Could someone confirm (or deny) to me that the dayglo identification letter on the fin of the Jet Provost in picture No4 – the one nearest the camera (at the beginning of this thread) is an ‘M’.
If it is, i have just found a picture of our aircraft in it’s SoTT days, XS186 (8408M) !

Are there any more pics of these JP’s at Halton or Shawbury out there, which might include XS186- 8408M ?

Thanks for posting Vicky Ten !

It certainly looks like an ‘M’ to me, as the ‘bar’ is too high for an ‘H’.

Here is XW626 on approach at Boscombe Down in April 1974 before the AEW nose was fitted and at Farnborough in September 1978. It made its last flight on 28th August 1981 to Bedford, where it was eventually scrapped. It was originally G-APDS with BOAC.

Thanks Glyn,
I usually like to try and identify the locations and dates, but am only able to do so on one of these. The first shot of Vulcan B.1A XH479 could easily fool viewers into thinking this was an operational shot in the mid-60s. Alas no, both the Vulcan and Provost in this photo at ground instructional airframes at Halton and I guess this photo would be around 1968, as the Vulcans were scrapped there in 1972. The Shackleton MR.3 looks like St.Mawgan and I would guess the MR.2 is at Changi.

Here are one or two more for your appreciation.

Rlangham, sorry I have no idea what happened to the Stuka.

Glyn

1 Harrier GR1 XV807 coded 47 at farnboro September 1974
2 Nord 262 Fregete 52
3 Pioneer CC1s at Seletar? includes XL558 and XK370
4 C-47B-35-DK 476974 of French AF
5 NQM-36A Shelduck XT730 at Lee-on-Solent June 1966
6 Hurricane IIc LF751

2. Nord 262 is at Odiham Sept 1970
6. Hurricane at Bentley Priory I think.

they are very old, basic and a lot of them toy like, compared to other kits.
However, if you are mainly looking for a bit of fun they are ok.

Actually, they are none of those things as far as I’m concerned. The first ones were first issued in the mid’70s (old? :confused: )and they continued until the late’80s when the range was terminated and Revell bought up all the moulds. There were two things I didn’t like about them – 1) the ‘trench-like’ paneling was too heavy on some of them and (2) they were moulded in two bright colours, making them attractive for kids that couldn’t/didn’t want to, paint them, but a nightmare to have to cover with paint, requiring an undercoat first! On the plus side, Matchbox issued kits of subjects that are not available from any other manufacturer – Hawk 200, EA-6B Prowler, Douglas Skyknight, Rockwell T-2 Buckeye, Percival Provost, Fairey Seafox, Supermarine Stranraer, Handley Page Heyford and others. They were very adventurous with their 1/32nd scale Sea Venom, Tiger Moth and Puma and this could have been their downfall!

It has been over a month since pics were last posted so here are a few more.

1 Bassett CC1 XS775
2 Andover C1 XS640 coded 640
3 Vulcan B1 XA894 Olympus test bed at Farnboro
4 Sycamore HR14 XG504
5 Bell 47 XV316 coded F of AAC
6 T-33A 51-17473 coded 17473 taken by M. Smith at Cosford on 15/01/82

Glyn

Ah more nostalgia to revel in! Thanks Glyn, I always like to identify the locations and dates of these photos. The Olympus testbed Vulcan , XA894,at Farnborough was in September 1962. Remember I was miffed as it only appeared during the week, but not at the weekend. Think it was shortly after that it was destroyed by fire at Filton.
The’Bell 47 of AAC’ is in fact a Westland-Bell 47G Sioux HT.2 of RAF CFS, not AAC. This particular shot was taken at Abingdon in June 1968. They had another three in the flying display as “The Tomahawks” display team.

The only time have been there was in the ’80s and it was closed. Does anyone know what aircraft are outside at present, as I know it’s very cramped inside for photos? Would love to come though!