Sqn Numberplates

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Member for

15 years

Posts: 281

With the cuts, we are about to lose a lot of very historic numberplates, notably 1(F) and IV (AC) Sqn when the Harrier goes out of service plus 5 (AC) when Sentinel goes; and a few of us were contemplating where these plates would/could go.

Out of interest and notwithstanding historic and ORBAT precedence, if there were to be a complete re-numbering of every Sqn which numbers should we definitely keep and who should get them?

F'rinstance 1(F) could be renamed 1 (RAFAT) Sqn and fly red Hawks (T1A are still sidewinder and gun capable so there is a tenous fighter link). 617 could be based out of Coningsby flying the BBMF aircraft?

So what should be saved?

Play nicely now!

Original post

Member for

15 years 8 months

Posts: 697

No 1(F) should NEVER be demolished.

Just think on where they have been & what they have achieved.

Better the MoD.

= Tim

Member for

16 years 7 months

Posts: 10,647

I assume the Harrier sqns will eventually re-commission with the F-35?

Actually I probably wouldn't change much looking at the current structure and taking current losses into account, you would really have to know about exact numbers being chopped, but this is my what if,

1 JSF
2 Tornado GR
3 Typhoon
4 JSF
5 Shadow R.1
6 Typhoon
7 Chinook
8 Sentry
9 Tornado GR
10 Airbus tanker
11 Typhoon
12 Tornado GR
13 Tornado GR
14 disband and move Tornados
15 disband and move Tornados
17 Typhoon
18 Chinook
19 Hawk T.2s
22 Sea King
24 Herc then A400
27 Chinook
28 Merlin
29 Typhoon
30 Herc then A400
31 disband and move Tornados
32 125 and 146
33 Puma
39 UAV
41 disband
45 King Air
47 Herc to A400
51 RC-135
55 Dominie or replacement (King Air?)
60 Squirel & Griffin
72 Tucano or replacement
101 Airbus transport
99 C-17
100 Hawk support role
208 Hawk T.2
230 Puma
617 Tornado GR

Member for

14 years 2 months

Posts: 1,259

Can we assume anything with this government? It is painful to think of all the numbers that have been retired over the years, the auxiliary squadrons etc there are only so many numbers to go round and with even more cuts I hate to say it but I could see the day when 1, 3 and 4 are all just a bunch of lads sitting in a darkened room controlling UAVs that are somewhere else and that would be the sum total of the Royal Air Force.

Member for

16 years 10 months

Posts: 941

It might be a realistic thought to look forward to the time (in the not too distant future!) when all real RAF flying is - to quote the title of this forum - historic aviation!!
All the Squadrons we know will disappear! A few people will be doing what I (and many like me, I suspect) do, which is to "fly" on a computer simulator. Those few remaining members of the RAF will be doing the same thing - i.e. "flying" UAVs from some bunker! It's a sad thought but, I think, almost inevitable.
All those Squadrons have a long and proud history. And many have a magnificent collection of memorabilia and Squadron Silver accumulated over many years and in many places. It would be a travesty of justice if that were to be sold or (worse still) melted down simply as "surplus to requirements".
Some considerable thought needs to be taken now to ensure that the historical record does not just disappear!
Or am I being too pessimistically gloomy too early? Some may say I am; but I doubt it!!
Rgds
Resmoroh

PS Inkworm beat me to it. Great minds think alike!

Member for

19 years 9 months

Posts: 1,777

There is beleived to be a second UAV squadron forming next year, which could take the 1 or 4 badge - alternatively, if the second and third Leuchars Typhoon squadrons emerge, 43 and 111 could be consigned to history.

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16 years 7 months

Posts: 10,647

58, or if 13 disband, would be a good UAV sqn.

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14 years 10 months

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Come back Duncan Sandys, all is forgiven.

Member for

15 years

Posts: 281

Good reply Pagen01 but a few things:

5 (AC) will disband at the end of the Afghan campaign as the Sentinel will be done away with, but it could reform straight away(ish) with Rivet Joint 707's.

I doubt XV (R) will disband it is the biggest Sqn in the RAF and will still be very important in the Tornado world.

Now for the bones of contention:

Historically, and that after all is what we are about:

Keep 99 who have been truckies for the last fifty years on and off but disband 14 with nearly unbroken offensive air since they formed?

Keep 60 who spent most of there op time in the middle east but ditch Battle of Britain Sqn 41?

Should the RAF be without 1(F) arguably the most important and if you count balloon ops the oldest Sqn in the world, for ten years waiting for JSF?

As stated above 5 could reform almost imediately with RC135 but then what of 51?

Member for

16 years 7 months

Posts: 10,647

You've confused me slightly Baloffski, Surely the RC-135 will be operated by 51 sqn when their Nimrods go, and 5 sqn are already operating the Shadow R.1 which I would think they will carry on doing once the Sentinal R.1 goes?

BTW does anyone know what the RC-135 will be named in RAF service?

I picked XV fairly radomly to be honest, as the Tornado GR force will shrink, their sqns will go, I can't see 617 being one of them.

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17 years 5 months

Posts: 803

If historic significance is important, 201 (and 202) will be retained

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18 years 9 months

Posts: 2,766


BTW does anyone know what the RC-135 will be named in RAF service?

'Token' (:rolleyes:)

Member for

15 years

Posts: 281

I am hearing Shadow R1 will go to the Army as the asset it 'replaced' was an Army asset used elsewhere. Supposedly, it is could be used as a bit of a barter chip for any future realocation of funds, with the Royal Marines being thrown into the pot as they are a Shadow end user and the Navy wanting to keep some element of fixed wing ops in the short term. All very political!

So can we afford to be 1(F)less for ten years? Afford to lose an important BofB plate?

Member for

15 years

Posts: 281

I have heard from a reliable source that the following changes are going to be made to RAF Sqn Numberplates:

IV(R) Sqn will be re-equipped with Hawk T2 - 19 Sqn to Disband

10 Sqn will be the first Voyager Sqn

XIII Sqn will re-equip with Reaper

14 Sqn will re-equip with Shadow R1

42(R), 55(R), 111, 120 and 201 plus a lot of existing Reserve Sqns will disband

51 Sqn will be re-equipped with Rivet Joint/ Airseeker

70 Sqn will get the A400M

Still no definite news on No1 Balloon Company RE although it looks likely they will be the first F35 Sqn. The hole in the wall gang are of course safe until Tornado goes, but that possibly only gives them 6 and a bit years, so what then? Could one possibly become the Reds shadow Sqn?

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19 years 9 months

Posts: 1,777


10 Sqn will be the first Voyager Sqn

XIII Sqn will re-equip with Reaper

51 Sqn will be re-equipped with Rivet Joint/ Airseeker

Those have all been confirmed by the MOD - the serial numbers of the RC-135s will have the same digits as the original Nimrods, which add up to 51!!

IV(R) Sqn will be re-equipped with Hawk T2 - 19 Sqn to Disband

14 Sqn will re-equip with Shadow R1

42(R), 55(R), 111, 120 and 201 plus a lot of existing Reserve Sqns will disband

70 Sqn will get the A400M

Hadn't heard the one about the Shadow component of 5 Sqn being re-assigned to 14 Sqn, but it makes sense - 42, 55, 111, 120 and 201 going is no surprise either.

76 Squadron, having only recently (2007) been issued to the Tucano Air Navigation Squadron, has been disbanded again, as the RAF are not training Navigators anymore.

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16 years 10 months

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Baloffski

I guess you read the same DIN as me!

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15 years

Posts: 281

Not me Guv. (But I know a man that can!)

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15 years 6 months

Posts: 523

Could the BBMF take on some of the numberplates? Assign one, relavent to each aircraft, with each aircraft 'team' representing a squadron.... might keep some of the numbers alive.... could also rotate them every year.....

Member for

15 years

Posts: 281

I have heard a rumour 12 (B) Sqn are to disband early next year to make way for 6 Sqn's arrival at Lossie. Also that in the next 3 years the axe is going to fall much heavier on the Tornado Mud Moving fleet than was originally thought with the distinct possibility that only 2 Sqns and a small OCU will survive, and interestingly that all bets are off with regard to one of the surviving Sqns being the cow drowners.

My view is though that it is a political smoke screen - '617 to disband' will take all the heat out of the fact that the Tonka fleet has been decimated early and then the government look good with' Dambusters saved'

Member for

13 years

Posts: 422

Reading through this thread, I note a number of references of a future for No.4 Squadron. For the record this particular Unit is now the Hawk T.2 squadron at RAF Valley, having taken over from No.208 Squadron, which has been disbanded.

Added later on 'edit': My apologies for duff info. I know perfectly well it was 19 Sqdn that disbanded to make way for No.4 Sqdn - but typed rubbish instead. Quickly and rightly pointed out by 'Stacey24b', to whom thanks.