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Maldivians wave goodbye for the last time
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Maldivians wave goodbye for the last time
Maldivians wave goodbye for the last time as a RAF Short SC-5 Belfast, XR369, Spartacus, prepares to leave from the island of Gan in the Indian Ocean. The airfield was handed over to the Republic of Maldives on 29 March 1976. Date: 1976
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Media ID 9899565
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10844301
Airfield Belfast Goodbye Handed Leave Prepares Spartacus Wave Maldives Short
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In this poignant photograph, Maldivians bid farewell to a RAF Short SC-5 Belfast, XR369, nicknamed "Spartacus," as it prepares to leave Gan Island in the Indian Ocean for the last time. The image captures a moment of transition, as the British military relinquished control of the island's airfield on March 29, 1976, marking the end of an era for the Maldives. The SC-5 Belfast, a versatile short takeoff and landing (STOL) transport aircraft, had been a vital means of transportation for the island nation, connecting its far-flung atolls to the outside world. The Maldivians, dressed in traditional attire, wave goodbye to the plane with a mix of sadness and excitement. Their faces express a sense of nostalgia, as they bid adieu to the familiar sight and sound of the RAF planes that had been a constant presence in their lives. Yet, there is also a sense of anticipation, as they look forward to a new chapter in their country's history. The handover of the airfield was a significant milestone in the Maldives' journey towards independence, which was achieved on July 12, 1979. The photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the Maldivians' resilience and their determination to chart their own course, despite the challenges they faced. The RAF Short SC-5 Belfast, XR369, affectionately known as "Spartacus," had been a reliable workhorse for the British military in the Maldives, and its departure marked the end of an era. The image captures a moment of history, as the Maldivians wave goodbye to the plane, signaling the beginning of a new chapter in their country's story.
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