After initial use in recce pod trials, XV406 moved to the A&AEE for more trials work. On entering RAF service, she served with 23, 29, 43, 54 and 111 Sqns. Retired to gate guard duty at RAF Carlisle and later moved to the Solway site, now displayed in the impressive markings of its last operating unit. I was pleased to reunited with this Phantom, having a photo of me sitting in its cockpit at the Finningley RAF Review in 1977.

Over 28 years of service with the RAF, this 1952-vintage Canberra served with a long list of units, as follows, with credit to Damien Hurst's excellent Thunder & Lightnings site: Stn Flt RAF Waddington, Stn Flt RAF Upwood, 231 OCU, Stn Flt Upwood, 231 OCU, 56 Sqdn Cyprus, Stn Flt RAF Wyton, 100 Sqd, 231 OCU, 360 Sqdn and finally with 231 OCU again. Sold back to BAC in 1981 and stored at Samlesbury till 1988, when acquired by the Solway museum. It is to the credit of the hard-working staff there that I found almost all of the outdoor aircraft in unusually fine condition after recent repaints.

Built as a Gannet AS.4 and entering service in 1957, XA459 was converted to ECM.6 in 1961 and served 831 NAS at Culdrose until 1966. After use as a ground instructional trainer, it was moved to the museum at Cardiff airport in 1979 and when that collapsed in the late 1980s, passed through a series of private owners, landing up at White Waltham in 2006, appropriate as that is where Fairey built and test-flew Gannets. Acquired in very poor condition in 2020, once again the Solway volunteers have done a brilliant restoration job.

A long-term Carlisle resident having arrived at the museum in 1977. Operated by 238 OCU, North Luffenham from 1955 to 1958, this night-fighter Meteor spent most of its service life as a research and communications aircraft at RAE Llanbedr.

Looking splendid in a 56 Sqdn repaint completed this year and looking so much better than the grey colours in which it was previously displayed, this is really ex-Saudi Lightning ZF583. It was first flown in 1968 as G-27-51 and delivered in July of that year to the Royal Saudi Air Force at Jeddah. Served as 53-681 with 6 Sqdn and 2 Sqdn and with the type's withdrawal from Saudi service, BAe bought it back (as part of the deal to sell Tornados) in January 1986. After hopes to sell on the ex-Saudi machines proved fruitless, they were offered to various museums.

XJ823 is the only complete example of the B.2(MRR) maritime reconnaissance variant that has been preserved. Retired to Carlisle Airport in 1983 and now looking splendid after a repaint almost finished, complete with 27 Sqdn badge. My third Vulcan in as many days while on a long weekend in the north.

Certainly lost the fresh gloss look, since the last time I saw her. However the clear weather effects, I feel make her look more authentic.

Most recent acquisition by the museum having only obtained the Jaguar in the last couple of weeks, before the photograph was taken. Always nice to see Jaguars being saved.

Recently painted in the colours of 56 Squadron. Although not authenticate, she looks brilliant comparted to the last time I saw her.