As said, the dark earth/sand with black undersides was standard for tactical transports, also Beverlies, Argosies, Twin Pins received it. The white over the cockpit was designed to have a reflective quality to prevent overheating in the Arabian sun.
All were returned to the UK in 1970 , I doubt if 46 Squadron went further than Germany in the remaining years, though a detachment was maintained in Cyprus to support the NEAF Vulcan force – they may have gone desert bound a few times.
3 still remain active in the UK – XS606 and 646 with the Empire Test Pilots School/QUINETIC and XS596 is the UK “Open Skies” aircraft, all based at Boscombe Down.
Only preserved one is an E3 calibration variant at Cosford, though there is a PR version in storage there as well. Neither have the lovely “desert” scheme.
Only UK and NZ used the Andover though the HS748 from which the Andover originated, has seen widespread service.

Andovers were based with 52Sqn, Seletar and 84Sqn Sharjah until 1969 then all returned to 46sqn based at Abingdon and 242OCU,Thorney Island until 1975. Their retirement came with the massive mid-70s transport cuts due to the shrinking overseas RAF commitments. During that time we lost the Comet, Brittania, Argosy, Andover and Belfast, leaving just the Herc and VC10. Andovers did remain in service as calibration aircraft and the VIP/comms fleet until 1991.

But the F105 was based here, something that obviously never was the case with the 14.

Moggy

F105s were never based in Europe!

Several units made week or fortnight TDYs to various places like Sculthorpe or Lakenheath but never permanently based.

If someone can identify this aircraft, I would be pleased.

Thks in advance

Its a Buccaneer! 😉

XX119/01 was the ’86 solo display Jaguar from 2sqn of 226 OCU, the pilot TBA unless they want to make themselves known here!?. Even if the wheels touched, the Jag was designed from the outset to be capable of STOL from rough strips. Late 70s/early 80s Farnboroughs featured a Jag operating from the grass but it still looks very impressive.
2005 will see the last display season by a RAF Jaguar so enjoy!
The French will retire their final few from 7wing this year, replaced by the Rafale. The Indians still have a few hundred in service and the Omani aircraft have recently been upgraded.
Someone mentioned a Tomcat thread – next year that will be a historic (i.e. out of service) aircraft so it should be welcomed here! Or does historic mean “must have a prop”!!??

From the perimeter, not much – they could easily keep a model within the fence when flying it, so I doubt you’d see anything at all.

Indeed, Wittering is an awful place to view ! And Gaydon was the first Valiant base!!

Wel one, heres a few more…….

Hey if you guys don’t want it, send it to the UK and we’ll fly it in formation with the other Red Bull twin boomer…

Hmmm…. hav’nt we tried something similar before with disastrous consequences??
If they’re painting it like that – leave it over there I say!