I think this is WS787/G which, IIRC, flew the last Meteor NF14 operational sortie on 60 Sqn.

It was struck off charge 1.9.61 and then put on display just inside the main gate at Tengah carrying the correct serial. I certainly remember seeing it in 67/68 when I was there.

The FEAF serial is interesting. Does anyone know if there were other instances of its use? Presumably, it’s a local variation on the ‘M’ series.

Phil, “The Source Book of the RAF” lists the RAF’s orbat at several different points in time. The listing prior to 1953 is for July 1945. The list after is for April 1962. No. 203 AFS is not shown in either.

However, looking through the late Ray Sturtivant’s book “RAF Flying Training and Support Units Since 1912”, have come across the following info for No. 203 AFS:

Reformed 1-9-49 ex No. 226 OCU at Driffield in No. 23 Gp with Meteors and Vampires (RLG at Carnaby from 1-9-49, unit based there 7-50 to 9-50); 1-5-51 to 21 Gp; redesignated No. 8 FTS 1-6-54.

Further reading of Delve’s book revealed this information on unit badges:

The general outline of the badge followed a fixed pattern of an edged circle, surmounted by a crown and with a scroll at the base. Up to 11th November 1954 it employed a Tudor crown (often refered to as a King’s crown), but after that date it used St Edward’s crown (the Queen’s Crown).

Going by that info, you would be correct to use the King’s crown in your profiles.

A closer examination of the fin marking, reveals that it is in fact a diamond, not a triangle, the upper half of which is darker, and the lower half lighter.

This I believe would make it a 242OCU aircraft. These had a 2 coloured tail flash that I think was red at the top with yellow below.

242OCU Beverley flight was based at Dishforth (1957 – 1961) and then Thorney Island (1961 – 1967).

Sorry, but I have to disagree. Yes, there was a diamond there at one stage. However, looking at the photo under magnification, the bottom part of that diamond appears to have been crudely overpainted (in a similar fashion to the “Royal Air Force Transport Command” titles on the nose) and the top converted into the triangular shape that is visible. That shape is outlined in black. I have found several photos of 242 OCU aircraft which display the two colour marking on the fin and there is a difference as can be seen in the photos recently posted by Anark. Both XL148/Y and XL149/X were OCU aircraft and the diamond is clearly visible.

Also, I have found a full listing of Beverley histories in the Air-Britain magazine Aeromilitaria, Summer 2002 issue. This confirms that XH120 was coded ‘C’ on 30 Sqn after delivery to the RAF and went with the squadron to Africa. This aircraft was never on the strength of 242 OCU. It did serve, as mentioned in my earlier post, only with 30, 34, 30 (again) & 84 Sqns. In fact, it was the aircraft that in September 1967, flew back from Aden marked “Aden to UK or Bust”. Whilst at Sharjah, en route to the UK, “and probably bust” was added to that marking!

I am still of the opinion that the photo was most likely taken just prior to 30 Sqn’s move to Africa, hence the modified markings.

I have just noticed that the same two Beverleys are visible in the background of Photo 53.

Laurie although the place is pronounced ‘Cooms’ it is in fact spelt Combs, just in case anyone is trying to find it on the map

Thanks for the correction, John. I lifted the spelling straight from the book.

Dave, Jeff Jefford’s book “RAF Squadrons” shows detachments at Nicosia and Paphos in 1943.

103 (which ever one) took part in the1961 Farnborough air show , as part of a 9 ship display.

Stuart, taken from the same entry in the book that I quoted above:

“800 Sqn (109/R) loan aerobatic team for 1961 SBAC Show 23-8-61.”

Seems it was this aircraft, XD239, at Farnborough that year, albeit with a different side number, 109. These numbers did swap between aircraft as one was withdrawn from a squadron for whatever reason and replaced by a different aircraft.

Mark, it looks to be an NF11 of 141 Sqn. Can’t be much more help than that at the moment though. Scramble doesn’t throw up anything unfortunately.

Have just found, on page 210 of ‘The Source Book of The RAF’, a photo showing a line-up of 141 Sqn Meteor NF 11’s. There are 6 aircraft in the line-up with their crews. At the far end of the line is what appears to an aircraft with the code ‘R’. Unfortunately, the serial cannot be made out.

A few of my recent screenshots from FS9:

On the pan at Waddington.

Taking off from Waddo.

Overflying the College at Cranwell.