7 Sqn did put up a three ship display on some years, maybe this proceeded the Nimrod display?

Nope, it was a four-ship. I know the three-ship display you’re thinking of though – that was separate to the Nimrod display though. Oh well, it matters not, just would have been nice to have seen a photo!

I also fondly remember shiny new XZ285 which later went off to Finningley to take part in the 1977 Jubilee Review and subsequently retained it’s 42 Squadron badge on the fin fillet for some time. Looked very smart chugging round the circuit at St.Mawgan. Then the next thing we knew, it had gone for conversion to AEW standard and of course that was ultimately the end of it. What a waste of virtually new aeroplane.

Wow that’s a brilliant photo – sheer nostalgia!

The Canberra/Nimrod formations were (as far as I can recall) in the 1976-1980 sort of era and it seemed to be a pretty standard arrangement for each show back then. Four Canberras in box formation, the rear aircraft trailing a Rushton with the flare lit, and a Nimrod bringing-up the rear, breaking left straight into a solo display.

That photo you’ve posted is great but it’s also pretty depressing. All three magnificent machines are gone now!

I know it’s a long shot, but did anybody ever get a photo of the display (or rehearsal) that St.Mawgan did for some years for their air show, with four Canberras leading a Nimrod? It was such a great sight as they swept-in from the coast, I’d dearly love to see a photo!

Thanks for posting the photo of the “Chocolate Bomber” Scorpion – after all these years, I finally see a photograph of it!

I’ve heard lots of stories about the repaint saga, but I suspect the truth of the matter was probably quite mundane, and that it was simply the first trial scheme which looked entirely unsuitable once it was applied. Very interesting though nonetheless.

As Peter says, make your own. The Airfix probe is rubbish in any case. Better to make a new one from sprue or plastic rod, and attach a nozzle from another (better) kit’s refuelling probe.

Matching Medium Sea Grey for a Vulcan is a chore. Even though MSG was the standard camouflage colour (not for wrap-round camouflage though, as that was Dark Grey), it quickly changed shade one it was applied and became much paler. The Green also faded but not as much as the MSG. The Green tended to go a brown-ish colour, oddly enough.

However, the MSG on 27 Squadron Vulcans didn’t fade all that much as, unlike their bomber counterparts, the MRR aircraft were given a gloss finish which protected the paint and kept the colours fairly strong. The NAM Vulcan is indeed painted in the correct colours. It just looks slightly odd at first glance because the paint hasn’t been applied for too long, so it hasn’t faded to the tones that you generally saw on operational Vulcans. It should be a pretty good match for a 27 Sqn MRR machine though!

As for the City of Lincoln coat of arms, I’m not sure why this would be on a 27 Squadron aircraft as they were based at Scampton, whereas the Lincoln coat of arms was applied to Waddington Wing aircraft. Again, maybe a photo might clarify what you’re referring to?

The Dumbo design wasn’t introduced until after the squadron had re-equipped for the maritime radar reconnaissance role. It was designed with approval from Disney, and only appeared after the unit had started MRR ops at Scampton. I can’t recall ever having seen a dayglow Dumbo design on any aircraft but if such a photo exists, I’d be inclined to think it was an unofficial “one off” – I’d be interested to see it though.