jim jobe

The exceptions to the Varsity WF, WJ and WL serial letters were the two prototypes – VX828 and VX 835 plus a late addition to the fleet, XD 366.

There were, of course, others that relinquished their RAF serials for sale overseas (Jordanian Royal Flight and the Swedish Air Force) and for UK civil regisration. But that’s it.

jim jobe

Of the four Varsitys you spotted at Harwarden in Jul 56, three look good but the fourth is probably in error I’ve had to put on my best anorak to research this one. Anyone who is not a Varsity buff should look away now.

WJ 918 and WJ 919 were two of three Varsitys allocated to 173 Sqn at Harwarden. Both arrived in Dec 54 and remained until 1957. But, as I’m sure you know, Hawarden was also home to two Maintenance Units. 47 MU did a/c overhauls/reconditioning while 48 MU was an aircraft storage unit. Both received Varsitys in large numbers in the mid to late 1950s and one or more could well have been on the ramp along with the 173 sqn a/c when you noted the numbers. I have counted 16 Varsitys that were temporarily assigned to 47MU/48 MU in July 56. They include WJ 908 that you spotted but not WJ 903. Of course WJ 903 may have been visiting on that day but the chances are it was a mis-identification

Your photo at Ouston is almost identical to a published photo of WJ 919 taken in Sep 56. The a/c is in Transport Command colours, ie blue cheat line, sqn number (173) contained in a red diamond on the tail and a prominent sqn badge on the front fuselage The writing along the top fuselage is almost certainly ‘Royal Air Force Transport Command’

So, jim jobe, I hope that helps. Meanwhile, if you come across any more images, however indistinct, I’d like to see them

AJW

..a couple of very small points –

a. In the 1950s 2 ANS belonged to FlyingTraining Command. It wasn’t until 1968 that it was absorbed into the new Training Command

b. The log book entry, WL 326 ‘Z’ is wrong (there wern’t no such animal). I think it should be WL 626 which carried the 2 ANS code ‘Z’ between 6/55 and 8/56

good luck with the kit – hope it goes well

viscount.

Can you give me a steer to find DCW’s 50/60s achive? You mentioned another aviation forum but I can’t find it on any of the links you mentioned

Regards
Ron

Vampiredave

My recollections of that period are rather trivial ,l I’m afraid. All I can remember of those courses, is that the students wore ‘officer cadet’ white hatbands despite being commissioned APO’s. Also there was one student, Haig-Thomas, who was ‘famous’ for having been educated at Eton. It seems an odd thing to remember, I know, but it was unusual for an Eton boy to end up in the RAF. (…anyone think of any more?). Haig-Thomas was an agreeable and convivial type – I believe he ended flying Hunters at Khormaksar

A small correction to your post:

2 FTS did not disband in mid 1957. It remained at Hullavington until 18 Nov 57 when it moved to Syerston.

Yes

WL 625

WL 635 was at 5 FTS Oakington for 12 years (how did it survive all those circuits?) before being loaned to MOD PE in March 1974. I believe it went to the College of Technology Cranfield for Linescan equipment development.

Note the enlongated aerial fitting on the starboard lower fuselage just forward of the ‘bomb bay’, the modified nose cone and the unusual pattern on the props. Perhaps they were something to do with Linescan.

As Thunderbird 167 Said, WL 635 was transferred permanently to the MOD PE fleet on 15 May 75.

I didn’t know it ended up at Machrihanish. Thanks for that.