History 1950 - 56 (5)

The Squadron was permitted to carry out its routine training without interruption until September 1955 when a flare up of activity in the Gaza Strip diverted attention to tactical reconnaissance of Egyptian dispositions and movements in the Zone. However by October the Squadron was making preparations for the ceremonial presentation of the Squadron Standard the following month.

THE SQUADRON STANDARD

In 1943, on the 25th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Air Force, King George VI announced his intention to award a ceremonial flag, which should be known as “the Standard”, to operational squadrons. He later made known his wish that there should be Colours for the Royal Air Force as well as Standards. The two alternative qualifying requirements the King laid down were that either the squadron must have completed 25 year in the Royal Air Force, the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, the Royal Flying Corps or Royal Naval Air Service, or it must have earned the King’s (now the Queen’s) appreciation for specially outstanding operations. 208 Squadron met both of these.

History - 1950 - 1956 (5)

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The pilots were accorded a magnificent reception throughout the journey and this, coupled with good serviceability made the exercise extremely enjoyable. The objects of the exercise were maintenance of the route to the Cape and liaison with the South African and Southern Rhodesian Air Forces. Four days were spent at Swartkop before the return journey commenced. The net result of this exercise was that some interesting navigation data was collected particularly regarding the effect of changes in specific gravity of fuel with temperature. As a footnote, morale of the force was sent soaring at Wadi Haifa when the airport manager translated the name the natives had bestowed on the Meteors. They called them “The Father of all Whistles”, as opposed to the more insignificant “Squeaking Bird” with which they referred to the Vampires!