Help Wanted - Squadron of 8 Seahawks...
Sandy Saunders is trying to establish the name of a Squadron of 8 Seahawks which took off from an aircraft carrier in the Channel, probably between June 1956 and September 1957. The squadron was unable to land back on due to weather conditions.
All Master airfields in the south of England, including RAF Chivenor, were closed due to fog.
They were running short of fuel, and the CO issued a Mayday call. RNAS Brawdy, although closed for flying, responded. The airfield was re-opened just for this one emergency, and the Squadron was located, and the aircraft talked down in pairs using GCA precision radar.
Each pair went visual at about 60 yards. They all landed safely. He assumes the Mayday call would have been recorded in the Squadron Commanders log, and perhaps even in the ship’s log of the Carrier. Cdr Air at Brawdy at the time was Winkle Brown, Lt Cdr Flying was G P C Williams, Ops Officer was Lt Cdr Marshall, although all 3 Officers were off base
Any help identifying the Squadron would be much appreciated.
Please contact:
Sandy Saunders Lt Cdr RD RNR (Retired)
01494.675586