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Old 12th Jan 2010, 01:42
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Tim McLelland
 
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As for the wider question of TSR2 bases, my investigations suggest the following:-

The OCU (237 OCU) would have been based at Coningsby. This would have been joined by a trials unit (40 Squadron) which would have operated the first aircraft before moving to Honington to become operational.

The operational squadrons would then have formed at Honington and Marham, two bases being necessary as the aircraft originally scheduled for Germany (Bruggen possibly although some sources suggest Geilenkirchen) were to have been based in the UK instead, only operating on deployment to Germany when necessary.

Hemswell was indeed home of the Ground School but I haven't found any evidence one way or the other on whether the runway would have remained available either for communications aircraft or (perhaps) an occasional TSR2 visitor! It seems that Bassingbourne was also considered as a potential TSR2 base in the recce role and although Wyton was originally proposed as a base for a TSR2 recce squadron, the plan was dropped.

No further evidence of any proposed squadrons other than 40 and 13 Squadrons. One assumes that 617 Squadron would have been amongst the line-up but anything else is still speculation!
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