Will dig out copies of some anedotes that I have below is the delivery flight of VX577 to Sunderland Arport.
Tuesday 14th January 1969
Sold ………… One Valetta C. Mk II
It was one of those days when both the mist and industrial haze hung around the perimeters of the airfield, making a landing approach more difficult to judge for the pilot on a strange runway.
The silver and white R.A.F. Vickers Valetta C.Mk.II loomed into sight at 14.05 hrs local time. Air Traffic control gave her final approach to runway 29 and at 14.10 hrs. VX577 landed for the last time, never to fly again.
A B.B.C. camera crew were in position to film the Valetta’s last landing for posterity and a host of newspaper reporters were standing on the tarmac waiting to interview the rather surprised R.A.F. crew climbing down from one of probably the last remaining Valetta aircraft.
She had been accompanied by an R.A.F Pembroke WV704 which landed shortly afterwards in order to pick up the crew. Unfortunately the Pembroke went unserviceable and had to stay until the following day awaiting a repair crew.
The following day a Varsity WJ886 was despatched with a repair crew but had to divert to Newcastle due to fog. The Pembroke aircraft was repaired by late evening but did not depart until the 13.30 following day due to fog
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