Post by Diarist on Sept 19, 2015 14:25:05 GMT 1
A meeting was held at the MoD today to decide which aircraft can be transferred to the Eastern Mediterranean. They may be flown by RAF personnel or designated for transfer to the Hellenic Air Force and/or the Yugoslavian Air Force if the latter decides to support our operations against Italy. Priority will be given to squadrons which are planned to receive new aircraft within the next 12 months. Aircraft under consideration are Bristol Bulldogs, Fairey IIIs and Vickers Virginias. Vickers Victoria and Valentia transport aircraft will also be required in the theatre.
RAF maintenance personnel will be sent to Crete as instructors, together with 1 or 2 examples of each aircraft. Hellenic Air Force flight crews will be trained at the 4th Flying Training School in Egypt.
The 500th and 502nd Special Reserve night-bomber squadrons equipped with Vickers Virginia Mk.X aircraft will transfer to Egypt this month. The Virginias previously assigned to 7th RAF squadron will accompany them.
Yugoslavia has agreed to purchase 24 Hawker Hinds and 24 Hawker Furys - they will be refurbished aircraft from existing inventory.
RAF maintenance personnel will be sent to Crete as instructors, together with 1 or 2 examples of each aircraft. Hellenic Air Force flight crews will be trained at the 4th Flying Training School in Egypt.
The 500th and 502nd Special Reserve night-bomber squadrons equipped with Vickers Virginia Mk.X aircraft will transfer to Egypt this month. The Virginias previously assigned to 7th RAF squadron will accompany them.
Yugoslavia has agreed to purchase 24 Hawker Hinds and 24 Hawker Furys - they will be refurbished aircraft from existing inventory.