In response to a signal to the Chiefs of Staff from the RAFs Far East Air Force on 8 Mar 1949, the Casualty Air Evacuation Flight was formed on 1 May 1950, initially at Seletar, to develop operational techniques with helicopters, in the casevac role and in the hot climate of the Malayan Peninsula. The unit was initially equipped with three Dragonfly HC.2 (originally on the line for the Royal Navy) and changed its unit title and base shortly afterward. They were followed by the improved Dragonfly HC.4. Although primarily a trials unit, plenty of British servicemen had cause to thank the Dragonfly for extracting them from difficult situations in Malaya. It was disbanded in Feb 1953 to become the nucleus of 194 Squadron.
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Far East Casualty Evacuation Flight List of helicopters |
C/N | Version | Built | In this Org | In other Org | |||
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wa/h/007 w/o 1951 | Dragonfly 1A | 1949 | WF308 : ex G-ALMC. Del MoS as HC.2 in Mar 1950; To Far East Casevac Flt May 1950. | G-ALMC WF308 | |||
wa/h/016 w/o 1953 | hc.2 | 1950 | WF311 : to Far East Casevac Flt. | ||||
wa/h/017 w/o 1954 | hc.2 | 1950 | WF315 : HC.2 Del RAF 8 Mar 1950; Far East Casevac Flt; 194 Sq by Feb 1953 | ||||
wa/h/108 w/o 1953 | hc.4 | 1952 | WT845 : Far East Casevac Flt | ||||
wa/h/109 | hc.4 | 1952 | WT846 : Far East Casevac Flt | ||||
wa/h/002 w/o 1952 | Dragonfly 1A | 1949 | WZ749 : Back to RAF Mar 1952. Damaged during jungle landing, Negri Sembilan, Mala+ | G-ALEG WZ749 | |||
wa/h/124 | hc.4 | 1952 | XB251 : Far East Casevac Flt | ||||
wa/h/125 Scrapped | hc.4 | 1952 | XB252 : Far East Casevac Flt |
Far East Casualty Evacuation Flight Operations |
Dates | Operation | |
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1950-may | 1953-feb | Operation Firedog |