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EXERCISE “FLYING SPANNER”

 

Contributed by: Leonard SYMONDS (54A)

 

 

Departure

 

We had planned to set off on 25th February but Allah intervened with a Moslem holiday which threatened to delay us until the 3rd March. A compromise was reached whereby we loaded up on the 26th while the docks at Dubai were still functioning and sailed on the 1st March. The moment had come. Major Dennis Bingham and Captain John Hardy (Workshop Officer) staged a send off parade for us and presented a 74 Aircraft Workshop Pennant to be flown on-route. We were off – destined to spend the next 3 days in mid-creek at Dubai.

 

Kit Check:

 

Steve Langridge, Len Symonds and Mike Estridge

 

 

Loading the vehicle:

 

Len Symonds, Steve Langridge and Mike Estridge

 

Farewell Ceremony:

 

Major Denis Bingham (right) presenting the 74 Aircraft Workshop Pennant to WO1 Leonard Symonds (centre)

with Cpl. Steve Langridge (left) and Cpl. Mike Estridge in attendance

 

 

 

 

Major Denis Bingham (left) and Captain John Hardy (Workshop Officer)

 

 

Dubai

 

The Transport Officer of the TOS had briefed us on the facilities for loading at the docks, primitive he said and primitive it was. Two pieces of rope passed front back under the springs and attached to the crane strops. A spreader bar prevented the canopy from collapsing although it was a close run thing. With everybody around joining in the hand signals the creaking and groaning contraption swung our precious Landrover off the dock, over the creek and down into the Dhow. Many willing feet ran all over our canopy disconnecting the ropes. Once again everything held together – just. Rope was called for to lash the vehicle down to eye bolts. Fortunately we had some as we were expecting to winch ourselves across rivers on route. We had been reading too many adventure stories. Externally the TOS Dhow was indistinguishable from any other plying Dubai Creek, but below decks was the biggest engine I had ever seen. Interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were no formalities upon embarkation, even though we were loading at the Customs Wharf. A short trip up river and we were lying off the British Residency where we were to remain until Saturday so that the crew could observe their religious festival in their own homes. We took it in turns to remain on board during this time while the others went back to civilisation at Sharjah to while away the time answering the question ‘haven’t you gone yet?’

 

Twelve men of the Grenadier Guards were to accompany us to Iran and once they were on board we set off down river at a great pace to the replenishing dock which seemed to be an extension of the market. Soon we were out in the Gulf rolling alarmingly in the choppy conditions.

 

 

 

 

All day we continued up the coast to Muskat, sleeping and eating, wondering what trials awaited us before reaching home. As soon as it began to get dark sleeping bags were rolled out and the deck was covered with sleeping forms. At about 2300 hrs we dropped anchor in a small harbour, at 0400 we were off again this time striking out across the Gulf towards Iran using an ancient compass laid out on the deck in front of the helmsman. Not a chart in sight. The water was now calm, the sun shone out of a clear blue sky and everyone became imbued with that holiday feeling.

 

Published: 1st January 2007

 

 

Part 4