Shacks at paphos(pafos) cyprus

[sidtheesexist]

Hi all, wonder whether someone out there can help. Recently flew in an out of aforementioned on a package hol(first and last such vacation I hasten to add!!!!) and noticed what looked suspiciously like two ex RAF MR2s languishing on a disused taxiway - I must say they looked rather forlorn! My old man flew shacks with 42,205 and the MOTU so I have a certain affection for the type. Can anyone shed any light? Also, is Paphos military/ex military in any way cos there seemed to be recently constructed HASs on tother side of drome from civilian terminal. Any info greatly appreciated. cheers, Sid

[kms901]

A local businessman bought two Shacks when they retired. they were still there three years ago.

[OpsSix]

They were there when I went to Cyprus at the age of 15 and I shall be 25 next week. They were parked up near the perimeter fence back then.

If I remember rightly there was something else parked next to them that resembled a B26.

[sidtheesexist]

10 yrs in the Cyprus sun would explain the faded pwork! What did the businessman intend to do with them and does anyone know the last RAF sqdns that they served with. Help greatly appreciated.

PS there was also a twin piston twin fin AC parked near the shacks but am pretty sure it wasn't a Mitchell or Marauder.

[ORAC]

WL747 and WL757, AEW Mk2s from 8 Sqn. Flown in for planned museum, but the owner went bust about a year later, the aircraft were impounded and never claimed. The wheels have now sunk into the tarmac.

Those who inspected them say they are now only fit ro be refurbished for display, which is a pity. I wonder what the state of the Griffons are and if they could be refurbished and reused, I know there was lot of interest in the rest of the engines when the fleet disbanded.

The other aircraft is a Dassault Flamant MD-312 (http://photos.airliners.net/photos/photos/3/7/4/0024473.jpg), F-AZEN, ex-FAF cn 250.

WL747 MR 2/AEW.2
First flown 5.2.53 and A/Cn 27.2.53. To 23MU 11.3.53 and prepared for issue to 269 Sqn 3.4.53. Uncoded. To 204 Sqn 11.8.54 and reportedly ended T-W. To 42 Sqn 11.6.58 and coded B. To Avro for Phase I modification 18.9.58. Completed 30.9.59 and issued to 210 Sqn, coded V. To Avro Langar 18.4.61 for Phase II update, completed 22.10.61. To 37 Sqn 4.11.61 and coded C. Allocated to HSA 29.10.61 for Phase III conversion, arriving Langar 8.5.64. On completion despatched to 210 Sqn 12.9.66 and coded X. To Ballykelly Wing 2.67 still as X. Cat.3 damage sustained 30.1.69, repaired by HSA CWP 6.2.69-30.3.69. Transferred to 204 Sqn 10.70, retaining X code. To 5MU 17.12.70 for major overhaul prior to ferry to HSA Bitteswell 2.2.71 for AEW.2 conversion. First flown as such 11.1.72 (first production conversion). Returned to 5MU 8.2.72 for repainting and delivered to Lossiemouth 16.3.72 for radar installation. Ferried to Kinloss 11.4.72 for 8 Sqn, receiving the name 'Florence'. Transferred to Lossiemouth 16.8.73 with unit. To HSA Bitteswell 20.9.78 for major refurbishing, returning to 8 Sqn 9.11.79. Current Paphos Airport, Cyprus.

WL757 MR 2/AEW.2
First flown 10.4.53 and A/Cn 30.4.53. To Hawarden 7.5.53, continuing to 23MU Aldergrove the next day. Allocated to MEAF 28.7.53 and delivered by the Overseas Ferry Unit, Benson. To 37 Sqn 5.8.53 and coded D. To CAPMF St Mawgan 19.2.53 for mods, returning to Luqa 3.3.53. To 137MU Safi 20.5.54 for Cat.3 repair, completed 3.6.54, and to Avro Langar 18.9.54 - 6.11.54 for a major servicing. A 'special fitment' installed 22.6.55 - 11.7.55 followed by further mods at Safi 9.1.56 23.2.56, the aircraft returning to 37 Sqn three days later still as D. On 8.7.57 WL757 went into temporary storage with 137MU until issued to 38 Sqn and probably coded U. To Avro 29.9.58 for Phase I modifications, completed 29.10.59. To 210 Sqn the following day and coded W. To DH Chester (Hawarden) 27.3.61 for Phase II update, completed 5.12.61. Issued to Z24 Sqn 15.12.61 and coded C, remaining until allocated to HSA Langar 30.3.66 for Phase III modifications. On completion allotted to FEAF and delivered to 205 Sqn 25.5.67. Coded K on arrival. Ferried back to the UK, arriving St Mawgan 12.12.70 for customs clearance before delivery to 5MU Kemble two days later. To HSA Bitteswell 26.8.71 for AEW.2 conversion, first flying in the revised configuration 6.72. To 5MU for repainting 3.7.72 and delivered to Lossiemouth 25.8.72 for radar installation. ToC 8 Sqn 29.8.72 and named 'Brian', moving over to Kinloss 6.9.72. To 60MU 2.5.73 for mods, returning to 8 Sqn and moved to Lossiemouth with the unit 17.8.73. Loaned to MoD (PE) 7.12.73 for service trials and CA clearance of SRIM 3825 (AMTI facility for AN/APS 20F radar) by 'B' Squadron, A&AEE Boscombe Down. Part of trial conducted at Lossiemouth 18 - 20.12.73 and aircraft returned to 8 Sqn I .3.74. To HSA Bitteswell 25.10.79 for re-sparring and major servicing, returning to 8 Sqn 1981. Current (13,932 hrs at 9.3.89) at Paphos Airport, Cyprus.

[PPRuNeUser0162]

If anything's going to be done with them, it had better be soon. Pafos (and Larnaka) has been given the go-ahead for a new terminal to accommodate passenger growth. The BOI contract was signed by the government last week with the Hermes Corporation. This gives Hermes the right to build and operate the new terminals for the next 25 years (if I remember correctly)

The two Shacks are sitting exactly (well give or take a few meters) where the new terminal coach pick-up/drop off is going to be - Well, that's where I designed it.

But I've heard absolutely nothing about what's going to happen to them, but the 'dozers are going in ASAP. If anyone wants parts, they'd better get in NOW :(

[microlight AV8R]

Paphos is the main facility for the operation of Cyprus National Guard fixed-wing types. I believe it was built with support from Greece as a facility for military reinforcement of the Republic of Cyprus in the event of further (highly unlikely) hostilities with the Turks. If I'm not mistaken there may have been Greek fighters operated from there on joint exercises. The airfield is relatively new, certainly post 1974 which was when the island became divided and the old Nicosia airport ended up in the UN buffer zone. The Cyprus National Guard also has an airfield at the south side of Nicosia called Kato Lakatamia. Also, I suspect that a section of the motorway near Paphos may be intended as a temporary airstrip in the event of hostilities although that is pure speculation on my part. The airport at Larnaca was constructed in the aftermath of the 1974 Turkish invasion and I believe it was the site of an old gunnery range. It was cleared/made safe with British military assistance according to an ex-RAF chap I met years ago, he was involved in the clearence work.

[sidtheesexist]

Orac - many, many thanks for invaluable info. I will check my dad's logbooks - there is a very good chance that he has flown both - WL747 as a basic MR2 when with 42 at St Eval/St Mawgan and he was on handling sqdn in 72/73 and I know he has Shack AEW entries - so thankyou v much.

Microlight - ta for info re Pafos' military connection.

[Tartan Giant]

Thanks ORAC for all the gen.
I know a man who can perhaps do a lot to rescue what's left....... Peter Vallance at the Gatwick Aviation Museum - his museum.
His words to me were, tell me who i can contact so we can go and recover them....

So if anybody knows a name and phone/fax/email then please insert in the thread.

Many thanks
TG

[EC Does It]

Believe that they are due to be bulldozed soon. There is a thread on the Military Aircrew forum about this. Can't post a link-sorry!!