7 February 1958


HMS Ark Royal entered harbour along with HMS Eagle, HMS Kenya and HMS Sheffield.

No additional details on departure dates and aircraft types deployed.

19 – 24 Nov 1971 *

Prior to entering Grand Harbour for another SMP, Ark Royal carried out flying exercises off Malta between the 15th and 18th. Once again, 809 & 892 squadrons operated from RAF Luqa for the duration of the ships’ stay in harbor. Buccaneers provide IFR facilities.

The following Ark Royal aircraft were logged at RAF Luqa between 11-18 November. I make no claim that they comprised all of the carrier’s aircraft compliment, as some may have remained on board undergoing maintenance.

Buccaneers and Gannets marked with a double asterisk (**) made a diversionary practice approach to RAF Luqa, before returning to the ship on 11th November.

AIRCRAFT	SERIAL	SQUADRON	NOTES/HISTORY
B. Buccaneer S.2 **	XN977/030/R	809	D/D 27/10/64 to RN, transferred to RAF charge by 2/75 when issued to No 12 Sqn as S Mk 2A. Transferred to No 237 OCU 4/76 until 3/77 before being placed in store at No 19 MU St Athan pending conversion to S Mk 2B. Taken by road to BAe Bitteswell for conversion on 28/1/78, returning to service at Laarbruch on 14/11/80 with No 15 Sqn. Involved in a serious landing accident on 8/3/82 and placed in store with No 27 MU. Scrapped Oct 1991.
B. Buccaneer S.2 **	XT286/022/R	809	D/D 6/1/66 to RN. Transferred from 809 Sqn to No 12 Sqn in 5/74 serving alternately with No 237 OCU until passed to BAe Bitteswell for S2B mod on 6/1/78. Re-issued to No 16 Sqn by 11/80 with which it served until departing Laarbruch for St Athan and storage in 11/83. The airframe passed to BAe in 12/86 as part of the ASR1012 update programme.
B. Buccaneer S.2 **	XV156/020/R	809	D/D 16/6/66 to RN. To No 208 Sqn by 11/74 passing to No 237 OCU in 10/77. Disassembled for roading to St Athan 1/81 and upon being declared surplus allocated maintenance serial 8773M for crash rescue training although was to be found on dump by 7/86.
B. Buccaneer S.2	XV161/032/R	809	D/D 1/9/66 to RN and passed by 809 Sqn to No 208 Sqn in 11/74 before undergoing modification to S Mk 2B standard at BAe Bitteswell in 3/77. Re-issued to No 208 Sqn in 2/78 until 7/83 when passed to No 12 Sqn with which it still serves.
B. Buccaneer S.2 **	XV354/035/R	809	D/D 13/11/67 to RN passing to No 208 Sqn by 6/75 and serving with that unit until at least 2/78. Subsequently it has seen service with No 237 OCU then No 12 Sqn and finally No 237 OCU again before being dismantled in 1/81 for shipping by road to RAF St Athan where by 1/83 had been declared surplus and placed in the dump area. However, issued with maintenance serial 8775M and despatched to the fire school at RAF Manston where it arrived on 25/2/83.
B. Buccaneer S.2 **	XV357/034/R	809	D/D 5/1/68 to RN, not coming to RAF charge until issue to No 208 Sqn in 6/75 with which it stayed until transfer to No 237 OCU in 10/77. Placed in store at St Athan in 8/81 and upon being declared surplus was passed to the Proof & Experimental Establishment (PEE) at Foulness sometime after 11/83.
F. Gannet COD.4 **	XG790/040/R	849	f/f 22.01.57, d/d to Lossiemouth 18.01.72 for storage, broken up as spares 1978, remains to Tain ranges 18.09.78, since destroyed.
F. Gannet AEW.3	XL494/042/R	B Flt	d/d 26.08.60, w/o 14.09.78, scr Gibraltar 02.81.
F. Gannet AEW.3	XL482/041/R	849	d/d 25.07.60, to Culdrose for storage on 09.11.78. Sold to Confederate Air Force, Texas, dep for USA 15.02.82 as N1350X, currently Pima Air Museum, Arizona, US.
F. Gannet AEW.3 **	XP229/043/R	849	d/d10.12.62, w/o 19.05.73
McD Phantom FG.1	XV569/013/R	892	c/n 2943. F/F 20/9/68 and d/d to RN 14/1/69. With PTF as 'X' in 9/74 passing to 43/S in 4/78. By 1/80 transferred to 11l/Q and repainted into grey in 9/83. Re-coded 111/BQ in 3/87.
McD Phantom FG.1	XV587/005/R	892	c/n 3331. F/F 21/4/69 and d/d 30/9/69 to RN. To RAF charge on 7/12/78 at St Athan and issued to 43 Sqn as 'G' on 22/3/79. Re-coded 43/AG in 2/87. To 111/BR 1/89.
McD Phantom FG.1	XV588/010/R	892	c/n 3346. F/F 21/4/69 and d/d 22/7/69 to RN. Lost as 892/R004 when it burnt out on the runway at Leuchars on 18/5/77. Remains still present for BDR in 9/83.
McD Phantom FG.1	XV591/006/R	892	c/n 3409.F/F 3/6/69 and d/d 22/7/69 to RN. Passed to RAF charge 11/12/78 and issued as lll/M in 8/79. Painted in grey c/s by 6/82 and re-coded 111/BM in 2/87. Reported as wfu in 12/87 due to a structural fault. Fuselage to 19 MU dump, tail and outer wings to Abingdon BDR.
W. Sea King HAS.1	XV654/050/R	824	f/f 09/12/1969, d/d 05/01/1970 to Fleetlands. Converted to HAS.2 standard 20.09.78, returned to service at Fleetlands 17.01.80. To HAS.6 standard 22.08.90, returned to service 04.11.91. W/o 21/07/1993 after tail rotor failed in flight, the aircraft falling 20 ft to the ground at Prestwick. Strathclyde, spinning round and collapsing the port u/carriage. Transported by road for repairs on 04.07.94, but not completed. To AESS Cosford on 04.09.95 as A2698. Again transported by road to SFDO Culdrose on 21.01.03 for Ground Instructional use on dummy deck.
W. Sea King HAS.1	XV659/055/R	824	f/f 13.02.70, d/d 03.03.70. To Fleetlands for conversion to HAS.2 standard on 11.08.76, returned to service 11.02.77. To Fleeetlands for conversion to HAS.5 22.07.85, returned to service 02.10.86. To Fleetlands for conversion to HAS.6 standard 26.07.91, returned to service 23.03.94. To Fleetlands for staorage 03.05.00, by road to AESS Gosport 05.10.00 for ground instructional (g.i.) use, to DCAE Cosford 07.10.02 for g.i. as 9324M, back to DCAE Gosport on 06.02.08, then to DCAE Cosford on 13.11.08.
W. Sea King HAS.1	XV699/051/R	824	f/f 12/08/1970, d/d 03/09/1970, w/o 31/03/1976 after ditching off Portland Dorset during a sortie from HMS Blake. To A2659, to A2602, Fleetlands
W. Sea King HAS.1	XV701/053/R	824	f/f 14/05/1971, d/d 04/06/1971, final conversion to HAS.6 standard. G.I. use Cosford
W. Sea King HAS.1	XV702/054/R	824	f/f 26/05/1971, d/d 14/07/1971, w/o 21/03/1974
W. Wessex HAS.1	_____/056/R	SAR Flt

23 Feb – 06 Mar 1973 *

Ark Royal entered Malta’s Grand Harbour for Assisted Maintenance Period (AMP). 809 & 892 squadrons again deployed to RAF Luqa, Buccaneers providing IFR facilities.

These are the only aircraft movements available for the moment, which were noted at RAF Luqa.

AIRCRAFT	SQUADRON	SERIAL	NOTES
F. Gannet AEW.3	XL502/041/R	849 “B” flight	Approach and overshoot only.
W. Sea King HAS.1		XV703/050/R, XV710/052/R	Visited RAF Luqa on the 6th.

05 – 15 Oct 1974 *

As in the previous year, RAF Luqa hosted the carriers’ squadrons whilst the ship was in port.

The following is a partial list of Ark Royal’s aircraft that were seen on deck or at RAF Luqa.

AIRCRAFT	SERIAL	SQUADRON	NOTES/HISTORY
B. Buccaneer	_____/025
B. Buccaneer	XV359/035
B. Buccaneer	XV869/023
F. Gannet	XL497/041		c/n F9456 On display at the Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum, Scotland
F. Gannet	XL449/043		First production AEW.3 variant, c/n F9432, cockpit section only remains.
F. Gannet	XL500/042		Being restored to flying condition as G-KAEW.
McD Phantom FG.1	_____/005
McD Phantom FG.1	_____/007
McD Phantom FG.1	XT868?
W. Sea King	_____/056

05 – 12 Nov 1977

The aircraft details listed in the table below are accurate, but missing some Buccaneers. All aircraft carried the ship’s code “R” on their fins.

AIRCRAFT	SQUADRON	SERIAL	NOTES
B. Buccaneer S.2C/D	809	XV865/022	D/D 1/10/68 to RN. Mod to Martel standard at Brough in 1973 and re-issued to 809 Sqn until latter's deactivation. Following mod to S2B standard the aircraft was issued to No 216 Sqn in 1/80 but its service was short-lived following the general grounding. Subsequently issued to No 208 Sqn in 1/81 and served with the unit following Sea Eagle mods but has since passed to BAe as part of the update programme.
B. Buccaneer S.2C/D	809	XV867/025	D/D 6/12/68 to RN. Converted to S2B standard at Bitteswell being delivered to Honington and No 237 OCU in 11/81. Passed to No 208 Sqn by 11/83 but with the Sea Eagle mod programme causing considerable movement was transferred to No 12 Sqn on 12/4/84 with which it served until passing into the update programme.
B. Buccaneer S.2C/D	809	XN981/026	D/D 4/2/65 to RN and transferred to RAF by 6/71, initially with No 237 OCU then No 12 Sqn between 10/72 and 4/73. Given back to RN becoming R026 of 809 Sqn before again coming under RAF charge following conversion to S Mk 2B standard and delivery to No 208 Sqn in 4/79. Airframe serving with the unit until 7/83 when transferred to No 12 Sqn before reverting back to No 208 Sqn in 5/84. However, with Sea Eagle mod programme well under way found itself again on No 12 Sqn charge by 2/86.
B. Buccaneer S.2C/D	809	XN982/027	D/D 3/3/65 to RN and damaged at Cecil Field, USA, as R032 of No 809 Sqn and returned as deck cargo on RFA Fort Grange, arriving in the UK on 18/7/78. Taken to No 19 MU St Athan and placed in store before passing to RAE at Farnborough for repairs between 18/9/79 and 5/82. In the event rebuild not completed and airframe taken to Brough on 15/6/82 for fatigue tests following the type's grounding. Airframe eventually declared surplus in 5/83.
B. Buccaneer S.2C/D	809	XV333/030	D/D 27/1/67 to RN and first noted in RAF service unmarked with No 12 Sqn in 3/72. Handed on to No 237 OCU in 1/73 and subsequently to No 12 in 7/73, No 15 in 5/74 and back to RN before once again serving with No 15 in 9/79. At the deactivation of No 15 Sqn as a Buccaneer squadron the airframe was placed in short-term store at St Athan before issue to No 12 Sqn in 10/81. Served with No 12 until at least 11/85 when as part of Sea Eagle update programme it was transferred to No 208 Sqn, first being noted as such in 5/86.
B. Buccaneer S.2C/D	809	XV353/031	D/D 24/10/67 to RN, passing to RAF charge as one of its first aircraft for No 12 Sqn. Transferred to No 237 OCU in 6/71 before returning to BAe Brough for mod to Martel-capable. Airframe then returned to RN for use by 809 Sqn and stayed on strength until squadron decommissioned in 12/78, flying to RAF St Athan for overhaul before issue to No 12 Sqn in 2/80. Whilst with No 12 and in company with XV869, as part of Operation 'Corporate' flew to RAF Stanley in the Falklands arriving on 5/3/83. Airframe was subsequently transferred to No 208 Sqn by 5/84 with which it served until entering the update programme in late 1986.
B. Buccaneer S.2C/D	809	XT287/033	D/D 2/2/66 to RN. Delivered Belfast to Honington 12/3/71 as first aircraft for No 237 OCU and served alternatively with No 12 Sqn until returning to BAe Brough for modification to S2D standard on 19/8/73. Re-issued to 809 Sqn passing to RAE for communications research following the former's disbandment on 8/12/78. Passed to No 15 Sqn in 6/81 and coded 'F', collecting the name McRoberts Reply at the same time. Transferred to No 16 Sqn in 8/83 before being placed in short-term store following the squadron's deactivation. Following Sea Eagle mods re-issued to No 208 Sqn in 4/85 with which it is still current.
B. Buccaneer S.2C/D	809	XV359/034	D/D 28/2/68 to RN before being returned to BAe Bitteswell from St Athan on 15/12/78 for mod to S2B standard. Issued to No 12 Sqn from Bitteswell on 15/3/82 with which it stayed until transfer to No 208 in 4/84. By 8/85 it was back with NO 12 and involved in 'Mace' trials at A&AEE Boscombe down. The airframe was noted devoid of marks in 4/86 but serving with No 237 OCU. By 2/87 it had been taken on No 208 Sqn charge.
B. Buccaneer S.2C/D	809	XV358/035	D/D 14/2/68 to RN and did not come to RAF charge until issued with maintenance serial 8658M for BDR training at RAF Bruggen in 1/83.
B. Buccaneer S.2C/D	809	XV863/036	D/D 25/7/68 to RN. Later returned to BAe Brough for Martel conversion and despatched to Holmeupon-Spalding Moor for flight testing on 10/6/73. Issued to 809 Sqn until deactivation of HMS Ark Royal in 1978 then flown to St Athan for bringing in to line with RAF requirements. Issued to No 16 Sqn by 1/80. Transferred to No 237 OCU in 4/84 passing to NO 208 Sqn on completion of Sea Eagle mod in 11/85.
F. Gannet AEW.3	849, ‘B’ Flt.	XL497/041, XL450/042, XL471/043, XL472/044
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XT868/001	c/n 2602. F/F 1/5/68. d/d 8/8/68. Lost radome in flight 3/12/69 but recovered by Lt-Cdr Marshall on one engine. Subsequently w/o at Leuchars as 892/ROOO 12/5/78. Remains still present 9/83 then sold to F. K. Beadle & Son.
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XV568/002	c/n 2943. F/F 29/4/68 and d/d to RN 1/7/68. To RAF 11/12/78 and 43/T by 7/82. Repainted into grey by 9/85 and re-coded 'AT' in 2/87.
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XV567/003	c/n 2922. F/F 20/4/68 and d/d to RN 16/6/68. Used on touch-and-go trials with HMS Eagle in 1969 and issued to the RAF on 11/12/78. Issued to 43 Sqn as 'I' and repainted in grey by 9/84. Re-coded 'AI' in 6/87.
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XT872/004	c/n 2706. F/F 17/6/68. d/d 23/9/68. To RAF charge at St Athan 27/11/78. Issued to 111 Sqns 'T' in grey c/s 5/80. Re-coded 'BT' 2/87.
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XT867/005	c/n 2546. F/F 27/4/68. d/d 8/8/68. Passed to RAF charge at 23 MU 20/4/78. Issued to 111 Sqn 10/78 as 'H'. Painted in grey c/s at 19 MU 6/85 and re-coded 'BH' 7/86 and current 9/88.
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XT859/006	c/n 2279. F/F l9/1/68. d/d 29/4/68 to 700P Sqn. After RN service passed to RAF at St Athan 27/11/78. Issued to 111 Sqn by 10/79 becoming 'K'. Painted grey c/s 1/84. Re coded 'BK' 9/86.
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XT864/007	c/n 2475.F/F 5/4/68. d/d 17/7/68. Passed to RAF charge at St Athan 27/11/78. To 111 Sqn as 'J' 9/79. Re-coded 'BJ' 2/87.
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XV587/010	c/n 3331. F/F 21/4/69 and d/d 30/9/69 to RN. To RAF charge on 7/12/78 at St Athan and issued to 43 Sqn as 'G' on 22/3/79. Re-coded 43/AG in 2/87. To 111/BR 1/89.
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XT865/011	c/n 2502. F/F 7/4/68. d/d 5/9/68 to Min Tech/MOD(PE) and used on approach touch-and-go trials on HMS Eagle 6/69. Following RN service passed to RAF charge at 19 MU 27/11/78. To 111 Sqn in grey c/s 6/80 as 'U'. Re-coded ‘BU'2/87.
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XT870/012	c/n 2646. F/F 14/5/68. d/d 5/11/68. Passed to RAF charge at St Athan 27/11/78 and issued to 111 Sqn in grey c/s as 'S' 1/80. Re-coded 'BS' 2/87 and still current.
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XV591/013	c/n 3409.F/F 3/6/69 and d/d 22/7/69 to RN. Passed to RAF charge 11/12/78 and issued as lll/M in 8/79. Painted in grey c/s by 6/82 and re-coded 111/BM in 2/87. Reported as wfu in 12/87 due to a structural fault. Fuselage to 19 MU dump, tail and outer wings to Abingdon BDR.
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XT863/014	c/n 2463. F/F 9/4/68. d/d 1/7/68. Delivered to RAF charge at St Athan 27/11/78 and delivered to 111 Sqn in grey c/s 4/80 as 'G'. Painted in special marks for 25th anniversary at IAT in 7/83. Re-coded 'BG' 9/86 and transferred to 43/AS in 6/88 but passed to storage at Abingdon on 24/2/89.
W. Sea King HAS.2	824	XV698/050, XV664/051, XZ577/052, XV659/053 *, XV673/054 *, XZ578/055	* Noted at RAF Luqa on the 5th.
W. Wessex HAS.1	771	XS881/046, XP151/047 *	* Noted at RAF Luqa on the 12th.

06 – 16 Nov 1978

HMS Ark Royal entered Grand Harbour, Malta, for the last time on 6 November 1978, for a farewell 10-day visit, prior to returning to the UK and decommissioning.

The aircraft details listed in the table below are accurate, as these were recorded by Society members during a visit on board the ship, but missing three or four Buccaneers.

AIRCRAFT	SQUADRON	SERIAL	NOTES
W. Wessex HAS.1	771	XS881/046, XP151/047
B. Buccaneer S.2C/D	809	XV869/020	D/D 6/3/69 to RN but following mod. to Martel standard was delivered to A&AEE Boscombe Down from Holme on 4/3/74. Returned to 809 Sqn until deactivation passing to No 208 Sqn by 5/79. Transferred to No 12 Sqn in 11/83 with which it still serves.
B. Buccaneer S.2C/D	809	XV865/022	D/D 1/10/68 to RN. Mod to Martel standard at Brough in 1973 and re-issued to 809 Sqn until latter's deactivation. Following mod to S2B standard the aircraft was issued to No 216 Sqn in 1/80 but its service was short-lived following the general grounding. Subsequently issued to No 208 Sqn in 1/81 and served with the unit following Sea Eagle mods but has since passed to BAe as part of the update programme.
B. Buccaneer S.2C/D	809	XV868/023	D/D 14/1/69 to RN passing to No 12 Sqn at deactivation of 809 Sqn in 8/79 andjoined XV353 in detachment to RAF Stanley in 3/83. Transferred to No 208 Sqn, 11/85.
B. Buccaneer S.2C/D	809	XV866/024	D/D 11/11/68 to RN and issued to No 16 Sqn following disbandment of 809 Sqn but placed in store at St Athan in 8/81. Passed into long-term storage with No 27 MU Shawbury by 11/83.
B. Buccaneer S.2C/D	809	XV867/025	D/D 6/12/68 to RN. Converted to S2B standard at Bitteswell being delivered to Honington and No 237 OCU in 11/81. Passed to No 208 Sqn by 11/83 but with the Sea Eagle mod programme causing considerable movement was transferred to No 12 Sqn on 12/4/84 with which it served until passing into the update programme.
B. Buccaneer S.2C/D	809	XV342/027	D/D 16/5/67 to RN and delivered Sydenham-Honington for No 12 Sqn 24/1/73 with which it served until at least 1/76 when it passed for a short period to No 237 OCU before being taken on charge by No 208 Sqn which operated it until late 1979. To 16 Sqn in 1980 and became one of the last Buccaneers to leave Laarbruch for storage at St Athan where it resided until being delivered to BAe at Woodford for ASR1012 update in 12/86.
B. Buccaneer S.2C/D	809	XV353/031	D/D 24/10/67 to RN, passing to RAF charge as one of its first aircraft for No 12 Sqn. Transferred to No 237 OCU in 6/71 before returning to BAe Brough for mod to Martel-capable. Airframe then returned to RN for use by 809 Sqn and stayed on strength until squadron decommissioned in 12/78, flying to RAF St Athan for overhaul before issue to No 12 Sqn in 2/80. Whilst with No 12 and in company with XV869, as part of Operation 'Corporate' flew to RAF Stanley in the Falklands arriving on 5/3/83. Airframe was subsequently transferred to No 208 Sqn by 5/84 with which it served until entering the update programme in late 1986.
B. Buccaneer S.2C/D	809	XT287/033	D/D 2/2/66 to RN. Delivered Belfast to Honington 12/3/71 as first aircraft for No 237 OCU and served alternatively with No 12 Sqn until returning to BAe Brough for modification to S2D standard on 19/8/73. Re-issued to 809 Sqn passing to RAE for communications research following the former's disbandment on 8/12/78. Passed to No 15 Sqn in 6/81 and coded ' F', collecting the name McRoberts Reply at the same time. Transferred to No 16 Sqn in 8/83 before being placed in short-term store following the squadron's deactivation. Following Sea Eagle mods re-issued to No 208 Sqn in 4/85 with which it is still current.
B. Buccaneer S.2C/D	809	XV359/034	D/D 28/2/68 to RN before being returned to BAe Bitteswell from St Athan on 15/12/78 for mod to S2B standard. Issued to No 12 Sqn from Bitteswell on 15/3/82 with which it stayed until transfer to No 208 in 4/84. By 8/85 it was back with NO 12 and involved in 'Mace' trials at A&AEE Boscombe down. The airframe was noted devoid of marks in 4/86 but serving with No 237 OCU. By 2/87 it had been taken on No 208 Sqn charge.
B. Buccaneer S.2C/D	809	XV358/035	D/D 14/2/68 to RN and did not come to RAF charge until issued with maintenance serial 8658M for BDR training at RAF Bruggen in 1/83.
B. Buccaneer S.2C/D	809	XV863/036	D/D 25/7/68 to RN. Later returned to BAe Brough for Martel conversion and despatched to Holmeupon-Spalding Moor for flight testing on 10/6/73. Issued to 809 Sqn until deactivation of HMS Ark Royal in 1978 then flown to St Athan for bringing in to line with RAF requirements. Issued to No 16 Sqn by 1/80. Transferred to No 237 OCU in 4/84 passing to NO 208 Sqn on completion of Sea Eagle mod in 11/85.
F. Gannet AEW.3	849	XL497/041, XL450/042, XL471/043, XL472/044
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XV590/001	c/n 3394. F/F 12/5/69 and d/d 9/7/69 to RN. Passed to RAF charge on 11/12/78 and issued as 43/X in 12/79. Repainted in grey c/s at 19 MU in 5/84 and re-coded 43/AX in 2/87.
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XV568/002	c/n 2943. F/F 29/4/68 and d/d to RN 1/7/68. To RAF 11/12/78 and 43/T by 7/82. Repainted into grey by 9/85 and re-coded 'AT' in 2/87.
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XV567/003	c/n 2922. F/F 20/4/68 and d/d to RN 16/6/68. Used on touch-and-go trials with HMS Eagle in 1969 and issued to the RAF on 11/12/78. Issued to 43 Sqn as 'I' and repainted in grey by 9/84. Re-coded 'AI' in 6/87.
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XT872/004	c/n 2706. F/F 17/6/68. d/d 23/9/68. To RAF charge at St Athan 27/11/78. Issued to 111 Sqns 'T' in grey c/s 5/80. Re-coded 'BT' 2/87.
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XV589/005	c/n 3363. F/F 9/5/69 and d/d 8/7/69 to RN. Passed to RAF charge on 11/12/78 being issued to 111 Sqn in grey c/s in 1/80. Coded 'P' in low vis marks. Lost on approach to RAF Alconbury following a DACT sortie on 3/6/80 when the radome opened on finals. Fuselage removed to Coningsby dump.
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XT859/006	c/n 2279. F/F l9/1/68. d/d 29/4/68 to 700P Sqn. After RN service passed to RAF at St Athan 27/11/78. Issued to 111 Sqn by 10/79 becoming 'K'. Painted grey c/s 1/84. Re coded 'BK' 9/86.
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XT864/007	c/n 2475.F/F 5/4/68. d/d 17/7/68. Passed to RAF charge at St Athan 27/11/78. To 111 Sqn as 'J' 9/79. Re-coded 'BJ' 2/87.
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XV586/010	c/n 3317. F/F 11/4/69 and d/d 23/6/69 to RN. To RAF charge on 11/12/78, to 43/J by 9/83. Repainted in grey at 19/MU and suffered a nose wheel collapse on 18/3/86. Re-coded 43/AJ in 9/86.
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XT865/011	c/n 2502. F/F 7/4/68. d/d 5/9/68 to Min Tech/MOD(PE) and used on approach touch-and-go trials on HMS Eagle 6/69. Following RN service passed to RAF charge at 19 MU 27/11/78. To 111 Sqn in grey c/s 6/80 as 'U'. Re-coded 'BU'2/87.
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XT870/012	c/n 2646. F/F 14/5/68. d/d 5/11/68. Passed to RAF charge at St Athan 27/11/78 and issued to 111 Sqn in grey c/s as 'S' 1/80. Re-coded 'BS' 2/87 and still current.
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XV591/013	c/n 3409.F/F 3/6/69 and d/d 22/7/69 to RN. Passed to RAF charge 11/12/78 and issued as lll/M in 8/79. Painted in grey c/s by 6/82 and re-coded 111/BM in 2/87. Reported as wfu in 12/87 due to a structural fault. Fuselage to 19 MU dump, tail and outer wings to Abingdon BDR.
McD Phantom FG.1	892	XT863/014	c/n 2463.F/F 9/4/68. d/d 1/7/68. Delivered to RAF charge at St Athan 27/11/78 and delivered to 111 Sqn in grey c/s 4/80 as 'G'. Painted in special marks for 25th anniversary at IAT in 7/83. Re-coded 'BG' 9/86 and transferred to 43/AS in 6/88 but passed to storage at Abingdon on 24/2/89.
W. Sea King HAS.2	824	XV698/050, XV664/051, XZ577/052, XV659/053, XV673/054, XZ578/055

25-29 June 1988

The following article first appeared in the Malta Aviation Yearbook 1989.

Early in June a Royal Navy six-ship Task Group headed by the Flagship HMS Ark Royal steamed out of Portsmouth to take part in OUTBACK'88 which would take it to the Far East and Australia. Apart from Ark Royal the group included the Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh, on board which the Duke of York was serving, and the frigate HMS Sirius. The Royal Fleet Auxiliaries Fort Grange, a multi-purpose stores ship, and the tankers Olwen and Orangeleaf provided support. The six ships with their 22 aircraft - Sea Harriers and Lynx helicopters - and over 2,000 men sailed 30,000 miles before returning to the UK in time for Christmas.

In the eastern Atlantic the group was soon engaged in exercise JOLLY ROGER national ASW exercise involving submarines and maritime patrol aircraft. Then Sea Harriers from 810 Squadron visited Spain and flew in exercise against Spanish Mirage Ills and AV-8Bs. After Spain, the Task Group divided in two. HMS Sirius and RFA Orangeleaf went to Augusta in Sicily. The other four HM Ships Ark Royal and Edinburgh together with RFAs Olwen and Fort Grange continued through the Mediterranean to Malta after calling at Gibraltar. The Edinburgh detached to escort HMY Britannia from Palermo to Naples and the remaining ships exercised south of Minorca with units of the French and Italian navies, including the Italian aircraft-carrier INS Garibaldi.

Malta Visit

In Malta attempts were made by workers, members of the General Workers Union, to block the entrance to Grand Harbour, Valletta because of Ark Royal’s nuclear capability. It was decided that the aircraft carrier, the destroyer and the two RFAs anchor in St. Paul's Bay, seven miles away on 25th June. Despite the change in plan, large crowds turned out to provide a typical Maltese welcome.

A number of helicopter visits to Luqa were made during the visit of Ark Royal and Edinburgh. First indication of the carrier's proximity to Malta came on Friday, 24th June when two Sea Kings landed in the parade ground of No 2 Site (AFM Headquarters), one at about 9.30pm and the second at 11.30pm. The next day, two Sea Kings HC.4s of 845 Squadron lifted a party of local journalists out of No 2 Site parade ground at 6.47am and transported them to Ark Royal off Malta.

The two Sea Kings took off from their mother ship at 6am and overshot runway 32, then turning right to land at the parade ground. The helicopters returned to Luqa at 9.16am after taking off from the ship at St Paul's Bay. A Sea King HAS 5 of 820 Squadron paid a visit to the parade ground on Sunday morning, 26th June, taking off at about 10.55am. Another Sea King was observed carrying a van slung underneath it to Ark Royal. Possibly this had to do with ll Ark Royal seamen who cycled all the way from Portsmouth to Malta to raise money for charity.

Other Sea King visits to AFM Headquarters are known to have taken place. The Lynx on board HMS Edinburgh paid two morning visits to AFM Headquarters on 29th June, before departing with the ships. This was the first visit to Luqa by a Lynx helicopter. The ships received a spectacular send-off by an armada of small boats. A Lynx helicopter from HMS Edinburgh with a white ensign slung underneath saluted the public over St Paul's Bay. On leaving Malta, the Task Group took part in another exercise with RAF Nimrods and Buccaneers from RAF Akrotiri.

The Group then continued east through the Suez Canal and across the Indian Ocean. In the South China Seas it participated in a joint exercise with the Sultan of Brunei's armed forces. Two exercises were also planned with Britain's partners in the Five-Power Defence Arrangements Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore. The six ships took part in the Australian Bicentennial naval review on 1 October. Sea Harriers from Ark Royal took part in the air show at Richmond air base. The Task Group returned to the UK around Christmas time.

Aircraft seen on HMS Ark Royal during her visit to Malta 25-29thJune, 1988.

AIRCRAFT	SERIAL	SQUADRON	NOTES
Sea Harrier FRS.1	XZ494/004/R, XZ498/001/R, ZA176/007-R, ZA193/003/R, ZD607/006, ZD609/000/R, ZD612/002/R, ZD615/005/R	801	The Squadron badge consisting of a winged trident was carried on the fin of each aircraft.
Sea King HC 4	ZE428/D-R, ZF117/G-R	845
Sea King HAS 5	XV643/015*	820	Squadron's badge not carried on the helicopters. *Made a heavy landing in the sea on 23 June 1988 after a technical failure. The pilot managed to lift off again and recovered the helicopter to Ark Royal.
Sea King HAS 5	XZ579/017, ZD630/013, ZD631/019, ZD633/012, ZE419/014,	820
Sea King AEW 2	XV649/183/R, XV672/182, XV697/184/R	849	The Squadron's badge consisting of an eye upon a winged streak of lightning was on the forward fuselage on all the helicopters.
Lynx HAS 3	XZ689/411/EB	815	On board HMS Edinburgh.

08 Jun 1993

AIRCRAFT	SERIAL	SQUADRON	NOTES
BAe Sea Harrier FRS.1	ZD581/R-000, ZD607/R-001, XZ492/R-002, ZE694/R-003, ZD614/R-004, ZE692/R-005	801	Based at RNAS Yeovilton.
Sea King AEW 2	XV650/R-182, XV672/R-183, XV649/R-184	849	“B(ee)” flight, based at RNAS Culdrose.
Sea King HC 4	ZD478/VN, ZF117/VK	846	Landed at Luqa to pick up media representatives. Based at RNAS Yeovilton.

01 Aug 1994

AIRCRAFT	SERIAL	SQUADRON	NOTES
BAe Sea Harrier FRS.1	ZD581/000, ZD607/001, ZD614/002, ZE693/003 ZD610/004	801
Sea King AEW 2	XV650/182/R, XV704/183, XV649/184/R	849	“B” flight.
Sea King HAS.6	XV701/010/R, ZA131/011, XV712/012, ZA133/013*, XV571/014*, ZA136/015, XV713/016,	820	* Flew into Luqa airport to collect mail and pick up journalists.