We are fast approaching the date that saw the end of the Auxiliary Air Force Flying units. Many of these County Squadrons ceased to fly arround March of 1956 even though final disbandment did not happen until 1957.
At the time there was much debate on whether they were disbanded for ecomonic reasons or due to the complexity of training on second generation jets.
Does anybody know when each squadron ceased to fly.
I have done much research on 607 squadron and have had access to paperwork from Viscount Runciman and believe they last flew in March 1956 when flying Vampires FB.5
There was one FB.9 prepared at Pembrey for issue to the squadron in 1956 but this was never delivered.
Did any pilots receive second generation jet training prior to disbandment.
By: Denis - 10th September 2005 at 20:02
Middlesex County council publicly honoured 604(County Of Middlesex) Squadron for their achievements on the 27th February 1952 at the Guildhall Westminster.
The Gloster Meteor F8 was issued to the squadron as its last mount, with S/L T.P Turnbull as its C/O. they continued flying these aircraft in the front line of defence up to March 1957. Then came the decision to disband the flying units of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. On the 28th of May 1960 in Whitehall Sir Frederick Handley-Page presented the Standard awarded By the Queen to Flt Lt Buckley a former 604 pilot.
The Standard was laid up in the RAF church of St Clement Danes, and a formal parade was held, and so ended part of Britains aviation history. But some were not letting it end there, with a loan of £250, a Percival Proctor 111 was aqquired G-ALOK (formerly LZ589) appeared as the mount of the County Of Middlesex squadron Flying Group, the rest of the cost of £525 was subscibed by members,known as “oscar kilo” the aircraft gave pleasure to many.
All in all 132 german aircraft were shot down by 604 squadron, a total of 37 DFC’s or bars, 9 DFM’s 4 BEM’s, 3 Norwegian War medals, and countless “mentioned in Despatches” were awarded to the squadron,
Sign In
September 10, 2005 at 6:01 pm