ALDERGROVE R.A.F.
Here are the men who helped put Aldergrove squarely on the aeronautical map with their pioneering endeavours.
This is the maintenance crew at 23 MU Aldergrove back in 1954. Sitting in the middle wearing a black suit is Jock Bain, the 'gaffer'. 3rd on the left is Ernie Jenkins then Billy Carson the rest of the men are unknown.
The planes they are working on are possible from the 502 Squadron - either C19 communications or T 21 trainers, the final variant of the Anson.

RAF 23MU
The three men standing are unknown but seated on the display lorry are Cecil Johnston, Artie Kirkpatrick and Samuel Steele who were joiners.
Samuel along with his two friends built the model Phantom jet in the wood shop section of RAF 23MU in 1968.

RAF 23MU
In this photograph taken at RAF 23MU in 1968 you can see the Phantom jet model working. The RAF pilot sitting in plane's seat every so often would press a button which made smoke pour out of the back of the plane. This was made for the Lord Mayor's Show in Belfast but it turned out to be that popular that it was used at other events. Sammy Steele by the way is second from the left the rest of the men are unknown.

RAF 23MU
Standing proudly at their completed display which was made at RAF 23MU Aldergrove in the spraying department of the Maintenance Unit are seated Sam Meehan and Jim Costella and standing in front of them are G.McCullough, J Anderson and Giles Mombay.
The year is unknown.

RAF ALDERGROVE FOOTBALL TEAM
It's 1945 and this is the RAF's Aldergrove Football team with Service personal having their photograph taken.
Here are the names that I have but their positions are not known: Southworth, Nicholson, Cowley, McDonald, Samuels, Scott, Parker, Pykett, Wilson, Green, Halagh and Brooks. They were a great winning team by the cups in front of them including the Glenavy Cup and the Charity Cup.
It's no wonder they were good for remember it's still wartime and the English League was cancelled, but these fellows all played for English teams!