Jet fighter and time machine
September 9, 2024
A de Havilland Vampire, freshly marked in the markings of No.502 (Ulster) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, recently visited Aldergrove Flying Station and flew from there to display at the NI International Airshow at Portrush and the Scottish International Ayr Show 2024 on 7 and 8 September.
The aircraft, de Havilland DH-100 Vampire FB.Mk 52, LN-DHY, belongs to the Norwegian Historical Squadron, and was painted to represent Vampire FB.Mk 5 WA123 of No.502 Squadron, based at RAF Aldergrove during the 1950s, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force this year, and No.502 Squadron’s centenary in 2025. The Vampire is, of course, the star of Frederick Forsyth’s Christmas ghost story, ‘The Shepherd’, and is the subject of a recent book by Aerospace Global News’ very own Charlotte Bailey!
No.502 (Ulster) Squadron was the first Special Reserve squadron of the RAF to be formed, in May 1925, transferring to the Auxiliary Air Force in 1937. The Squadron flew anti-submarine missions during the Second World War, becoming the first unit to make a successful attack on a U-boat using Air-to-Surface radar. Post war, the units of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force converted to the day fighter role in June 1948. No.502 initially flew Supermarine Spitfire F.Mk 22s converting to the de Havilland Vampire FB.Mk 5, in January 1951. The Mk 5s were supplemented by FB.Mk 9s from July 1954. All of the flying units of the RAuxAF were disbanded on 10 March 1957.
No.502 Squadron reformed at Aldergrove Flying Station in 2013 as part of the RAF Reserves’ growth, some 88 years after its original formation. It’s role is to provide a range of fully trained personnel to support worldwide commitments, recruiting from across Northern Ireland.
The part-time reservists of today’s No.502 Squadron were shown over the aircraft by its pilot, Royal Norwegian Air Force Brigadier-General Martin ‘Tin Tin’ Tesli.
Wing Commander Steven McCleery, the Officer Commanding, No.502 (Ulster) Squadron said that: “It is very special to see our Squadron markings proudly displayed on one of our historic aircraft in the skies over our home station once again. The NI International Airshow sees us celebrate the role Northern Ireland has played, and continues to play, in the RAF story. As the original RAF Reserve Squadron, formed in 1925, the Vampire’s beautiful livery scheme is a fitting tribute to the bold generations of aviators who went before us. We extend our thanks to the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron for this honour.”
