Post by Hurricane on Feb 4, 2010 14:14:44 GMT 1
Item from Dave Welch
Nearly two years ago, Dave sent me two pictures featuring Eric Bates, who was a 249 pilot from 1957 - 59, but taken 50 years apart. The editorial filing system then lost his item but has now found it in time for this Newsletter.
Dave said that he thinks Eric was the first man to escape from a Canberra, through the side-door wearing a chest parachute, during his conversion course at Bassingbourn. He then joined 90 Squadron at Marham, on which Dave was then serving. Also on 90 Sqn was observer Gusty Gale who later did the same feat at about 1500ft on the approach to Idris when the aircraft was on fire. Dave says he happened to be at Idris the same day. Eric later emigrated to Australia and joined the Australian Air Force - flying Canberras. He came back to UK in 2006 for the final celebrations of the retirement of the Canberra at the Waddington Air Show -when the second photograph was taken.
Your Editor remembers Eric Bates as having the fastest reactions he had then seen. It was during the Cyprus troubles and there had been recent terrorist attacks at Akrotiri. We were lounging in the crew tent on the 249 site when, suddenly, there was a hissing noise and immediately Eric was up and out of the tent running well clear before the remainder of us realised it was just a hissing bottle of carbonated water. It was then I woke up to the need for vigilance even in familiar safe surroundings and that has helped me a few times since then. So, thanks, Eric.
Picture: Gusty and Eric, Marham, 1955 Picture: Eric and Gusty, Waddington, 2006
If anyone knows of Erics current whereabouts, do let us know.
Nearly two years ago, Dave sent me two pictures featuring Eric Bates, who was a 249 pilot from 1957 - 59, but taken 50 years apart. The editorial filing system then lost his item but has now found it in time for this Newsletter.
Dave said that he thinks Eric was the first man to escape from a Canberra, through the side-door wearing a chest parachute, during his conversion course at Bassingbourn. He then joined 90 Squadron at Marham, on which Dave was then serving. Also on 90 Sqn was observer Gusty Gale who later did the same feat at about 1500ft on the approach to Idris when the aircraft was on fire. Dave says he happened to be at Idris the same day. Eric later emigrated to Australia and joined the Australian Air Force - flying Canberras. He came back to UK in 2006 for the final celebrations of the retirement of the Canberra at the Waddington Air Show -when the second photograph was taken.
Your Editor remembers Eric Bates as having the fastest reactions he had then seen. It was during the Cyprus troubles and there had been recent terrorist attacks at Akrotiri. We were lounging in the crew tent on the 249 site when, suddenly, there was a hissing noise and immediately Eric was up and out of the tent running well clear before the remainder of us realised it was just a hissing bottle of carbonated water. It was then I woke up to the need for vigilance even in familiar safe surroundings and that has helped me a few times since then. So, thanks, Eric.
Picture: Gusty and Eric, Marham, 1955 Picture: Eric and Gusty, Waddington, 2006
If anyone knows of Erics current whereabouts, do let us know.