Last 202 Sqn Bismuth Sortie

[tiny fireburn]

202 Sqn with its Hastings Met 1s disbanded at Aldergrove on 31 Jul 64. The last Bismuth sortie was flown by Master Pilot Frantisek Radina, but can anyone tell me the exact date of that final sortie? (Air Pictorial of Sep 64 describes the occasion but doesn't state the date!)

[sandringham1]

Hi Tiny

I have it as being flown by aircraft TG623 on the 31st July 1964.

Richard

[tiny fireburn]

Richard
Yep, you're spot on there. Since I posted the thread I unearthed a newspaper report from a Belfast Telegraph reporter who was on board who said: "Friday, 1 pm and we're 600 miles west if Ireland". Checking out 31 July 64, it was a Friday. What I didn't have was the airframe serial number, so I'm very grateful for that. Thanks for your interest.

[chevvron]

Went to Aldergrove for a Shackleton flight in 1963 whilst at summer camp at Ballykelly which was undergoing re-surfacing; the Hastings all appeared to be parked in the undershoot of runway 17.