207 SQUADRON ROYAL AIR FORCE HISTORY
DEVON VP952
207's last sortie for 18 years: 5th July 1984, when VP952 was flown to St Athan by Sqn Ldr Ian Hampton (centre) and Flt Lt Norman Enston (right), seen here handing over the Form 700 to the Wg Cdr in charge of the RAF Museum Collection: source: Ian Hampton
VP952 Woodvale 1984: source Raymond Glynne-Owen: "I had then arranged with Ian Hampton for some 207 Beakers to be delivered to me at RAF Woodvale when a Devon (which turned out to be VP952) called in there on the way to Aldergrove in support of a BoBMF Spitfire. This photo was taken after the aircraft had taxied in: you will see the props are stopped [?] and the crew can be seen relaxing although still seated in the cockpit. The ladder visible was deployed ready for their deplaning. The crew were NOT taking off with the door open!"
At RAF Cosford, RAF Museum collection: source: Paul MiddletonDe Havilland Devon C.2/2 (VP952) at the Royal Air Force Museum, Cosford. The Devon was developed from the civilian De Havilland Dove. Built in 1947, this aircraft spent time at Transport Command Communications Squadron at RAF Upavon before joining 31 Squadron at RAF Hendon in 1949. After a period with the Allied Air Force Europe, it was used for trials at Boscombe Down before joining Bomber Command Communications Squadron at RAF Booker for a short time late in 1955. Returning to RAF Hendon with the Metropolitan Communications Squadron, a long period at RAF Upavon followed before conversion to a Mk2 Devon in 1970. Periods at 21 Squadron at RAF Andover and 207 Squadron at RAF Northolt followed before it was withdrawn from operational use, when it was transferred to St Athan. It arrived at Cosford on 25 July 1985.
On 7 September 2008 a party from the 207 Squadron Association Annual Reunion in Derby made their way to Cosford primarily to view the National Cold War Exhibition. These images of VP952 were taken then:
VP952 front
VP952 port side
page last updated 17 Sep 2008
