Meteorological Research Flight (MRF)

Snoopy - Boscombe Down after last flight 2001

XV208 was a C130K C1 operated by No 48 Sqn RAF at Changi, Singapore. The aircraft returned to the UK in 1973 with a damaged main spar. It was repaired and modified by Marshalls of Cambridge into the C130 W2 better know as SNOOPY. It was based at the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough from 1974 where it joined the existing Canberra PR3. The Canberra ceased experimental work in 1980 and Snoopy remained at Farnborough until experimental flying ceased; it then moved to Boscombe Down where it was operated by DERA until the aircraft was taken out of service in April 2001. A new aircraft G-LUXE, the original BAe146, entered service with FAAM in 2003 and is operated by a civilian crew.

Snoopy - Farnborough late 70s

 

Snoopy - XV208  

Ramp open showing removeable Equipment Bay 

 

Navigator Station 

Scientist Station 1

 

 Scientist Station 2

 The Sharp End

Formation with Cranfield Research Aircraft

 

MRF C130 and NASA Convair 990 crews and scientists on steps of 'Galileo' NASA Research Aircraft . The Came trials included radiometer calibration for future use on weather satellites. 'Galileo' was destroyed in a fire on take-off 2 years later.

 Exercise Came Barbados 1983

 

CAMBELTOWN - approaching RAF Machrihanish 83

 

Landing Machrihanish 1983 

     

MRF Aircrew Badge 

 

At work in the Bermuda Triangle 83 

   

 

Former MRF Staff

Peter Cockroft    Francis Wilson

 

1983 QSL Card

 

The Future....

 The Replacement Aircraft G-LUXE (photo BAe Systems)