Air Pictorial 1987-09
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P.Hatch - The Royal Air Force Today
The R.A.F.'s first Harrier GR.5, ZD324, flanked by two Harrier GR.3s of No. 233 O.C.U.. Wittering, on 1st July 1987
Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S.2B XW530 of No. 12 Squadron based at Lossiemouth
R.A.F. Germany operates two squadrons of Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.3s from Gutersloh. This aircraft of No. 3 Squadron is seen in a "hide" during an off-base exercise
A SEPECAT Jaguar GR.1A of No. 2 Squadron. Laarbruch, displays its ventral reconnaissance pod. No. 2's Jaguars will be replaced by recce.-equipped Tornadoes in 1988
Lockheed TriStar K.1 tanker ZD951 of No. 216 Squadron, Brize Norton. It was previously British Airways G-BFCD
R.A.F. support for the Navy includes long-range maritime reconnaissance by the Hawker Siddeley Nimrods of the Kinloss Wing (Nos. 120, 201 and 206 Squadrons). XV255 shown here is an MR.2P with refuelling probe added
Hawker Siddeley Nimrod MR.2 XV258 of the Kinloss Wing whose three squadrons, Nos. 120, 201 and 206, pool their aircraft
Westland Gazelle HT.3 XW862 "D" of No. 2 F.T.S., Shawbury
Tornado GR.1 ZA561 "02" of No. 27 Squadron, Marham
Lockheed Hercules C.1 XV214 of the Lyneham Wing, which comprises Nos. 24, 30, 47 and 70 Squadrons. This particular aircraft has since been stretched and fitted with an in-flight refuelling probe, making it a C.3P
Practising its rescue techniques, this all-yellow Westland Sea King HAR.3. XZ595, belongs to No. 202 Squadron whose H.Q. is at Finningley
Providing heavy-lift support for the Army in Germany are the Boeing-Vertol Chinook HC.1s of No. 18 Squadron, Gutersloh; ZD981 "BD" illus.
English Electric Canberra T.17A WJ607 "EB" of No. 360 Squadron. Wyton. Outwardly the T.17A can be distinguished from the T.17 by the new underwing aerials outboard of the engines
Target-towing Canberra TT.18 WK118 "CQ” of No. 100 Squadron, Wyton
And for the Army, Westland Puma HC.1 helicopters of No. 33 Squadron, R.A.F. Odiham, put an anti-tank team in the field during an exercise on Salisbury Plain
The R.A.F.'s first Shorts Tucano T.1, ZF135. First user will be No. 7 F.T.S. at Church Fenton
Hawker Siddeley Andover E.3A XS643 of No. 115 Squadron, Benson, used for calibrating navigational aids
Scottish Aviation Jetstream T.1 XX498 “F" of No. 6 F.T.S., Finningley, used for multi-engine pilot training
British Aerospace BAe 146 CC.2 ZE700, one of two now equipping the Queen's Flight at Benson. Note Union flag on the fin
A Handley Page Victor K.2 tanker of No. 55 Squadron, Marham, which, with the now disbanded No. 57 Squadron, gave such magnificent service during the Falklands War
Vickers VC10C.1 XV104 of No. 10 Squadron, Brize Norton. The squadron's aircraft are named after airmen who won the V.C. - XV104 is "James McCudden VC"
BAC (English Electric) Lightning F.3 XP741 "AR" of No. 5 Squadron, Binbrook, makes a smart get-away from Coningsby after a visit on 13th June 1987
Hawker Siddeley Dominie T.1 XS712 “A" of No. 6 F.T.S., Finningley, used for training navigators
Back-up for U.K. air defence - British Aerospace Hawk T.1A XX350 of No. 234 "Shadow" Squadron (No. 1 T.W.U.), Brawdy, armed with Sidewinders and cannon pod, and Panavia Tornado F.3 ZE162 "AY" of No. 65 "Shadow" Squadron (No. 229 O.C.U.), Coningsby
Hawk T.1 XX314 of No. 4 F.T.S., Valley, with palm tree and pyramid fin badge; No. 4 F.T.S. was formed at Abu Sueir, Egypt, on 1st April 1921
Westland Wessex HC.2 XS679 "WG" of No. 2 F.T.S., Shawbury
BAC (Hunting) Jet Provost T.3A XN470 of No. 7 F.T.S., Church Fenton
McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2 XV476 "G" of No. 19 Squadron, Wildenrath, West Germany, paying a visit to Wattisham last October
The R.A.F.'s sole Beagle D5/180 Husky, XW635 (ex G-AWSW), operated by No. 5 A.E.F. at Cambridge
D.H. Chipmunk T.10 WZ862 of the R.A.F. Gatow Station Flight over Berlin-Tempelhof Airport
R.A.F. Panavia Tornado F.2 ZD937 "AQ" of No. 229 O.C.U.. Coningsby
First front-line fighter squadron to equip with the Tornado F.3 is No. 29 at Coningsby, now working up to operational readiness; ZE208 "BT" illus.
BAC (Hunting) Pembroke C.1 WV701 of No. 60 Squadron, Wildenrath, West Germany. Three of the squadron's Pembrokes will continue in service until next year, although No. 60 has started to re-equip with Andovers
Scottish Aviation Bulldog T.1 XX515 bearing on its fuselage the crest of the R.A.F.'s Central Flying School, Scampton