No 5 Squadron
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Canberra B2 of No 5 Squadron


Canberra B2 in pre camouflage livery

(Photograph SRAF)


Four Canberras in box formation

(Photograph RRAF)

Photo (right) made available by Keith Kemsley (through ORAFS), who was OC 5 Sqn in 1963 when they visited Cyprus.
Click on photo to read inscription.

Keith writes:
No 5 Squadron won the Cup for the best Navigation results during the Force Ex, this against all the RAF Canberra Squadrons in the Near & Middle East. Although not part of the Force Exercise we demonstrated, to observing RAF top brass, the low level strike ability of the Canberra's with our "home made under nose rocket system" by demolishing their Air to Ground Targets.

Though the Air Crew received high praise from RAF Headquarters their success could certainly not have been achieved without the full and extremely efficient support from the "Plumbers". The two little stories below illustrates a little of their efficiency and effort in support of the "Drivers Airframe"

No 5 Squadron Cyprus: Force Exercise between sorties. The Station Commander arrives at my office in his car in a state of high tizz. "Squadron Leader ! "What the hells going on" "I have just driven past your dispersal and your technicians are sunbathing instead of getting on with the turn around. Don't you appreciate that your Squadron is on immediate standby? My reply. "All our aircraft are serviceable and ready to go" His reply, Bull S.....! Now I am normally a quiet sort of a chap but when an outsider makes a statement like that I tend to get a little upset. I walked up to his car and opened his door. "Get in ! ". He complies and we drive down to the dispersal. His comment ' Sorry but as none of the RAF aircraft have as yet been turned around I thought.!!..........nuff said !

No 5 Squadron Cyprus: All Canberra's in the Middle East Air Force were grounded due to a problem with the oleo legs.
Special repair kits were flown out to Cyprus and each squadron was given two repair kits in the afternoon. At the briefing next morning, the only two Canberras that were back on line "serviceable" were those of No 5 Squadron. The RAF OC Flying was not amused.

1963 detachment to Cyprus. Click on photo for enlarged view.


Photo above thought to be early 1970s.