Why were there so many of these aerodromes built around
the country? In the old days, remote towns and estates were only accessible by
long and winding roads. The British authorities used these aerodromes for quick
transport for government officials, medical supplies, mail, payroll and medical
evacuation. During The Emergency, these aerodromes became the forward bases for
the support of the army and police fighting the Communist Terrorist in the
jungle. From these aerodromes, the Air Force transport aircraft and helicopters
dropped supplies, transported troops and evacuated the wounded. The Taiping
aerodrome was one of them.
When I lived in Asamkumbang, near the aerodrome from the
late 1960’s until the early 1980’s, I saw several types of aircraft that flew
around the aerodrome. These aircraft were the Twin Pioneers, Dove, Herons (end
1960s), the DHC4 Caribous, Dart Herald (1970s), Cessna 402B and the C130H
Hercules (1980s). The helicopters were the Alloutte IIIs and the S61A Sikorsky
(Nuri).
Of all those aircraft that I mentioned, the most common
that I saw were the Caribous and the Alloutte and Nuri helicopters. They came
to Taiping Aerodrome sometimes on practice runs or actual support operations. I
would ride my bicycle to the aerodrome to watch all these activities. The
practice runs involved the use of multi-colored parachutes or the use of a sling
by the helicopters. These activities would go on every week. The Caribous
sometime came with up to three aircraft. Sometimes, they were based there for
actual support operations of the troops in the jungle.
The aerodrome was also used by the anti-aircraft artillery
units for their practice on a few occasions. They would use the aerodrome for
their practice for one or two days. Taiping would be rocked by the thunderous
pom-poms of the anti-aircraft guns and the jets (RAAF Mirage and RMAF CL41G
Tebuans) that flew by.
The C130H Hercules used the aerodrome for a while in the
1980s. However, on one occasion, a Hercules had its port-side wheels sunk into
the ground during landing. It got stuck for a few days until the recovery team
arrived from Kuala Lumpur. After that incident, the RMAF Hercules stopped
coming to Taiping for practice runs.
I remember there were two major events that were held at
the aerodrome in the 1970s. One was the show by the Rothmans Aerobatic team
with their five Pitts Specials. The second event was the Taiping based Third
Artillery Regiment anniversary celebration. The artillery regiment put up a
splendid show of forward deployment supported by Nuri helicopters and a live
fire support demonstration. That was my first and only experience of listening
to the loud bangs of the 105mm M102 Howitzers.
During the annual Five Power Defence Arrangement
exercise, a mobile anti-aircraft radar would be based at the aerodrome. For
several days, I would see jets flew over my house during the maneuvers. The jets
that I saw were the RMAF F5Es and CL41G Tebuan, RAAF Mirage III and F111 and RNZAF
Skyhawks.
Ah! I just remembered one story. Sometime in 1969 or 1970,
my late brother, Muhandes, had an interest in making his own boomerang. He had
obtained the drawing plans from a magazine. For the wood, he had obtained
several good quality packing wood crates which were easily obtained from shops.
He diligently cut sawed and sand-papered the raw planks into the shape of
boomerangs. To test those home-made boomerangs, we went to the aerodrome. The first
few did not fly very well. After several more attempts, he made one that
actually flew very well. He made three more based on the successful one. He
gave two to his friends and kept two for himself.
The aerodrome was also used by the Army learner drivers
who went there to practice driving in the “L” plated trucks. There were also
civilians who used one end of the tarmac for driving practice. Also, there were
a few regular joggers who actually ran around the whole perimeter of the
aerodrome.
The aerodrome was also used by the Army Special Forces
Regiment for parachute training. On one occasion, one commando landed into an
old tin mine and was drowned. After that incident, there was no more parachute
practice at the aerodrome.
After 1989, when the operations against the Communists
Terrorists had stopped, the aerodrome was not actively used. Its old condition
became bad to worst. The old main building and tower was torn down due to
termites. Even the two concrete buildings had all its window panes stolen. Only
the small section where the army based their guards were not spoilt which
stands to this day.
In the 1990s, the aerodrome had some life return to it when
the Police Special Forces (Vat69) began to use the aerodrome for the parachute
training and practice. Later, when the Fire and Rescue Services formed their
own Air Wing and Parachute unit, they would also come to Taiping Aerodrome for
the training and practice. With the newer and latest square parachute, no life
has been lost due to drowning. The Police and the Fire Rescue Services are the
regular uses of the aerodrome until today.
Also, the local RC modelers are the regular users
every weekend.
