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Date: 12 January 2010
Name: Garry Beauchamp
Email Address:
I am trying to track down George Stephenov (not sure if this is the correct spelling); his last-known posting was from HMAS Albatross to HMAS Sydney (carrier). George and his wife assisted a young boy, Steve Turner. Steve was at an orphanage in Berry on the NSW South Coast and he now lives in Parkes, NSW. Steve has been attempting to contact George and his wife for a number of years, unfortunately with no success. Are you able to help? Kindest regards, Garry Beauchamp, 0421 231 632, (02) 4423 4486.
Date: 11 January 2010
Name: Stu Fletcher
Email Address:
I am trying to track down the following former FAA maintainers - Chad Hallam, Chris Percival, Peter Zeck, John Retzki and Peter Spartalis. All were members of the 69th intake at HMAS Leeuwin. Please contact me via the above email or at 0403 709 399.
Anyone who remembers me and would like to contact me is more than welcome. Kind regards,
Stu Fletcher.
Date: 10 January 2010
Name: Ray (Dutchy) Brauer
Email Address:
I am seeking information regarding the fate of Michael Robin (Mick) Meades, R62040, NAMAE,
date of birth 12 March 1944 at Launceston, Tas, enlisted at HMAS Cerberus on 8 April 1963. Mick was variously attached to 816, 723 and 724 Squadrons. Any information would be appreciated - Ray (Dutchy) Brauer.
Date: 30 December 2009
Name: Denis Mulvihill
Email Address:
It is with saddest that I inform members that Peter Gilbert (ex-POMET), lost his battle with cancer early on 27th December 2009. Peter fought a hard battle over the past months, but sadly he could fight no more - Denis Mulvihill.
Date: 11 November 2009
Name: Bevan Mewett
Email Address:
This is a heads up for those ex-birdies who may have known James Raymond Ryan. Jim served at Albatross, Sydney and Melbourne 1951-57. He was rated LAME.
After discharge he joined Qantas as a Ground Engineer along with many others, including myself. He then moved on to the old TAA and trained as Flight Engineer. Jim flew for many years in this capacity and in many aircraft types, notably DC 6, L188 Electra, Boeing 727-100 and 200 series, Airbus-A300. Until retirement....
Jim moved to Bribie Island where he was well known in various positions in the Lions and Probus clubs. He then moved to the Gold coast where he spent many happy days with his mates over a period of years. Sadly Jim lost a prolonged fight against cancer on 29 October 2009. Jim will be missed but always remembered. Yours, Bevan Mewett, 4 Loftus Place, Sandstone Point, Queensland 4511, phone (07) 5497 6557.
Date: 8 November 2009
Name: Maurie (Knocka) Thompson
Email Address:
My name is Maurie (Knocka) Thompson, address 147 Currie St, Warnbro WA 6169. My email address is . I served in the Fleet Air Arm from 1958 until 1967, then 6 years in the reserve. I served on 724, 725, 816 and 805 squadrons. I would like to find old shipmates. Thank you, Maurie.
Date: 17 October 2009
Name: Commodore Bob Trotter
Email Address:
Can I have the rare opportunity of a submariner putting his head up and providing a detection possibility to you FAAA guys? If so, I am trying to help out a friend who has been assisting the Directors of the Finding Sydney Foundation of which I am one.
Her estranged father was NA1M(E) Francis Leonard Dixon R37706, now deceased, and as her mum is ill she is trying to piece together who and what her dad was before mum passes on. I have checked his SC from the National Archives website and I have the following information:
Francis's daughter is interested to know if there is anyone who knew her dad and may be able to fill gaps in her knowledge as she has only had bits and pieces from her mum. She understands that he was a bit of a lad, although I find that hard to believe! She is a hardy lady and not afraid of the truth, indeed that is what she is missing.
I would be very grateful if you could post this on your message board in the hope that someone amongst your members may have known the man and be able to help her daughter get to know more about him.
If so, please let me know and I will either transfer any information to his daughter or put the sender in contact with her - thanks, Diving Now, Bob Trotter, PO Box 136, Cottesloe WA 6911; (08) 9385 2687; fax (08) 9385 2287; mob 0418 487 158 or above email.
Date: 8 October 2009
Name: Tony Bambury
Email Address:
I am attempting to find any ex- or current-serving members that were in the 67th Junior Recruit intake from 1979. I know that quite a few of them were Birdies and if possible could they please email me. Regards - Tony Bambury.
Date: 21 September 2009
Name: Peter Ellery
Email Address:
Can anyone provide me with contact information on an old friend - CPOAMAE Darryl Day, primarily 817 Squadron between during 70s and 80s. I believe he is somewhere in Queensland but not sure now. With thanks - Peter Ellery.
Date: 1 July 2009
Name: Geoff Litchfield
Email Address:
Can any members assist me in tracking down two old chums from the late 1950s, being in turn Fleet Photographic Officers aboard HMAS Melbourne. They are LCDR (P) Doug McNaughton (ex-RN Flight Instructor at Yeovilton transferred to RAN) and LEUT (O) Keith Roberts RAN, a fellow member of NAC 4 circa 1952. The last I heard of Doug McNaughton, he had a photographic shop in Bondi Junction, many years ago - Geoff Litchfield.
Date: 1 July 2009
Name: Tas Browning
Email Address:
I am presently researching the RAN's role in the atomic tests at Monte Bello and am seeking detail, stories of that time. There was a considerable number of RAN ships attending the tests.
It is my intention to put my research into a book. I have been researching this history for some time and have amassed quite a bit of material but I am always looking for more. All info will be treated as confidential if required. With thanks, Tas Browning email or phone (03) 6424 6314.
Date: 14 June 2009
Name: Ken (Buck) Ryan
Email Address:
I was a POACM when medically discharged in 1968. I was just wondering whether a few ex-aircrew colleagues are still around.
Firstly, I was among the five that were the first Gannet aircrewmen on 816 in 1964. I'm still around and so is John 'Blue' Boulton who is a long time mate and we see each other from time to time, even though we are on different sides of the continent. O'Brien 'Darky' Phillips was killed in Vietnam. Which leaves Fred McCreana and Greg Peterson. Are you still around?
We were snatched from the UCAIR course after completing Wessex training in 1964. From that group, Ray 'Beachball' Godfrey became a pilot and then back to a fishead and I think is still around. Noel Pittaway surfaced at the last FAA reunion so I know you're out there which just leaves 'Shorty' Sutton - are you still around?
For info. I was in the back seat of the Gannet that crashed into the sea when the arrester hook broke on landing in March 1965, Malacca Straits. The pilot, Sub Lt 'Hutch' Hutchinson was killed and the observer, Lt 'B'stroke' Bessel Brown and I survived although banged up a bit.
I met B'stroke briefly at Qantas when he was CO of 817 but I wonder how he is now? Hutch's name appears on the honour role at the Canberra museum as the only Navy casualty of the Malaysian Confrontation.
I suffered after-effects from prang and had to fight tooth and nail (with assistance of RSL) with Vet Affairs but finally got my entitlements in 2000.
While I'm at it, G'day to the pilots and observers I flew with, some I know are no longer around. I understand my main Gannet pilot, 'Clump' Kavanagh, was killed in a reconstructed MiG some years ago.
Cheers from me; any of those who served with me can contact me by email. My brother, ex-PORADAR Chris ''Buck' Ryan, expired some time ago - Ken (Buck) Ryan.
Date: 13 June 2009
Name: Tas Browning
Email Address:
Hi to all ex-handlers. I have made contact with an ex-handler, Don Wright, who served from 1950-56 and who served in Vengeance. He would like to know of any who were in his class of handlers photo, taken in 1950? Can anyone please help here? Make contact with me and I'll pass it on. Kind regards, Tas Browning.
Date: 22 April 2009
Name: John Hogg
Email Address:
I am trying to locate an ex-LAAH D. W. Simpson (Dennis William)
who was in the 28th intake of Collins Divisional Staff at HMAS Leeuwin in 1969-1970.
I believe a G. Halpin has contact records for ex-Handlers. I have also been told by Mick Tattersall that Dennis lives in NSW or QLD and I would like to invite him to our 40th reunion 19 to 21 June 2009.
I have tried the Handlers website www.chockheads.org but no webmaster contact is there. Can you please help me as a matter of urgency? - Regards, John Hogg.
Date: 6 March 2009
Name: Jenni Payne
Email Address:
I am trying to find out if anyone has some pictures or memories/stories of my grandfather, Arthur ("Waka") Payne during his time in the Fleet Air Arm. He served from 1952 to 1970 in the RAN as a pilot.
I would be very grateful for any information or photos, no matter how small it may seem, on his time in the navy. Thanks, Jenni Payne, 48/96 Galleon Way, Currumbin Waters, QLD 4223.
Date: 27 January 2009
Name: Phil Thompson
Email Address:
There is a very good flight simulator video explaining deck landings for the Hornet in FSX
Accelerator (an add-on for FlightSim FSX by Microsoft).
There is a tutorial on the proper techniques of carrier landings - here are three places to check it out:
Regards, Phil Thompson.
Date: 15 January 2009
Name: Ian Wilson
Email Address:
I was just wondering if anyone had some photos of the interior of a Wessex, fully kitted out for flying, please. I'm doing some research for a friend who is doing a restoration project.
Regards - Ian Wilson, Leading Seaman, Technical Training Officer, Multi Role Helicopter Program, telephone (02) 6266 7877, fax (02) 6265 3711, or email (see above).
Date: 4 January 2009
Name: Bernadette (nee O'Neill) James
Email Address:
My husband and I are planning a visit to Australia to see his relatives in Sydney. We were planning to also visit Rob & Tina Partington in Canberra (with whom we had lost contact for the last few years).
I am one of eight maternal cousins of Tina, whose father was Colonel Patrick O'Neill of the British Army. Commodore Partington was the Naval Attache, in London in the 70s and last visited us from Canberra in the 80s.
If you could help us to find Tina, Cassie or Chris - by forwarding this request - we would be delighted. PLEASE help us - Mrs Bernadette (nee O'Neill) James, 49 Foresters Close, Haynes, Bedfordshire MK45 3PR, BLIGHTY, tel. 00 44 1234 381679, email .
Date: 14 December 2008
Name: Phil Thompson
Email Address:
The latest version (1.86GB, dated 26 Nov 2008) of the PDF file highlighting RAN A4G aircraft is now on the web at the ADF-History.com website at:
www.adf-history.com
- to download, follow the directions on the web page. The same PDF file can also be downloaded at www.a4ghistory.com for FREE - again, please follow the directions on the web page.
Please pass on this message to anyone interested. Thanks - Phil Thompson.
Date: 1 December 2008
Name: Michael Mackay-Blair
Email Address:
I'm trying to locate some photos of my uncle who also served in the Navy. Oddly enough his name was also Michael Mackay-Blair, but he was a cook. He and my aunt were killed in a car accident in 1967 near Hastings in Victoria.
He served on HMA Ships Melbourne, Sydney and Duchess in the early 60s and went to Vietnam on Duchess.
Our family has only one photo of him and I was hoping someone might have a pic or two with him in it. They were survived by my cousin Adam who doesn't know much about my side of the family as we live in WA and his mother's family live in Vic, and I'm hoping to put together a file/album of stuff for him. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
To help a little, his full name was Michael Andrew Mackay-Blair, R93536, born 11/12/45, St Giles, England. Also, he was a JR (Junior Recruit) - I believe one of the first intakes but am not sure on that - Michael MB.
Date: 5 November 2008
Name: Terry Feltham
Email Address:
I'm a friend of Rob Ray and helped him out for a few hours at the Day 1 Registration for the 2008 Reunion, selling the RANHFV book that he and Max Speedy had a considerable hand in.
As Rob and I were departing the scene on day 1, a familiar face whizzed by - Beth (nee Dowdeswell) accompanied by her hubby. Beth was a member of WRANS Class 69 of 1975 (HMAS Cerberus Communications School). I have absolutely no idea as to Beth's married name. Anyway, we had but a millisecond to chat. Shame.
Perhaps someone who has her contact details might pass to Beth "my best wishes, it was good to see you again after 40+ years, and have a terrific festive season". Thanks a lot - Terry Feltham, (02) 6355 2077, .
Date: 30 October 2008
Name: John 'Bomber' Brown
Email Address:
For those who made it to the 60th reunion at Nowra and I got to say hello, it was terrific to
catch up again. To those who didn't, I feel sorry that your livers did not get a decent workout.
The reason for this email. As you may know, John Perryman from the Sea Power Centre is a great supporter of the FAA and its history. My collection of patches, accumulated over the years, has sat in a box doing nothing. John told me an upcoming project is (possibly) 2 books - 1, Official Patches of the RAN, and 2, Unofficial Patches.
I have given him my collection as I can't see them doing anything constructive sitting in a box for years to come - just so the kids can dispose of them when I take the last solo into the great beyond.
To make a full set of RAN training with the USN, he needs VT-2 and VT-? (Trackers in Texas). Any other patches (particularly the BATCs (of any description) would be appreciated.
If anyone is interest in donating patches, could you let me know and I will liaise with him as he is pretty busy and the Defence email firewall can be "funny" at times - cheers to all, Bomber.
Date: 27 October 2008
Name: Bill Barlow
Email Address:
To the Executive and all of the helpers who contributed to make the whole reunion weekend such a resounding success, I say thank you very much. I, along with all who attended, had a ball - Bill Barlow.
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