RAF Cosford
Looking Back (to my pre-digital camera days)
June 17, 1993
A brief photo-report using my slides taken during a base visit in 1993.
Aviation Photography RAF Cosford
Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer CC.2 (XL993) with the RAF Museum. In 1964, Twin Pioneer XL993 took part in operations in the Radfan area, supporting actions against Yemeni-backed dissident Qutebi tribesmen north of Aden. For these missions, XL993 received a unique modification: the aircraft was fitted with two Nord SS.11 wire-guided missiles, mounted on outboard underwing pylons—a rare armament configuration for the type. Operating from RAF Khormaksar, XL993 carried out two live missile-firing sorties, conducted on 1 July and 28 July 1964 in the Khormaksar area. These missions formed part of the broader British counter-insurgency campaign during the Radfan conflict, and XL993's missile trials represented one of the few occasions where a Twin Pioneer was armed for offensive operations.
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Left to right: Hunting Percival Pembroke C.1 (WV746),
Scottish Aviation Pioneer CC.1 (XL703),
de Havilland Devon C.1 (VP952 8820M).
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Left to right: Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S.2B (XW547 'R', 9095M/9169M), now on display at the RAF Museum at Hendon.
Aviation Photography RAF Cosford Aviation Photography RAF Cosford Aviation Photography RAF Cosford
Left to right: SEPECAT Jaguar GR.1 (XX110 'EP') it is now on the 'Gate' at RAF Cosford.
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Left to right: Jet Provost T.5As (XW370 '72', XW432 '76', XW430 '77' and XW318 '78') with DCAE Cosford.
Aviation Photography RAF Cosford Aviation Photography RAF Cosford Aviation Photography RAF Cosford
Left to right: Jet Provost T.5 (XW410 '80'), Jet Provost T.3 (XM351/8078M 'Y') and Jet Provost T.4 (XS178 '05/P' registered VH-JPP).
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Left to right: Jaguar GR.1 (XZ371 'AP'),
Tornado GR.1 (XX948 'P' c/n P.06) in 617 Squadron markings now displayed at Hermeskeil, Germany in P.06 markings.
Harrier GR.3 (XZ130 'A') in 4 Squadron special markings. Now on display at Ontario Municipal Airport.
Aviation Photography RAF Cosford Aviation Photography RAF Cosford Aviation Photography RAF Cosford
Left to right: Blackburn Buccaneer (XW544 'Y') transferred to Buccaneer Aviation Group at Bruntingthorpe and then on to Kemble in August 2020,
Harrier GR.3 (XV752 'B' 9075M) now at the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum, Doncaster,
Gloster Meteor F.8 (VZ467 registered G-METE then VH-MBX). Exported to the Temora Aviation Museum in 2001. Transferred to the Air Force Heritage Collection after being donated by the Temora Aviation Museum in July 2019.