Vickers Valetta transport aircraft Thornaby 608 squadron, 1952.
Photograph and details courtesy of Bob Harbron.
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A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
Vickers Valetta transport aircraft Thornaby 608 squadron, 1952.
Photograph and details courtesy of Bob Harbron.
I picked up the Meteor 8 in question from Church Fenton on 13 April 1956 taking it to Thornaby, then flew it to Gibraltar via Tangmere and Istres on the 11 May. I returned 2 June on an RAF Hastings aircraft as the said Meteor remained in Gib for the following squadrons. We found out later that the aircraft had crashed and that the pilot had flamed out both engines during inverted flight. He was not a member of 608 and seemed to be acting as sort of a Liason Officer.
Yes, 608 were in Gibralter for their Summer Camp. I joined the Squadron shortly after they returned.
Our dad was there too, his name was Bob Lawson
Bob, I wonder if you know whether 608 went to Gib for Summer Camp in 1956. Air Britain lists a 608 single seat Meteor having both engines fail in 8/56 over Spanish Morocco! The F/Lt pilot was killed.
The Meteor reference to 608 is strange but the rest could be explained if they were in Gib.
Thank you, Denis.