205's last operational flying boat

by Derek Yeo - 14 October 2008

IN 1959, 205 Squadron turned out in full force, on its disbandment, to freeze this moment (photo) in its history. The occasion coincided with the last flight of its famous Sunderland flying boat.

The squadron, based in RAF Seletar, played a key role in the Korean War 1950 - 1953. Sunderlands flew sorties between Singapore and Japan supporting the Allies in the conflict against the North Korean, Soviet and Chinese forces.

Sunderlands flew countless missions on medical evacuations, troop reinforcements and repatriations. The legendary aircraft was the Allies' work-horse during the 2nd World War and the Korean War.

Many airmen who had served in Seletar during the Fifties would remember the squadron fondly. On the road to the station's swimming pool, one had to pass the picturesque squadron premises on the coast facing the Straits of Johor. And the slipway that was used to launch and beach the flying boats.

In the picture, the squadron commander, flight commanders and pilots sat in the second row. Local civilian workers, seated on the ground, occupied the row in front of them. Senior Non-Commissioned Officers, junior NCOs and aircraftmen posed in the rows behind. Most of the men were on posting from the United Kingdom. A handful of them, however, were local enlisted Royal Air Force (Malaya) personnel.

Can you put a name to anyone in the group?