70 Squadron RAF Hercules question?

[Amos Keeto]

Having done two tours in the RAF at Lyneham preceded by numerous visits as an ATC cadet, I like to think I have the definitive collection of RAF Hercules slides depicting every colour scheme and marking that they have ever worn from delivery to retirement.

However,there is one RAF Herk marking that I am unsure of – 70 Squadron’s aircraft wore a squadron badge on the tail and Greek mythological name on the nose between 1970-72. Now did these aircraft ever wear “ROYAL AIR FORCE NEAR EAST” titles on the nose? They re-equipped from Argosies in November 1970 and I was posted to Lyneham in October 1971. At that time, all the RAF’s transport aircraft had their command titles removed and wore just “ROYAL AIR FORCE” titles afterwards. Anyone seen a photo of one with RAFNE titles?

[aloominumtoob]

Hi, Amos,
IIRC only "Royal Air Force" (My "..."). Can't remember Greek names on the nose. That would heve been highly un-political wit the situation as it ws then, IMHO. (Maybe "Kokkinelli", "Kebab", "Mezze or "Flow at Akrotiri")!
Rgds
ALT

[Amos Keeto]

Originally Posted by aloominumtoob

Hi, Amos,
IIRC only "Royal Air Force" (My "..."). Can't remember Greek names on the nose. That would heve been highly un-political wit the situation as it ws then, IMHO. (Maybe "Kokkinelli", "Kebab", "Mezze or "Flow at Akrotiri")!
Rgds
ALT

Thanks for that- the known Greek names painted on the nose were:

XV 182 - 70 Sqn `Hector' Nov 70

XV183 – 70 Sqn. ‘H………’ NOV.71

XV 192 - 70 Sqn `Horatius' Nov 70

XV 211 - 70 Sqn `Homer' Nov 70

XV 294 - 70 Sqn `Hephaestos', March 72

XV 299 - 70 Sqn `Homer' Apr 72

XV 305 - 70 Sqn `Hyperion' 11/70

Anyone know what XV183 was?