Air International 2008-10
J.Winchester - Dominie T.1 and BAE 125 /Aircraft of the RAF/ (6)
No.32 (The Royal) Squadron at RAF Northolt operates six BAE 125 CC.3s in the VIP transport and communications role. An electronic defensive-aids suite is installed to protect against infra-red missiles.
A total of nine Dominie T.1s remain in service with 55 (R) Squadron at RAF Cranwell to train weapons systems operators.
Training navigators and weapons systems operators was the first task assigned to RAF HS.125s. Given the name Dominie, which is an old Scottish word for 'schoolmaster', this variant is still used in this role. Pictured is the oldest aircraft in the fleet, XS709 of 55 (R) Squadron, on a recent low-level sortie over central Scotland. It first flew on December 30, 1964.
Since 1971 the HS/BAE125 has also been used for VIP and communications transport duties. Six BAE 125 CC.3s currently serve with 32 (The Royal) Squadron at RAF Northolt. The type is currently undergoing an avionics upgrade and is due to be retired in 2017. This aircraft is pictured wearing the previous livery worn by the squadron’s aircraft.