Royal Air Force Northolt
Previously Based Aircraft
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HS125-CC1/2 Andover Devon Gazelle Whirlwind
Others/Civil  Aircraft WFU  Gate guard Basset Wessex 

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Westland Whirlwind
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Whirlwind XR486 at Heathrow northside, early 1980's
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 Based at various times were:
Serial Model C/No Noted Notes
XJ407 Whirlwind HAR10 WA.33 1976 .
XJ435  Whirlwind HAR10 WA.49 1976  .
XJ763  Whirlwind HAR10 WA.109 1976   to G-BKHA
XP328  Whirlwind HAR10 WA.348 1976  Arrived 03/75
XP339  Whirlwind HAR10 WA.355 1976  .
XP355  Whirlwind HAR10 WA.371 . .
XR486  Whirlwind HCC12 WA.418 1976  .
XR487  Whirlwind HCC12 WA.419 . .

The Whirlwind fleet was retired at the end of October 1981 although most aircraft remained stored on the airfield for some time afterwards.
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DeHavilland Devon
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Devon VP981 pictured at an airshow
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 A military version of the De Havilland DH104 Dove, operated by the RAF since the late 1940's.  Powered by two Gypsey Queen engines, it was operated in the communications role.
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Serial Model C/No Noted Notes
VP952 
Devon C2/2
 04048
1977
  preserved, Cosford RAF Museum.** 
VP955  Devon C2/2 04201 1977  dep 31/10/84 as G-DVON, present at several families day's since.
VP957  Devon C2/2 04208 1977  to Bishops Court, NI 04/07/84
VP958  Devon C2/2 04209 1977   Coded DC, Wyton det'ment, to St Athan late 83
VP961  Devon C2/2 04211 1976  .
VP962  Devon C2/2 04212 1977  dep 30/10/84 as G-BLRB 
VP963  Devon C2/2  04213 1976  to CTE, Manston
VP965  Devon C2/2 04258 1977  to Manston dump 05/07/84
VP967 Devon C2/2 . . transferred to Culdrose Stn flight
VP968  Devon C2/2  04221 1977  to Boscombe Down 02/07/84
VP971  Devon C2/2 04224 1977  to Catterick 03/07/84
VP973   Devon C2/2 04229 1976  Ground Simulator (see below)
VP974  Devon C2/2  04228 1976  Fire school, Catterick
VP976  Devon C2/2 04259 1977  w/off in towing incident, to NHT dump
VP977  Devon C2/2  04260 1977   to RAE West Freugh 04/07/84
VP981  Devon C2/2 04205 1975  to BoB Memorial Flight
WB530  Devon C2/2 04264 1977  to Swinderby 03/07/84
WB531  Devon C2/2 04266 1977  dep 02/11/84 as G-BLRN
WB533  Devon C2/2 04269 1977  Operated by the Wyton detachment . Dep Northolt 17/11/84 as G-BLPZ
WB534  Devon C2/2 04270 1977  Operated by the Wyton detachment . Dep Northolt 04/12/84 as G-DEVN
WB535  Devon C2/2 04271 1975 .
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These venerable aircraft were operated by No 207 Squadron, which was disbanded on 30th June 1984. To commemorate this occasion, 4 Devons (VP965, VP968, VP971 and VP981) made a flypast of Hatfield, Wyton, Brampton, Upavon and High Wycombe using the callsign 'Griffin Formation'. Some aircraft were assigned to 207 Sqn but based elsewhere. An interesting web site on 207 squadron is located at:
http://freespace.virgin.net/frank.haslam

 ** At the time of disbandonment, this aircraft was claimed to be the RAF's longest serving aircraft, having been delivered in October 1947. It made 207 sqn's last operational flight on 29/06/84.
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Wyton Detatchment Devon WB533

Beagle Basset CC1
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XS765 in the scheme that the Northolt based aircraft wore

The Basset was a communications aircraft built by Beagle Aviation. It was powered by two Rolls Royce/Continental GIO-470 six cylinder horizontally-opposed engines giving it a maximum speed of 220 mph and a range of 1,645 miles.  Up to eight persons could be carried. A competition was held at Northolt in March 1963 between the B206 and the Devon for an aircraft to replace the Avro Anson, resulting in 20 Bassets being ordered for the RAF.

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The Northolt aircraft were originally based at RAF Bovingdon with the Southern Communications Squadron until the 'SCS' moved to Northolt and became 207sqn on 4th February 1969.  Another squadron, the Northern Communications Squadron, operated Bassets from RAF Topcliffe, later becoming 26sqn at RAF Wyton. Most aircraft were removed from RAF service on 2nd May 1974 and sold for civil use.


XS765 in it's A&AEE scheme

The aircraft operated from Northolt were as follows:
Serial Model C/No Arrived Notes*
XS765 Basset CC1 B.006 02/69 to A&AEE 9/72, current as G-BSET in support command scheme
XS769 Basset CC1 B.012 02/69 to 5MU late 1973, sold for spares use
XS770 Basset CC1 B.014 09/71 the 'Regal Beagle', was operated by 32sqn after transfer from the Queens Flight. To 5MU 1973, current as G-HRHI in TQF c/s.
XS772 Basset CC1 B.017 02/69 served with 207 and 32sqn, to 60MU 05/74, to G-BCJB.
XS774 Basset CC1 B.020 02/69  op by 32sqn, to 60MU 05/74, to G-BCMW
XS775 Basset CC1 B.021 02/69 to 26sqn Wyton 9/71, eventually used for spares
XS776 Basset CC1 B.024 02/69 to 5MU 06/73, to G-BCJG
XS777 Basset CC1 B.025 02/69 to 60MU 05/74, to G-BCIV
XS778 Basset CC1 B.030 02/69 to 60MU 05/74, to G-BCIX
XS779 Basset CC1 B.034 02/69 to 60MU 05/74, to G-BCJC
XS780 Basset CC1 B.031 02/69 to 60MU 05/74, to G-BCIU
XS781 Basset CC1 B.033 02/69 to 60MU 05/74, to G-BCIY
XS782 Basset CC1 B.036 02/69 to 60MU 05/74, to G-BCJD
XS784 Basset CC1 B.045 02/69 to 60MU 05/74, to G-BCIZ
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* 60MU was at RAF Leconfield, 5MU at RAF Kemble (storage)
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One of many Beagle 206's present at Biggin Hill after withdrawl from RAF service
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