D-ad astra 618 squadron

To be photographed at various airfields/ places of aviation interest throughout UK please. Eventual goal is to visit Narromine & Fisherman's Bend in Australia where photographs will be essential!

Flying around in loving memory of RAF Flight Engineer Reginald Beal, 101 & 618 sqn(WW2).

Despite its irregular shape, this travel bug should fit easily into most small caches.

D-ad astra 618 squadron was activated on 16 May 2008 - the 65th anniversary of the Dambusters raid.

618 squadron was formed shortly after No 617 (The Dambusters) on 1 April 1943. 618 squadron was created to undertake special operations with a smaller version of Barnes Wallis' bouncing bomb.

Mosquitoes each carried two of the smaller 'highball' devices.

The highball was intended to bounce across the sea until it hit an enemy ship, sank and then exploded.

A variety of highball shapes, drop heights and backspin rotation speeds were tested at Chesil Beach in Dorset, Reculver in Kent and Loch Striven in Scotland.

618 squadron was sent to Australia to be part of the operation force against Japan.

Mosquitoes were sent to Fisherman's Bend aircraft factory in Melbourne for reassembly. Training began at Narromine. 618 Squadron may also have used the airfield at Triamble while they were based at Narromine.

My Father (photograph) volunteered for service when war broke out. Pilot training was lined up until colour blindness was detected. He was flight engineer with 618 squadron when they formed. Was originally with 101 squadron working on Wellington bombers and then Lancaster bombers until his move to 618 squadron. He spent 3 years in Australia and seriously considered settling there after the war.

Related information always welcome. Thanks very much for continuing D-ad astra 618 squadron's flight.

RAF motto: Per ardua ad astra (Latin):'Through adversity to the stars'