AV600-3 No II (AC) Squadron Panavia Tornado GR4 cover signed artist Ross Wardle No II (AC) Squadron is the oldest fixed wing squadron, although No 1 Squadron is older it started with Balloons and No 3 Squadron is just marginally younger, so to celebrate the Squadron's 95th Anniversary we were asked to produce a special commemorative cover to pay tribute to this remarkable achievement. The Squadron had Tornado ZD748 specially repainted with black fin and 95th markings such as 'Shiney Two' and the squadron crest - this paint scheme won the award at the RIAT 2007 Air Show. Obviously, we have selected this aircraft for the artwork and it is shown in flight. The painting was especially commission from Ross Wardle, who was one of the Matchbox Kits artists before the company dropped out of kit market. This cover has been handsigned by Ross Wardle, the artist of the cover (as some were requested by the Squadron - these are the spares) The cover differs slightly as our covers appear as 2 (AC) Squadron on the cover and the Squadron own covers appear as II (AC) Squadron. The cover has been flown in ZD848 by Wing Commander Andy Hine and Flight Lieutenant Leigh Borrow from RAF Marham and return. The cover bears first class definitive stamp cancelled with BFPS 3013 postmark for the 95th Anniverary of No II (AC) Squadron dated 13 May 2007. 13 May 1912 being the date of the Squadron being formed. 'The oldest fixed wing flying squadron in the world’ Formed at Farnborough on 13 May 1912 as one of the original Squadrons of the RFC, the Squadron quickly gained fame for a number of long distance flights around the UK. At the outbreak of WWI, No 2 Squadron became the first RFC Squadron to cross the Channel and concentrated on reconnaissance duties. On 26 April 1915, 2nd Lt Rhodes-Moorhouse was awarded the first air VC during a raid on Courtrai. In March 1918 a second VC was awarded to 2nd Lt AA MacLeod who saving the life of his observer after crash-landing between allied and enemy lines. After the War, the Squadron was based in Ireland on Army co-operation duties during the partition, and then embarked to China during 1927. After returning home the Squadron was based at RAF Manston and re-equipped with Atlas on Army co-operation work. Subsequent types flown include Audax and Hector biplanes and at the start of WWII was flying Lysanders. A brief spell in France as part of the BEF in 1939, No 2 Squadron returned to England and received Tomahawk fighter aircraft and then Mustangs in April 1942. In July 1944, No 2 Squadron returned to France with Spitfire Mk.14s and later the Mk.11 photo-recce version as part of the Army of Occupation. Through the 1950s the Squadron flew Meteors, Swifts and Hunters which remained until replaced by Phantoms in 1971. During 1976 these were replaced Jaguars whilst the Squadron was based at Laarbruch, Germany. Drawdown of the RAF in Germany saw No 2 Squadron return to the UK. It is now based at Marham and was originally equipped with the reconnaissance version of the Tornado, the GR1A, but now flies the updated GR4A version. Operational tours have seen the squadron (and its sister, No 13 squadron) concentrating on the unique capabilities of its aircraft in the low-level reconnaissance role, where their equipment is particularly suitable for hunting small, mobile, targets such as Scud missile launchers as was the case in Operation Telic.
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No II (AC) Squadron Royal Air Force