The return of 19 Sqn and 78 Sqn
Thread Starter
The return of 19 Sqn and 78 Sqn
Well two former flying squadron number plates are set to return for Air Surveillance and Control System Control & Reporting Center.
https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles...JnV9WlSkvSGg5c
https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles...JnV9WlSkvSGg5c
It won't be long before each unit becomes a squadron. The Government will claim it is increasing the number of squadrons thus giving the impression of increasing the size of the military.
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OMG! One way to pack the ‘front line’ numbers, I suppose, but my sympathy goes to former members of No. 78 Sqn RAF who are now associated with the Mil element of Swanwick (which isn’t even on an RAF station).
Bah and humbug.
Former ATCO.
Bah and humbug.
Former ATCO.
Bizarre, just bizarre. Whatever the quotes are for the Boulmer CRC and RAFU Swanwick, I'll wager the members of those units are as confused as I am about the reasoning behind this decision - and I suspect ZH875 will be close to the truth.
Once GUARDIAN is delivered, Swanwick will become both a Mil ATC and ASACS Unit - the ASACS Resilience Entity at Swanwick will be the fallback for the Primary CRC at Boulmer, taking the place of Scampton, which will close. A bit more, therefore, than MPN11 intimates, but not a lot!
Once GUARDIAN is delivered, Swanwick will become both a Mil ATC and ASACS Unit - the ASACS Resilience Entity at Swanwick will be the fallback for the Primary CRC at Boulmer, taking the place of Scampton, which will close. A bit more, therefore, than MPN11 intimates, but not a lot!
I suspect my Dad will be turning in his grave Ex 78 Dakota's Egypt 1946 - 47, helicopters was bad enough
I cry, foul! Lucky escape for some, my understanding is the seniority of the first 10 dormant squadrons was V, 43, 111, 208, 20, 19, 15, 78, 55, 207. I thought the RAF system was at least straightforward unlike the RN's appears to be. Or are there six secret establishments with squadron numbers?
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I can see the battle honours on the colours now.
- Western Front (1916-1918)*
- Somme (1916)*
- Arras
- Ypres (1917)*
- Somme (1918)
- Lys
- Amiens
- Hindenburg Line
- Dunkirk*
- Home Defence (1940-1942)
- Battle of Britain (1940)*
- Channel and North Sea (1942-1942)
- Fortress Europe (1942-1944)*
- Dieppe
- Normandy 1944*
- Arnhem
- France & Germany (1944-1945)
- Dell computers 2021
At the risk of being controversial - not without precedent. How many Bloodhound squadrons carried the number plate of a former flying squadron?
I suppose it could be a way of packing out the numbers, but equally it’s also a way of keeping Sqns going and contemporary rather than them disappearing into the history books.
I suppose it could be a way of packing out the numbers, but equally it’s also a way of keeping Sqns going and contemporary rather than them disappearing into the history books.
At the risk of being controversial - not without precedent. How many Bloodhound squadrons carried the number plate of a former flying squadron?
I suppose it could be a way of packing out the numbers, but equally it’s also a way of keeping Sqns going and contemporary rather than them disappearing into the history books.
I suppose it could be a way of packing out the numbers, but equally it’s also a way of keeping Sqns going and contemporary rather than them disappearing into the history books.
I'd assume a lot of tank squadrons were cavalry initially,so there is plenty of precedent.
At the risk of being controversial - not without precedent. How many Bloodhound squadrons carried the number plate of a former flying squadron?
I suppose it could be a way of packing out the numbers, but equally it’s also a way of keeping Sqns going and contemporary rather than them disappearing into the history books.
I suppose it could be a way of packing out the numbers, but equally it’s also a way of keeping Sqns going and contemporary rather than them disappearing into the history books.
I know that XXV (F) was assigned to a bloodhound unit.
Bit of an odd decision - I imagine everyone except the people that signed off on it think the same.
I'd not like to work in a non-flying unit assigned a flying unit number. It would feel odd and I assume it would invite derision.
Bit of an odd decision - I imagine everyone except the people that signed off on it think the same.
I'd not like to work in a non-flying unit assigned a flying unit number. It would feel odd and I assume it would invite derision.
At Cosford, the 'active' aircraft which provided airfield training were called 238 Sqn (I think).
About 40 years ago, it was a letter I wrote to Air Clues, which led to the change from OCUs to 'R' squadrons. I got a load of stick about the suggestion, until Air Marshal Sir John Curtiss thought it a good idea and it suddenly became 'respectable'.
Some of our allies actually have the support services at an air base, carrying a number - don't be surprised when Brize becomes the 520th Air Base Support Wing. We of course already have 'Expeditionary Air Wings'. I have to confess that I would have felt a little more 'engaged' had I been the member of a squadron or numbered wing at a station, rather than 'OC Bogs and Drains' Flight or somesuch. (When I was 'holding' at St Athan, I was appointed 'O i/c Outside Toilets'. Standing around waiting for COs inspection, would probable get me a spell in prison now, or perhaps some unwelcome suggestions!!!).
Old Duffer
About 40 years ago, it was a letter I wrote to Air Clues, which led to the change from OCUs to 'R' squadrons. I got a load of stick about the suggestion, until Air Marshal Sir John Curtiss thought it a good idea and it suddenly became 'respectable'.
Some of our allies actually have the support services at an air base, carrying a number - don't be surprised when Brize becomes the 520th Air Base Support Wing. We of course already have 'Expeditionary Air Wings'. I have to confess that I would have felt a little more 'engaged' had I been the member of a squadron or numbered wing at a station, rather than 'OC Bogs and Drains' Flight or somesuch. (When I was 'holding' at St Athan, I was appointed 'O i/c Outside Toilets'. Standing around waiting for COs inspection, would probable get me a spell in prison now, or perhaps some unwelcome suggestions!!!).
Old Duffer
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
Audax..
Good idea. I have a 78 crest on the study wall. A relocation to the door is called for. (78 Wessex; Khormaksar and Sharjah '67-'68)
I’m going to rename my den 74 Sqn and put a plaque on the door, after all there’s more to do with real aviation in situ than some of the units out there now.
May I suggest that the issue here is not the use of a number to identify a unit but the use of the word ‘Squadron’ as the descriptor. I would like to know which dictionary provides a definition of ‘squadron’ that is applicable to this context.