Home / Squadron / 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron

44 (Rhodesia) Squadron

Fulmina regis iusta – (The King’s thunderbolts are righteous)

Badge: On a mount an elephant. Based upon the seal of Lo Bengula, the chief of the Matabeles on conquest. The seal shows an elephant which, in the case of this unit, is intended to indicate heavy attacks.

Formed at Hainault Farm, Essex, on 24th July 1917, as a Home Defence Squadron. Title altered to ‘No. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron’ in September
1941, in recognition of that country’s generous donations to the war effort. Equipped with Vulcans at Waddington in August 1960 until
December 1982.

Dear Reader

Thank you for taking an interest in this article.
Did you know that Vulcan to the Sky is a charity? We rely on merchandise sales and donations from you, the supporter, to enable us to look after XH558 and tell her story.
Please help us to keep delivering articles of interest to you by donating below, or alternatively visit our Shop or see what projects we currently have on.

Related Articles

The Last Flight of the Vulcan

On 28 October 2015, over 55 years after her first flight, Avro Vulcan XH558 – the world’s last airworthy Vulcan – flew for the final time.   XH558 is an aircraft of many firsts and lasts. On 1 July 1960, XH558…

The Last Flight of the Vulcan

Fact Files

Adrian Sumner

Someone with a true understanding and passion for the Vulcan is retired Wing Commander Adrian Sumner, who has flown around the world in this aircraft. Now a volunteer at the Vulcan to the Sky Trust, he explains his remarkable journey…

Adrian Sumner

Journals

Ramblings from the AEO’s Panel – Part 5

Barry Masefield was the Air Electronics Officer (AEO) for Vulcan XH558 and had flown in this iconic aircraft for over 30 years, also being a key member of the Vulcan Display Flight (VDF), the RAF Unit which memorably flew the aircraft on the…

Ramblings from the AEO’s Panel – Part 5

Journals

It started with a wink

It was a bright, sunny day at the Wroughton Airshow, the day Dr Robert Pleming first laid eyes on Vulcan XH558 in the late 1980s. Robert saw XH558’s airshow displays with the RAF Vulcan Display Flight (VDF) for many years.…

It started with a wink

Historical

Britain’s Nuclear Deterrent Development – Part Five

The Potsdam Conference was held near Berlin on 17 July 1945, the day after the Trinity test, and was to run until 2 August. The conference was for the ‘Big Three’ heads of state – Joseph Stalin (USSR), Winston Churchill…

Britain’s Nuclear Deterrent Development – Part Five

Historical

Britains Nuclear Deterrent Development – Part 11

William Penney, the man in charge of Britain’s bomb design, William Cook, his deputy, and the scientists at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment (AWRE) at Aldermaston in Berkshire did not have full knowledge on how to build a hydrogen bomb.…

Britains Nuclear Deterrent Development – Part 11

Historical

JOIN US

Stay up to date with all of the latest news and updates

Vulcan to the Sky swoosh

The Vulcan to the Sky Trust is registered with the Fundraising Regulator.

Registered address: Vulcan to the Sky Trust, Unit 4 Delta Court, Third Avenue, Doncaster Sheffield Airport, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN9 3GN Company No. 4478686. Charity Reg No. 1101948