These photographs from Bud Norris show the 25th FIS's F-86D Sabre
aircraft during the 1958-59 time frame. In that time the squadron
deployed to Taiwan to cover the second Quemoy Crisis. 25th FIS was
based at Chiayi during that period, having arrived from its home base
at Naha AB on Okinawa on 10 October 1958. The squadron flew out of
Taiwan on 4 November 1958. The last few photos were taken by Bud at
Naha AB, Okinawa.
Note on Squadron
Markings.
The basic colours for these
25th FIS Sabres comprises a black checked tail with red band above,
red nose band trimmed in black and a red lightning flash with black
'shadow'. All other markings not mentioned in the text are standard
F-86D colours. See my F-86 and FJ Fury Colours page for details.
Quarters in Taiwan were basic, but served for the squadron's month-long
deployment.
Operations building and hangars
at Chia Yi AB.
F-86D-36
serial 51-8256 carries numerous examples of nose art. It was photographed
just prior to departure from Chia Yi AB in early November 1958. Names
carried are 'ANNIE P' (in black) 'NAHA OR BUST' and 'GOMBEI' in what
appears to be red script. The other text 'GO KAO-HSTUNG' appears to
have been truncated by the replacement panel with 'ANNIE P' written
on it. The panel just forward of that also appears to have been replaced,
hence the gap in the nose stripe. Noteworthy also is the black forward
section of the anti-dazzle panel.
This is
the rudimentary mess hall at Tainan AB. These buildings would have been
little changed from World War II.
Another
F-86D-36 aircraft, 51-8302 is seen on return from a mission towards
China. Canopy rail detail is shown above.
These 25th
FIS pilots are awaiting transport back to Okinawa. Note the Republic
of China AF SA-16 Albatross amphibian in the background.
The flybys
above show at left a 4-ship passing above a RoCAF F-84G on Taiwan and
at the right a 'maximum effort' 16-ship formation over Okinawa during
January 1959.
Aircraft '048 was Maj 'Doc' Denman's personal mount. Detail of the canopy
rail is shown above. Note that in the circa 1959 photo (left) the aircraft
has 'sugar scoop' side intakes. This colour scheme was also worn prior
to these being fitted.
Neat squadron
'25' formation was flown in 1958 and this photo was used on that year's
squadron Christmas card.
F-86Ds
'048 (left) and ''302 (right) taxi at Naha, January 1959. '302 was squadron
commander 'Doc' Denman's aircraft and wears three fuselage bands outlined
in black. '048 was Maj Beatty's aircraft.
This line-up
of 25th FIS aircraft (16th FIS behind) seems to have been taken just
after the squadron received its aircraft back from overhaul at Clark
AB (early in 1958). Note the modified 'sugar scoop' side intakes and
lack of squadron markings.
