The RAF in colour 50s and 60s

[dinomartino1]

The aircraft of the Queen's Flight at RAF Benson, Oxfordshire. They are a Westland Whirlwind HCC12, De Havilland Heron C3 and a Hawker Siddeley Andover CC.2

Ground crew handover to the pilot a Westland Whirlwind HCC12 of The Queen's Flight at RAF Benson, Oxfordshire.

The Royal Air Force in Cyprus. Gunners of the Royal Air Force regiment with their Bofors 40mm (40/70) light anti-aircraft gun

Folland Gnats of the RAF display team The Red Arrows in formation.

A dramatic image showing the real-life rescue by a Westland Whirlwind HAR10 possibly of No 230 Squadron based at RAF Odiham, Hampshire but on detachment to RAF Nicosia, Cyprus, airlifts a swimmer casualty onto an RAF high speed launch (HSL 2759) from the waters off Akrotiri, Cyprus.

A Sergeant talks with mechanics who are working on the Bristol Siddeley Gnome engine of a Westland Whirlwind HCC12 of The Queen's Flight at RAF Benson, Oxfordshire.

A Westland Wessex helicopter HC2 XR524 probably of No 72 Squadron based at RAF Odiham, Hampshire, lifting equipment from the deck of HMS FEARLESS during Exercise Slip Pillow, a combined operations exercise at Barrybudden on the Firth of Tay. The equipment in question is metal piping which was used as part of the fuel transfer system to temporary fuel tanks ashore.

Helicopters of the RAF. A Westland Whirlwind HAR10

An English Electric Lightning F.6 of No 74 Squadron at RAF Leuchars, Fife. Note the Red Top air-to-air missiles on the front fuselage ad the over-wing long range fuel tanks.

 

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A fitter services the number 2 engine of a Hawker Siddeley Andover CC.2 of The Queen's Flight at RAF Benson, Oxfordshire

A line of fighters past and current in the 1960s at RAF Coltishall, Norfolk. They include five English Electric Lightnings two of which are F.1As, XM214 and XM974, from the resident No 226 Operational Conversion Unit/No 145 Squadron, an F.3, XS420, from No 226 OCU/No 145 Squadron, an F3, XS931, from No 111 Squadron at RAF Wattisham, Suffolk, and one F6, XP749, from No 11 Squadron at RAF Leuchars, Fife. Further along the flight line there is one English Electric Canberra T11 and two Gloster Meteor F(TT)8s all from No 85 Squadron at RAF Binbrook, Lincolnshire, three single seater Hawker Hunters and one twin seater Hawker Hunter T.7, a Hawker Hurricane and two Supermarine Spitfires. These aircraft are known to have flown in formation together and are possibly part of a 1968 celebration of the 50th anniversary of the RAF.

A mechanic checks a Hawker Siddeley Andover CC.2 of the Queen's Flight at RAF Benson, Oxfordshire.

A Chief Technician supervises the maintenance of an De Havilland Heron C3 of The Queen's Flight at RAF Benson, Oxfordshire.

Lockheed Hercules C.1s of No 36 Squadron RAF Air Support Command and based at RAF Lynaham, Wiltshire, over a dramatic cloudscape.

The last British Avro Lancaster in flying condition over Avro Vulcan B.2s of No 230 Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) based at RAF Finningley but on the Operational Readiness Platform at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire. The Vulcan B2s are (front to rear) XH561, XJ782, XM656 and XJ824. The Lancaster was PA474. The flypast was marking the amalgamation of Bomber and Fighter Commands and the creation of Strike Command.

(Left to right) Flying Officer Rod Harrison, Pakistan Air Force exchange officer Flight Lieutenant Bahar-ul-Haq, Squadron Leader John Delafield, Squadron Leader Bill Jago and Wing Commander JMA Parker, who made up The Poachers the aerobatic team of the RAF College Cranwell, in front of BAC Jet Provost T4 XS181, which carries on the fin the pennant of Wing Commander Parker who was both OC Flying and CFI (Chief Flying Instructor) at the College.

Inside a de Havilland Comet, RAF sevicemen passengers are served a drink of coffee by a Women's Royal Air Force Air Quartermaster.

A BAC Jet Provost T.4 of 'The Poachers aerobatic team of the RAF College Cranwell, Lincolnshire over local area.

 

[dinomartino1]

Two English Electric Lightning F.6s of 74 Squadron being refuelled in-flight by Handley Page Victor K.1 probably of No 57 squadron RAF.

Technicians service No 3 engine of Avro Shackleton MR.3 XF702 of No 206 Squadron during the aircraft’s stop in early 1963 at RAF North Front, Gibraltar. In the background are MR.2s of the resident No 224 Squadron. (NB: On 21 December 1967, whilst flying in fog from RAF Kinloss, XF702 crashed in the Cairngorns killing all thirteen people on board.)
US President, Dwight D Eisenhower stands on a dais making a speech on his arrival in the UK during his 1959 visit. Beside him is the British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan.

A Flight Cadet off duty in his room at the RAF College Cranwell. nHe is smoking a pipe and reading a book whilst behind him hangs from a coat hook, his mess-dress and sword. Against the wall next to a bookshelf is his tennis racket.

Four Hawker Hunters F.4s (WV324, WV387, XF299 and WV366) of No 43 Squadron RAF in flight from their base at RAF Leuchars, Scotland.

Blackburn Beverley (XL149) of No 30 Squadron RAF in flight over the Kenyan bush.

A view inside a hangar of No 5 Flying Training School (FTS) at RAF Oakington, Cambridgeshire. A mechanic works on one of the twin tail booms of a De Havilland Vampire 5 (a Fighter-Bomber relaegated to flying training) (VZ212), while others work on its De Havilland Govblin engine under the supervision of a Chief Technician

A specially assembled fleet of aircraft to mark the 20th anniversary of the Battle of Britain are seen in echelon formation. The line-up consists of Hawker Hurricane IIc (LF363) and Supermarine Spitfire PRXIXR (PM631) both of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Gloster Meteor F.8 (WL164), Hawker Hunter FGA9 (XK136/A) of No 74 Squadron, Gloster Javelin FAW9A (XH894/R) of No 23 Squadron and English Electric Lightning F.1 (XM137/F) of the Air Fighting Development Squadron, part of the Central Fighter Establishment.

Two apprentice RAF mechanics work on the engine of a vehicle. They are under the supervision of a Warrant Officer.

The distinctive yellow colouring of the Yellowjacks, the aerobatic display team of No 4 Flying Training School at RAF Valley, South Wales. The team's Folland Gnat T.1 aircraft are lined up on the hardstanding.

 

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The President of the United States's personal Boeing 707 aircraft, in M.A.T.S. livery carrying President Dwight D Eisenhower arrives in Britain. A set of steps are against the rear fuseage door and an RAF guard is at the foot of the steps

US President, Dwight D Eisenhower stands on a dais making a speech on his arrival in the UK during his 1959 visit. Beside him is the British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan.

 

[dinomartino1]

An RAF McDonnell Douglas F4M Phantom FGR.2 in a maintenance hangar of No 23 RAF Maintenance Unit at RAF Aldergrove, Northern Ireland.

The air and ground crews of the first McDonnell Douglas F4M Phantom FGR.2 in RAF service pose in front of their aircraft with Group Captain Stanley Mason at RAF Aldergrove, Northern Ireland

The first McDonnell Douglas F4M Phantom FGR.2 in RAF service being serviced by No 23 Maintenace Unit RAF at RAF Aldergrove, Northern Ireland

A McDonnell Douglas F-4M Phantom FGR2 in flight over RAF Aldergrove, Northern Ireland. This particular aircraft (XT 891) was the first McDonnell Douglas Phantom aircraft in service with the Royal Air Force.

Women's Royal Air Force recruits receive instruction from a corporal drill instructor during their first week of recruit training at the WRAF Depot at RAF Spitalgate in 1965.

Handley Page Victor B.2 aircraft (XL158), probably of No 100 Squadron at RAF Wittering, Northamptonshire. Pre-flight preparations. The Hawker Siddeley Dynamics Blue Steel stand-off missile can just be seen in the bomb bay. The pods for the aircraft's electronic countermeasures suite can be seen on the trolley in the foreground.

The pilot of the first McDonnell Douglas F-4M Phantom FGR2 in service with the RAF (XT891) being interviewed at RAF Aldergrove, Northern Ireland after delivering the aircraf

Candidates seeking a commission in the Women’s Royal Air Force undertake a teamwork selection exercise at the Ground Officers Selection Centre, RAF Biggin Hill in November 196

Part of the contingent of twelve pilots and sixty airmen from No 208 Squadron with their six Hawker Hunter F.6s, seen at Amman airfield, Jordan in July 1958 which were dispatched under Operation Fortitude, the reinforcing of Jordan's defences following an Iraqi coup.

 

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Squadron Leader Roger Topp, commanding officer of No 111 Squadron along with other pilots from 'The Black Arrows' sign autographs for excited schoolboys at the 1958 Schoolboys Own Exhibition at Olympia, London.

de Havilland Comet C.2 XK715 ‘Columba’ of No 216 Squadron RAF flying from RAF Lyneham is turned around at RAF Gan, on Adu Atoll in the Maldives in 1962. Gan was an important staging post for military air traffic flying east to the Far East and Australia once stations in the volatile Middle East had been lost

Boy entrants, training to be photographers at No 2 School of Technical Training, RAF Cosford, learn to use a light meter while photographing the radar array of a de Haviland Vampire NF.10, November 1959.

The pilots of The Black Dragons the dispay team from No 234(R) Squadron, part of No 229 OCU, line up in front of one of their Hawker Hunter F.6s at RAF Chivenor in June 1963. Formed by Flight Lieutenant Lee Jones in 1958, The Black Dragons became one of the few prominent display teams established by an Operational Conversion Unit.

The RAF College Cranwell's first jet display team consisting of four de Haviland Vampire FB.9s (WR146, WR 209, WR242 and WR247). The unnamed team was led by Flight Lieutenant Bidie and consisted of Flight Lieutenant Warren and Flying Officers Durrant and Penrose.

The captain of a Handley Page Victor B.1, probably of No XV Squadron, based at RAF Cottesmore, is seen seated in his left hand position as if in flight, April 1959.

 

[dinomartino1]

Two English Electric Lightning F.1As of No 111 Squadron, armed with Firestreak missiles, are seen under floodlight preparing for a night sortie at RAF Wattisham in 1962.

Seen at RAF Coltishall’s ‘At Home’ day in September 1960, aircrews of five aircraft assemble next to their aircraft prior to a flight to mark the 20th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. They are: Hawker Hurricane IIc LF363 and Supermarine Spitfire PRXIXR PM631 both of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Gloster Meteor F.8 WL164, Hawker Hunter FGA9 XK136 of No 74 Squadron, Gloster Javelin FAW.9R XH894 of No 23 Squadron and the recently introduced English Electric Lightning F.1 XM137 of the Air Fighting Development Squadron, part of the Central Fighter Establishment.

de Havilland Vampire NF.10 WP252 of No 25 Squadron, seen with its Goblin engine characteristically torching on starting up, at RAF West Malling, 25 February 1952

English Electric Canberra B.16 WT303 of No 6 Squadron is seen ‘bombing up’ at RAF Tengah between May and August 1965, while on detachment from the Akrotiri based Near East Air Force Strike Wing.

Liquid oxygen, part of the fuel for a Douglas PGM-17 Thor missile, boils off under pressure during a ‘wet countdown’ by an unidentified Thor missile squadron, c.1961.

Armourers load a dummy Yellow Sun Mark 2 (free-fall thermonuclear bomb) into the capacious bomb bay of a Handley Page Victor B.1A, during Exercise Unison at RAF Honington, 1963.

At RAF Wittering, armourers use an AEC Matador airfield munitions truck to lower an Avro Blue Steel onto a dolly for transportation to a waiting Handley Page Victor B.2 in 1964. The aircraft is painted dark green and medium grey reflecting the recent change to low altitude flying. Introduced to handle Blue Steel, this version of the Matador contained equipment to monitor the state of the volatile fuel during its journey to the aircraft.

Percival Provost T.1 WV429 of No 6 Flying Training School, RAF Ternhill, Shropshire flies alongside de Havilland Vampire T.11 XD520 of No 5 Flying Training School, RAF Oakington, 9 June 1954.

Avro Vulcan B2 XH561 of No 50 Squadron, RAF Cottesmore wing, leads in ‘Vic’ formation four English Electric Lightning F.6s XS922 and XS894, XS903 and XR726 of No 5 Squadron, RAF Binbrook, during a flight of April 1968, to mark the disbanding of Fighter and Bomber Commands and the formation of RAF Strike Command

Avro Shackleton MR.3 XF707 of No 206 Squadron flying over the north coast of Cornwall near its home station of RAF St Mawgan in 1964.

 

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Armstrong Whitworth Argosy XP448 of No 215 Squadron is marshalled into position at RAF Labuan during the Indonesian Confrontation, 1964.

 

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Senior Aircraftwoman Una Taylor, a photographer with 74 Squadron, talks with a pilot during Exercise Vigilant, 25 May 1957

A crewmember of English Electric Canberra B.15 WH959 of No 73 Squadron, part of the Near East Air Force Strike Wing based at Akrotiri, checks one of his aircraft’s wing-mounted Nord AS30 air-to-ground missiles, prior to exercises at El Adem, c.1967.

A room in a new accommodation block for single airmen at RAF Medmenham, in February 1959.

At the parade to mark the disbanding of Fighter Command held at RAF Bentley Priory on 30 April 1968, Air Marshal Sir Frederick Rosier KCB CBE DSO ADC, the last Air Officer Commander in Chief (AOCinC) of the command stands with several of the most famous Second World War aces, from left to right: Air Vice Marshal ‘Johnny’ Johnson CBE DSO** DFC*, Group Captain P W Townsend CVO DSO DFC*, Wing Commander R R S Tuck DSO DFC** DFC (US), Air Commodore A C Deere OBE DSO DFC* DFC (US) and Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader CBE DSO* DFC*.

Avro Shackleton MR.2 WR961 Q of No. 228 Squadron, RAF St Mawgan, prepares for a flight c.1957. The Shackleton’s tailplane and twin fins are evidence of its Avro heritage.

An Avro Shackleton MR.2 WG530 of No 205 Squadron is seen flying over remote jungle on Borneo whilst on a reconnaisance patrol in 1964.

An English Electric Lightning F.3 of No 111 Squadron armed with de Havilland Firestreak missiles, is seen under floodlight, ready for a night time sortie at RAF Wattisham in the summer of 1965

Roger Pyrah, commanding officer of No. 1417 (FR) Flight climbs into the cockpit of his Hawker Hunter FR.10 at RAF Khormaksar, Aden, prior to undertaking a tactical reconnaissance flight over Radfan in July 1964.

Handley Page Hastings C.1 TG587 of No 511 Squadron taxies across a dusty airfield at Amman, Jordan, in July 1958, bringing supplies or reinforcements to British forces in the country during Operation Fortitude, the bolsetering of Jordanian defences

 

[dinomartino1]

Pilots of the Yellowjacks from No 4 Flying Training School listen to a briefing by team founder Squadron Leader Lee Jones at RAF Valley during the team's only season in 1964.

A flight cadet at the RAF College Cranwell receives guidance from his flying instructor whilst seated in a Hunting Jet Provost T.3, c.1964

Four de Havilland Vampire FB.9s of No 213 Squadron from RAF Deversoir, part of the air defence force for the Canal Zone in formation over the Egyptian desert in April 1954.

Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer CC.1 XM961 of No 21 Squadron based at RAF Eastleigh, Nairobi, overflies an RAF Regiment command post in the Kenyan bush, 1961.

A flypast of Canadair Sabres, led by Flight Lieutenant N.A. Burns of No. 441 Squadron RCAF, is seen during a review marking the coronation of HM Queen Elizabeth II at RAF Odium in July 1953. Seen in the static display are Gloster Meteor FR.9s from No. 2 Squadron (VZ605 and WB143) 2nd Tactical Air Force (2TAF), RAF Bückenberg in Germany, de Haviland Vampire F.3s (including VT852) from Fighter Command and 2TAF, Coastal Command Shackletons and Boeing Washington B.1s (including WF565 of No 207 Squadron, WF545 of No 57 Squadron, WF572 of No 35 Squadron and WF562 of No 115 Squadron) on loan to Bomber Command from the USA as stop gap heavy bomber.

Four Gloster Javelin FAW.9Rs of No 64 Squadron seen during an air-defence patrol over Malaysia in May 1967.

Seen here, at approximately 12,000ft, two members of The Falcons, the RAF's free-fall parachute display team, have just jumped from either side of Armstrong Whitworth Argosy XR139 and are in the process of getting control of their decent.

Hawker Hunter F.4s of No 74 Squadron are seen on the busy pan at RAF Horsham St Faith, Norfolk, on 25th May 1957 during Exercise Vigilant, that year's main air defence exercise. Note the aircraft’s white tail markings adopted for this exercise.

The nine Central Flying School pilot-instructors that formed The Red Arrows team of 1966 with ground support crew at the team's base at RAF Fairford

Avro Vulcan B.1 XA896 deploys its drogue parachute as it lands at RAF Waddington on 21 August 1957. The crew is likely to be Wing Commander A D Frank DSO DFC, Officer Commanding No 83 Squadron, and Flight Lieutenant C E Simpson DFC (Air Electronics Officer), Flight Lieutenant P A Ward (Co-pilot), Flying Officer G H P Hulme (Navigator Radar) and Flight Lieutenant J A Williams (Navigator Plotter). Note the aircraft has not yet been painted in the V-Force’s more familiar all-white anti-flash gloss, applied between the Summer and Autumn of 1957.

 

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A heavily posed photograph showing operations in the air traffic control tower at RAF Lyneham on 26 June 1962.

Two English Electric Lightning F.3s, XP702 and XP751, of No 74 Squadron are seen in flight over St Andrews, Fife, shortly after the squadron moved to RAF Leuchars in 1964. Each aircraft is armed with two Firestreak missiles.

An unidentified Vickers Valiant B(K).1 of No 49 Squadron of the SACEUR assigned Tactical Bomber Force being defueled following a sortie at RAF Marham in April 1964. The aircraft is painted in dark green and medium grey tactical camouflage reflecting the change from the high to low level flying adopted in early 1964. Note: the retention of the anti-flash white underside which can just be seen under the open crew hatch.

Watched by station ground crew, RAF personnel including two members of the Princess Mary's RAF Nursing Service (PMRAFNS), passengers on a BAC VC10 C.1 of No 10 Squadron, Air Support Command, disembark at RAF Gan before heading to the Blue Lagoon transit hotel, 1969.

Hawker Hunter F.4s of No 74 Squadron are seen on the busy pan at RAF Horsham St Faith, Norfolk, on 25th May 1957 during Exercise Vigilant, that year's main air defence exercise. Note the aircraft’s white tail markings adopted for this exercise.

 

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Ground crew are seen defueling two of No 111 Squadron's, 'The Black Arrows', Hawker Hunter F.6s at RAF North Weald, Essex c 1957.

Minister of Defence Duncan Sandys, seated in the right hand co-pilot's position, is briefed on the controls of Handley Page Victor B.1 XA937 of No 10 Squadron by Squadron Leader Young prior to a one hour flight from RAF Cottesmore, 19th June 1959

HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh inspecting a trial Bristol Bloodhound surface-to-air guided missile mounted on its launcher at RAF North Coates, Lincolnshire , November 1953.

RAF Guided Missile Fitters (S) of No 62 Squadron servicing a Bristol Bloodhound Mark 1 surface-to-air guided missile at RAF Woolfox Lodge, Rutland. RAF Woolfox Lodge, a disused Second World War airfield, was a satellite base to the V-Force station RAF Cottesmore and close to the Thor station of RAF North Luffenham.

Air Training Corps activities during an annual summer camp. A member of 54 (Eastbourne) Squadron ATC 'shadows' the crew of an Avro Vulcan Bomber at RAF Cottesmore.

An Avro Vulcan B.2 aircraft of No. 9 Squadron based at RAF Cottesmore, 1965.

Squadron Leader C MacGillivray and crew from No. 15 Squadron RAF, run to a bus to be taken to their Handley Page Victor B.1, during a demonstration 'scramble' at RAF Cottesmore. Other crew members during this scramble include Flight Lieutenant Bowker, the navigator-radar.

The Navigator-Plotter of a Handley Page Victor B.1 at RAF Cottesmore at his station and seen through the window of the visual bomb aiming position, June 1959. The aircraft is either XH928 of No. 10 Squadron or XH592 of No. 15 Squadron RAF.

 

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An RAF policeman stands guard at the 'business end' of a Douglas PGM-17 Thor intermediate range ballistic missile, 1963. The missile is resting horizontally on its launcher, but its shelter has been retracted, showing the array of umbilicals required to monitor the state of the guidance systems.

 

[Charlotte]

I love the de Havilland Vampire pics - would anyone have any leads as to their origin?

 

[dinomartino1]

I love the de Havilland Vampire pics - would anyone have any leads as to their origin?

Imperial war museum London

 

[Micawber]

I have enjoyed pouring over these photos again, many of which I recognise from back in the day. Lots of nostalgia tinged with a little sadness.

Thanks again for posting Dino.

 

[rob20uk]

A Blackburn Beverly aircraft of No 84 Squadron RAF flying over Aden during operations in the region.

That looks like England to me.