David Watkins Adds Some Notes on Recent History

     The Squadron was reformed at Fassberg on 12 May 1951 under the command of

Sqn Ldr I D Bolton, AFC.   Vampires carried code letter 'T' on the tail booms and

green "Fassberg Flash" on the nose.   The fins of 'A' Flight aircraft and that of

the CO's Vampire (WA331) were painted green.   In addition, the wing tips and tail

fin fillets of most of the aircraft were also painted green.   A note in the

Form 540 for 13 February 1952 states: "All and sundry began painting Sharks Teeth

on aircraft to obtain a uniform design as previously we had various activities

and have only recently made a final choice."   (I think they are referring to

the definitive design and colours of the nose markings as the squadron had

been experimenting with various positions and shapes since the previous

November). Moved to Jever on 7 March 1952 and finally to Bruggen on 6 July 1953,

where Sqn Ldr Bolton was replaced as CO by Sqn Ldr F M Hegarty.   Squadron

code letter changed to 'A' (one source suggests when the squadron moved to

Bruggen?   I think that it may have been when it moved to Jever?).   With

the move to Jever, the green tail markings were removed and the wing tips

of 'A' Flight were painted red and those of 'B' Flight in blue.

Of interest, the squadron received its first Vampire back from Fassberg

following a respray in the new camouflage scheme on 11 July 1952.

The squadron ceased to fly Vampires on 17 February 1954 following its

re-equipment with Sabre aircraft.