Jervis Bay, early 1950s: Armourers load 20mm cannon amunition and rockets on a Firely - the Argus Coll., SLV.

            6558. With wheels still chocked, a Fairey Firefly is loaded with 20mm cannon shelll tracers and underwing rockets on HMAS SYDNEY [III]'s forward flightdeck. while the pilot and observer wait to board. In this case the rockets appear to be real, rather than the 60lb concrete-tipped practice rockets we've seen on several occasions previously, but one of our expert commentators may be able to tell more about this.

Indeed, much more. Kim Dunstan has acquired a remarkable detailed description of this photo and the people in it from ex-RAN FAA armourer Ian Ferguson.  From Ian's comments we learn that it is taken at Jervis Bay, and therefore concludee that the 'live' rockets were being loaded for firing at the Beecroft Head range nearby. 

Anyway, here is what Kim and Ian had to say in comments below, and raised here for the long-term record:

Kim says: 'This is a nice clear, sharp photograph and obviously posed for the photographer. As it happens I've been able to obtain some details from ex-RAN FAA armourer Ian Ferguson, all the more remarkable for the detail considering the time lapse. Ian said: The fellow standing beside the cockpit on the starboard side is 'Horse' Kennedy, RN A or E (aircraft  or Engines) because of his distinctive jaw. The pilot is the CO of 816, can't remember the name, think the other crew is a young J.D. 'Twitchy' Goble. The fellow kneeling is Phil Harris and RN SAM, standing holding the belt of ammo is Keith Hartman. On the ground the chap holding the HE rocket head is George Dash AA3 RN, kneeling is John Elliot and holding the motor is a Aircraft Handler recruited on the spot David Laird. Remembering they were one shot they grabbed David and put a white cap on him and presto an armourer [flight deck crews had colour coded caps - armourers wore white]. Ian said the ship was at JB early in the 1950s and the rocket heads were 60 lb H.E.
I thought at was a great description by Ian - top marks.

We did too!

Photo: the Argus newspaper collection of pholtographs, State Libnrary of Victoria [La Trobe Library, Accession NO. H98.105/2467, image NO. an0005713.

Some rights reserved

Taken on: February 25, 2013

Stats: 7,311 views / 6 comments

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