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You are here: Home / Archives for van Gelder, Commander John RAN (Rtd)

van Gelder, Commander John RAN (Rtd)

Aviator or Seaman or Both?

van Gelder, Commander John RAN (Rtd) · Sep 1, 2005 ·

It is now comparatively rare for a naval aviator to also qualify as a seagoing watchkeeping officer, but in previous generations it was relatively straightforward and kept one in the ...

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The Naval Staff in Retrospect

van Gelder, Commander John RAN (Rtd) · Dec 31, 2004 ·

Why did it always seem to happen? There I would be, thoroughly enjoying myself either flying somewhere or swanning around the Far East in a nice frigate, when out of ...

By Dawn’s Early Light

van Gelder, Commander John RAN (Rtd) · Jun 10, 2004 ·

IT IS DOUBTFUL if there is anything in the world more complex than the human mind. In our passage through life we are all subjected to experiences which have an ...

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The Royal Australian Navy Douglas C47 Dakotas

van Gelder, Commander John RAN (Rtd) · Jun 27, 2003 ·

Post WW2, the RAN operated four Dakota aircraft from NAS Nowra for many years, and no doubt former FAA personnel will remember them with nostalgia, in a similar vein as ...

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HMAS Queenborough – Medivac in the Southern Ocean 1966

van Gelder, Commander John RAN (Rtd) · Mar 16, 2003 ·

During the forenoon of Wednesday 19 October 1966, the weather could only be described as superb. Since departing North Wharf, Melbourne, on Monday morning the weather had been very kind ...

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Carrier Flying – the Greatest Sport

van Gelder, Commander John RAN (Rtd) · Jun 8, 2001 ·

Some time ago, whilst having a drink in the bar of the local yacht club, I met a man whom I had never met before. In general conversation on learning ...

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