No 360 [RN/RAF] SQUADRON
                 [Aircrew Association]

 

This site was suggested at the 10th Anniversary of  Disbandment & Reunion Dinner held at the Officers' Mess, RAF Wyton, on 16th October 2004. The domain is currently hosted on a site managed from Watton, the original birthplace of the Squadron.  Recent amendments are shown in red.

INDEX
This is a continuous scrolling page;
 to shortcut click underlined items.
 A Short History

Announcements

Acknowledgements

Reunion Dinners

Photo Album

Contacts


 on  28/01/10MA
The Squadron was born from the marriage of 831 Naval Air Squadron (Gannets) and No 97 Squadron Royal Air Force (Canberras) at RAF Watton on 1st April 1966. On formation it was known as the Joint Electronic Warfare Trials and Training Force before being given its official designation of  No 360 [RN/RAF] Squadron on 23 September 1966.
Initially, the Squadron flew a number of Canberra types: B2s, T4s (for pilot training) and a B6; the first Canberra T17 was delivered just before Christmas 1966. It is noteworthy that in October 1966 a sister Squadron (designated No 361) was proposed for deployment to the Far East. However, following the Defence Review of early 1967,  it became redundant before birth - it was never officially recognised but tankards exist inscribed with the number and a little motto:
  "We formed, They fumbled, It failed".
 

No 360 Squadron, however, went from strength to strength, and when RAF Watton was designated for closure, it moved to RAF Cottesmore in April 1969. The official squadron badge was awarded in 1973: the Trident thereon represents the Royal Navy involvement, whilst the moth, a Melese Laodamia, depicts the unique role of the Squadron in that this particular moth avoids predatory bats by jamming their prey-finding 'radar' system.
In 1975, to make way for the Tornado, the Squadron moved again, to RAF Wyton where it remained until being disbanded
in 1994. However, in 1991, the Squadron had achieved 25 years of Service, and was justly and proudly entitled to a
 Squadron Standard which was duly  presented.
 No 360 Squadron has many unique aspects: its role, its number had not been previously issued, and it is the only squadron to have been formed, awarded a Standard, and disbanded during Her Majesty's reign.

The aircraft shown above is WD 955 (Echo Mike), a Mk B2 built in November 1951 and converted to a Mk T17 in January 1968. The first picture is in standard livery as a Mk T17; the second shows the same aircraft, one of only six to be further modified  with new ECM equipment and being designated the Mk T17A. This also shows the tail fin with a special colour scheme to denote not only the 25th birthday of the youngest RAF Squadron but also the special place of WD955 as the oldest operational aircraft in RAF service at the time.
 

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REUNIONS
 A reunion dinner was held at the Officers' Mess, RAF Wyton, on 16th October 2004 to mark the 10th
 Anniversary of the Squdron's disbandment. Some 30 members accompanied by 15 partners attended, and every era of the Squadron, from inception in 1966 to disbandment in 1994, was represented. In 2005 there were insufficient numbers for the proposed date and the Reunion Dinner did not take place.
However, Reunion Dinners did take place in the Officers' Mess, RAF Wyton in the following years.  On 24th October 2009 37 members and some of their ladies were present, including Martin Palmer, who retied as Air Commodore but was the Squadron's junior Eng Off (Jengo) in 360's early days at RAF Watton, and Ron Saunders, an RAF CO of the Squadron.
The passing-away of a number members was noted (oddly, all AEOs); several messages of regret at not being able to attend were read out.
Even in this small group, all eras of the Squadron were represented, and there were 2 first-timers, notably Maurice Stocks, who was virtually an 'ab initio' member, being in at the grass roots of the Squadron when it was still the "TTF" at Watton and he was the first "EW OPs" controller.

Pictures below are from the 2008 event.
 


 

The date for 2010 Reunion Dinner is 30th October (clocks-back night!) at the
 Officer's Mess, RAF Wyton, subject to service exigencies and sufficient numbers.
 To register your interest, send us an email - please click here

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 Acknowledgements to Watton Town Council for use of the original Crest and Canberra prints, as displayed in the Council Chamber. Also to Julian Horn for site hosting facilities.
The Editor will be pleased to include material & pictures (jpeg, preferably full size and not reprocessed).
Requests for contact or other information about members will be passed on to those who may know!

PHOTO ALBUM


 A Cyprus Detachment 1969 - Thanks to Eric Pigdon(66-69)
The web editor is front row, 2nd from right!
 
  * * * * * * * * * *

These 2 pictures supplied by Ed Hughes show the Squadron in 1973, and a crew all named Hughes!!! Ed is on the left.
(Name the Squadron Commander, and what are the first names of the other two Hughes?)


  * * * * * * * * * *

The unusual pair of photos below were taken during the 25th Canberra reunion celebrations at
 RAF Cottesmore in 1974, as supplied by Ray Hansford.


Canberra T17 WJ977 with wingtip chaff dispenser pods prior to a double exercise on 25 July 1978.
Post flight: the crew holding philatelic covers flown on the sorties to commemorate the
 35th anniversary of the first operational use of window (chaff). Click here for more details.

CONTACTS
To update information held by the Association or to add your details to our database send e-mail HERE
Please include period(s) served on the Squadron; ideally use this Proforma.
 Communication will normally be by e-mail unless it is not available.
Items for inclusion on the site may be sent to the Editor

   Thanks to the the Association of Old Crows for listing us on their website

http://www.ukaoc.org

 

The 360Sqn Groundcrew website is

www.360sqn.co.uk

 

For another interesting site, including a 360 Squadron page with a lot of pics try

www.canberracrazy.co.uk

 

Thanks also to Les Bywaters for the link on his website

TRIBUTE TO THE ENGLISH ELECTRIC CANBERRA
 http://www.bywat.co.uk


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