RAF Acklington Gate Guards

SL574 – yes.

SL674 – no.

Mark

Thanks

Was SL674 ever on the gate at Bentley Priory?

Nope – that was SL574 – now in San Diego. 🙂

Was SL674 ever on the gate at Bentley Priory?

SL574 – yes.

SL674 – no.

Mark

Quite agree! Here is Hurricane LF738 (now at Cosford) and Spitfire 16, SL674, at Biggin Hill when I first saw them on 9th March 1971 (roses not yet out!)

Was SL674 ever on the gate at Bentley Priory?

Acklington Spitfire

Here is TB252 at RAF Acklington from an un-credited photo in the PRA Collection.

Initially TB252 carried the all-over silver scheme that it arrived in from RAF Odiham. By the early 1960’s it was in camouflage and shortly thereafter the tail unit was lifted with the aid of a permanent strut.

No Hurricane.

Mark

I was at RAF Acklington in 1965 (Silver Jet Provests with plenty dayglo), 11 years old, and I remember a Spitfire being a gate guard as we passed it every day going and coming back from school, but even after all these years, a Hurricane on the gate as well does not ring any bells.

Brian

Thanks for the contributions, I think I agree that they are Biggin Hill. The album that they came from has them titled as Acklington.

I was aware that there was a Spitfire but had never seen reference to the Hurricane.

Just shows that you can’t rely on the captions to be correct

I would put serious money on the Spitfire being SL674 at Biggin Hill and I suspect the Hurricane is likewise.

The roses were that height in 1965. 🙂

Mark

Quite agree! Here is Hurricane LF738 (now at Cosford) and Spitfire 16, SL674, at Biggin Hill when I first saw them on 9th March 1971 (roses not yet out!)

TB252 was the gate guardian at Acklington but its a high-back. These photos remind me of Biggin Hill.

Compare with this photo of SL674 in August 1960. 🙂

In my defence, I wasn’t even born in 1965 😀

Hurricane LF738/5405M.

Mark

I would put serious money on the Spitfire being SL674 at Biggin Hill and I suspect the Hurricane is likewise.

The roses were that height in 1965. 🙂

Mark

The Spitfire was TB252 (Mk.XVI) which is now under restoration to flight at AvSpecs in New Zealand

As for the Hurricane, sorry not my area of expertise

Hope this helps