In 1927 the Far East Flight (FEF) was formed to demonstrate that long-range RAF aircraft based in the UK could fly to any part of the British Empire whenever they were needed.  The specific task the FEF was given was to fly to Singapore in four metal-hulled Supermarine Southampton flying boats powered by two Napier Lion engines.   After reaching Singapore the aircraft were to form the nucleus of an RAF squadron being formed there to provide air support to the Eastern Fleet operating from the naval base at Singapore. Each Southampton’s crew consisted of two pilots and two mechanics, with Group Captain Henry Cave-Brown-Cave as commanding officer and Squadron Leader Gerald Livock as his deputy. To enable the aircraft to operate with minimal shore-based support during the long journey they were equipped with hammocks, a small galley, tanks to hold drinking water, a lavatory and an inflatable rubber dinghy.

At the invitation of the Royal Australian Air Force the Far East Flight’s cruise was extended to include a tour of Australia. On 21 May 1928, when the four Southamptons had been overhauled and the crews were rested and refreshed, they set off from Singapore.  After crossing the Timor Sea they landed near Broome on 1 June 1928, becoming the first RAF aircraft to visit the dominion.  During the next three months the FEF followed an anticlockwise route around the coast, first visiting Perth then Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and ending in Darwin.  Enthusiastic crowds turned out to see the aircraft and many of the spectators were given the opportunity to inspect them at close quarters.  The crews were feted at civic receptions and dinners while many local newspapers printed leading stories about the tour.  On 1 September, the FEF left Australia on the return flight to Singapore.

In January 1929, it’s mission successfully completed, the FEF was disbanded.  It had proved convincingly that long distance air travel was now a reliable and fast alternative to travel by land and sea. The impressive performance of its Southamptons during the long flight was also a huge public relations triumph for the British aviation industry while the smooth and efficient organisation and execution of the flight greatly enhanced the RAF’s international prestige.  The FEF’s four Southamptons remained at Seletar, the RAF’s new base in Singapore, where they equipped the newly-formed No. 205 Squadron.  The new squadron’s first commanding officer was Squadron Leader Gerald Livock, deputy commander of the FEF.  Some of the photographs he took during the FEF’s cruise have been included here.  Many others together with his log book and unpublished memoirs are part of a large collection of his papers in the RAF Museum’s Archives.