My computer packed up a few months ago and I have been using my sons laptop. I haven’t bothered to set up my scanner (he’s always on it anyway) so I thought I would try to photograph some photographs – not as good as the scanner but the results just about passable. Here are some photos from the 90’s (Treloy Line / HAS Site / North Side).

First a couple from 20 (R) Squadron who disbanded this week;

Solo display F3, IAD 1998;

Ex Resolute Response, 1994;

Ex Brilliant Foil, 1998;

Pagen’s right, the first with the clay pits and the last one with the Tower…..Happy memories!

Thanks for the lovely photos Pagen! It’s unbelieveable that after countless years of Long Range Maritime Patrol cover, the powers-that-be scrap the whole lot with the flick of a ballpoint pen! Last week there was a photo in the paper of a Tornado F3 intercepting a Blackjack, it the Russian Air Force are probing more frequently these days we can only assume that their Navy are also off our shores. Perhaps no one cares any more?

My only flight in a Nimrod was in XV233 at St Mawgan way back in 1977 when they were still painted White/Light Aircraft Grey, it is an experience I will never forget.

Here is XV233 14 years later in 1991, with a fresh coat of paint and wearing 42 Squadron 75th anniversary markings;

XV242 was another St Mawgan Nimrod, I’m hoping someone can help with the colours, the paint touch up around the cockpit is the same shade as XV233, did Hemp really fade that much or did they produce different batches of the paint?

TSW…TSW? It was ‘Westward’ back in the 70’s, remember the Golden Hind logo and Gus Honeybun? 🙂

Seriously though, I bet the local TV archives have much of interest regarding St Mawgan such as reports from old Air Day’s and exercises reports.

Fantastic photos Mike, thanks for posting them. I think this was one of the first sightings of a USAF Phantom with the tan colour replaced by what I once heard described as ‘sickly pea green’.

As for the 63 Squadron Hunter, I’m drooling!:)

Not sure about WJ680 being at the 1975 show, wasn’t there a picuture of her ‘belly landing’ on the 8th Oct 1975 somewhere on this thread, still in the old grey / dayglo scheme?

Really close to Air day with the tents and erections (!) I would say………

I was thinking that myself, looking at Keith Saunders book and old air day checklists I would say the P3 on West Pan is 158205 RD/3 and the Argus is 10741 making the year 1975.

Looks like a Hastings on South Pan as well, fantastic pictures:) !

Can you post those pics up Lima?

Unfortunately my scanner is kaput. But I can give you some references;

WJ639 – photo (starboard side) dated Aug 79 with Cornish Coat of Arms. Page 124 of Aviation in Cornwall by Peter London (Air Britain). I have a photo of the port side taken the same day with the same Coat of Arms and will try to get it scanned at work.

WK124 – photo (port side) dated 27/02/80 with Cornish Coat of Arms. Page 55 of RAF Gibraltar by Tony Fairbairn (Tempus publishing).

WJ879 (T4) – photo (port side) dated 27/02/80 with Cornish Coat of Arms. Page 56 of RAF Gibraltar (as above).

WK127– photo (port side) – ‘City of Truro’, page 470 of Airfix Magazine, May 1980. This photo is almost identical to my previous post. The caption states ‘BAC Canberra WK127, 7 Squadron featuring the words ‘City of Truro’ on the port side of the nose, and the corresponding coat of arms on the starboard side.

I have more pics and details but they are 250 miles away in Cornwall.

My photo of WJ639 (and the one in the book) shows a fairing in front of the Navs windows, possibly mirrors? No other Canberra seems to have this addition, does anyone know anything about this mod? If it was to enable the nav to see the winch pack why was it not added to the rest of the fleet?