Gan Island, Maldives

Best enlarged Scanned from a 1972 35mm slide This heron would stand nearby when people were fishing off the causeway waiting for his share of the catch. Needless to say he did not go hungry for long;-)

Scanned from a 35mm slide (best enlarged) The Nimrod design was based on that of the Comet 4 civil airliner which had reached the end of its commercial life (the first two prototype Nimrods, were built from two final unfinished Comet 4C airframes). The Comet's turbojet engines were replaced by Rolls-Royce Spey turbofans for better fuel efficiency, particularly at the low altitudes required for maritime patrol. Major fuselage changes were made, including an internal weapons bay, an extended nose for radar, a new tail with electronic warfare (ESM) sensors mounted in a bulky fairing, and a MAD (magnetic anomaly detector) boom. After the first flight in May 1967, the RAF ordered a total of 46 Nimrod MR1s. The first example entered service in October 1969. A total of five squadrons using the type were established; four were permanently based in the UK and a fifth was initially based in Malta.

Scanned from a 35mm slide XL426 is a B2 Vulcan and was the 44th of the 88 Vulcan B2s built. In common with all other Vulcans, she was constructed by A V Roe & Co. at its Chadderton, and Woodford plants, and made her first flight, lasting 95 minutes, from Woodford on August 23rd, 1962. After four further test flights, XL426 was collected by an RAF crew and entered service with 83 Squadron at RAF Scampton on September 13th, 1962. XL426 Squadron History 13/08/62 First flight 07/09/62 Awaiting collection 13/09/62 83 Squadron 21/06/65 Hawker Siddeley for refit 14/03/66 Scampton Wing 19/07/66 Hawker Siddeley for modifications 21/10/66 Scampton Wing 28/10/69 Hawker Siddeley for modifications 22/12/69 Scampton Wing 29/03/72 230 OCU 07/04/72 617 Squadron 28/06/72 230 OCU 04/07/72 617 Squadron 11/07/72 230 OCU 01/08/72 617 Squadron 13/04/73 230 OCU 16/04/73 617 Squadron 30/07/73 Hawker Siddeley for modifications 21/02/74 27 Squadron 21/02/74 617 Squadron 17/11/77 Hawker Siddeley for modifications 21/06/78 617 Squadron 13/02/81 RAF St Athan 28/05/81 617 Squadron 05/01/82 50 Squadron 01/04/84 Waddington Station Flight (for Vulcan Display Flight) 19/12/86 Delivered to R E Jacobsen, Southend Airport 22/12/86 Struck off charge 07/07/87 Registered as G-VJET to R E Jacobsen (Vulcan Memorial Flight) 28/07/93 Ownership transferred to Vulcan Memorial Flight Supporters Club 24/05/96 Ownership transferred to Vulcan Restoration Trust 11/07/97 Registered as G-VJET to Vulcan Restoration Trust XL426 was delivered to her new owner at Southend Airport on December 19th, 1986, following a 20 minute flight from RAF Scampton. On arrival at Southend, XL426 had amassed 6236 hours flying time, having made over 1800 separate flights. XL426 remains at Southend Airport under the care of the Vulcan Restoration Trust.

Scanned from a 35mm slide XL426 is a B2 Vulcan and was the 44th of the 88 Vulcan B2s built. In common with all other Vulcans, she was constructed by A V Roe & Co. at its Chadderton, and Woodford plants, and made her first flight, lasting 95 minutes, from Woodford on August 23rd, 1962. After four further test flights, XL426 was collected by an RAF crew and entered service with 83 Squadron at RAF Scampton on September 13th, 1962. XL426 Squadron History 13/08/62 First flight 07/09/62 Awaiting collection 13/09/62 83 Squadron 21/06/65 Hawker Siddeley for refit 14/03/66 Scampton Wing 19/07/66 Hawker Siddeley for modifications 21/10/66 Scampton Wing 28/10/69 Hawker Siddeley for modifications 22/12/69 Scampton Wing 29/03/72 230 OCU 07/04/72 617 Squadron 28/06/72 230 OCU 04/07/72 617 Squadron 11/07/72 230 OCU 01/08/72 617 Squadron 13/04/73 230 OCU 16/04/73 617 Squadron 30/07/73 Hawker Siddeley for modifications 21/02/74 27 Squadron 21/02/74 617 Squadron 17/11/77 Hawker Siddeley for modifications 21/06/78 617 Squadron 13/02/81 RAF St Athan 28/05/81 617 Squadron 05/01/82 50 Squadron 01/04/84 Waddington Station Flight (for Vulcan Display Flight) 19/12/86 Delivered to R E Jacobsen, Southend Airport 22/12/86 Struck off charge 07/07/87 Registered as G-VJET to R E Jacobsen (Vulcan Memorial Flight) 28/07/93 Ownership transferred to Vulcan Memorial Flight Supporters Club 24/05/96 Ownership transferred to Vulcan Restoration Trust 11/07/97 Registered as G-VJET to Vulcan Restoration Trust XL426 was delivered to her new owner at Southend Airport on December 19th, 1986, following a 20 minute flight from RAF Scampton. On arrival at Southend, XL426 had amassed 6236 hours flying time, having made over 1800 separate flights. XL426 remains at Southend Airport under the care of the Vulcan Restoration Trust.

Scanned from a 1972 35mm slide

Best enlarged Scanned from a 1972 35mm slide

Scanned from a 1972 35mm slide

Local islanders leaving Gan island for their home islands after their days work. Scanned from a 1972 35mm slide