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.

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.

This Phantom on the gate at RAF Boulmer replaced a Lightning back in the early 1990s and was until May 2022 displayed in 92 Sqdn colours, that being changed to 19 Sqdn as seen here. XV415's career encompassed many squadrons - 23, 29, 31, 56, 92 and 111 as well as 228 OCU, but never 19 Sqdn.

F.3 ZG757 is followed by F.3 ZG776 of 5 Squadron and GR.1As ZG729 and ZG712, both of 13 Squadron. Run-in and break to land for the Malta International Airshow.

Operational with 19 and 92 Sqdns in Germany from 1962, this Lightning modified to F.2A status early in its career and was withdrawn in 1977. After five years being used for decoy duties at RAF Leuchars, it was saved for exhibition at East Fortune. The two blue diamonds on the tail are a nod to 92 Sqdn's history in pre-Lightning days when they flew Hunters in the famous 'Blue Diamonds' formation team.

The six-engined Sarafand prototype, presumably photographed when new in 1932. It was then the largest plane in Britain.

NEAM, as it was known back then, acquired WL181 in 1975 after nearby RAF Acklington closed in 1974. It had languished there since being SoC in 1971, used for lifting practice by the resident rescue Whirlwinds. I'd last seen the aircraft there, a mere 48 years earlier. Its flying career saw service with Tangmere Station Flight, 34 Sqdn, CAW and Advanced Jet Refresher Squadron (Strubby) until going to 5MU in 1965, but it is now exhibited in 92 Sqdn colours.

"Hemp" camo

Acquired by the museum from BAe in 1988, WJ639 was built by Handley Page at Radlett as a B.2, flying with 57 Sqdn Coningsby until conversion to TT.18. Used by BAC, the A&AEE and Flight Refuelling for a series of trails before joining 7 Sqdn at St Mawgan, where it finished its service on the squadron's closure at the end of 1981 and was sold back to BAe. Initially displayed in its final camouflage colours with the target towing yellow/black undersides.

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.