207 Squadron RAF Association

207 Squadron RAF Association - Cold War links
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No.207 Squadron Royal Air Force operated Lancasters, Lincolns, Washingtons, Canberras and Valiants during the Cold War, principally from RAF Marham 1951-65. Pages on this website dedicated to these aircraft types on 207 Squadron can be seen via the MEMORIES link.

Some of those who served on the Squadron after the withdrawal from service of the Valiant also had, or went on to have, Cold War service on other units.

This page is provided to gather together links and information sources which are considered to be of possible interest to those who served on 207 Squadron RAF who saw service in the Cold War period. It may also be useful to others with similar interests.

The aviation magazines are covering the progress of the project - there was for example a detailed sitrep in the October 2005 issue of FlyPast, which lists the following airframes which are to be exhibited in the new hall:

Airframes destined for the new hall*
Avro Vulcan B.2 XM598
Avro York C.1 TS798
DH Venom FB.54 J-1704
Douglas Dakota IV+ KN645
EE Canberra PR.9+ XH171
EE Lightning F.1+ XG337
GD F-111 Aardvark -
Gloster Javelin FAW.1+ XA564
Gloster Meteor NF.14 WS843
Hawker Hunter F4 (cockpit) XE670
Hawker Hunter T.7A+ XL568

* at the time of writing, subject to change.

HP Hastings T.5 TG511
HP Victor K.2 XH672
McDD Phantom FG.1 (cockpit) XV591
MiG-15bis Fagot 01120
MiG-21 Fishbed -
NA Sabre F.4 XB812
SAL Jetstream T.1 XX496
SAL Twin Pioneer CC.1 XL993
Short Belfast C.1 XR371
Vickers Valiant BK.1 XD818

+ suspended in 'flying' attitude

Other snippets from the FlyPast October 2005 report : "As well as the airframes, lots of other exhibits, large and small, are being gathered. There's a "substantial" piece of the Berlin wall, a Thor ballistic missile will be coming from Hendon, a submarine launched Polaris missile is already on site, and a Leopard tank are among the artefacts."

"Previously in use with what was the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough, Hampshire, a series of Soviet radar identifier models have been acquired for display. These very impressive items will help swell the 'Communist Bloc'"

"As explained in the FlyPast September [2005] issue's News, Consolidated Liberator VI KN751 will go to the RAF Museum London at Hendon and Vickers Valiant BK.1 XD818 will be coming the other way. The nose of the V-bomber was due to arrive on August 18. Work to dismantle the Liberator was taking place in mid-August and it should have departed by the time these words are read.

"The first airframes moving into the new building will be those that will be 'flown'. Positioning and 'hanging' these will be a challenging task. After that, the 'chess game' moves to the floor area and those airframes destined for the middle area - either side of the split-level. The 'silos' will be positioned and finally, beasts like the Belfast and Valiant, will roll in."

If you wish to suggest other links or sources to be included on this page, or you or a member of your family or a friend had service on 207 Squadron, especially in the Cold War period, please contact the editor.