Although RAF Abingdon was relatively close, we never visited much as the residents didn’t change much over the years. Paul Filmer continues his march through the archives with a look at RAF Abingdon – now Dalton Barracks – between 1983 and 1985.
ex-British Airways VC10-1151 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
In 1983 I went to the Battle of Britain Day, which was just after a bunch of ex-British Airways Super VC10s were delivered and then wrapped in Driclad bags. This was because there wasn’t a pressing need to convert the aircraft to tankers straight away, as the K2 and K3 conversions were still being carried out to replace the Victor K2 fleet which was nearing the end of its fatigue life.
ex-British Airways VC10-1151 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
Later the airframes with the highest hours were eventually scrapped for spares and the rest converted to K4 standard.
ex-British Airways VC10-1151 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
There were still some present that hadn’t been wrapped yet.
ex-British Airways VC10-1151 ZD235/G-ASGG – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
During this airshow we had our second encounter that year with an RAF BAe146 CC1, ZD696. This airframe, along with another, was being evaluated with 241 OCU for future operations for a brief time before being returned back to the civil market.
241OCU BAe146 CC.1 ZD696 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
The RAE Viscounts were always good to see, and here is XT575 which was based at RAE Bedford. The front fuselage is currently displayed at the Brooklands Museum.
RAE Viscount XT575 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
Another RAE aircraft present was BAC111-200AC XX105, also from RAE Bedford. This airframe was scrapped at Boscombe Down in 2010.
RAE BAC111-200AC XX105 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
Jaguar GR1 XZ106 of 41 Squadron is seen here in the static display. The airframe is now displayed as a GR3A outside the RAF Manston History Museum.
41 Squadron Jaguar GR.1 XZ106 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
Lightning F6 XS928, then with 11 Squadron, is now preserved within BAe Warton.
11 Squadron Lightning F6 XS928 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
Hawk T1 XX217 is seen here operating with 63 Squadron. In 2006 it diverted to the Isle of Man with engine problems and was damaged on landing and shipped back to its then RAF Valley home by road.
63 Squadron Hawk T1 XX217 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
This aircraft is still flying.
Hawk T1 XX217 in June 2009 – © John Higgins – Global Aviation Resource
Jet Provost T4 XP547 with 79 Squadron is now based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as N547XP.
79 Squadron Jet Provost T4 XP547 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
Jaguar T2 XX845 of 17 Squadron is seen here in one of Abingdon’s hangars being maintained.
17 Squadron Jaguar GR1 XX845 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
The airframe ended up, destined to die, at RNAS Predannack and is being used for crash rescue training.
XX845 at RNAS Predannack in June 2011 – © Chris Wood – Global Aviation Resource
Onwards to 1984 and I shot a few aircraft around the airfield.
Vulcan B2MRR XH537 of 27 Squadron is seen here parked up and withdrawn from use. Interesting to see the other Vickers products in the distance also withdrawn.
27 Squadron Vulcan B2MRR XH537 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
The airframe was scrapped in 1991 at Abingdon. The nose was saved and is displayed at the Bournemouth Aviation Museum.
Vulcan B2MRR XH537 nose section now at the Bournemouth Aviation Museum – © Karl Drage – Global Aviation Resource
Canberra B2 WH869/8515M is seen here in the Battle Damage Repair (BDR) area of the airfield and was later scrapped. We didn’t see many white Canberras in those days.
Canberra B2 WH869 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
Royal Navy Wessex HAS1 XS120/8653M, also in the BDR area, was eventually scrapped at Wroughton in 1994.
Wessex HAS1 XS120 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
Onwards to 1985 and another Canberra, this time a B1/8 painted black – WV787, fitted with a Buccaneer nose. This aircraft was the UK’s only biological warfare research aircraft and operated via Porton Down. Later she was modified for ice research, when the idea of biological warfare was stopped internationally.
Canberra B1/8 WV787 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
WV787 was saved from the BDR site at Abingdon and preserved at the Newark Air Museum.
Canberra B1/8 WV787 at the Newark Air Museum – © Karl Drage – Global Aviation Resource
DH104 Dove 6 G-ARDE ended her days at the Al Mahatah Museum painted as G-AJPR. This museum is now closed, so if anyone has any ideas what happened to this Dove, please let us know.
DH104 Dove 6 G-ARDE – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
Worked on the Jag majors and RSS at Abingdon. Used to park my car under the static Vulcan. Was involved with selling a Wessex to a German museum. I was the team leader for the last cat3 repair for the last VC10 to leave.
Fond memories.
Bob Thompson.
Hi Paul
Another great feature (on Abingdon). Thanks for posting.
Just one point – you mention that the museum at Al Mahatah (which contained Dove G-ARDE) is now closed. You may well be right, but where did you get this info from? I can’t find any reference to the museum being closed anywhere, nor have I seen any mention of this in the aviation press. All available info on the web seems to indicate that it is still open (but closed on Mondays).
Regards
Phil Hawks