Faulkner, Fred (Oral history)

British armourer NCO served with RAF in GB and Aden, 1959-1966

REEL 1 Recollections of background in Walsall Wood and Newcastle upon Tyne, 1940-1958: family background and father's military service, 1939-1945; German air raid; sweet rationing; terrace housing; letter contact with father; question of effect of minimal contact during father's war service; education; move into council housing in Newcastle; work as newspaper boy; work for railway newsagents, 1956-1957; story of meeting wife, 1957; attending Outward Bound School, Aberdovey, 1957; work as garage mechanic in Darlington, 1958-1959; activities with Royal Observer Corps including aircraft recognition and underground posts to monitor nuclear attacks and exercises; background to joining RAF, 11/1959. Period at Reception Centre, Cardington, 11/1959: assignment for training as armourer; kitting out and haircut; oath of allegiance. Recollections of basic training at No 4 Recruit Training Camp, Bridgenorth, 11/1959-1/1960: reception; hut accommodation; drill; PT; weapons training; relationship with recruits. REEL 2 Continues: relationship with instructors. Period training as missile armourer training on Bloodhound missile, Newton, 1/1960-2/1960: reception; nature of Bloodhound missile; effects of unification of armourer trade. Recollections of training as armourer at No 12 School of Technical Training, Melksham, 2/1960-8/1960: theoretical lectures; disciplinary problems; training on 30mm aircraft gun; method of zeroing rifles; success on course and question of accelerated promotion. Recollections of period as armourer at Middleton St George, 9/1960-1/1964: presence of 33 Sqdn, RAF flying Javelins and 226 Operational Conversion Unit flying Lightning; role in armoury servicing 30mm Aden guns and Firestreak missile used by Javelin on interception missions; checking missile store; passing exam without training course to become armourer fitter; marriage, 2/1962; rented accommodation; deferment of overseas training until birth of son; Operation Matador training exercise of bomber unit testing fighter defence of GB; relationship with NCOs and difference between command and technical NCOs. REEL 3 Continues: relationship with officers; working on station model; guard duties; role as duty armourer. Recollections of period at Khormasaksar, Aden, 1/1964-1/1966: flight out; first impressions of climate; barrack accommodation; role of Arab servants; units present including 43, 8 and 208 Sqdns flying Hunter IX; opinion of Hunter IX including speed of rearming and ground attacks role; opinion of Martin Baker III ejector seat; role servicing and modifying ejector seats; review of political situation; operations in Radfan area; incursions by MIGs from Yemen; attack on Haribo, Yemen; insurgent organisations; work on arming 3" rockets used by Hunter IX and 1,000lb bombs use by Shakleton; guard duties to secure airfield; married quarters in flats in Maala including guard duty rota, personal weapons necessary, rocket strike on flats; story of shooting in street whilst on guard duty outside flats, nearly shooting suspect and subsequent grenade attack on army patrol. REEL 4 Continues: story of shooting in street whilst on guard duty outside flats and subsequent investigation; army guards assigned to flats; story of close escape from drive by shooting attack; promotion to corporal technician; duties as specialist on 30mm gun bay including harmonisation of aircraft sights and setting up leaded 4 gun packs; duties on first line servicing and rearming Hunter IX with gun packs and rockets; necessity to prepare 6 aircraft for dawn take-off in emergencies; fights between soldiers of different units in canteen; close escape from grenade attack in Arab bar; question of sports and recreations; role of Women's Voluntary Service; attending concert party starring Reg Varney; food rations; climate; reactions to return to GB. Period at RAF Finningley, 1/1966-5/1966: role inspecting Vulcan II before and after flights; minimal duties; background to leaving RAF. Post-service career: work as supervisor at packaging factory; value of RAF experience; acclimatisation to civilian lifestyle; background to emigration to Australia, 1970; failing medical for Australian Air Force; success of emigration experience.