Memories Of Taiping Aerodrome

I lived near the aerodrome for several years while growing up in Taiping. The young people of today might ask, “What is an aerodrome?”. It was an old name for an airfield or small airport. In the old British Malaya and Borneo, there were many of these aerodromes built around country. Some were large, some were small. Many of the large ones were develop into commercial airports (Bayan Lepas, Ipoh, Kota Bahru) while some became bases for the Air Force (Butterworth, Kuantan, Sungai Besi, Gong Kedak). However, quite a few were lost to development into housing or industrial estates (Tebrau, Val D’or). A few small ones became a mix of a local golf-course and for small aircraft to operate (Bidor). In Sabah and Sarawak, the remote aerodromes were the only mode of access to the outside world.

 

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.