 Fighter Control’s Lee James visits the home of 100 Squadron at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire.
I was invited to this years families’ day event held at RAF Leeming. This family’s day was a bit special as back in February, 100 Squadron officially celebrated its 90th Anniversary. One of the oldest Squadrons of the RAF, this achievement was marked by two aircraft having special paint schemes applied. The first being the Squadrons own BAe Hawk T1.A, serial XX285, code [CB]. And the second being the Battle of Britain’s very own Avro Lancaster B.Mk1 of which contains the artwork ‘Phantom of the Ruhr’, which was originally applied to a 100 Squadron Lancaster serial EE139 that took part in Thirty Three missions with 100 Squadron and a further Ninety One with 550 Squadron during World War Two.
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| Avro Lancaster B.Mk1 in 100 Squadron Livery ‘Phantom of the Ruhr’ |
Hawk T1.A XX285/CB of 100 Squadron in Special Markings |
This was my first Families day on a RAF base and the day began by arriving at the car park outside the main gate, followed by a quick call to my hosts to inform them I had arrived. Upon waiting their arrival, the weather turned from glorious sunshine to dark clouds, and it began to rain very heavy followed by Thunder and Lightning.
After the storm had passed my hosts arrived, and off we went to the reception to book in and receive a visitors pass. It was then that the rain had stopped, and in the distance there was a break in the clouds. ‘Looks promising’ I thought. |
| First point of call was to the Flying Clothing building of 100 Squadron and sit down with a cup of tea. This building is where the Pilots prepare their flying gear for each flight. And it was also the place for me to try out some of the clothing and play with the survival gear. |
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Looking around, I could see that a lot of visitors and pilots from many squadrons both home and abroad had passed through over the years.
Souvenirs of one form or another have been left and have varied from Pilot name patches to a MIG 27 Pilots Helmet.
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| Once tea break was over, it was on with the Hi-Viz jacket and I made my way out on to the Squadrons Flight Line to photograph the Static line up. There was a mixed selection of aircraft with Front Line representations from RAF Coningsby, RAF Leuchars, RAF Marham and also RAF Leeming’s very own 25 Squadron. |
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Jetstream ZA111 565 CU
RNAS Culdrose |
Tucano ZF209
72 Squadron RAF Linton 0n Ouse |
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Hawk T1.A XX246/CE
100 Squadron RAF Leeming |
Tornado F3 ZH555/PT
111 Squadron RAF Leuchars |
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Tornado F3 ZE257/GI
43 Squadron RAF Leuchars |
Tornado F3 ZG780/XXV
25 Squadron RAF Leeming |
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Typhoon T1 ZJ807/BF
29 Squadron RAF Coningsby |
Tornado GR4 ZA406
2 Squadron RAF Marham |
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The weather was improving and the rain clouds were dispersing, the sun was appearing through the clouds, and it was then that I took the opportunity to get photos of the six Hawks on the Flight Line and seven Hawks on the Northern Taxiway. |
Chinook HC2 ZA708
7 Squadron RAF Odiham |
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100 Squadron Flight Line, Hawk T1.As
XX265/CK,XX188/CF, X351/CQ,XX222/CI,
XX331/CP,XX285/CB (Special Markings) |
Northern Taxi Way, Hawk T1.As
XX329/CU, XX191/CC, XX248/CJ,XX190/CN
XX255/CR,XX284/CA,XX278/CD |
| Dinner time was approaching and I made my way into 34 Squadron hanger in search of food. With it being a families day, the hanger was filled with stalls and various activities catering for all ages. Present were two cockpits from the Yorkshire Air Museum, these being a De Haviland Vampire T.11 serial XD602 code [37] and a Canberra. Sadly no serial or other identification was present for the Canberra, but literature attached to the cockpit stated that the owner had repainted it. |
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De Haviland Vampire T.11
serial XD602 code [37] |
Canberra cockpit with no identification |
A brief stop at the 100 Squadron merchandise stall revealed a variety of items including patches, badges and Squadron clothing. A purchase was made of several items, including a T-shirt, Patches and a pin badge.
After dinner, I made my way back to the Flying Clothing building where I then got changed into full flying gear. |
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| Getting Dressed |
Communications Check |
Fully Kitted |
| Once kitted out, it was then onto 100 Squadron flight line where I then had the honour of sitting in XX285/CB Hawk T1.A in Special markings. |
| Upon squeezing in and having a few photographs taken, it was then time to return back to the Flying Clothing building to get changed, whilst on my way back two Tornado F3s from 25 Squadron taxied from their HAS site and then took off, these were ZE158/FF and ZE168/FA. Upon getting changed back into my civvies it was back onto the100 Squadron flight line to see five of the six Hawks take off. Half an hour had passed and in the distance I observed three aircraft approaching. It was two Hawks escorting the Lancaster, they performed a flypast over the Northern Taxiway of which the two Hawks then broke away to allow the Lancaster to perform some low level flypasts. |
| Following the impressive low level display from the Lancaster, the five Hawks returned in formation for a flypast, each Hawk then peeled off one by one to land, followed by the Lancaster. The Hawk crews were then treated to a rapturous applause from the crowd as they walked across the flight line towards 100 Squadron Crew Room. The Crew of the Lancaster were required for a photo session when the two Tornado F3s returned for a display which consisted of low level passes. |
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| 100 Squadron Crew |
Lancaster Crew pose for Photos |
Tornado F3 ZE168/FA |
| After the flying displays had ended and Hawk T1.A XX285/CB in its anniversary markings was placed inside 100 Squadrons hanger followed by the Lancaster which was carefully positioned with its nose inside. This is where the reunion meal was being held for the members of 100 Squadron Association later on that evening. halogen lights were carefully placed underneath which would illuminate the Lancaster. |
| Noted in the same hanger were the following: |
| XX200/CG |
Hawk T1.A |
100 Squadron |
| XX230/CH |
Hawk T1.A |
100 Squadron |
| XX289/CO |
Hawk T1.A |
100 Squadron |
| XX159 |
Hawk T1.A |
208 Squadron |
| XX202 |
Hawk T1.A |
19 Squadron |
| RAF Leeming has three nostalgic aircraft located around various parts of the base. Two of which are preserved. These being two Gloster Javelin FAW4s, and a McDonnell Douglas F-4M Phantom FGR2 which has managed to survive the elements. |
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Gloster Javelin FAW4
XA634/BP
228 OCU, behind the Main Gate |
Gloster Javelin FAW4
XH767/E
11 Squadron, outside the old 11 Squadron HAS site |
McDonnell Douglas F-4M Phantom FGR2
XV499
23 Squadron, inside the former 11 Squadron HAS site |
100 Squadron a Brief History
Formed on 23 February 1917, the Squadron has over the years had many types of aircraft, from the FE2b night bomber of the World War One thru Lancaster’s and Lincoln’s of World War Two, then on to the Jet age with the Canberra B Mk2, B Mk6, PR Mk7, B(I) Mk8. The Squadron was also part of the mighty V-Force with the Victor B Mk2 and B Mk2R. and later saw the return of the Canberra and new variants like the T Mk19 and E Mk15. September 1991 saw the end of an era of Canberra’s serving with 100 Squadron at RAF Wyton and in 1993 at RAF Finningley 100 Squadron was reequipped with Hawk T Mk1A’s before moving to their present location at RAF Leeming.
Motto: Sarang tebuan jangan dijolok (Never stir up a hornet's nest)
Battle Honours
Western Front, 1917-1918: Ypres, 1917:
Somme, 1918: Independent Force & Germany, 1918: Malaya, 1941-1942:
Fortress Europe, 1943-1944: Biscay Ports, 1943-1945: Ruhr, 1943-1945:
Berlin, 1943-1945: German Ports, 1943-1945: Baltic, 1943-1945:
France & Germany, 1944-1945: Normandy, 1944: Walcheren:
Lee James wishes to thank RAF Leeming, 100 Squadron and Babcock Defence Services for making this article possible.
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