Biggin Hill - Photos from the Early 1950's 1,2,3 (Merged)

[Warmtoast]

Biggin Hill - Photos from the Early 1950's 2

Royal Observer Corps Recognition Day 1954

In the early 1950's it was the custom for a variety of RAF, RN and USAF aircraft to be flown in so the Royal Observer Corps and the Army Anti-Aircraft Command (then an integral part of the UK’s air defences) could examine up close on the ground the friendly aircraft they were expected to recognise in the air. I took the following photos at the 1954 Recognition Day.

First photo is of a 56 Sqn (Waterbeach - based) Swift F1 WK207 ‘N’ complete with squadron red and white checkerboard markings. The Swift was introduced into the RAF in February 1954, becoming the RAF's first swept-wing aircraft, but unfortunately, because of major control problems when flying at high altitude which resulted in several accidents, they were grounded for a while in August 1954 whilst attempts were made to sort out the aircraft's problems.

As can be seen it was the object of attention for Biggin based airmen (and others) normally used to Meteor Mk 8’s.




Boulton Paul Balliol T2
This aircraft was from 288 Sqn Middle Wallop and used by the Fighter Command Control and Reporting School (also based at Middle Wallop) as the target for practice interceptions by Brigands of 238 OCU (Colerne) that trained radar operators for night and all-weather fighters.


Meteor NF11
151 Sqn (RAF Leuchars) Meteor NF11


RAF Neptune MR1
This Neptune MR1 WX547 was from the Fighter Command Vanguard Flight (1453 Flight) based at Topcliffe in Yorkshire. Vanguard Flight Neptunes carried out some of the initial Airborne Early Warning Radar trials over the North Sea.


HMS Centaur-Based Sea Fury FB11
Although based on the aircraft carrier HMS Centaur, this Sea Fury FB.11, WF617 of 810 Sqn Fleet Air Arm flew in to Biggin from the Royal Naval Air Station at Culham not far from Abingdon. At the time RNAS Culham (HMS Hornbill) was home to reservists, the FAA version of the RAF's Auxiliary Air Force of part-time week-end flyers and was equipped with Sea Furys like this one.





RN Firefly
Fairy Firefly from RNAS Lee-on-Solent


RN Ford-Based Attacker
RNAS Ford (Sussex), based Supermarine Attacker F1


USAF Manston-Based F86F
In 1954 Manston near Ramsgate in Kent was a USAF base that housed the USAF 406th FIW. Manston had a variety of aircraft on strength. This rather battered-looking F86F Sabre is one of them (look at the wrinkling of the fuselage and the iffy paint job).



Sculthorpe-based USAF B-45 Tornado


Venom FB.1
Looks as if something's missing from the end of the wing




RN Fairey Gannet - not sure from where


Auster AOP6
Auster AOP6 of 661 Squadron RAuxAF


Avro Shackleton Mk2
Shackleton Mk2, serial number WL743, of 42 Sqn, St. Eval (Cornwall). Sadly this particular aircraft went missing on the night of 11 January 1955 and is assumed to have collided with WG531, also from 42 Sqn, south-west of Ireland. Both aircraft were declared Cat.5 (Missing) the same day. In total eighteen crew died, nine in each aircraft.


Break for Landing
These Vampires visited Biggin for an event, but not sure why, or the station from which they came.