Bob Brand - legasee

Bob Brand

Bob Brand flew Sunderland flying boats on both the Berlin Airlift and during the Korean War.

Bob Brand – Film 1

Bob recalls the Birmingham blitz. It was he says more traumatic to see the aftermath than to be under the bombs as they fell. In 1945 he chooses the RAF over any of the other services. Its the start of a long, distinguished and varied career.

Bob Brand – Film 2

Bob shares memories of his early flight training on a Link Trainer [an early flight simulator]. He passes and in April 1947 he gets his wings at RAF Cranwell.

Bob Brand – Film 3

Bob recalls problems with his standard issue flight boots as his progression to heavy four engined aircraft develops. Eventually he gets his first posting to 265 OCU (Operational Conversion Unit) where he starts flying the Sunderland Flying Boat. He heads to Germany with 265 OCU and then joins 201 Squadron as a Sunderland Captain.

Bob Brand – Film 4

Bob reflects on the morale of the German people and the conditions he witnesses when he arrives in Hamburg. Bob shares some good detail about the Sunderlands role on the Airlift and talks about some of the modifications that were carried out on the craft.

Bob Brand – Film 5

The Sunderland Flying Boats were under the control of Gatow Air Traffic Control but used to land and take off on the Havelsee Lake in Berlin. It was surrounded by woods and was a popular tourist destination in the summer.

Bob Brand – Film 6

Bob Brand and Tom Holland, another Veteran in our archive, used to head to Hamburg for a social life. It was one of the few squadrons that never flew at night because of the lack of lighting on the Havelsee lake.

Bob Brand – Film 7

Bob details some of the loads that were carried in and out of Berlin. Because of the anti-corrosive capability of the Sunderland, salt was a key cargo. He also recalls that there was a degree of competition when it came to the loading and unloading of the their aircraft.

Bob Brand – Film 8

Bob reflects on his role he aircraft. He feels strongly that although it didnt carry as much tonnage as some of the other aircraft that flew, the Sunderland was a very important part of the operation.

Bob Brand – Film 9

After the Airlift and a [very] short break in Wales Bob ends up back in Calshot testing Sonobouys. Hes then posted to 88 Squadron and has an amazing time flying to the remote Pacific islands and Corals around Fiji on an aircraft exchange with the New Zealand Airforce.

Bob Brand – Film 10

Bob visits Hiroshima and recalls the devastation. He then talks in some detail about the unusual methods that were adopted and used to bomb the bandit areas in Malaya.

Bob Brand – Film 11

During the Korean War 88 Squadron were based in Iwakuni, Japan. Their squadron was used to support the American and British Navies by surveying the Korean coastline for suspicious activities. Much of the flying was tedious but he Bob does have the distinction of flying the first operational flight by the RAF in Korea.

Bob Brand – Film 12

The Sunderland was a fair weather aircraft and Bob recalls conditions onboard during the Korean winter. Although the Air Ministry tried to help a fire in an Indian stores meant that the crews were forced to make do.

Bob Brand – Film 13

Bob continues flying with Coastal Command on postings in England and the Far east but when the writing is on the wall for the Sunderlands, its time for a new challenge. Bob recalls his experiences an Instructor of Middle Eastern Airforces. A remarkable conclusion to a remarkable interview. Thanks Bob.

Bob Brand flew Sunderland flying boats on both the Berlin Airlift and during the Korean War.

Bob Brand

Airforce

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Bob Brand had a remarkable career in aviation. Starting out in the RAF he finds himself on Sunderland Flying Boats and on the Berlin Airlift

Unsure

The Far East

Sunderland in repair

Sunderland crew

Sunderland cockpit

Sleepy

Post War Berlin

Onboard Sunderland

Onboard Sunderland in warm climate2

Onboard Sunderland in warm climate

Korea I think?

Hiroshima

Heading to shore

Far East 1

Berlin street scene

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