About the same time there was trouble up-country in the area around Ataq and for the first time in years an army infantry detachment came to Aden. At first they had to sleep on beds placed on the verandahs of the barrack blocks (and for the SNCOs in our mess) but eventually a tented camp was started on empty land inside the main gate - in years to come to house a Transit Hotel for aircrew. Most of them soon disappeared up-country and then, as we started a night shift we were told to unload a Hastings that had was night-stopping, en route from Cyprus to Eastleigh, so that it could be used to transport a Ferret Scout Car to Ataq the next morning. Now this must mean there was trouble there as a Hastings had never landed there before, neither had our shift loaded a ferret!

Well we set up the heavy-duty loading ramp, a steel structure like a large sloping platform that was wheeled up to the side of the aircraft and then steadied with legs that were wound down while two long trackways were attached to complete the slope up from ground level - and all at an incline of about eleven degrees! Two hour later, after much sweat mixed with exhaust fumes as the army driver slowly inched it forward while we ensured that it was held by a couple of chains all the time, just in case the engine stalled - an eleven degree slope is dangerous when you have a few tons of scout car on it! We wondered how it was intended to get it off at Ataq since this would usually be with air-portable ramps, not so robust as our steel monster, but we knew there were none in Aden. Then a party from Station Workshops appeared and, as soon as we moved the ramp away from the aircraft they began dismantling it into component parts, each small enough so that we could then load these to go behind the ferret. Apparently it was intended for this party to accompany the aircraft and re-build the ramp at Ataq so seats were then fitted for them and the army driver. We were told that the AQM (air quartermaster) would release the chains at Ataq so no Movements staff were needed.

Our shift was due to finish at seven and a Valetta was due to go to Ataq at that time with a load of soldiers, about an hour before the Hastings (possibly they would help with the unloading). I was curious just how it would be done and I happened to know the air signaller so I had a word, he spoke to the captain and I was taken as a spare crew member. So we landed at Ataq, a rough, stony strip at about seven thirty. Now I hoped the Valetta would wait for the Hastings but the captain had other ideas and wouldnt let me wait to come back on the Hastings since I didnt have a rifle so, reluctantly, I flew back to Khormaksar.

Probably this was as well since ten minutes later the Hastings approached and flew over the strip for the captain to look at it before attempting the first Hastings landing there. He came in and within seconds of the undercarriage touching the stony surface one leg collapsed and the aircraft slew to one side, settling on the wing, with the propellers on that side buckled as they hit the ground. Shortly afterwards it burst into flames from fuel that was escaping from a ruptured wing tank. The crew and passengers escaped through a parachute door on the opposite side to the fire but the flames had taken hold and the aircraft, together with our labours of the night was destroyed. So we lost our loading ramp!