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RAF officers with 231 OCU, late 1960s – need to identify

Hello all,

This is a long shot, but would anyone here recognise the RAF officers in this photo? The photo was believed to have been taken at RAF Cottesmore in early 1970s, but may have been taken at Bassingbourn if prior to May, 1969. My personal belief it is was taken in 1968-69, so most likely Bassingbourn. The Canberra is a 231 OCU T.4, WH849. The RAF officer on the right is thought to be a Group Captain, ex WW2 Pathfinders.

The foreign officer was the then commander of the Ethiopian Air Force, Abera Woldemariam, who it is thought was doing a familiarisation course on the Canberra as part of IEAF doctrine that the commander be checked out on all operational types. The IEAF received four Canberras in 1968, so this has to be taken later than that, but no later than 1974 when he was imprisoned as part of the military coup against the Emperor.

If anyone can provide insight into who the RAF officers were, or better yet, personally remembers this training, I would love to hear from you.

Cheers,

Steve

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By: nazca_steve - 29th November 2017 at 20:16

Good idea, Baz. If it’s not J Campbell, it looks damn like him! My only hope now is that they may still be around, but they’d be getting on a bit if so.

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By: bazv - 29th November 2017 at 19:52

I am not 100% convinced that the QFI (IP) is J Campbell,it may or may not be – I feel that I have met them both but am not very good with names……..and it was a long time ago LOL
Might be worth trying this pic on Pprune Steve – there are still a few ex Canberra guys on there.

rgds baz

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By: nazca_steve - 29th November 2017 at 17:19

Gentleman, I can’t thank you enough for your help – those two do indeed seem like the men in question. I will continue my research now – but if anyone can also identify the chap on the far left, that would be much appreciated.

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By: Arabella-Cox - 29th November 2017 at 11:53

There’s a photo of Landon taken during his time with 462 Sqn during WW2 here:

http://www.462squadron.com/pages/locations/base_462sqdn_middle_east.html

Simon

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By: Wyvernfan - 29th November 2017 at 11:02

The chap second left appears to be Sqn Ldr J Campbell, as the attached photo which shows Campbell on the left was taken at Bassingbourn during a visit by Air Clues magazine in early 1967.

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By: bazv - 29th November 2017 at 10:33

I would say possibly Bassingbourn between 22 Apr 1966 and 4 Nov 1968 as the (presumably) Station Master on the right bears a resemblance to E. P.(Peter) LANDON, D.F.C. (49062).
Pete Landon was Station Commander at Bassingbourn between the above dates (from RAFWEB)

Interestingly the film ‘Appointment in London’ was filmed at Upwood with 214 sqn and during the filming Lancaster NX673 was usually piloted by Squadron Leader Peter Landon, OC No.214 squadron, who was in charge of flying sequences.

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