207 SQUADRON ROYAL AIR FORCE HISTORY

DEVON VP981



source: FlyPast
Ted Caton wrote in the May 2015 issue of FlyPast: ... at one point VP981 was used by Air Chief Marshal Sir Basil Embry as his personal transport. In July 1953 Sir Basil Embry succeeded USAF General Lauris Norstad as Commander of Allied Air Forces Central Europe, with its headquarters located at Fontainebleu, France. He had use of VP981 , based with the  RAF Communications Flight at Melun Villaroche, until about a year later, when it was replaced by Percival Pembroke WV729. ... The Devon was a lovely aircraft in which to fly (except on the occasion when we flew across Paris in the midst of a violent thunderstorm) ... 


'At an airshow': the 207 stylised badge can be seen on the tail.
source:
Malcolm Lander




207's aircraft supported the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, acting as lead navigators
and transports. Shown in BBMF livery at RAF Coningsby in August 1996, VP981 was flown
in this role by the BBMF after 207 disbanded. It was eventually replaced in this role, not without
some dissent, by the BBMF Dakota. It was auctioned in 1998, and bought by Air Atlantique.
source:
Paul Middleton



Air Atlantique registered it as G-DHDV and it is operated as part of their Historic Flight
out of Baginton Airport, Coventry. It is shown here in re-build at Baginton in August 1999.
Notice what looks like a groundcrew upgrade !
source:
Paul Middleton


G-DHDV Dove (Devon VP981) Coventry, August 2000, painted as G-AMJZ for Gulf Air anniversary.
source:
Paul Middleton


Air Atlantique Classic Flight Delta Victor

page last updated 10 Jun 10: 28 Nov 17