Members of a Northern Ireland RAF Reserve Squadron have been honoured with a unique aircraft paint scheme ahead of the Northern Ireland International Airshow.
502 (Ulster) Squadron personnel were on the tarmac at Aldergrove Flying Station as a de Havilland Vampire, freshly marked in their historic squadron livery, arrived ahead of two planned weekend displays on the north coast.
The Squadron’s volunteer reservists flew the early fast jet variant from the County Antrim station in the 1950s, when the Squadron’s 12 jets were a common sight over the shores of Lough Neagh.
The distinctive ‘flash’ on the Vampire’s nose and fuselage hasn’t been seen on an aircraft since 1957.
The spare-time reservists were shown around the aircraft by its pilot, Royal Norwegian Air Force Brigadier-General Martin 'TinTin' Tesli.
The Vampire is flown by the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron and was marked to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, in 2024, and 502 Squadron’s centenary in 2025.
Wing Commander Steven McCleery, Officer Commanding, 502 (Ulster) Squadron, said:
“It is very special to see our Squadron markings proudly displayed on one of our historic aircraft in the skies over our home station once again.
“The NI International Airshow sees us celebrate the role Northern Ireland has played, and continues to play, in the RAF story. As the original RAF Reserve Squadron, formed in 1925, the Vampire’s beautiful livery scheme is a fitting tribute to the bold generations of aviators who went before us.
“We extend our thanks to the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron for this honour.”
502 (Ulster) Squadron was the first Reserve squadron of the RAF to be formed. in May 1925. The Second World War saw it specialise in Maritime Patrol, when it became the first unit to make a successful attack on a U-boat with Air-to-Surface radar.
The Squadron operated post-war until advances in jet technology saw the RAF decide to disband reserve flying squadrons in 1957.
The Squadron reformed at Aldergrove Flying Station in 2013 as part of the RAF Reserves’ growth and now operates as a General Service Support squadron, with medical, transport, intelligence, Police and media personnel regularly deploying to support RAF operations.
67 years after 502 (Ulster) Squadron retired their Vampires the RAuxAF is once again piloting RAF aircraft, with reservists recently conducting training flights on the P-8A Poseidon from RAF Lossiemouth.