Photographs & Stories - M. Westwood
XM103 at Ndola, Zambia. This photo was taken on 6th December 1965. At this time, 103 was with 84 Squadron RAF. In the background is a Hastings Transport (TG653) of 70 Squadron RAF.
XM103 took to the air for the first time on 23rd October 1957. Squadron service was reached in November 1958 with 30 Sqn when the aircraft was coded ‘K’. Prior to this, 103 had been with various maintenance units. It was slightly damaged in a ground accident in mid 1958.
In 1959, 103 went to 242 OCU. Whilst at the OCU, a battery explosion in flight caused damage to the aircraft which had to be repaired by the manufactures. After the repair, 103 returned to the OCU where it stayed till 1965 when it was camouflaged and sent to 84 Sqn coded as ‘J’. Whilst at 84 Sqn, 00103 claimed a Beverley record - a flight of 4,500 miles to air drop some 1 ton containers at Francistown, Botswana.