203 Squadron

With reference to my feature on 203 Squadron RAF (The Sunday Times, May 12) aviation artist and historian Richard J. Caruana has kindly passed on to me some more details about the unit in Malta.

The first Engineering Officer for the Nimrods of 203 Squadron arrived in Malta in February 1971. The first Nimrod Commander arrived in May of that year. He was Sqn Ldr M Peaker. The first Shackleton crews began departing for UK in June 1971.

The Nimrods, which were to replace the Shackletons, were due for Malta in July 1971 but were held at RAF St Mawgan due to the political situation in Malta at the time.

Eventually the Nimrods were released and the first pair were delivered to Malta in October, XV257 and XV258 captained by Sqn Ldr Paterson and Flt Lt Merrett respectively. Nimrod XV260 arrived in November 1971; and the last two Nimrods arrived in December, one being XV261.

When 203 Squadron withdrew from Malta, it had five Nimrods, which went to NAS Sigonella, while its remaining four Shackletons went back to RAF St Mawgan. The last Shackleton of 203 Squadron to fly out of Malta was WR989/K.

I would like to thank Mr Caruana for passing on these details. It must be recalled that he lived through all these events, and along with other aircraft enthusiasts, founded, also at the time, the Malta Aircraft Enthusiasts.

To mark the occasion of the reunion of former servicemen of 203 Squadron, Mr Caruana prepared an artist`s impression showing a Shackleton and a Nimrod flying in formation over Valletta.