6 Sqn. (The Flying Can Openers) reach 110

[F3]

At the end of January 6 Sqn., known as 'The Flying Can - Openers' celebrated its 110th Ann. at Lossiemouth by taking delivery of Jaguar airframe XX119 in the iconic Leopard print paint scheme applied in 2007 to mark the type's retirement from RAF service. The squadron is distinguished in several ways; holding the record for the longest continuous period of RAF service (before experiencing its first ever disbandment in 2007), having two Royal Standards (as a result of being awarded one by King Abdullah I of Jordan in recognition of its long service in the Middle East in 1957) and being awarded the 1st VC for Gallantry in the Air (to Maj Lanoe Hawker in 1915). The squadron's most significant contribution to the Allied victory in WWII came in the Western Desert campaign when its Vickers cannon equipped Hurricane IIDs took a savage toll of Rommel's tanks during the El Alamein and Mareth Line Battles when it earned its well known nickname which led to another distinction. Thereafter its aircraft have been adorned with the Flying can opener motif rather than the official squadron badge of an eagle carrying a serpent, the body of which is in the shape of the number six. Such devious methods were used by squadrons to circumvent the rules governing badge design in the '30s which precluded the inclusion of their numbers. Here is a photo selection of 6 Squadron aircraft, incl. two warbirds which have worn their unofficial badge. The Phantom is taken from the cover of a vintage publicity brochure. Sadly I've none of the Canberras it previously operated in the Med so if anyone out there has any pics of these types or indeed any other interesting pics of the squadron's aircraft (incl Typhoon) pl feel free to add to this thread.

6 Sqn mks worn by BBMF Hurricane IIc in 2004 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

6 Sqn - Venom WR410 with badge Humberside by Michael Britton, on Flickr

6 Sqn. Phantom FGR2 circa '66 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

6 Sqn. Jag take off @ Coltishall circa '82 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

6 Sqn.- Jaguar in 75 Ann. mks.Wyton '89 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

6 Sqn - Jaguar EB 6 Coltishall '90. by Michael Britton, on Flickr

6 Sqn. - Jaguar EK Leeming '92 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

6 Sqn - Jaguar EH Wattisham '92 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

6 Sqn - Jaguar T2 ES Leeming by Michael Britton, on Flickr

6 Sqn - Jaguar EK 6 Sqn. firing Donna Nook circa '98 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

6 Sqn - Jaguar EP 6 RIAT '99 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

6 Sqn - Jaguar EM landing RIAT '99 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

6 Sqn - Jaguar EH 6 Linton. '05 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

6 Sqn - Jaguar XX119 Cosford Airshow 2018 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

[Mustang531]

Great shots, many thanks for sharing these with us.

[paddyboy]

Hi Mick

Superb set all round

Especially those stalky little cats at my beloved Coltishall

I think you’ll find the Toom picture isn’t from 1966, though, as 6 Sqdn didn’t stand up as part of Strike Command until May 1969

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

[Alf]

Hi Mick

Superb set all round

Especially those stalky little cats at my beloved Coltishall

I think you’ll find the Toom picture isn’t from 1966, though, as 6 Sqdn didn’t stand up as part of Strike Command until May 1969

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

Yes, the Phantom did not become operational in the RAF until 1969.

[capercaillie]

At the end of January 6 Sqn., known as 'The Flying Can - Openers' celebrated its 110th Ann. at Lossiemouth by taking delivery of Jaguar airframe XX119 in the iconic Leopard print paint scheme applied in 2007 to mark the type's retirement from RAF service.

Well done for highlighting the anniversary. I think the Jaguar is in Jaguar print rather than Leopard print, can't quite think why?

6 sqn 100th anniversary special Typhoon arriving at Fairford RIAT in 2014.
Typhoon FGR4 ZK342/ED 6 Squadron RAF Lossiemouth by Paul Downes, on Flickr

Spotty at the last photocall when the Jaguars were still live at Cosford
Jaguar GR3 XX119 ex 6 Squadron RAF Cosford by Paul Downes, on Flickr

Some random Jags in operational times
Jaguar GR1A XZ109/EN 6 Squadron RAF Coltishall by Paul Downes, on Flickr

Jaguar GR3 XZ372/ED 6 Squadron RAF Coltishall by Paul Downes, on Flickr

Jaguar GR3 XX737/EE 6 Squadron RAF Coltishall by Paul Downes, on Flickr

Jaguar GR1A XX766/EA 6 Squadron RAF Coltishall by Paul Downes, on Flickr

[F3]

Well done for spotting the deliberate mistake on the date of the Phantom pic guys. Good to know you've been paying attention! I'm hoping to see some more shots of 6 Sqn. Phantoms correctly dated. Anyone think of any other squadrons whose a/c wore badges other those officially approved? The only other one that comes to mind is 15 Sqn. whose a/c wore Roman numerals instead of the authorised hind's head badge.

[F3]

Nice ones capercaillie esp that 100 Ann. Typhoon which I never got to see.

[Buccs2b]

T.2 arriving at RIAT in 1997
Fairford_199707_0035 by Tony Adams, on Flickr

Jag (wfu?) with the 90th Anniversary tail being towed out at the 2005 Jaguar Farewell Photocall at Coltishall
774436_19_018 by Tony Adams, on Flickr

XZ400/EG in store at Shawbury 1997
Shawbury_199702_0001 by Tony Adams, on Flickr

[capercaillie]

Glad you put up the 90th tail Tony, I never got a chance of that one. Did it ever fly with the tail painted or was it only ever a static frame?

[Sparky 119]

Took this on a base visit in Oct 2003 just after it had been applied, we were sworn to secrecy at the time.

[Vulcanone]

6 Squadron got its first F-4s in january 1969 when they left the NEAF Strike Wing at Akrotiri. Made up of 6, 32,73 and 249 Squadrons

[Andyph]

In the last few months of operation

Through the M6 pass

IMG_4248-01 - Copy by Andy Heap, on Flickr

and at CBY

IMG_3654-01 by Andy Heap, on Flickr

[paddyboy]

Superb additions, all of you

[Andyph]

6 sqn 100th anniversary special Typhoon arriving at Fairford RIAT in 2014.
Typhoon FGR4 ZK342/ED 6 Squadron RAF Lossiemouth by Paul Downes, on Flickr

I generally dislike most 'special' paint schemes for jets - and this is a total doozy.
Better to let the local primary school loose on it.

[Vulcanone]

6 sqn 100th anniversary special Typhoon arriving at Fairford RIAT in 2014.
Typhoon FGR4 ZK342/ED 6 Squadron RAF Lossiemouth by Paul Downes, on Flickr

I generally dislike most 'special' paint schemes for jets - and this is a total doozy.
Better to let the local primary school loose on it.

Well, they dares to be different.... Instead of the regular blue they went for the Desert camo Hurribomber scheme which led to the Sqn nickname.

[F3]

Thanks to all of you for yr contributions which are superb esp the flying shot of EN through the M6 pass and as for that close up of 90 Ann tail marking it looks like the paint is still wet! Apparently the 'Gunner's Stripe' marking dates back to the Sqn's first artillery shoot mission in November 1914. Oculi Exercitus - The eyes of the Army.

[F3]

For those of you who are interested here's a photo I found of the impressive Vickers cannon armament of the Hurricane IID operated by 6 Sqn. in the Western Desert which earned them their Flying Can-openers nickname.

6 Sqn Hurricane IID's Vickers cannon by Michael Britton, on Flickr