Apart from the Far East and Germany, which I visited several times, I also flew to South Africa, just. Singapore is just north of the equator. On another occasion we went via Aden to Nairobi which is just south of the equator.  

 

Nairobi is 5,000 ft above sea level.  Consequently it is more difficult for  the patients and the Hastings engines to breath. When we left the aircraft had a full complement of patients and equipment but could not take on sufficient fuel to go far because of the total weight.  So we flew over Lake Victoria to Entebbe which is about 3,000 ft above sea level. There we loaded more fuel and set off climbing to cruising altitude more easily.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Later in 1956 RAF Lyneham took delivery of the brand new Comet jet aircraft which had been adapted for a variety of military roles such as VIP, medical and passenger transport, as well as surveillance. Ours were kitted out for carrying stretchers as well as seated patients.  The big difference, of course, was that the trip to Singapore now took two days, rather than five days, which completely altered the 'patient experience'.

 

The aircraft were new, smart, very much quieter and fast. We were the first crews to use them and I made several trips before I was demobbed.