Number 216 Squadron moved into RAF Lyneham
from Egypt for their first ever home based tour in late
1955. They squadron became the station's only jet-equipped
squadron when they received the De Havilland Comets
in July the next year.
The Comet aircraft is shown on the aircraft dispersal
at Lyneham and soon took over a VIP role as well as
being a long range trooper, and carried many of the
Royal Family. No 216 Squadron provided the Queen with
her first jet flight on 4th June 1957, when they flew
her and the Duke of Edinburgh from Marham to Leuchars
in Scotland.
The arrival of the Comet had brought with it a need
for a longer runway and in 1957 the main runway was
therefore extended from 6000 feet to its present length
of 7,830 feet.
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