136 Squadron RAF

28/10/2025

Now hear this now hear this.
Some footage has appeared that, although not confirmed as being of the Woodpeckers, certainly allows us to see conditions very similar to those 136 Squadron experienced at Wangjing.
Do you recognise anyone ?

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CCroEMt9x/

15/08/2025

Now hear this, now hear this.
The war is over !

The Woodpeckers celebrate the end of hostilities at RAF Brown on the Cocos Islands.
Thanks to Benjamin Walkington for sharing this snap.

15/08/2025

SEAC colours.

South East Asia Command had to alter the normal RAF aircraft insignia to avoid possible confusion with the 'rising sun' of the 'J**s'.
Initially the Red centre was removed, leaving only an enlarged White central disc surrounded by a 'Royal' Blue ring, unfortunately the White was found to be too bright under the Burma sun. A simple local adaptation was made by the ground crews, they simply mixed the blue and the white paints to create the 'India-White' and Blue SEAC roundel.

15/08/2025

Originally posted in May 2015, this snap shows part of the Woodpeckers celebrations made to mark VE Day, the defeat of Adolf Hitler's N**i Germany.
Do any Woodpecker chicks have a snap of the celebrations on VJ Day ?

RAF Brown, Cosos Islands, 8 May 1945 - Germany surrenders !

As news starts to filter through that Germany has surrendered, the Woodpecker CO, S/Ldr Soga, decides today is a good day to lead 136 Sqdn in some formation flying practice, naturally a large 'Vic' would seem the order of the day.

Image, David Cable collection - 136 Sqdn mk VIII Spitfires flypast in a celebratory 'Vic' formation, Cocos Islands, 1945.

15/08/2025

Originally posted in October 2019.

The Woodpeckers at rest in their nest, RAF Ratmalana, Ceylon.
Image - The Burma Baston collection.

14/08/2025

Originally posted in August 2015 during the countdown to the VJ 70 commentations.

Woodpecker caricature.
The Woodpecker design painted on the 136 Squadron aircraft was a simple white silhouette, but the birds that appeared on invitations or calling cards could have a more ornate plumage. The design was originally conceived by the Anglo-Argentine pilot Ian Adamson.

09/11/2024

A spot of revision before the big day.

Unfortunately fewer and fewer of these medals are on display as more and more of their recipients have already received their final postings.

We will remember them.

British medals of World War Two.

21/08/2024

"Now hear this, now hear this."

Have a Dekho at this Woodpecker chicks, the evolution of the iconic Royal Air Force's roundel.

(First posted February 2015)

It was soon noticed that the strong Far East sunshine faded the RAF markings making red the dominant colour, this allowed them to be confused with the red Hinomaru sun of the 'J**s' and lead to 'cock-ups' !
The initial response was to over paint the red centre with white paint, but this result compromised the camoflage. Eventually the centre was painted 'India blue', a mix of 4 parts blue to 1 part whie. The blue, India blue roundel appeared as SEAC was formed. and thus is refered to as the 'SEAC roundel'.
The Far East alterations occured as the RAF was changing from the type B to C roundels, add the 'forgotten' Burma theatre equipment and this resulted in many variations on the theme.

06/06/2024

On this 80th anniversary of D-Day, "For all those poor devils who never made it back", Jim Radford's tribute song from the 70th anniversary.

D Day Seventy Years On - Friday Night is Music Night from the Albert Hall commemerates the 70th anniversary of D Day. BBC Concert Orchestra

15/01/2024

Now hear this, now hear this.
Every Woodpecker pilot will have known about the "B.O.", and been greatly thankful this lady liked tinkering on motorbike engines !