RAAF & RAF Warbirds – 1950 & 1960’s

Warbirds Online has acquired a large inventory of photographs over the years and we enjoy sharing these with our readers whenever we can.

Today’s subject is an interesting collection of photos taken at RAF Butterworth in Malaysia and RAF Tengah and Seletar in Singapore, taken prior to their respective independence from the UK.

These bases were also very important strategic bases during the 1950’s and into the 1960’s to counter the perception of the rise of Communism in the region. To this end between 1957 to the present day the RAAF maintains a presence at Butterworth and although no aircraft are currently based there, in the past RAAF CAC Sabre and GAF Mirage III fighters were resident for many years.

The photos gallery depicts a mixture of RAAF and RAF aircraft which operated out of these two air bases over the years. While the photos are not of the highest quality they are very interesting nonetheless, as they indicate the diversity and quantity of aircraft deployed in this stressful time in the region when the “Red Tide” was thought to be at the door. Types photographed include Vickers Valiant, Handley Page Victor, Avro Vulcan, Gloster Meteor, Gloster Javelin, Auster, Supermarine Scimitar, GAF Mirage III, CAC Sabre, DH 100 Vampire, Lockheed Neptune and Avro Shackleton.

Please enjoy and feel free to comment.

© John Parker 2014