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UK Far East Casualty Evacuation Flight

1950–1953

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.

Locations

1950-1951 WSSS SIN SG Changi International Airport
1950 WSSL XSP SG Seletar
1950 WMKF MY Kuala Lumpur Sungai Besi / Simpang
1951-1953 WSAG SG Sembawang

Models

1950-1953 Westland Dragonfly HC.2
1952-1953 Westland Dragonfly HC.4

Operations

May 19501950 Feb 19531953 MY Operation Firedog

Airframes (8)

Reg Model C/N Built
WF308 dragonfly 1a wa/h/007 1949 w/o 1951
WF311 hc.2 wa/h/016 1950 w/o 1953
WF315 hc.2 wa/h/017 1950 w/o 1954
WT845 hc.4 wa/h/108 1952 w/o 1953
WT846 hc.4 wa/h/109 1952
WZ749 dragonfly 1a wa/h/002 1949 w/o 1952
XB251 hc.4 wa/h/124 1952
XB252 hc.4 wa/h/125 1952