Originally Posted by
pr00ne
Surely this is wrong? 50 years ago, in 1973, the RAF had an airlift fleet of 63 Hercules, 16 Andovers, 10 Belfasts, 22 Britannias, 13 VC10’s and 5 Comets.
That’s 127 airlift aircraft, compared to a July 2023 total of 44, and that is a generous 44 as not all 14 Voyagers are in use, and they are also the RAF’s only AAR asset, compared to 30 pure AAR Victors in 1973.
Ben Wallace has just misled Parliament!
Is he talking pax or cargo lift capacity? If he is it might be correct.
You have missed Hastings off that list, Retired: 1977 (RAF), there was one visiting at St Athan at home in 76, Pembrokes were still in use with 60 Sqn in RAFG when I was there too.
No.60 Squadron was still operating seven in 1987 but after a total of 35 years service they were finally withdrawn in 1988.
As for the RAF website, absolutely dreadful 60 Sqn history accuracy.
https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisat...s/60-squadron/