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Writer's pictureSean Strange

A homage to 849 Squadron

The Yorkshire Air Museum, affectionately known as YAM, has a fantastic array of worldly aircraft. Rare examples include the Dassault Mirage IVA and Handley Page Halifax MkIII. But the reason I am here today is for the Gannet AEW3, that is beautifully painted in the colours of 849 Sqn ‘B’ Flight.



Tonight’s shoot is organised by the Centre of Aviation Photography. First on the ramp is the Canadian built Lockheed Canadair CL-30, which would become designated as the CT-133 or ‘Silver Star’ in Canada. This particular aircraft was used as a gate guard at Baden Soellingen in West Germany.


CT-133 Yorkshire Air Museum

Next up we had the opportunity to conduct a series of shoots inside the Nimrod MR2 with reenactors under lighting close to operational conditions (well as much as is possible to conduct photography in). XV250 was built at Woodford as an MR1 making its first flight on 21stJanuary 1971 and converted to an MR2 in June 1982. XV250 actually made its last flight into Elvington on 13th April 2010 and its now kept in ground running order by a truly dedicated team of volunteers.  

XV250 Nimrod MR2 Yorkshire Air Museum

XL502 took its first flight in March 1961, it was later transferred to 849 Sqn in 1968 at RNAS Brawdy know in the Royal Navy as H.M.S Goldcrest. The Museum’s aircraft was the very last Gannet in service with 849 Sqn and the very last to display at an air show.


XL502 AEW3 Gannet 849 Squadron Yorkshire Air Museum

XL502 AEW3 Gannet 849 Squadron Yorkshire Air Museum

The reason this aircraft means something to me is between 28th May 1963 and 14th April 1967 my Grandad, CPO Eric Strange, served with 849 Sqn as a Petty Officer, charged with Air Electronics maintenance. Whilst with 849 Sqn he served at R.N.A.S. Culdrose, H.M.S Victorious and H.M.S Hermes. The latter of which he conducted a tour under Captain T.T.Lewin. The tour took him to Lyme Bay, Malta, Gibraltar, Naples, Tobruk, Sigonella and Athens.



849 Squadron HMS Hermes 1967

Thank-you to all the museum staff and volunteers for accomodating this photoshoot and COAP for organising it.


This one's for you Grandad!

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