Barker, Lionel (Oral history)

British NCO served with No 131 Maintenance Unit, RAF at RAF Khormaksar in Aden, 12/1965-11/1967; served with RAF Waddington, GB, 1968-1971; served with Queens Flight at RAF Benson, GB, 1971-1975; served with Aircraft Servicing Flight at RAF Coningsby, GB, 1975-1977; civilian worked for British Aerospace at Salmesbury, GB, 1977-1998

REEL 1: Background in Chorley, GB, 1947-1963: family; education. Aspects of enlistment and training as aircraftman with RAF in GB, 1/1963-12/1965: background to joining RAF as boy entrant at No 4 School of Technical Training, RAF at RAF St Athan, 1/1963-6/1964; posting to RAF Waddington, 7/1964-12/1965. Recollections of period as NCO with No 131 Maintenance Unit, RAF at RAF Khormaksar in Aden, 12/1965-11/1967: posting to Aden, 12/1965; types of aircraft using airfield; duties modifying fuel drop tanks of Hawker Hunters. REEL 2 Continues: modification work on aircraft; work on written off Hawker Hunter; capacity of maintenance hangar; problems with wind-blown sand; working conditions; return to RAF Waddington, 11/1967; character of guard duties; sight of animals on way to market; opinion of civilian population; deployment of military forces in Aden; degree of threat in Little Aden; use of beaches; transport used; restrictions on visiting Crater; working on shot down Westland Sioux AC 1 (XT 173) helicopter; modification of Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer and subsequent investigation. REEL 3 Continues: transfer to 78 Sqdn, RAF; work transporting servicemens remains to Silent Valley Cemetery; flights in Air Sea Rescue Westland Wessex helicopters; flight to GB for Christmas leave, 12/1966; impressions of Aden; activities with Scouts in Aden; later activities with Scouts; second hand story of wife's family; posting to RAF Waddington. Aspects of period as NCO with Queens Flight at RAF Benson in GB, 1971-1975: description of Queens Flight; responsibilities as airframe fitter; background to volunteering for joining Queens Flight. REEL 4 Continues: selection interviews and introduction to flight at RAF Benson; relations with commanding officer; relations between squadron personnel; amusing story of batting in squadron helicopter into landing. Aspects of period as NCO with Aircraft Servicing Flight at RAF Coningsby in GB, 1975-1977: amusing stories of reunions with former service comrades on arrival at station; working on hydraulics systems on MacDonald Douglas Phantom; description of work in oxygen bay including working with liquid oxygen. REEL 5 Continues: additional duties; married quarters; problems encountered with housing on leaving RAF and comparison of married quarters during service life. Aspects of period as worker with British Aerospace at Salmesbury, GB, 1977-1997: obtaining employment; character of union representation in factory; work with carbon fibre; introduction of health and safety measures; charity work. Reflections on service with RAF, 1963-1977: background to joining RAF in 1963; question of rejoining RAF after leaving in 1977; injury received during service; family details.