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Saturday, November 23, 2024 Military Aviation » Royal Air Force Luqa » Armament Practice Camps » Hunter  
 


56 Squadron
Motto: Quid si coelum ruat - 'What if the heavens fall?'

Current Status: The 56 Squadron nameplate was transferred to the Air Warfare Centre at RAF Waddington as 56(R) in 2008.

Trivia: Was Fighter Command’s choice to act as the official demonstration team, flying specially painted Lightnings. Based in Cyprus between 1967-75.
        
 


20 June – 03 July 1957

The twelve Hunters arrived from RAF Waterbeach, via Istres, landing at Ta Qali. Support was provided by 3 Hastings which landed at Luqa. The same number of Hastings flew the ground crew back to the UK between the 3rd and 5th.

Radio callsigns were Rafair – Wedlock, followed by section colour and number in formation, e.g. red 3.

Flight numbers for the Hastings were 5183, 5184 and 5185.

The advance party for the squadron’s visit to Malta first flew to RAF Odiham by the Station Flight’s Anson on the 18th, arriving by a Beverly aircraft at Luqa, flight number 3127, on the 19th.

During their stay, the squadron participated in two exercises. Rosie Rosie primarily consisted of Practice Intercepts (PI’s) against 208 squadron Meteors, and four Canberras. In Exercise Maltex between the 29-30th, the squadron was tasked with the intercepting of mainly US Navy’s 6th Fleet aircraft, Skyraiders, Banshees, Savages, Cougars and Skywarriors.

Two reserve aircraft weren’t needed, and remained in the UK.

        
 

 

AIRCRAFT SERIAL NOTES HISTORY
H. Hunter Mk.5 WP104 Red Section, landed Ta Qali 1130Z.  
H. Hunter Mk.5 WP109 Red Section, landed Ta Qali 1130Z.  
H. Hunter Mk.5 WN987 Red Section, landed Ta Qali 1130Z  
H. Hunter Mk.5 WP106 Red Section, landed Ta Qali 1130Z.  
H. Hunter Mk.5 WP103 Yellow Section, landed Ta Qali 1200Z.  
H. Hunter Mk.5 WP110 Yellow Section, landed Ta Qali 1200Z.  
H. Hunter Mk.5 WN976 Yellow Section, landed Ta Qali 1200Z.  
H. Hunter Mk.5 WP106 Yellow Section, landed Ta Qali 1200Z.  
H. Hunter Mk.5 WP125 Blue Section, landed Ta Qali 1230Z.  
H. Hunter Mk.5 WP120 Blue Section, landed Ta Qali 1230Z.  
H. Hunter Mk.5 WN990 Blue Section, landed Ta Qali 1230Z.  
H. Hunter Mk.5 WP183 Blue Section, landed Ta Qali 1230Z.  
H. Hunter Mk.5 WP194 Reserve aircraft, remained in the UK.  
H. Hunter Mk.5 WN979 Reserve aircraft, remained in the UK.  
        
 
Hunter Javelin Lightning Phantom
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