Remarks: The Air Atlantique Devon is seen here in at the Kemble open weekend parked in front of the hangar that used to contain the Surface Finish Section when Kemble was an RAF station and host to 5 Maintenance Unit. The aeroplane was probably originally painted in this livery in that very hangar back in the eighties when it served as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight hack.
Remarks: I have two pictures of VP981 on the database taken here at Kemble in 1986 and 1987 respectively. The latter shows it shortly after it had first been painted in this colour scheme when it was a BBMF hack . 21 years later, here it is at Kemble again, still in the same scheme, but now both the Devon and Kemble are owned and operated by civilians. Air Atlantique of Coventry operates VP981 for displays and pleasure flying, in which role it is seen here at the Kemble Open Day and Vintage Flying Weekend.
Remarks: Alongside three Rapides, Air Atlantique of Coventry operates this 1946 Devon VP981 for displays and pleasure flying, in which role it is seen here at the Kemble Open Day and Vintage Flying Weekend. It was the first Devon delivered to the RAF and was the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight crew transport when it was sold off in 1998.
Remarks: Between 1983 and 1993 the RAF Task (formerly 5 Maintenance Unit) at Kemble was responsible for maintenance of the RAF and Royal Navy Devon fleet. This picture was taken in the winter of that year and shows the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight support aircraft parked on the compass ring at sunset following an engine run prior to maintenance. Thanks to Brian Kedward & Sq Ldr John Richardson, RAF Station Commander, for access & permission. (Bronica 645)
Remarks: Air Atlantique Historic Flight still wearing RAF historical markings as VP981. Sitting here sunning herself in Jersey with some onlookers watching us roll in from the flying club.
Remarks: The RAF Task was the last vestige of 5 Maintenance Unit which had occupied Kemble since 1936 and remained here in M1 Hangar during Kemble’s occupation by the USAF, maintaining Jetstreams, Sea Devons, Sea Herons and Devons. This Devon C.2 was the BBMF crew ferry between 1985 and 1993; it had recently been painted in this overall silver scheme which dated from the early ‘50s. Thanks to Brian Kedward for hangar access & permission for the picture. (New to the database) (Bronica 645 & wide angle lens)
