More info from AFHRA
Further to my last posting, here is the additional history source I was able to gather at Maxwell AFB.
Source: USAF Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB, Montgomery AL
K-WG-91-HI, Supplement to May 1952 Historical Report of 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing
Note: I’ve left off the footnotes in the text since they all reference Ibid and I didn’t start copying until after the first reference source.
Covering pages 2 - 5:
Upon arrival at RAF Station Sculthorpe, a new development in the operation confronted the detachment. A directive was received from Headquarters, Seventh Air Division, to transfer the RB-45C aircraft to the Royal Air Force. Immediately the aircraft were repainted, obliterating the stars of the United States Air Force, and substituting the red, white and “bull-eyes” of the RAF. The transfer was completed on 5 April 1952 when the RAF accepted the 263 equipment from Lt. Colonel Marion C.Mixson, Detachment Commander.
A special Duties Flight, commanded by Squadron Leader John Crampton, was formed of RAF personnel who had received training in the RB-45C at Lockbourne, and had acquired additional training with the present detachment of the 91st Strat Rcn Wing at Sculthorpe. Three (3) reconnaissance crews were formed of these personnel and were assigned to fly the jet aircraft. Three (3) USAF air crews thus relieved of duty assignments, were then returned to the Zone of the Interior.
The operations which followed the transfer of aircraft, were conducted under the joint supervision of the RAF Bomber Command and Seventh U.S. Air Division. The mission of the detachment was twofold in purpose. First to co-operate with the RAF Photo Reconnaissance Unit at RAF Station Upwood in the accomplishment of a photographic project utilizing the APQ-24 radar equipment with certain modifications. Secondly to evaluate USAF aircraft and profile type missions by RAF crew personnel. During the project, a number of profile missions were executed and the operation was climaxed by two (2) highly successful maximum efforts. Further information concerning the flying operations of the Detachment will be included in a subsequent section of this report.
Upon completion of the project as set forth by RAF Bomber Command and Seventh U.S. Air Division, the Detachment prepared for return to it’s home station, Lockbourne Air Force Base Ohio. Included in this preparation was the return of the RB-45C aircraft to the USAF, which was concluded with the transfer of 263 equipment on 5 May 1952.
The six (6) tanker aircraft departed RAF Station Sculthorpe, England, on 7 May 1952, and arrived at Lockbourne the following morning. The four (4) reconnaissance aircraft, (three (3) flown by RAF crews and one (1) flown by a USAF crew), departed Sculthorpe on 9 May 1952 and arrived Lockbourne on 11 May 1952. The latter four (4) aircraft remained at Keflavik, Iceland for nearly two days due to adverse weather conditions at the next refueling point of Goose Bay, Labrador.
The total strength of the organization while on temporary duty in the United Kingdom, included two hundred and twenty (220) USAF personnel and nine (9) RAF personnel. Thirty-seven (37) officers and one hundred eighty three (183) airmen comprised the total USAF strength while the RAF personnel included five (5) officers and four (4) airmen.
Flown by RAF personnel, the RB-45C aircraft completed nineteen (19) profile missions and two (2) highly successful maximum efforts of three (3) aircraft each. Sixty five thousand, eight hundred and five (65,805) gallons of fuel were transferred during the in-flight refueling operations. Of this total, forty eight thousand, six hundred and five (48, 605) gallons of fuel were transferred during the completion of the profile missions, while a total of seventeen thousand, two hundred (17,200) gallons were received by jet aircraft while accomplishing the maximum effort requirements. During the first maximum effort flown on 12 April 1952, the total fuel transferred was four thousand, one hundred (4,100) gallons and the total RB-45C flying time was sixteen (16) hours and ten (10) minutes. On 17 April 1952, the second maximum effort was flown during which time, the three (3) jet aircraft compiled a total time aloft of twenty four (24) hours and twenty (20) minutes, and received thirteen thousand, one hundred (13,100) gallons of fuel in air refueling. Forty one (41) sorties were flown by the RB-45C type aircraft. This figure includes the profiles and maximum efforts described in the preceeding subparagraph. Of the total sorties, twelve (12) were test flights and four (4) were for training purposes only. The total flying time amassed by the reconnaissance aircraft was one hundred eighty five (185) hours and fifty (50) minutes.
Upon completion of each mission, the exposed photographic film was delivered by courier, to Headquarters Seventh Air Division, South Ruislip, England. It was then forwarded to RAF Bomber Command for evaluation. No written evaluation reports were received by the Detachment, however, according to verbal reports, the missions were generally very successful.