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29th March 2006

Old Becomes New

Since July 2005 134 (Bedford) Squadron Air Cadets, have been working on Operation Cockerell, an engineering project to build and operate a two seat cruising hovercraft, and now it has been christened.

Named after Sir Christopher Cockerell, the British designer and inventor of the hovercraft concept, the project which is being supported by the Cambridge branch of RAF Careers has seen a considerable number of squadron members getting involved. Now, in a move to honour one of the RAF’s greatest aeroplanes and to maintain a link with 134 Sqn RAF the hovercraft has been named Hurricane. Also following RAF protocol it has been designated a T1, T standing for trainer as the vehicle will be equipped with dual controls to allow for instructor and student piloting. 

With the RAF naming its Eurofighters as Typhoons to honour a great plane of the past 134 (Bedford) Sqn ATC have followed suit with the hovercraft. While the Hurricane is best known as being involved with the Battle of Britain in September 1940 they also saw service further a field, during World War II 134 Squadron RAF flew Hurricanes against the Luftwaffe on the eastern front in Russia thus maintaining a historical link. 

The name may be from the past but the colour scheme is right up to date, the main finish will be air defence grey as worn by the Tornado F3 and Typhoon T1 & F2 of the RAF but instead of the low-viz pink and blue roundels they display the Hurricane T1 will show full red, white and blue. This will maintain a corporate image that was first seen on the 2004 Red Bull Soapbox Typhoon that was built by the squadron. The clenched Red Gauntlet that is the badge of both 134 Squadron RAF and 134 (Bedford) Squadron ATC will be displayed on the tail of the Hurricane.

While the Hovercraft isn’t yet ready to fly work continues at a good pace, most of the major construction work now complete. More information including a full record of the build can be found on the squadron website – www.134.org.uk

Link to Operation Cockerell Page