The Survivors

Auster Mk.1 / Taylorcraft Plus D, LB367, sold as G-AHGZ in 1948, still airworthy. Was at RAF Ouston with 657 Squadron, newly formed with Army pilots from January to May 1943.

Auster Mk.1 / Taylorcraft Plus D, LB369, sold as G-AHHY, then in 1958 to Rhodesia as VP-YPX. Currently stored at Enstone, Oxfordshire. Was at RAF Ouston with 657 Squadron, newly formed with Army pilots from January to May 1943.

Auster AOP.5 TW467, was sold by the RAF in December 1953, becoming G-ANIE on the civil register (illustrated below). It is airworthy at Elmsett Airfield, in Suffolk, painted in a wartime 'D-day' colour scheme. It had served with 664 Squadron in the early 1950's and may therefore have been based with 1965 Flight of 664 Squadron who were at RAF Ouston in 1953. [Note; 664 Sqdn had several Flights, each with five Austers, and based at various locations with the aircraft changing often. So it is difficult to attribute a particular aircraft to a specific location.]

Auster AOP.6 TW591, was sold by the RAF in June 1960, becoming G-ARIH on the civil register, officially an Auster 6A. It is airworthy at Eggesford Airfield in Devon, now painted in a 1950's RAF trainer scheme. It had served with 664 Squadron in the early 1950's and may therefore have been based with 1965 Flight of 664 Squadron who were at RAF Ouston in 1953. [Note; 664 Sqdn had several Flights, each with five Austers, and based at various locations with the aircraft changing often. So it is difficult to attribute a particular aircraft to a specific location.]

Auster AOP.6 VF526, was sold for scrap by the RAF in May 1960, but was rebuilt as an Auster 6A registered G-ARXU. It is airworthy at Netheravon Airfield in Wiltshire, now painted in a 1950's Army silver and yellow trainer scheme. It had served with 664 Squadron in the early 1950's and may therefore have been based with 1965 Flight of 664 Squadron who were at RAF Ouston in 1953. [Note; 664 Sqdn had several Flights, each with five Austers, and based at various locations with the aircraft changing often. So it is difficult to attribute a particular aircraft to a specific location.]

Auster AOP.6 VF581, was sold for scrap by the RAF in June 1960, but became G-ARSL on the civil register (illustrated below), and was converted to a Beagle A61 Terrier 1 configuration for glider towing. It is airworthy at Elmsett Airfield in Suffolk, part of a collection of Austers at that airfield. It is now painted in a 1950's period camouflage scheme. It had served with 664 Squadron in the early 1950's and may therefore have been based with 1965 Flight of 664 Squadron who were at RAF Ouston in 1953. [Note; 664 Sqdn had several Flights, each with five Austers, and based at various locations with the aircraft changing often. So it is difficult to attribute a particular aircraft to a specific location.]

Auster T.7 VX926, was sold by the RAF in September 1961, becoming G-ASKJ after conversion to a Beagle Terrier 2. It was damaged in 1984, and remains stored at Gamlingay Airfield in Cambridgeshire. It had served with 664 Squadron in the early 1950's and may therefore have been based with 1965 Flight of 664 Squadron who were at RAF Ouston in 1953. [Note; 664 Sqdn had several Flights, each with five Austers, and based at various locations with the aircraft changing often. So it is difficult to attribute a particular aircraft to a specific location.]

Auster T.10 WJ368, was originally an RAF Auster AOP.6, later converted to a trainer, and then transferred to the Army Air Corps in November 1959. It was subsequently sold and became G-ASZX on the civil register after conversion to a Beagle A.61 Terrier 1. It is airworthy at Cheddington Airfield in Buckinghamshire, now painted in a 1950's RAF camouflage scheme. It had served with 664 Squadron in the early 1950's and may therefore have been based with 1965 Flight of 664 Squadron who were at RAF Ouston in 1953. [Note; 664 Sqdn had several Flights, each with five Austers, and based at various locations with the aircraft changing often. So it is difficult to attribute a particular aircraft to a specific location.]

Avro Anson C.19 VP519, was sold by the RAF in February 1968, becoming G-AVVR. However it saw no civilian service and was eventually scrapped, except for the nose & cockpit section which is now on public display in the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum, Doncaster. VP519 served with 11 Group Communications Flight at RAF Ouston in the early 1960's.

Avro Anson T.21 VV901, was sold for scrap by the RAF in August 1961, but survived for use in a children's playground before eventually being rescued for restoration and display in the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington. The mark T.21 Anson was a navigation trainer used extensively in the North East during the 1950's, and VV901 was one of four issued to Durham University Air Squadron at RAF Usworth, Sunderland and later at RAF Ouston.

De Havilland DH.87B Hornet Moth W5775, now G-AESE, airworthy at Coventry Airport (illustrated below). This pre-war civil aircraft was registered as G-AESE in 1937, and impressed into RAF service as W5775 in January 1940. It was one of a number of such Hornet Moths used for radio calibration work, and was based at Ouston in May 1941 with 3 RSS (Radio Servicing Section), covering airfields in the North East sector. 3 RSS later became part of 72 (Signals) Wing and W5775 continued on the same work. In 1946 it was 'de-mobbed' and reverted to its original civil registration G-AESE.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WB624, preserved and on display in the Newark Air Museum, Nottinghamshire (illustrated below). This aircraft was struck-off-charge by the RAF in July 1972 but never civilianised, perhaps because it had suffered structural damage? It is painted in the later RAF training colours, generally applied post 1972. Its last recorded RAF user was Durham University Air Squadron at Ouston, dates not known.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WB652, now G-CHPY, airworthy at Little Rissington in Gloucestershire, ex Durham UAS dates unknown but likely circa 1960 at Ouston.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WB654, now G-BXGO, airworthy at Finmere airfield in Buckinghamshire, ex 11 Air Experience Flight at Ouston, dates unknown but just prior to the transfer of the aircraft to the Army Air Corps circa 1960.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WB684, sold by the RAF in December 1973, civil registered as G-BBTP, later sold in the USA becoming N68031, airworthy in California. Ex Durham UAS at Ouston circa 1960.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WB722, sold by the RAF in August 1956, becoming G-AOSP and eventually being exported to Australia and currently VH-AMV, airworthy at Scone, NSW. Prior to 1957 WB722 was on the strength of 23 Reserve Flying School at RAF Usworth, Sunderland, later being allocated to Durham UAS also at RAF Usworth. Durham UAS did not move to RAF Ouston until October 1957, so WB722 may only have occasionally visited RAF Ouston?

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WB738, sold by the RAF in July 1974 becoming G-BCHS, exported to South Africa in 1976 registered ZS-JJR, airworthy at unknown location. WB738 was on charge with all three Chipmunk units at RAF Ouston, namely Durham UAS, Northumbrian UAS, and 11 Air Experience Flight, dates not known but likely early 1960's.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WB739, details of RAF disposal not known, but by 1996 had been exported to France, becoming F-AZVA, airworthy and based at Saint Rambert Dalbon Airfield, Le Creux de la Tine, Rhone-Alpes. Ex Northumbrian UAS at Ouston, dates not known but post-1963.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WB748, sold by the RAF in August 1956, and later exported to Australia becoming VH-RIW, still airworthy at Gooseberry Hill, WA. WB748 served with Durham UAS at RAF Usworth, Sunderland prior to 1956, and may have occasionally visited RAF Ouston?

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WD310, now G-BWUN, airworthy at Deanland airfield in East Sussex, ex Durham / Northumbrian UAS Ouston 1964-67.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WD318, by November 1972 it had become an RAF ground instruction airframe with the maintenance serial 8257M, and it was later reduced to just a fuselage, becoming a 'pax trainer' for Air Cadet training. This 'pax' is believed to still exist. WD318 had an interesting history in Northumberland throughout the 1950's and early 1960's, serving with RAF Ouston's Station Flight, RAF Acklington Station Flight / Armament Practice Station at Acklington, and Durham UAS which was it's last user.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WD330, stayed in RAF service until it was sold in August 1975, one of the last batch of RAF Chipmunks to be demobbed. It was then exported to the USA, becoming N65235 and is still airworthy in the New York area, painted in a Canadian Air Force scheme. It was originally taken on RAF charge circa 1952 with 23 RFS at RAF Usworth, Sunderland, serving twice with that unit before moving to Durham UAS, probably also at RAF Usworth.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WD335, survived in RAF service until September 1973 when it was sold for scrap. However the fuselage was converted to a 'pax' for Air Cadet training, and it still exists. This aircraft was one of the newly built batch delivered in 1952 to 23 RFS at RAF Usworth, Sunderland. Many years later it served with Durham UAS at RAF Ouston, circa early 1960's.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WD347, became G-BBRV in 1973 (but remained in its 1970 Central Flying School colours, illustrated below), later sold in Switzerland as HB-TUT, airworthy at Lausanne. Originally allocated to 23 RFS at RAF Usworth, Sunderland, and later with Durham UAS and Northumbrian UAS at RAF Ouston 1962-64

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WD365, survived in RAF service until sold in January 1976, and then exported to the USA becoming N61957. It has since been converted to have a Lycoming engine, and remains airworthy in Texas. Early in RAF service it had served with Durham UAS, probably initially at RAF Usworth, Sunderland, before moving to RAF Ouston in 1957.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WD388, became G-BDIC in August 1975, later sold in Germany as D-EPAK, airworthy at Bienenfarm airfield. In the photograph below it is seen participating in the Air Display held at Blackpool Airport on 4th June 1983. It had served twice with Durham UAS at Ouston, and then with Northumbrian UAS, circa 1960-64. This was the Chipmunk in which the author had a 30-minute air experience flight at Ouston, on 5th May 1963.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WG465, sold by the RAF in May 1974 and now G-BCEY, airworthy and based at White Waltham airfield in Berkshire. This aircraft has an extensive history at RAF Ouston, having served with 13 Group Communications Flight, later renumbered 11 Group CF, also Durham UAS and Northumbrian UAS, all from circa late 1950's until 1974.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WG469, sold by the RAF in 1995 and became G-BWJY. Airworthy at Dunkeswell Airfield in Devon, and still flown in its final RAF colours, now with some 15,000 hours 'on the clock'. It served with Northumbrian UAS at Ouston in the 1960's.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WG470, became G-BBSS in 1973, and is airworthy with the Coventry Gliding Club at Husbands Bosworth airfield in Leicestershire, now with a Lycoming engine. Ex Durham UAS and Northumbrian UAS at Ouston, 1962-66. The photo (below) was taken on 23rd June 1974 at Currock Hill gliding airfield near Hedley on the Hill, Northumberland. Before leaving RAF service in 1973 WG470 had served with 2 FTS at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire, and been repainted in the later RAF training colours of light grey, red and white. It retained these colours on becoming G-BBSS, and for glider towing it has been fitted with a rear view mirror, and a towing lug under the tail. The photo looks northwards across the Tyne Valley, almost directly towards RAF Ouston in the centre of the picture, and in clear weather the two airfields were visible to each other.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WG478, sold by the RAF in 1995 and exported to Australia, Becoming VH-TMX. Subsequently re-registered VH-MMS and airworthy in Queensland. It had served with Durham UAS at Ouston, probably in the late 1950's to early 60's.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WG482, sold by the RAF in May 1974 and exported to the USA, becoming N754RB. Currently airworthy at Santa Paula Airport, California, but modified to Canadian Air Force configuration with 'blown canopy' etc, and marked as '18018' (sic). It had served with Durham UAS at Ouston in the early 1960's.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WG484, sold by the RAF in August 1956, it was exported Australia and converted for crop-spraying, suffering several accidents. In 1972 it was sold in the USA as N13DW, and extensively converted to a 'Super Chipmunk' configuration for airshow work. Further conversions followed, and it now has 'open cockpits', and a Lycoming engine. It remains airworthy in Los Angeles, still officially a 'Super Chipmunk'. Its last RAF user was Durham UAS, based at RAF Usworth, Sunderland, and probably occasionally using RAF Ouston.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WK474, sold by the RAF in November 1974, becoming G-BCSL (illustrated below in its first blue colour scheme at Blackpool Airport in August 1983, and its later red scheme at the Isle of Man Airport), airworthy and based at Liverpool Airport, ex Northumbrian UAS Ouston 1974

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WK507, sold by the RAF in June 1975 and exported to Australia, becoming VH-SSJ. It remains airworthy in its final RAF colours, based in Queensland. It had served with Durham UAS, initially at RAF Usworth, Sunderland and then RAF Ouston circa 1957.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WK517, sold by the RAF circa 1975 and registered G-ULAS, it remains airworthy at Goodwood Airfield in an early style RAF colour scheme. It had a varied military career, serving with the RAF, the Army Air Corps, and the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. Its last military user was 11 Air Experience Flight at RAF Ouston, this being its second posting to 11 AEF, in the early 1970's.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WK520, became G-BARS in February 1973 but later repainted in a Portugese Air Force scheme as '1377' (illustrated below). Airworthy at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, ex Durham UAS Ouston 1962

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WK553, sold by the RAF in August 1975 and exported to the USA, becoming N553DB in 1983. Extensively modified with a 'blown canopy' and Lycoming engine, plus an awful spurious 'RAF camouflge' scheme, it remains airworthy in Washington DC. It had served with 11 Air Experience Flight at RAF Ouston circa 1970.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WK554, sold in South Africa in 1997 as ZS-DHC, and assumed to be airworthy, location not known. Ex Northumbrian UAS Ouston 1966. [NB the author recorded this aircraft at Ouston in 1966, but its official record does not include any of Ouston's units.]

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WK572, sold by the RAF and exported to South Africa, becoming ZS-OWJ, believed airworthy at Rand SA, ex Northumbrian UAS Ouston 1965. [NB the author recorded this aircraft at Ouston in 1965, but its official record does not include any of Ouston's units.]

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WK573, sold by the RAF in December 1974 and exported to South Africa, becoming ZS-JPT, believed airworthy at Rand South Africa. Ex Durham UAS and RAF Acklington's Station Flight in the 1960's, also Northumbrian UAS at Ouston in 1974 (on loan from Nottingham UAS).

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WK588, sold by the RAF to the Malaysian Air Force in January 1959, and subsequently sold on to the USA, becoming N4996 in 1980. Airworthy in Toledo, Ohio, and flying in an accurate early RAF colour scheme. In the 1950's it had served with Durham UAS, probably at RAF Usworth, Sunderland, but possibly moving with the UAS to RAF Ouston in 1957.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WK589, sold by the RAF in July 1975, and exported to the USA as N589WK. Currently resides at Frasca Air Museum, Frasca Field, Illinois, but also has been registered as airworthy since 1997, so it may be a flying museum exhibit, and remains in its last RAF colour scheme. It served twice with Durham UAS, firstly at RAF Usworth, Sunderland in the 1950's, and again in the late 1960's at RAF Ouston.

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WK627, also now South African civil registered ZS-JIT, believed airworthy at unknown location. It is also the only ex-Ouston Chipmunk to still be flying in its original colours of light aircraft grey with day-glo strips and dark blue fin & wing tips. Ex Northumbrian UAS Ouston 1971-74

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WK633, now G-BXEC, airworthy at Duxford airfield in Cambridgeshire, ex Northumbrian UAS Ouston 1971-74

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WP799, now G-BCSA and modified with a Lycoming engine, airworthy with Shenington Gliding Club's airfield at Edge Hill, ex Northumbrian UAS Ouston 1971-74. The following photo shows an earlier view of G-BCSA, glider towing at RAF Dishforth, North Yorkshire on 5th September 1976, just two years after leaving Ouston. The basic colour scheme remains as worn at Ouston and even the UAS badge still adorns the fin, however, the rear fuselage has been crudely overpainted, as has the dark blue fin. The RAF roundel has had the initials "RAF GSA" added, for the RAF Gliding and Soaring Association. The second photo was also taken at RAF Dishforth, on 7th October 1976, by which time the day-glo fablon strips had been removed, and there is also a replacement white fairing at the base of the fin. G-BCSA, trailing its towing cable, can be seen taxying to the front of the line of gliders waiting their turn for an aero tow. The former Tyneside connection is enhanced by the former Newcastle Corporation Bus, modified as a mobile control vehicle

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WP804, exported to Australia and civil registered VH-QOZ, airworthy at Bankstown Airport NSW. Ex Northumbrian UAS Ouston 1971-74

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WP845, converted by RAF to a 'Chippax' instruction trainer which reduces the aircraft to a fuselage and cockpit only. Usually issued to Air Training Corps squadrons for Cadet training. Since sold to a private owner and located at Bruntingthorpe Airfield in Leicestershire. Ex Northumbrian UAS Ouston 1971-74

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WP899, sold to private owner in 1975 and placed on civil register as G-BCSB. The following photo shows it at RAF Cosford on 3rd April 1977, still in its later RAF training colours. It was based at Cosford for use as a glider tug with the RAF Gliding & Soaring Association, and was sadly involved in a fatal accident in 2004 when the 52-year old pilot suffered a heart attack during take-off . The glider it was towing released the cable and landed safely. The damaged G-BCSB is currently stored at RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire, possibly as spares source for civil Chipmunks. Ex Northumbrian UAS Ouston 1966-74

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WP975, became G-BAVH in 1973, airworthy with Portsmouth Naval Gliding Club at Lee-on-Solent airfield in Hampshire. Ex Durham UAS Ouston 1962-66. The following photo shows G-BAVH glider towing at RAF Dishforth, Yorkshire in May 1976, still in its final RAF colours of red, white and light grey

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WZ849, became G-BBMU in 1973, later sold in the USA as N31351, believed airworthy in Washington DC. Ex Northumbrian UAS Ouston 1965-66

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WZ858, became G-BBSE in 1973, later re-registered G-DHCI but destroyed in a hangar fire (arson, nine light aircraft destroyed) in 2003 at Felthorpe airfield, Norfolk. Ex Northumbrian UAS Ouston 1965-68

De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WZ884, became G-BXGL, airworthy at Parham Park airfield in West Sussex. Ex Northumbrian UAS Ouston 1965-66

De Havilland DH.82a Tiger Moth G-AMLF, now N675LF (carries spurious marks G-ADNV), airworthy at Santa Paula California, ex Airwork Ltd civilian employee at RAF Ouston mid-1960s

De Havilland Dove 6 G-AOUF, was sold in Germany in 1968 as D-IBYW, but soon moved to Denmark as OY-DHZ flying with Cimber Air until 1979. Since preserved and restored as an exhibit with the Dansmarks Flymuseum at Stauning Airport. Ex C.A. Parsons & Company Ltd, North East Regional Airport at Ouston (during Newcastle Airport runway resurfacing 1966-67)

De Havilland Dove 6 G-ARMT, now N104DV, museum exhibit with World Aviation Museum, Westcliffe Colorado, ex North East Regional Airport at Ouston (during Newcastle Airport runway resurfacing 1966-67). The following two photos of N104DV were taken at Falcon Colorado by Bryan Tyrrel on 8th May 2021, and kindly supplied by Tracy McDonald

De Havilland Vampire FB.5 VZ838, the only known survivor of 607 Squadron's Vampire jets is to be found far far away in New Zealand. After service at Ouston it was sold to the Royal New Zealand Air Force in January 1955, becoming NZ5758. It subsequently became an instructional airframe with the RNZAF, serial INST196, and is now on display at the Ferrymead Heritage Park, Christchurch. It actually belongs to the Ferrymead Aeronautical Society, one of the volunteer partner groups within the Ferrymead Trust.

Douglas Dakota 3 G-AKJH, sold to Swazi Air, Africa in 1968, then various African owners including Air Botswana; Protea Airways of South Africa; Rhodesian Air Force; Air Force of Zimbabwe; and last recorded being up for auction in 2011. Ex Gregory Air Services, ex North East Regional Airport at Ouston (during Newcastle Airport runway resurfacing 1966-67)

Douglas Dakota 3 G-AMPP, with Dan Air Services until 1971 when withdrawn from use and preserved at Dan Air's base at Lasham in Hampshire. Painted with the registration 'G-AMSU' to commemorate Dan Air's first Dakota. Sold in 1991 for use in a German film about the Berlin Airlift ("Die Luftbrucke" 2005) and marked with incorrect RAF serial KN491. Its dismantled remains were then sold and are believed to be stored at Olawa in Poland. Ex North East Regional Airport at Ouston (during Newcastle Airport runway resurfacing 1966-67)

Gloster Meteor T.7 WF833, sold to Israeli Air Force, then converted for Target Tug work for Swedish Air Force as SE-CAS, now museum exhibit at Linköping Flygvapenmuseum, Linköping, ex 607 Squadron Ouston c 1955

Gloster Meteor F.8 WK991, was last used by the RAF as a target towing aircraft until 1961 when it was placed in store with the maintenance serial 7825M. In December 1963 it was transferred to the Imperial War Museum collection for preservation, initially just its nose section being displayed at Lambeth, but later as a complete airframe at Duxford, Cambridgeshire where it remains on public display (illustrated below). Prior to being converted for target towing it was allocated to 13 Group Communications Flight at RAF Ouston, serving there from November 1957 until 24th March 1958.

Gloster Meteor T.7/8 hybrid WL419, airworthy with Martin Baker Ltd at Chalgrove Airfield in Oxfordshire as an ejection seat test bed (illustrated below). It is now painted in an all-black colour scheme. Ex 13 Group Communication Flight Ouston 1957-60.

Hawker Hurricane IIc LF363, (illustrated below), airworthy with RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby, ex 62 OTU Ouston 1945. This aircraft has never left RAF charge and remains the RAF's oldest serving aircraft. It is regularly repainted in different squadron colours and camouflage schemes to commemorate famous Hurricanes in the RAF's history.

North American Harvard 2b Numerous RAF Harvard trainers survived into post-war service, with many more being exported worldwide. Many of these subsequently were sold onto the civil market, and the type remains a common sight in many places. However, following an extensive search, no example of an ex-Ouston Harvard has been found despite several dozen examples having been based at Ouston from 1946 - 51. Particular care should be taken regarding a Harvard called "Cathy" in the Dutch Lelysted Aviodrome Museum, for long displayed without a visible serial number. It is actually ex-RAF FT228, later serving as B-73 with the Dutch military, but at some point its identity was incorrectly published as being ex-FT288 (which did serve at Ouston with 607 Squadron).

Hunting Provost T.1 XF545 is a former 6 FTS trainer that was based at RAF Acklington from August 1961. It would have been a frequent user of RAF Ouston, which was Acklington and 6 FTS's satellite airfield. When the Provost T.1s were replaced by Jet Provosts circa 1963, XF545 became a ground instruction airframe with the maintenance serial 7957M, and as such it joined the RAF Finningley musem collection, Finningley being the new home of 6 FTS from 1967. In this photo it is seen at the Finningley Battle of Britain display on 20th September 1975, and at that time it was still wearing its 6 FTS colour scheme, badge, code 'P' and individual letter 'Z', just as it would have appeared at Ouston. The Finningley museum collection was eventually disposed of or scrapped, but XF545 went on external display (repainted) at RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Then around 1990 it was sold into civilian hands and to this day it remains stored and dismantled at Bucklebury, Berkshire with Sylmar Aviation.

Percival Proctor III VH-BQR, preserved and on display at The Aviation Heritage Museum, Bateman, Perth, Australia. It was originally built as a Mk.II for the RAF, serial Z7203 and was subsequently converted to a Mk.III. Among other RAF users it was issued to Woolsington Station Flight (now Newcastle Airport), followed by 13 Group Communications Flight at RAF Ouston, circa 1942-43. It was sold onto the civil register in January 1949 becoming G-ALIS, and then it November 1952 it was sold in Australia becoming VH-BQR. Eventually grounded due to wood glue deterioration it was given to a technical college, before being rescued for restoration and museum display.

Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche G-ATEW, still airworthy with Air Northumbria at Newcastle Airport, ex North East Regional Airport at Ouston (during Newcastle Airport runway resurfacing 1966-67), and then belonged to Cromwells Furnishings Ltd

Slingsby Cadet TX.3 WT872, was 'written off' following an accident with the RAF in 1977, but was then issued to an Air Cadet unit for ground instruction. Its subsequent fate is unknown, but it may still survive as parts. Ex 641 Gliding School Ouston 1965

Slingsby Cadet TX.3 WT873, was sold by the RAF in 1983, becoming G-BZLK in 2000 on the civil register, but subsequently transferred to the British Gliding Association register as BGA2976, airworthy at Lasham airfield in Hampshire, ex 641 Gliding School Ouston 1965. Now reported to have been converted to a single-seat motor glider.

Slingsby Cadet TX.3 XE802, was sold by the RAF in 1985, becoming BGA5283 on the British Gliding Association register, and airworthy in the Plymouth area. Ex 641 Gliding School Ouston 1965

Slingsby Cadet TX.3 XE806, became BGA3135/FBS on the British Gliding Association register, and airworthy with the North Devon Gliding Club at Eaglescott airfield. Ex 641 Gliding School Ouston 1965

Slingsby Cadet TX.3 XN244, was still in existence in 1986 when it was sold on the civilian market, but current location is unknown. Presumably stored somewhere, ex 641 Gliding School Ouston 1973

Slingsby Cadet TX.3 XN250, now BGA4746/JSP, stored Deelen Netherlands, ex 641 Gliding School Ouston 1973

Slingsby Cadet TX.3 XN288, now motorised as EI-CJT, stored Irish Republic, ex 641 Gliding School Ouston 1973

Slingsby Prefect TX.1 WE985, now BGA2333/DSA, airworthy at the Kent Gliding Club airfield, Challock, ex 641 Gliding School Ouston 1967

Slingsby Sedburgh TX.1 XN187, now BGA3903/HFE, airworthy with RAF Halton civilian gliding club, ex 641 Gliding School Ouston 1973

Slingsby T.43 Skylark 3B BGA 823, tail code 'BAW', this vintage single seat, civilian glider has been on the British Gliding Association register since new in February 1958. In that year it was purchased by two of the RAF Gliding Instructors at Ouston, namely Stuart Temple and Mark Scott, who regularly flew it at Ouston until circa 1965. It remains airworthy, now based at the Midland Gliding Club at Long Mynd in Shropshire. [Image kindly provided by the current owner, Nik Read]

Supermarine Spitfire 1a P9306, displayed in the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry (illustrated below)to where it was gifted by Britain in 1943. This aircraft fought in the Battle of Britain in 1940, and is credited with three 'kills'. It was also shot down, but repaired and fought on. In July 1941 it was re-issued to 131 Squadron, coded 'NX-M' and flown by the Belgian pilots of 'B' flight. 131 Squadron had re-formed at RAF Ouston in June 1941, but soon moved to RAF Catterick in North Yorkshire during July 1941. There is therefore some doubt whether or not P9306 joined the Squadron at Ouston, or went straight to Catterick, but nevertheless its connection to the Belgian pilots of RAF Ouston is strong. [Image from public website of Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.]

Supermarine Spitfire LF.16e TE184, now G-MXVI, converted to 'high-back' configuration plus pointed wingtips (illustrated below), airworthy, ex 607 Squadron Ouston 1950

Supermarine Spitfire LF.16e TE462 / 7243M, delivered by road in 1955 to be displayed on the gate at RAF Ouston. Painted with the code letters 'RAN-B' of 607 Squadron (but never served with them), and repainted several times in the years up to 1970, when it was moved to the Scottish Museum of Flight at East Fortune. Currently still on display there (illustrated below).

Supermarine Spitfire PR.19 PS853, airworthy as G-RRGN (illustrated below) with Rolls Royce at East Midlands, ex 3 week hangar stay in September 1974 at Ouston following engine failure displaying over Tyneside with the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. See also separate page on this website entitled Last Spitfire at Ouston