 5 narrow your search. Kai tak airport world cities view map airplane view hong kong street view history city pictures 1950s raf kai tak,kowloon,hong kong. Hector dolly gray, the signals officer from raf kai tak and several other ranks is recorded in the diary of squadron leader donald hill see dr philip astons website relating to russells mathematical tables entry for saturday, th december 1941. Vhhx was the international airport of hong kong from 1925 until 1998. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Published in 1952 by the saint catherine press ltd. The raf had always occupied the eastern end of kai tak next to todays richland and telford gardens whilst the. Author royal air force publisher production date 1972 place made kai tak, hong kong. The remaining reclamation was accomplished and an airport, known as the aerodrome at kai tak, was built. A brief history of the raf regiment 19421960 by air vice marshall j.
From 1968 to 1978 it was used by various raf helicopter units, as well as the royal hong kong auxiliary air force and hong kong volunteer defence corps air unit. Royal hong kong auxiliary air force project gutenberg. I was based at raf kai tak, from dec,1950 to may 1952, as an air wireless mechanic, posted to 80 fighter squadron. Hong kong kai tak in the 1960s a visual history of the. An informal history of raf seletar, the royal air force base in singapore, from its earliest origins to the departure of the raf in 1971, illustrated with many vintage photos tales of a bomber command waaf. Prior to the closure of raf kai tak in the 1970s, kai tak airport and the airfield prior to it was divided into civilian and military use. Group captain thomas horry commanding officer raf kai tak. The fact is, ho kai died in 1914 and au tak in 1920, and they had nothing to do with the construction of the airport. The raf flight operated a few land based aircraft as well as having spare aircraft for naval units.
It opened as raf kai tak in 1927 and a concrete slipway was added in 1928. The squadron moved to kenley the following year and reequipped with the dh. Dr hokai and mr au tak started an illfated building scheme. Dec 03, 2014 by the 90s, booming hong kong was outgrowing kai taks limited capacity. Accomodation was at kai tak and we travelled daily by garry up route twist to get to work. The raf flight operated a few land based aircraft as well as having spare aircraft for naval.
History of royal air force kai tak imperial war museums. Many regionalhistory and anecdote books tell that kai tak airport was so named to commemorate ho kai and au tak, the alleged founders of the airport. He was given a new assignment with raf, singapore and left hong kong on the illfated ss ulysses, bound for singapore by way of manila. Kai tak airport hong kong 20th anniversary dvd kai tak airport, forever book, cathay.
May 01, 2018 thomas stanley horry was born in boston, lincolnshire on 21 may 1898. Raf kaldadarnes was officially closed, leaving behind a det of 5021 airfield construction squadron. Popular raf squadron books showing 2 of 33 the greatest squadron of them all. On 27 june 1962, the withdrawal of 28th squadrons last venom registration wr539 was marked by a ceremonial flypast with a. The airport was designed to handle 24 million passengers per year but, by 1996, kai tak was handling 29. Raf kai tak project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. Food and beverages page 3 the industrial history of.
Merchandise, raf regiment history, raf regiment news, special offers 26 mar book launch in every place the raf armoured cars in the middle east 192153, by dr nigel warwick. Seaplanes began using victoria harbour in mar 1911. Peter hammond, english historian this is a book about bucking the system, merging cultures, and fighting the good fight. For more information about this place, please click the view button above. Media in category exroyal air force station kai tak the following 4 files are in this category, out of 4 total.
The raf left kai tak and moved most other operations to sek kong airfield from 1993 onwards the civilian government flying service replaced royal hong kong auxiliary air force at kai tak, thus. From 1993 onwards the civilian government flying service replaced the royal hong kong auxiliary. Royal hong kong auxiliary air force project gutenberg self. Raf kai tak was a royal air force station in hong kong. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or. We are a media aviation and military business specialising in photographs, publishing and broadcast production. Popular raf squadron books meet your next favorite book. Mr kai and mr tak want to do some reclamation for development in kowloon. Opened 10 march 1927 closed 9 may 1978 commissioned by his loving family in memory of flying officer kenneth rosewell, 80 squadron, raf kai tak, posted missing on 28 december 1949 donate. Officially known as hong kong international airport from 1954 to 6 july 1998, it is often referred to as hong kong international airport, kai tak, or simply kai tak and kai tak international airport, to distinguish it from its successor, which is often referred to as chek lap kok. We are the largest and fastest growing community of uk forces veterans on the web with over 500,000 members. We can reunite you with your friends who served at raf kai tak and we have a wealth of information on different units, bases and ships in.
Object details category books related period second world war content, 19451989 content, second world war content creator alderson, g. The raf had always occupied the eastern end of kai tak next to todays richland and telford gardens whilst the civilian side was located at the western end. If you are looking for a specific book which we do not have in stock, then please get in touch and well let you know just as soon as it comes in. The raf hangar at tai hom can be seen at lower left near the access road. Fortunately however, its a great book with plenty of original photographs and a wealth of information.
I actually purchased this as a gift for my dad who serviced dh hornets in kai tak during the early 50s, and since the majority of images are from raf kai tak, it should be just the ticket. Welcome to forces reunited the place where you can find information and friends from raf kai tak. It was a destination for aviation buffs due to the fact that you could see the airliners very closeup. On 9 march, raf kai tak, a royal air force base, was established. This dvd captures that experience from a bygone era. If you come across information about other lard factories in hong kong please send it in. Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from wikipedia or other free sources online. However, an raf signals presence at the site in late 1941, comprising one officer, flt lt. His story continues with many exciting incidents flying from the companys home base at kai tak in hong kong.
By the 90s, booming hong kong was outgrowing kai taks limited capacity. A short history of the raf regiment from 1942 to 1970 with a brief account of the approach to the problems of airfield defence in the raf from 1918 to 1942 by kingsley m oliver. Date picture taken may be approximate monday, october 1. Power unit one rolls royce griffon engine that could develop 2700hp. The ministry of defence, and the air force board will hold the 77 th anniversary of the battle of britain service of thanksgiving and rededication in westminster abbey at 11am on sunday 17 th september 2017 raf regiment association members wishing to attend this popular highprofile event should apply by return email to the undersigned with the following.
It was initially employed on transport duties, ferrying passengers, mail and freight from hong kong to iwakuni in japan in support of the british commonwealth occupation force. Food and beverages page 3 the industrial history of hong. Landing of a qantas dc6 on the main runway 31 as shown here and takeoff in the opposite direction towards. Royal naval air station merryfield formerly raf isle abbotts egdi august 26, 2018. Kabrit kai tak kalafrana kaldadarnes kallang kalyan kanchrapara kandy kankesanturai. Enter the year, or partial year into the box below and press search tip. Arising from the committees deliberations came a recommendation to establish a royal air force museum. If unsure of the year, 197 will give you all the 1970s. Idj writes that it is a postwar structure that was at the south end of the raf site at kai tak.
It was officially known as hong kong international airport from 1954 to 6 july 1998, it is often known as hong kong international airport, kai tak, or simply kai tak and kai tak airport, to distinguish it from its successor which is often referred to as chek lap kok. It was bombed on 8 december 1941 by the japanese air force. A brief history of hong kong part 1 the early days. In 1962 the air force board formed a committee, under the chairmanship of marshal of the royal air force sir dermot boyle, to advise the board on historical and museum matters. Hk kai tak raf base maybe 1950s british hong kong, hong. Kai tak airport world cities view map airplane view hong kong street view history city pictures 1950s raf kai tak gwulo. Aug 19, 2016 raf kai tak was a royal air force station in hong kong. A description of flying boat operations from raf kai tak elaborates on how crews responded rapidly to assist any aircraft in distress over the south china sea. Raf regiment books raf regiment association official. Wings over hong kong an aviation history, 18911988 a tribute to kai tak. History of flight range in deluxe box with optional undercarriage positions, rotating propellers and quality display stand in a smart.
With britain facing down the germans at the dawn of wwii in europe, americans who wanted to help as volunteer pilots in the raf faced numerous obstacles. History of royal air force kai tak unknown binding january 1, 1972 by g. The squadron moved to raf kai tak, hong kong, in september 1945, when the war formally ended. Swansea, formerly raf fairwood common august 18, 2018. Their business fails and the government takes control of their business, establishing an airfield at kai tak, which later becomes raf kai tak, and then hong kong international airport until 1998. Faced with the fact that future promotion within the raf would move him from cockpit to desk, brian elected to join then then fledgling airline, cathay pacific. Officially known as hong kong international airport from 1954 to 6 july 1998, it is often referred to as hong kong international airport, kai tak, or simply kai tak and kai tak international airport, to distinguish it from its successor, which is often referred to as chek lap. Raf kenley, raf third tactical air force, james fitzmaurice pilot, raf wattisham, raf kai tak, seletar airport, osman ali khan, asaf jah vii, vultee a31 vengeance, raf metheringham, airco dh. This former raf base was an important british military base in hong kong during the interbellium. Kai tak airport now closed was located in the midst of heavilyurbanized hong kong. British ground operations in iraq, 2003 to date gulf war, 19901991 battle of britain, 1940 occupation of france, 19401944 cold war, 19461989 lancaster attack on tirpitz, october 1944 herrick, 20022014 malaya campaign, 19411945 battle of arnhem, 1944 attack on ceylon, 1942 cuban missile crisis, 1962 catechism, 1944 varsity, 1945 telic, 2003 operations in afghanistan, 2001 to date operation. The adjacent land was given to the hk government which built and named the airport after them. D alderson author see all formats and editions hide other formats and editions enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. The only fighter squadron in the raf that operated spitfire mark 24s.
The worlds first independent air force, the royal air force celebrates its centenary in 2018. In the 100 years since the end of world war i, the service has been involved in almost continuous operations around the globe, giving the raf the longest and most wideranging history of any air force in the world. Raf regiment books khaki and blue the early ground defence of the raf in ww2 by colonel ronald sherbrookewalker td dl. We currently have 2 books in this category in stock. World heritage encyclopedia, the aggregation of the largest online encyclopedias available, and the most definitive. The latter says this extract comes from a booklet titled history of raf kai tak produced by raf kai tak in the 1970s. Royal air force stations in africa, royal air force stations in asia, royal air force stations in europe, royal air force stations in germany, royal air force stations in singapore, royal air force stations in the isle of man, royal air force. There are not many 1950s photos around showing the landing and takeoff of aircraft prior to the reclaimed runway at kai tak. See more ideas about kai tak airport, kai and hong kong. In 1950, the first members of the royal australian air force raaf joined the unit with temporary billets at lye mun, and in july 1951, operations began at little sai wan alongside the existing unit at tai po.
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