Aviation News. 05.2018

40 Aviation News incorporating Jets May 2018

Above: The squadron entered the jet age when it started to operate English Electric Canberra B.2s, including WD997, in June 1952. It progressed

to the more capable B.6 variant in February 1955, but flew it for less than a year. EN-Archive

The Dambusters became an Avro Vulcan unit on May 1, 1958, when it re-formed

at Scampton flying the B.1. The B.1A and B.2 (illustrated) followed and served

until December 1981. (Also see page 42.) The Aviation Photo Company

Above: The ‘droop snoot’-equipped Lockheed P-38J Lightning – referred to as the PB 38 – was borrowed from the USAAF and evaluated by 617

for possible target-marking duties. It was used for only a few months and never received an RAF serial. via J D Oughton

Below: Avro Lincoln B.2s, such as RF513 ‘KC-A’, were used by the unit from September 1946 to January 1952. J D R Rawlings

38-41_dambusters_through_the_decadesDC.mf.indd 40 04/04/2018 13:04