I have one of those ashtrays too, nice to see mine isn’t the only one with the props missing! Mine however is silver, dated 1946 and has Sydney on the right wing, and Australia on the left, with South Pacific instead of Good Luck!
I seem to remember the article being a lot more recent than 1987?

I was a kid at Henlow in the early 80’s when Henlow was an absolute treasure trove of aircraft, I remember the Comet well. It would be wrong to scrap her, especially when she could be gifted to a preservation group, sooner rather than later.
I reckon that she would not be relocated to Brize, as there was talk not so long ago to stick a VC10 on gate once a suitable example becomes available

Sorry, I forgot to resize them, I will try to get round to it later!

VC10, I love them, been all around the world on them, with the backwards facing seats (RAF 1960s safety idea)

The original RAF VC10’s XR and XV series were a hybrid Standard with the performance and range of a Super VC10

The ZA series was split, ZA140-144 were originally BOAC standards , owned by BA but leased to Gulf Air, converted to K2 standard they were the oldest airframes and have now all been scrapped.

ZA147-ZA150 were ex East African Super VC10s and represented the remaining 4 of the original 5 supplied to that airline. They were converted to K3 standard and are still in service. They were also the last airframes built.

Finally The ex-BA super VC10s. The RAF purchased 14 airframes in 1981 storing 11 at Abingdon and 3 at BZN. 5 were eventually selected for conversion to K4 standard. ZD230, 240, 241, 242. ZD235 has been scrapped.

I guess my favourite RAF era would have to be when I joined, in 1986! Back then, the RAF was actually growing, due to the requirement for more fast jet aircrew for the Tornado F3, RAF Germany was still very big indeed and the Lightning was still in service! 😀

I agree as well, 1986 at Henlow, Leeming and on to Bruggen, followed by Cottesmore and Waddington. Bruggen was awesome, 4 Sqns of Tornado’s and a fantastic life in Germany. But it’s not the same anymore.
My choice of eras would be late 50’s, to the early 60’s.

Wow! Can anyone tell me when these tests were finished? More pictures?

Cheers,

Todd

Oct 2004 Flypast, Lincolns in focus, page 66, some interesting pictures………