I know this has gone slightly off track – sorry Prop Strike.

W+R 29 says there are no survivors of either type in the UK. With hindsight at least one could have been recently preserved in the museum at Filton. Another loss to our aviation history I guess.

I don’t have any photos of my time at Halton. But I do remember loads of Canberras, Hunters, a couple of early Whirlwinds and some very early JPs. Out on the airfield were more Canberras, Hunters, as well as at least, one Vulcan and at least one Argosy.

H

I’ve been on this forum for about 5 years or so. I don’t think Tyke has posted in that time.

Before I joined an IT “improvement” was carried out to the forum which resulted in the system being completely trashed (to use a technical term). As a result, many people left.

Wish you success with trying to make contact.

H

According to my BBMF aircraft record cards PA474, didn’t fly that day I’m afraid. It had arrived at RAF Waddington 18 Aug 1965. On a FIT FOR ONE FLIGHT ONLY trip out of RAF Henlow. Having been “rescued” by 44 Sqn. So the air display in Sep 1965 would have been its first public appearance of many more to come!!!!

44 Sqn fully restored the airframe over the next couple of years. It first flew, post restoration, 7 Nov 1967 under the stewardship of 44 Sqn. They continued operating it until it was handed over to the BBMF, RAF Coltishall 20 Nov 1973.

H

dhfan you are correct – sort of. I read in a book several years ago. That XR220 was due to fly on the morning of the cancellation. It was delayed by technical issues. The flight was reprogrammed for the afternoon. However, the announcement of the project cancellation was made mid-morning in parliament. That was the first BAC or anybody else, outside of the government, had heard of the idea. The minister stated the project was to stop immediately. Hence XR220 never got its chance to fly.

I believe the book in question is Testing Years by Roland “Bee” Beamont (1980). If that is true then its straight from the horse’s mouth – so to speak.  

XR220, stayed at Boscombe Down and was authorised, by the government, to complete some engine ground running trials in support of the Concorde project. This occurred throu’ late 1965 and into early 1966. The airframe was then disposed of. So, the story about the RAF hiding it away is a little wide of the mark!!!

H

I look forward to seeing the film when it comes out.

Last time I was at Halton was in 1978 – doing my Fitters Course.

Aircraft technical training moved to RAF Cosford (which took over the number plate 1 SoTT) in 1993. Since then, the airfield site has been used for RAF AC gliding and GA and generally speaking, still is. Since 1993 the rest of the site has been used for recruit training, as well as logistics and other admin trade training. More recently recruit training moved on to RAF Cranwell (Lincolnshire). Logistics and admin moved to MOD Worthy Down (Winchester). As the amount of new recruits joining each week has shrunk the need for training estate has also shrunk. When I joined the RAF, in 1974 there were between 800 -1000 new recruits joining every Thursday. I doubt there is that many joining each year now!!

The current occupants, of the site, are simply a small number of “minor” organisations. The MOD have for many years been talking about handing the site back to the De Rothschild family.

H

Having stood on the gate at RAF Honington for 4 decades. I guess it’s time for a change of scenery and spruce up.

There’s quite a collection of jets migrating to Binbrook these days.

H

Yes I saw it on FR24 at the time. 

It would be nice if they (the UK MOD) could come up with a different name for the type. Having allocated “period” T/Nos WT001-003 incl it doesn’t look like they are going to. 

I understand the USAF is considering the E-7 as a replacement for their E-3’s. Possibly followed by NATO as well.

H

There is an article in the Oct 24 Aeroplane magazine P 6-7. You have to read between the lines of what the IWM have said in that article. But they seem to be saying that those two aircraft can no longer stay under cover. Others are having to move outside as well. 

The plan is to construct a Cold War display it seems. As a Cold War historian, I sort of support that plan. However, I can’t support moving the Sunderland and York outside for what seems to be forever. The irony here is both types have a history related to the Cold War any way.

H