This photograph was provided by a relative of General H.W. Chan [General Chan Hing-Wan] founder of the Chinese Air Force (far left, front row), and dates from the late 1930s (at a guess) - centre front row is Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek The pilots appear to be in RAF Tropical Dress and the visible medal ribbons appear to be of WW1 vintage I have had a trawl through the IWM & AWM archives plus online newspapers and I can't find any mention of a RAF (or RAAF) mission to China The Air Commodore looks familiar but I can't find a name for him, any assistance appreciated
The best match I have so far is this article from an Australian newspaper in early 1936 In February a squadron of four-engined flying-boats will leave Singapore on the first Royal Air Force cruise to Japan (under the command of Wing Commander C. L. Scott). The return to Singapore is timed for about a month later, after a round journey of more than 7000 miles. On the outward voyage the flying-boats will go by way of Kuching and Kudat in Sarawak to Manilla, and thence to Hong Kong, Amoy (China), Shanghai, and then to Japan The squadron will stay in Japan for about a week. On the return the boats will follow the same route as far as Hong Kong and will then diverge from it to follow the coast of Cochin China, to Singapore, with one stop at Kam Ranh Bay. Air-Commodore S. W. Smith, who commands the Royal Air Force in the Far East will accompany the squadron. Three flying-boats will make the trip, manned by a total crew of 25 officers and other ranks. The aircraft to be employed are the Short Singapore biplanes, which were supplied earlier this year to 205 Squadron to replace obsolescent machines. EDIT - that might have been a dead-end, I spent 3.50 quid to find out that the tour ended in Shanghai with no mention of meeting Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek
Have you tried searching the RAF History Society journals? Available via: RAF Historical Society Journals Awhile ago I emailed one of the RAF historians and had a reply - it helped I was commenting after he'd given a public lecture. Can relocate his details if it helps another day. There are indications that in 1934 RAF 205 (Flying Boat) Squadron was based at Singapore and the RAF visit to Japan was in January 1936. Id'd using "Chiang Kai-Shek" + "RAF visit".
