VC-47D 44-77214 had been a long-time UK resident, joining the 7500th ABG in July 1949 following a period of temporary storage with the 7290th ABG at Oberpfaffenhoffen, West Germany. In this picture it still carries dayglo red paint on the nose, rear fuselage and wing-tips, markings typical of the late-1950s and early 1960s although this would soon be lost to leave the aircraft looking rather anonymous for a while. Above the serial on the fin is a plaque containing three stars, indicating the rank of the General for whom this was his personal transport. Commander of the Third Air Force between 15th August 1962 and 23rd June 1964 was Major General R W Puryear.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas DC-3 / C-47 Skytrain/С-53 Skytrooper / Dakota - СШАUSA - 1935

Aircraft with even more liberal helpings of dayglo paint than the 7513th ABG C-47s were the handful of navigational aid calibrators belonging to the 1858th Facility Checking Flight. This picture of 43-48892 was taken at RAF Bovingdon's Armed Forces Day display in May 1960 when the command was still subordinate to MATS as the Airways & Air Communications Service (AACS), hence the letters in the fin-band. On 1st July 1961 the AACS became a major command in its own right as the Air Force Communications Service.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas DC-3 / C-47 Skytrain/С-53 Skytrooper / Dakota - СШАUSA - 1935

Anonymous-looking T-33A 53-5145 from the 7030th CSW at Ramstein is seen here in storage at Mildenhall during the summer of 1964 prior to its transfer to the Spanish Air Force. Those aircraft processed through the airfield showed little consistency in the size and position of their "buzz-numbers" which in any case were falling into disuse by that time. Some carried them on the fuselage above the wings, others carried them at the rear on the jetpipe while this machine had them painted on the nose.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed T-33A - СШАUSA - 1948

T-33A 51-8820 had begun its service life in Europe at Prestwick in October 1955, assigned to a detachment of the 1708th Ferrying Wing (MATS). In 1957 it moved to Chateauroux AB in France, joining the 4440th Air Delivery Group during 1958 when TAC took over responsibility for aircraft deliveries. It was transferred to the 3131st ABG at Chateauroux in June 1961 before joining the 322nd Air Division, whose markings it wears in this picture, at the end of June 1962.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed T-33A - СШАUSA - 1948

Sectioned T-33A fuselages are seen here at Mildenhall during the spring of 1963 awaiting removal aboard lorries from Staravia Ltd. 51-4275, whose tail sits atop this pile, had arrived in the United Kingdom with the 20th FBW during May 1952, taking up residence at RAF Wethersfield. The aircraft joined the 10th TRW at Spangdahlem AB, West Germany during September 1955 then returned to the UK in August 1959 when the wing was transferred to RAF Alconbury as part of Project "Red Richard".

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed T-33A - СШАUSA - 1948

This is how many of the fuselage sections ended up, dumped in the Staravia Ltd yard at Lasham. Identifiable from their "buzz-numbers" amongst this collection of forward fuselage sections are those from 51-4275 and 51-6527, both of them former 10th TRW aircraft from Alconbury.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed T-33A - СШАUSA - 1948

A hive of activity surrounds C-124C 51-0130 at Mildenhall during the morning of 24th October 1963. Assigned to the 1502nd ATW at Hickam AFB in far-off Hawaii, the aircraft is seen here being prepared for the final leg of its journey to France in support of the Tactical Air Command F-100s that were deployed from the USA as part of the "Big Lift" Composite Air Strike Force. Two squadrons of C-124Cs (the 6th and 50th) would continue to fly from Hickam for another five years with a third (the 22nd) forward-based at Tachikawa AB, Japan and supplied with aircraft on a rotational basis from those assigned to Hickam. A similar arrangement existed on the East Coast whereby the 63rd TCW squadrons at Hunter AFB, GA supplied aircraft to the forward-based 52nd TCS at Rhein Main AB, West Germany.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas C-124 Globemaster II - СШАUSA - 1949