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No 49 Squadron was re-formed at Wittering on1 May 1956 from personnel
of 'C' Flight No 138 Squadron. Equipped with Valiant B1 aircraft (the
first of the 'V' Bombers) the Squadron was tasked with carrying cut a
series of nuclear tests based on Christmas Island in the Pacific.
Initially the Squadron was commanded by Sqn Ldr D Roberts, DFC.
However by 2 September 1956 the Squadron had been brought up to
strength by additional crews from No 214 Squadron and No. 232 OCU and Wg Cdr K G
Hubbard, OBE, DFC assumed command. The nuclear tests were code-named
"Operation Grapple" and in May 1957, the Squadron made history, by successfully
dropping the first British nuclear weapon with a yield in the megaton range. The
first weapon was dropped off the island of Malden by Wg Cdr K G Hubbard and crew from
Valiant XD818; after landing all 5 crew members were awarded the Air
Force Cross.
The 'GRAPPLE' series of trials continued until November 1959 with nuclear weapons
being dropped by most of the Squadron's crews; the 2nd, 3rd and 4th
weapons being dropped by crews captained by Sqn Ldrs D Roberts, A G Steele and B T Millett
respectively.
From November 1959 the Squadron reverted
to the normal medium bomber role. It moved to Marham on 26 June 1961.
On 5 June 1964 Her Royal Highness Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent,
presented No 49 Squadron with its Standard, which was awarded in April
1959. No 49 Squadron was disbanded at RAF Marham on 1 May 1965 when all
Valiant aircraft were withdrawn from service.
Valiant XD818 is now on permanent display at RAF
Hendon and No 49 Squadron's Standard is laid-up in St Margaret's church
RAF Marham.
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