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232 OCU VICTORS-VALIANTS RAF GAYDON 1960-1963
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232 OCU VICTORS-VALIANTS RAF GAYDON 1960-1963
Hi,
Can anyone please help identify the Victor B.1s & Valiant B.1s in use by 232 Operation Conversion Unit based at RAF Gaydon during the period 1960-1963.
I have so far only identified the following:-
Valiant B.1
WP207 noted at the B of B airshow in 1961 & 1962
WP220 noted at the B of B airshow in 1961
WZ368 noted at the B of B airshow in 1960 & 1961
WZ374 noted at the B of B airshow in 1960
WZ381 noted at the B of B airshow in 1961
XD821 noted at the B of B airshow in 1962 & 1963
XD826 noted at the B of B airshow in 1962
XD867 noted at the B of B airshow in 1960
Victor B.1
XA923 noted at the B of B airshow in 1962
XA925 noted at the B of B airshow in 1961
XA926 noted at the B of B airshow in 1960
XA931 noted at the B of B airshow in 1960 & 1961
XA933 noted at the B of B airshow in 1960 & 1962 & 1963
XA934 which unfortunately was written off 02.10.1962
XA935.coded 'A' noted at the B of B airshow in 1961 & 1962
Any help in filling the gaps would be very much appreciated
Regards
Everett1285
Can anyone please help identify the Victor B.1s & Valiant B.1s in use by 232 Operation Conversion Unit based at RAF Gaydon during the period 1960-1963.
I have so far only identified the following:-
Valiant B.1
WP207 noted at the B of B airshow in 1961 & 1962
WP220 noted at the B of B airshow in 1961
WZ368 noted at the B of B airshow in 1960 & 1961
WZ374 noted at the B of B airshow in 1960
WZ381 noted at the B of B airshow in 1961
XD821 noted at the B of B airshow in 1962 & 1963
XD826 noted at the B of B airshow in 1962
XD867 noted at the B of B airshow in 1960
Victor B.1
XA923 noted at the B of B airshow in 1962
XA925 noted at the B of B airshow in 1961
XA926 noted at the B of B airshow in 1960
XA931 noted at the B of B airshow in 1960 & 1961
XA933 noted at the B of B airshow in 1960 & 1962 & 1963
XA934 which unfortunately was written off 02.10.1962
XA935.coded 'A' noted at the B of B airshow in 1961 & 1962
Any help in filling the gaps would be very much appreciated
Regards
Everett1285
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Re: 232 OCU VICTORS-VALIANTS RAF GAYDON 1960-1963
The 'Scramble' report for the Waddington show in 1961 has Valiant B.1 WZ371 down as 232 OCU.
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Re: 232 OCU VICTORS-VALIANTS RAF GAYDON 1960-1963
Cheers M as always very much appreciated.
Regards
Colin
Regards
Colin
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Re: 232 OCU VICTORS-VALIANTS RAF GAYDON 1960-1963
Some more, this time from a review of RAF OCUs in the May 1962 issue of Air Pictorial; the 'Representative Aircraft' for 232 OCU are listed as Valiant B.1 WZ364, Vulcan B.1 XA936 and Canberra T.4 XH583.
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Re: 232 OCU VICTORS-VALIANTS RAF GAYDON 1960-1963
Depending on your spare time and location, have you thought about visiting the National Archives to view 232OCU's Operational Record Books (the RAF Form 540s).
The Bomber Command unit are usually quite good at listing their aircraft by serial in these books.
If you can't make it down, you can request copies of the files.
The references you'd be interested in are:
"AIR 29/2668" which covers 1956-63
"AIR 29/2669" 1956-60
"AIR 29/3660" 1961-62
I'm not sure why the first one covers the same period as the other two, It might just be various appendices and non-operational paperwork.
A link to the TNA search results is here: http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.u ... =%22232%22
The Bomber Command unit are usually quite good at listing their aircraft by serial in these books.
If you can't make it down, you can request copies of the files.
The references you'd be interested in are:
"AIR 29/2668" which covers 1956-63
"AIR 29/2669" 1956-60
"AIR 29/3660" 1961-62
I'm not sure why the first one covers the same period as the other two, It might just be various appendices and non-operational paperwork.
A link to the TNA search results is here: http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.u ... =%22232%22
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Re: 232 OCU VICTORS-VALIANTS RAF GAYDON 1960-1963
Thanks ODM; too many V-bombers in my head at the time of writing!Northolt Nobbler wrote:Mustang 5861 wrongly listed XA 936 as a Vulcan . This was the Victor OCU B o B display a/c .
M
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Re: 232 OCU VICTORS-VALIANTS RAF GAYDON 1960-1963
Hi Northolt Nobbler,
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction very much appreciated.
Regards
Colin
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction very much appreciated.
Regards
Colin
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Re: 232 OCU VICTORS-VALIANTS RAF GAYDON 1960-1963
Hi ODM,
Thanks for your update it's very much appreciated. As a matter of interest did you know my father Graham 'Stan' Everett he was also an airframe fitter on 'A' Flight 232 OCU during the period 1957-1963 prior to going to 139 Squadron at Wittering as a Crew Chief.
Regards
Colin
Thanks for your update it's very much appreciated. As a matter of interest did you know my father Graham 'Stan' Everett he was also an airframe fitter on 'A' Flight 232 OCU during the period 1957-1963 prior to going to 139 Squadron at Wittering as a Crew Chief.
Regards
Colin
Re: 232 OCU VICTORS-VALIANTS RAF GAYDON 1960-1963
I have only just come across this site. I would just like to add that my late father was Chief Technician Pete Stickels and was an engine fitter on A flight 232 OCU. A flight was the Victor half of the OCU and B flight was the Valiant. We lived on the camp from 1958 until dad was demobbed in 1965. So I don't know if anybody out there remembers him.
Re: 232 OCU VICTORS-VALIANTS RAF GAYDON 1960-1963
Hi Everett 1285. The following additional Valiants and Victors were noted by me at Gaydon between 1960/63. Valiants WP211,WP217,WZ364,WZ366,WZ369,WZ371, WZ377. Victors XA917,XA926. Cheers Chrisk
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Re: 232 OCU VICTORS-VALIANTS RAF GAYDON 1960-1963
Hi Chrisk,
Apologies for the delay in replying to your post and many thanks for the additional information it's very much appreciated.
Regards
Colin
Apologies for the delay in replying to your post and many thanks for the additional information it's very much appreciated.
Regards
Colin
Re: 232 OCU VICTORS-VALIANTS RAF GAYDON 1960-1963
No prob glad I could help chris
Re: 232 OCU VICTORS-VALIANTS RAF GAYDON 1960-1963
Hi - appreciate I've come to this a bit late ! but I was posted to RAF Gaydon in Oct 1964 just a few weeks after all the Valiants had been grounded due to wing spar failure. 232 OCU continued at Gaydon until 30 June 1965 when it transferred to RAF Marham with as I recall just 3 Victor B1's remaining on strength. Really appreciate if anyone can provide serials for these last kites.
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