An exhibition by No. 614 (County of Glamorgan) Squadron
Sponsored by Hefin David MS and Darren Millar MS
Dates: 8 November 2024 - 4 January 2025
Location: Pierhead Futures Gallery
This exhibition tells the story of Wales' only RAF Reserve squadron - Number 614 (County of Glamorgan) Squadron - from its foundation in 1937 to the present day.
The squadron is part of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, which was founded 100 years ago and this exhibition is being held as part of the commemorations for its centenary.
The exhibition commemorates those who served and those who gave their lives in war and peace and the contribution the squadron makes to the RAF and to public life in Wales today.
Through the use of still images, video interviews, archive footage and artefacts it tells how men and women from Wales have served in the RAF through Number 614 (County of Glamorgan) Squadron.
It also reflects the international element of the squadron's service. From our deployment to North Africa and Italy during the war - our current members have served overseas in Cyprus, Ethiopia, Egypt, Estonia, France, Iceland, Korea, Morocco, Norway, Oman, Romania, the UAE and the USA. These deployments include exchanges which have seen personnel come to Wales to visit the Squadron and our country.
Finally, the exhibits also tell of the many ways we engage with a variety of communities in Wales and the important relationship we have with the employers of our reservists, whose support is vital.
Images
1 - Bisley in Algeria. Groundcrew of 614 Squadron load bombs on to a Bristol Bisley bomber at Canrobert in Algeria, 1943.
2 - Cathy Sharples in Estonia with Typhoon. Photographer Cathy Sharples of 614 squadron, pictured with an RAF Typhoon jet, while deployed in Estonia in support of the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission.
3 - Vampire at St Athan. 614 Squadron personnel in front of a Vampire jet at South Wales Aviation Museum at St Athan. The aircraft is painted in 614 Squadron colours to mark the 100th anniversary of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and are of the kind the squadron's aircraft wore when it was based at Llandow in the 1950s.
4 - Hawker Hectors over Cathays Park. Hawker Hectors of 614 Squadron over Cathays Park in Cardiff in May 1939. Visible below are the Royal Welsh college of Music and Drama, The Temple of Peace and one of the buildings which now houses the Welsh Government.
