My grandfather was a young Captain Abdul Aziz Tajik, a KCIO in the British Indian Army and was sent to Kashgar from Peshawar on a cover appointment probably an intelligence appointment somewhere during 1938. He travelled with family through Srinagar, Gilgit, Mintaka pass to Kashgar China. He volunteered to rejoin his unit at the advent of the second World War , he was called back and in view of the urgency a Vickers Valentia was sent to Gilgit from Risalpur (Near Peshawar Pakistan )to airlift him and his family . My mother was six years old then and remembers the details very well. They had brought a pet Dog from Kashgar which the pilots refused to carry but on persuation by my grandfather and insistence of the kids, the pilots very kindly agreed. He was sent to Singapore where the entire General percival Surrendered to the Japanese Army. He was brutally tortured by the Japanese. It would be very kind of you if you could upload the pictures that you have .Thanks in anticipation. Best Wishes and Regards. Kaiser
Greg Tzemis, e-mail, 23.12.2023 00:49
Hi Gail There are quite a few pictures of SAAF Valentias available on the web. Contact me. Be interested to know more about your father's service in E Africa.
Greg Tzemis, e-mail, 22.12.2023 19:11
Hi Lynn Interested in tracking down Valentias that were transferred to 50 Sqdn SAAF in 1940 and used as a shuttle service from South Africa to Kenya and Egypt.
Most trnsferred from 70 SQDN RAF but suspect some from 216 sqdrn too.
Serial nos of interest.
J8921; K2796; K2800; K2803; K2806; K8851
The 70 SQDN serials K1314; K2801; K2802; K2804; K2805;K4631and K4632
Any information and/ photos of these aircraft operating in in RAF service appreciated.
Thanks Greg
David Taylor, e-mail, 12.08.2023 20:04
My father was in 216 squadron in Habbaniya until 1942 and did hundreds of hours in the Valentina. I have his log book
Lynn Ballard, e-mail, 17.07.2022 16:32
Hi, I just came across your site, I have a few images of K-4634 in India, Kashmir region I believe. The images are part of a group of approx 120 photographs from c1937-8, bought in an online auction several years ago. Happy to share if you would be interested to see them, thank you, Lynn
Graham Clayton, e-mail, 12.02.2021 10:34
The cockpit looks undersized compared to the fuselage.
Gail Rosslee, e-mail, 02.10.2020 18:06
Hi George,
My father flew the Vickers Valencia during WW2 in E. Africa for the allied SAAF. I am trying to publish his memoirs. Is there any way I can use one of your photos - with acknowledgement to you or your father of course. Many thanks, Gail
George Begg, e-mail, 20.03.2017 16:17
My uncle, Squadron Leader James A Begg (who was killed flying a Whitley bomber in 1939) spent several years flying these planes in India during the NW Frontier Campaign and the Mohmand Campaign (in 1937). Have several photos of the Valentia (Reg No K 2340) he flew if anyone be interested.
Ian wasse, e-mail, 19.12.2015 09:03
Vickers valentia. My father flew these as his workhorse in RAF India from august 1937 to November 1938. K 2340 and K4634 then K 4635
Weldon Stacey, e-mail, 19.12.2011 01:48
I said that I flew the Ventura a/c in the middle east I meant to say the Valentia out of Habb ,I flew all three at different tmmes of course.from 1942 to 1944
daxiong, 20.06.2011 05:44
It took 2 pilots to control the a/c in rough air.My bases were Heliopolis Habbaniya and Bagdad.
Weldon Stacey, e-mail, 19.06.2011 22:57
I flew the ventura in the middle east and accumulated about 300 hours,mostly in Iraq ,Persia and Palestine with the R A F in 1942 1943 and 1944. It was a fun aircraft to fly at 80 to 90 mph. It took 2 pilots to control the a/c in rough air.My bases were Heliopolis Habbaniya and Bagdad.
george, e-mail, 13.08.2010 01:03
hi i have a photo of an aircraft no j.7924 is it the saME one you show?
