Arrival of Equipment on Unst 1955 Part 3

Two sections about the arrival of radar equipment at Baltasound have already been published:-

http://ahistoryofrafsaxavord.blogspot.com/2009/11/arrival-of-radar-equipment-on-unst-1954.html

http://ahistoryofrafsaxavord.blogspot.com/2010/09/arrival-of-radar-equipment-on-unst-in.html

I’m grateful to George Bett (again) for supplying the photos of another landing which also took place in 1955. The Landing Craft involved was the ADC 1204, which sailed from Cairnryan and called into Lerwick en route to Unst. Cairnryan, near to Stranraer, became a very important military port during WWII  and immediately after the war it was used to help in the disposal of unused ammunition and explosives. This material was loaded onto vessels like the ADC1204, taken out to deep water in the Irish Sea and dumped. Although this sort of operation would not be allowed in the modern world different standards applied at the time. Cairnyan is now in use by P&O Irish Ferries.

George also remembers that on one of the sailings some equipment was transhipped to the craft at sea from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Robert Dundas. The main cargo on this run appears to be generators – Unst was without mains electricity until sometime after the camp power station became operational.

The first photo shows the ADC 1204 en route – I’m sure everyone on board was grateful for the sea state.

The next 2 photos show the  ADC 1204 at Lerwick. Those of you who are familiar with current Lerwick may be surprised to see how few houses are visible to the north of the town in the second of these pictures.

The next 2 pictures are of equipment being landed at the slip at Baltasound.

The last shot is of the empty ADC 1204 lying alongside the pier at Baltasound – the old pier buildings and Springfield Hotel can be seen in the background. The slip used for landing the equipment is near the centre of the picture.

CONTENTS LIST

http://ahistoryofrafsaxavord.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/contents-list.html

AOCs/AFI 1997 - Air Cdre Doble

The Annual Formal Inspection in 1997 was carried out on 8 July by Air Cdre Lloyd Doble OBE, FRAeS, RAF.  The Stn Cdr was Sqn Ldr Bill Gray – you could think Bill was unlucky as he already had his posing notice for the following month, a few weeks later and it would have been someone else’s problem!

 

 

 

CONTENTS LIST

http://ahistoryofrafsaxavord.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/contents-list.html

Sharyn Louise at Norwick

The Sharyn Louise (LK250) was a Lerwick registered Fishing Vessel based in Out Skerries. On 24 June 2003 whilst off Unst she sprung a bad leak and the skipper decided to beach her on the sand at Norwick. When beached she received assistance both from the Reknown (LK50 – another Out Skerries based boat) and from RAF Saxa Vord.  The incident is described in the Shetland Times Article below which is followed by a number of pictures taken from the shore. The Fairway (LK270) which eventually towed the Sharyn Louise to Lerwick was also based in Out Skerries. (Left click on pictures to enlarge).

CONTENTS LIST

http://ahistoryofrafsaxavord.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/contents-list.html

Visit by Gp Capt ADGE 7 Jan 98

Gp Capt Brian Rogers visited Saxa early in 1998. He was accompanied by Sqn Ldr Hann (a previous CO of Saxa – Sep 93 to Sep 95) and by Sqn Ldr MacDonald-Webb (who held a NATO Coordination staff post). It was very unusual for there to be staff visits to Saxa that early in the year.  Sqn Ldr Jones, the Station Commander, accompanied them during their stay on the Unit. (Left click on pictures to enlarge).

The final picture in this section is a copy of the cover of the Spring 98 Issue of the station Magazine – The Saxa Voice.

 

CONTENTS LIST

http://ahistoryofrafsaxavord.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/contents-list.html