An Airlift to support the Airlift

During the Berlin Airlift RAF Honington, in England, was home to Transport Command’s Major Servicing Unit. Frequent take-offs and landings with heavy loads took their toll on aircraft and at Honington RAF engineers serviced aircraft engines, wheels, instruments and electrical systems. All of these components were vital to keep Transport Command aircraft flying and the Airlift moving. To ensure that these components reached the airlift bases in Germany, the Major Servicing Unit had its own small unit of Dakota transport aircraft, known as ‘Plumber Flight’. The quick and efficient transport of vital parts between Honington and Germany ensured that the RAF’s contribution to the Berlin Airlift could continue without interruption.