Part 7 - North West Norfolk

The American and RAF Bomber command influences extended far beyond the boundaries of the Midlands. Norfolk saw a huge influx of aircrew, staff, troops and associated hardware. Many of the airfields built in East Anglia were destined to last only a few years, basically as long as the war would last. However, like their midland counterparts, many would go on beyond that time and have a lasting effect on the locals and the landscape of Norfolk and Suffolk.

This trip goes to the area of North West Norfolk, with the boundary of Cambridgeshire. Starting on the fringes, there is a little known airfield, yet its history is one that should never be forgotten. Not only did many bomber crews leave here never to return, but not one but TWO crew members were given the highest award for bravery in the face of death. It is of course RAF Downham Market (Bexwell).

RAF Downham Market.

Located in the corner of the now A10 and A1122 little remains of the airfield bar a few technical buildings used by local industry. Originally opened in 1942 Stirlings from 218 squadron and Mosquitos from 608 squadron were based here, along with other several other units until the base closed in 1946. At it’s peak, Downham boasted seven T2 hangers, none of which survive today. The three tarmac runways were dug up to supply hardcore for the A10 but if you look carefully, odd parts of the perimeter track can been seen as roadways or paths. Certainly from the air, the general outline is partially visible. 

View toward the peri track.

At ground level, the discerning eye and a general appreciation of airfield structure and layout, suggest a presence of something more interesting. Huts, whilst in very poor condition, poke through overgrown trees and bushes and provide shelter and storage facilities for the local industry. The condition of windows and brickwork suggest that time is gradually running out for this once thriving airfield. The original fence, always a bit of a give away, rather precariously surrounds the area, and concrete roadways lead the eye to what was the perimeter track and the runways of yesteryear. The RAFs pathfinder group, 635 squadron, flew daring missions in Lancasters, and a site dedicated to the crew and personnel of the squadron can be found at http://635squadron.com/. A superb collection of photographs and personal accounts bring their memories alive.

The end of one runway, North.

Further examination reveals what would have been the location of the end of the North / South runway. Now built upon, some original buildings still remain in use albeit only just and for the time being.

Dilapidated buildings

Across the road from the airfield is Bexwell church. Here a small memorial is placed telling the stories of two heroic and brave crew members. Flight Sergeant Arthur Aaron, who whilst severely injured, unable to speak or use his right arm, managed to assist the bomb aimer in landing their stricken Stirling in the dark with the undercarriage up.He later died from his wounds. The second, Acting Squadron Leader Ian Bazalgetts, flew his stricken Lancaster as ‘master pathfinder’ to successfully mark and bomb their target. He managed with enough strength, to successfully land the plane after allowing some of his crew to bale out. Unfortunately fate dealt a terrible blow and his plane exploded, killing him. Both men were posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for their actions.

Memorial plaque.

Whilst standing reading these dedications, two Tornados from the nearby RAF Marham, flew over, a fitting tribute, to a station originally built to serve as a satellite for the very same airfield.

 

RAF Barton Bendish.

On leaving Downham Market, travel East toward the A47 and Norwich. A few miles along, is a field, unmarked and to all intense and purposes, insignificant. It was however, believed to have been served by 26 and 268 squadrons for a brief time. Little exists about its existence or purpose other than recordings in the writings of RAF Marham personnel. Rumours state a ‘huge military (HQ) bunker’ and hard standings, but these are thought to be farmers concrete pans, abundant across the area. http://www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk/record-details?uid=MNF20129 No physical buildings (other than pillboxes) were ever thought to have been built and the airfield it was thought, was a ‘scatter airfield’ designed to store arms from the parent airfield (in this case RAF Marham) in case of attack. No other signs or records seem to exist of the airfield. Another case of an airfield disappearing!

RAF Marham.

Hidden away.

 No journey of this nature would be complete without stopping at an active airfield. In this case RAF Marham. An abundant amount of information and photographs exist about Marham and I won’t dwell on it here, but for the enthusiast good photographs can be taken from a number of sites around the airfield, with care and caution. Currently home to the RAF’s Tornado squadron, American built F-35s are soon to be stationed here replacing the Harrier as both RAF and Naval strike capability. I will leave you to decide the merits of that one.

On leaving Marham, continue East joining the A47. Driving along the road you enter the preserve of the USAAF. A huge number of airfields exist here, both bomber and fighter. Today we visit one that opened as a satellite to Swanton Morley, June 1941 and was home to Bostons of 2 group. Station 120.

RAF Attlebridge (USAAF. Station 120)

Hard runways were not built here until 1943, and in March 1944, the airfield

Bomb shelters hidden in the shrub.

became home to the 466^th Bomb group operating the 784th Bombardment Squadron (code T9), the 785^th Bombardment Squadron (code2U), the 786th Bombardment Squadron (code U8) and the 787th Bombardment Squadron (code 6L). Blenheims, Bostons, Mitchells and Liberators all played a role from this airfield over a period of time. It passed hands between the American and British forces on several occasions as units moved on elsewhere. The main runways and perimeter track of the airfield are very much evident and in good state. The three extensive concrete tracks now used to store turkeys. As this is private ground, access is not permitted, but good views across the

tracks can be gained from the road. There were minimal visible signs of buildings, but the control tower was extended and used at one point for the management of the site. http://www.controltowers.co.uk/a/attlebridge.htm More careful probing may reveal more than broken huts and bomb shelters laying waste amongst the trees. 

Looking along one of the runways.

It is possible to drive round the entire site, being only feet from the perimeter track at any time. Amongst these trees evidence can be seen of the airfields outer ring. Odd derelict buildings lay swamped by vegetation and trees. At entrances to the site,

good views along the runways give perspective of the size of the place. Hard standings and concrete pans lay on either side of the road, now used to store sugar beet and other produce from the local farmer.

As with other sites, its easy to picture a bustling base, aircraft rumbling along preparing to take off on what may be their last flight. Where man once stood, turkeys now breed, a sense of irony if you dig deep enough. Driving round, located at the south western point between the ends of the two longest runways, is a memorial dedicated to the personnel of the airfield who served and gave their lives.

A well kept memorial, it portrays a Liberator of the 466^th, 2^nd Division, 8^th Air force, the ‘Flying deck’ and the badges of each of the four bombardment squadrons. It tells of the 231 combat missions over Normandy, France, the Rhineland and the Ardennes. Dedicated in 1992, 50 years after the end of hostilities, a little reminder of those brave souls, whose home is now a turkey farm and who gave

Memorial to the 466th.

their all from this small part of Norfolk. After leaving Attlebridge, we move to a more recent closure and one of the RAF’s biggest airfields. RAF Coltishall. 

RAF Coltishall.

Built in 1939, Coltishall was originally designed as bomber base, but turned to house fighters soon after it’s creation. Used by 66 squadron, it played a major part in the Battle of Britain. Being home later to night fighter Defiants and Mosquitos, a role it continued well into the cold war with Venoms and famously the Jaguars. Again there is much information about Coltishall around and it’s history is both

Station badge.

interesting and well documented. At present, it is in generally good condition, although buildings are starting to deteriorate and nature is fighting a hard battle. The government have since opened a prison on the site (HMP Bure) and access is not permitted, (the man on the gate is very helpful and polite), but views can be found from various points around the field if persistence is strong enough.From one vantage point near the top end of the runway, you can see the runway lights, distant buildings and structures that form the airfield blocks. Standing by the crash gate, looking down the length of the runway, you can imagine the Jaguars and fast jets being practice scrambled and roaring off into the skies of Britain in search of invading soviet aircraft. I remember well seeing Jaguars and Phantoms racing across our skies, but at Coltishall it’s a sight I won’t unfortunately ever get to see. The Control tower now stands idle, overlooking the single runway, whilst further up you can see the main hanger and admin block (I believe) with the proud lettering ‘Royal Air Force Coltishall’ still prevalent. Along side are the badges of some of the squadrons based there. The front of the base used to be dignified, grand and over seen by an E.E. Lightning. Now they are all gone, even the guard room is falling into disrepair. A small metal sign says ‘Welcome to former RAF Coltishall’ as poor recognition of Britain’s flying history.

At the northern end of the runway, just out side the perimeter, is a small chapel dedicated to the people who gave their lives whilst at Coltishall. A small, peaceful place, that holds some surprises. Within the military headstones, there are several German headstones. Crew members shot down  during those terrible years of the Second World War. A stark reminder that causalities occurred on both sides, and that their ‘young men’ died over foreign shores as well as ours. 

I found this 25 minute video, made to celebrate the history of RAF Coltishall, I thought you may like it, or even know someone in it. http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/209623

From Coltishall, there are many more places worth a visit, within  a stones through numerous bases still lay dormant, regrettably, all quiet and fighting nature rather than some foe from far across the waters. Gradually our flying heritage is being lost, and it would seem, that in this part of the world at least, they are being ‘preserved’ through secondary use. A fate better  than total decay.

Footnote: from here, I also visited the City of Norwich Aviation Museum based on the outskirts of Horsham St Faith (Now Norwich airport) itself a former RAF base. A delightful little museum with many relics, pictures and stories from around the area. It features many of the bases and units mentioned above and is well worth a visit, http://www.cnam.co.uk/ . There is also a second museum, Norfolk and Suffolk Air Museum within easy travel from here http://www.aviationmuseum.net/ , it too houses aircraft from around the area and is well worth a visit. 

More pictures from the above are supplemented on Flickr search for 'halfpintpictures'

Part 6 - 'American Ghosts'

The American Air force played a major part in our aviation heritage. During the war many thousands, took off from airfields around the Eastern Region. Many never came home. These places have left an indomitable mark on not only our landscape, but the hearts of those they touched whilst here.

During this trail, I visited 5 airfields, there is a further sixth that I have also been to (Glatton now known as Conington) but that will be added later after a more detailed visit. Most of what was, is gone, and in terms of seeing things, there is really very little. However, the most determined of ‘expeditionists’, armed with thick gloves and big boots, will be able to find some evidence at some locations. It may be advisable to go in winter / autumn when there is less vegetation, rather than the summer as I did! The one thing on this trip that really struck me, was the close proximity of each one, literally only a handful of miles between them in some cases. The sight as they all took off and linked must have been incredible!

Kimbolton.

Kimbolton looking onto the airfield.

We start not far from the busy A14 to the south west of Graffham Water. Perched on top of the hill, as many of these are, is Station 117 - Kimbolton.

Kimbolton's Perimeter Track

Having a short life, it was home to the 379^th Bombardment group of the Mighty 8^th. Flying some 330 mission in B-17s. The site is split in two by the main road which uses part of the original perimeter track for it’s base. To one side is where the runways and dispersal pens would have been, to the other side the main hangers, admin blocks, fuel storage and squadron quarters. The former is now open fields used for agriculture and the later a well kept and busy industrial site. What was the main runway is crossed by this road where there is a kart track.

Memorial book listing those that never came home.

At the main entrance to the industrial site, is a well kept memorial. Two flags representing the two nations, stand aside a plaque showing the layout of the field as was, with airfield detail added.  Behind this, and almost un-noticeable, is a neat wooden box with a visitors book and a file documenting all those who left from here never to return. There are a considerable number of pages full of names and personal detail – a moving document. One of the B17 pilots, Lt. Kermit D. Wooldridge, of the 525th Bomb Squadron, 379th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force kept a diary of his raids, and many of the crew members mentioned in the memorial book appear in his diaries. These are currently being published by his daughter, and can be seen at https://sites.google.com/site/ww2pilotsdiary/  They tell of the raids, the crews and detailed events that took place over the skies of occupied Europe from June 29th 1943.

This is a lovely place to sit (benches are there) and contemplate what must have been a magnificent sight all those years ago. It made me think of the part in the film ‘Memphis Belle’, where the crew were sitting listening to the poetry just prior to departure, how many young men also stood here ‘listening to poetry’. The control tower would have stood almost opposite where you are now, with views across an enormous expanse. Here they would have stood 'counting them back'. Like everything else, it has gone and the site is now ‘peaceful’.

Grafton Underwood.

Dedication window

Leaving Kimbolton, crossing the A14 toward Corby is Station 106 – Grafton Underwood. This site is remarkable not only for the location, but it is the first and last airfield to see bombing action over Europe by the USAAF. Before you get to the airfield, you must visit the local church. Passing through the village you’ll see a signpost for the church, park here and walk up. Approaching the church, roughly from the East, you see a dark window which is difficult to make out. However, enter the church and look back, you will see the most amazing stained glass window ever. The vibrant colours strike quite hard. This commemorates the 384^th Bombardment group of the 8^th Air force. Next to it, someone has placed a handwritten note with the picture of a very young man Thomas K Kohlhaas and

Dedication to the crew of "sons o'fun"

the crew of B-17 ‘43-37713’ “sons o’fun”. It states that he, along with 3 others were murdered by German civilians presumably after bailing out of their stricken aircraft. This is a very moving and personal place to be.

When you leave the church, look on the wall of the porch and you will see two dedications. These list the location and names of trees, dedicated to the personnel of the mighty 8^th , that have replaced the runways on the airfield. Unfortunately these are on private land and are not accessible.

The memorial is bottom left by the road

Leave the church, turn left into the village, following the stream and then turn left up the hill. The memorial is on your right. Like most American memorials of the USAAF, it has the two flags aside the memorial which is well kept. When I visited, the keeper, a very interesting man, was there and we chatted for ages. The memorial stands on what was the 6000ft main runway and when you look behind you, you see what is left of it. Otherwise, like the others visited here, the remains have gone and it is open agriculture once more.

Grafton memorial

Grafton, like Kimbolton, is split by the road. Leaving the memorial drive back to the village, turn left and follow the road. Along on the right is the admin, crew, storage etc and the left the main airfield with its runways and dispersal pens. What is left of the main entrance, a large blue gate can be seen as you pass. Odd patches of concrete can also be seen through the thick trees but little else.

The remains of the runway

There a little further along, passed the equine sign, is another blue gate. Park here. This is the entrance to Grafton Park, a public space, and what was the main thoroughfare to the mess, barracks and squadron quarters. Grafton housed some 3000+ personnel of which some 1600 never returned. It is immense! Walking along the path, you can just see the Battle Headquarters, poking out of the trees. This site is very overgrown. The roads remain and are clearly laid out, some having been recovered with tarmac, but careful observations will see the concrete beneath. Keep on the ‘Broadway’ and you will pass a number of side roads until you come to the hub. This forms a central star, off from which were the aptly named: ‘Foxy’ cinema, mess clubs and hospitals. Careful observations and exploring - there are many hidden ditches and pits - will show foundations and the odd brick wall from the various buildings that remain. A nice touch to the hub, is that it is now a grassed area with picnic tables.

The Hub, now a picnic area.

You do lose a sense of this being an airfield; the trees and vegetation have taken over quite virulently and hidden what little evidence remains. Exploring the area, you will find some evidence, but you have to look hard. Walk back along the Broadway, and take the first turn left. Keep an open to the right, and you will see other small buildings, the officers’ quarters and shelters. Again, very careful footing will allow some exploration, but there is little to gain.

Considering the size of Grafton Underwood, and then fact that 3000 men and women lived here, there is little to see for the casual eye. A beautiful place to walk, Grafton’s secrets are well hidden; perhaps too well hidden, but maybe the fact that it is so peaceful is as a result and great service to those that fought in that terrible battle above the skies of Europe directly from here.

Deenthorpe.

Leaving Grafton behind, turn right and proceed in a northerly direction.

Deenthorpe memorial.

If you pass through Weldon, I believe there is another stained glass window in the church. But unlike Grafton’s, the church is sadly locked and the window therefore more difficult to see. Deenthorpe saw action by 4 squadrons from the 401^st Bombardment group, reputedly the ‘The best damned outfit in the USAAF’ They flew 254 combat missions and received two Distinguished unit Citations, had the best bombing accuracy of the mighty 8^th and the lowest loss ratio.

Whilst the village of Deenthorpe is off the A43, take the smaller A427 Corby to Oundle road toward Oundle. On A few miles along on your left is the airfield. Unlike most of the others, this is still activity here in the form of micro lights, using part of the original runway. Until recently, 1996, the original control tower stood proud, visible from the main road, directly behind the memorial. Now gone, there is little else to see bar a few stretches of tarmac and the odd brick constructions. Access to this is restricted, prior permission being needed before entering the site, so other than what you can see from the road there is little left here.

Modern activity on Deenthorpe.

The memorial is again flanked by two flags, is neat and well cared for. The runway layout is depicted on the memorial stone as it proudly states it achievements. I am led to believe the ‘Wheatsheaf’ pub further along was the haunt of many an American airman and has a 401 bar with photos and memorabilia. I was not able to visit unfortunately and cannot therefore verify this. Another day perhaps!

Next we retrace our steps back, turn north along the A43 toward Stamford. A short distance you will pass a golf club and then see tourist signs to ‘Deene Park’. Follow this, all the way to the end. A long windy road, narrow in places, it takes you through small picturesque hamlets to a T junction. Directly opposite you, is the entrance and memorial to Spanhoe Lodge.

Spanhoe Lodge

Spanhoe Lodge - Guard room?

Spanhoe information board.

Station 493, Spanhoe Lodge, lived a short active life and was home to 4 squadrons of the 315^th  troop carrier group flying C47s. It took the American 82^nd airborne, 1^st Polish and British 6^th Airborne into Normandy for the D-Day landings, Arnhem’s ‘Market Garden’ and the Rhineland. An active airfield for small light aircraft works here are involved in aircraft maintenance and preservation work. The entrance to the site does not reflect the history. Again because it is active, your are clearly warned not to enter without permission! From here you can see small ‘recently’ erected buildings and hidden behind the thicket, what was presumably the gatehouse. The modern users inhabit a very small portion of the original airfield, using part of the perimeter track as a runway. Much of the remainder has been dug up in quarrying exercises. There are, I believe, numerous footpaths that surround the site, but like many, these are difficult to pass and don’t offer any major advantage to what is left.

Spanhoe Lodge Memorial

The memorial itself, consists of a modern board detailing the group and squadron codes, and a stone obelisk listing the names of those crew members who failed to come home. It is placed outside the entrance and is well cared for if not a little weathered.

Leaving Spanhoe behind, return to the main road, keeping the airfield to your left, and then once at the A43, turn right and then immediately left. Follow signs to Oundle and Kingscliffe.

Kingscliffe.

Kingscliffe memorial

Unlike the other airfields in the tour, Kingscliffe was a fighter airfield. Pass through the village out the other side, under the odd twin-arched bridge and then right. A few hundred yards along and the airfield is now on your right hand side. The memorial is here, flanked by the two flags. It is a more elaborate memorial, being made with the wing of a Spitfire on one side and the wing of a Mustang on the other. Various squadron badges are etched into the stone and as the weather takes it’s toll, these are gradually disappearing.

Kingscliffe buildings

Kingscliffe saw both the Spitfire and Mustangs fly from this site. The P-51s replacing the P-38 Lightnings used originally. Looking behind the memorial you can see a number of brick defence buildings enshrouded in trees and bushes. Move along the road to your right and there is the main gate. Stating that it is an airfield, it doesn’t encourage entrance. However, walk or drive a little further and there is a bridal way that allows access to the site. Walking along around the edge of the airfield, you can see hidden amongst the thorn bushes round pill boxes, dispersal pens and air raid shelters. These can be accessed with careful treading. A considerable number of these exist close to the road and so extensive travelling is not required for the more ‘informal’ investigation.

Inside the shelter

Like many sites of it’s age, Kingscliffe buildings are overgrown, indeed entering them you can see how the roofs have become detached in many cases, and mature trees now the only inhabitants where personnel once stood. The control tower is still visible, but again it would be better to do this in the ‘lower growth’ seasons as it was very difficult to locate at this time.

The main part of the airfield is agriculture, and it can be seen from further back, why this site was chosen as the views across the landscape toward Peterborough and the south are stunning.

Overgrown buildings

There are a number of Internet sites, with more/better photographs than mine and they offer a much greater quantity of detail. However, not being fond of arrest, I tend to refrain from trespassing very far.

Kingscliffe concludes the tour, however, if you return back along the road, turn right away from the village, you will eventually find yourself sitting opposite one of the crash exits of RAF Wittering, the main station to which Kingscliffe was built as a satellite. Also along here, is a remnant of RAF Collyweston, an airfield absorbed into Wittering at the end of the war when it expanded ready for the V – force bomber aircraft and later the Harriers. Now closed to flying due to government cutbacks, it houses an army detachment and a small RAF detachment for maintenance duties only.

Much of the evidence from the American participation in the Air War of the Second World War has now disappeared, being swallowed up by natures determination to regain what was originally hers. Agriculture and small businesses have clung on to the remainder, leaving little to see. In some ways, and I touched on this earlier, the fact that peace has now taken over what were bustling camps of 3000+ personnel, the roar of four engined bombers laden with high explosives or troop carriers taking scared young men to the killing fields of Europe, is a reflection on their bravery and dedication. These areas are simply peaceful now because of the men that served, lived and died here and whilst they are now gone, maybe their ghosts remain.

Part 5 - de Havilland aircraft - Salisbury Hall.

This is not a trail as such like the others, but more a trail through time. It covers an area of aviation that is certainly one of my favourites and sits on the site of the old Salisbury Hall - as mentioned in the Doomsday book.An ancient and historic place, it was to be the place where de Havilland gave birth to that 'Wooden Wonder', the Mosquito.

As a child I have recollections of having my photo taken standing beside, what seemed, the enormous undercarriage of an amazing aircraft. Yet trawling through old photos, I am unable to locate it, perhaps it has been lost in moves, packed away in a box probably never to see the light of day again. However, the memory remains and since then, I have a always looked at the Mosquito with a certain awe.

Pride and Joy - The de Havilland Mosquito

Oddly, those memories didn't match what I actually saw. I seem to remember a number of Mosquitoes standing in a an outside area, all in superb condition, whilst the latter is true, the former is somewhat different. Maybe, my memory is a little jaded or maybe as time has progressed, changes have happened and the examples I saw, or thought I saw, have long since gone. Certainly in the day, it was referred to as "The Mosquito Museum" rather than the "de Havilland Museum".

The Mosquito was of course made famous by films such as 633 Squadron and 'Mosquito Squdaron' where David McCallum played the lead part as 'Dambusters' met 633 Squadron. Some time following these films, certain parts of the aviation fraternity were outraged at the 'needless' destruction of a Mosquito by raising the undercarriage whilst taxiing and then setting fire to it. At the time, it was little more than good effects, but looking back, it was a terrible waste of a beautiful and now very rare aircraft. 


The de Havilland Museum is now a sanctuary and time capsule for all things de Havilland. If you look behind some of the sheds you will see the largest collections of Mosquito wings, body parts and wheels ever; all wanting to be restored. However, before this turns into a Mosquito requiem, lets look back through time at de Havilland.

de Havilland Heron

The museum is located down a side road and you honestly believe you are driving down someones driveway. The museum is located very close to the M25, the traffic can be seen and heard a few hundred yards away. It, like many other museums, is run by a dedicated bunch of enthusiasts who put their heart and sole into making it work and preserving the history of the de Havilland aircraft Company. On site, which is relatively small, are a collection of some 15/16 aircraft and numerous bits of others, mainly whole, some in part but they are there and viewable.

de Havilland Vampire trainer

Most are kept outside, as a result, some are sadly in relatively poor condition, but that is not to say not loved and cared for. Like many, they crave money and time spent on them, a thankless and endless task. Each one a moment in time of the company. As you walk round the site, you walk through history. A Heron, Dove, DH125, Vampire and Venom await your inspection. What I liked about this museum in particular, was that they were open. The Vampire was of course, the link to my father and his tales from his RAF days. The Heron and Dove a reminder of the 'good old days' when civilian transport was in its relative infancy. Behind these, stands the fuselage of a Comet, closed off and looking rather in need of a lick of paint, it stands majestically as father of the fleet.

de Havilland Sea Vixen with an array of weaponry

Moving round the corner, a Sea Vixen, open and accessible, has an array of weaponry beneath it, reminding us that de Havilland Company were a major game player in the once thriving industry of weapons of war. It's cockpit a mass of buttons and dials. Ladders enable you to enter and sit at the controls of the 'oddly positioned' cockpit.As a youngster building Airfix models, the Illustrious and Ark Royal were both in the collection and the Sea Vixen, along with the Buccaneers, were tiny little aircraft I use to love playing with. Seeing inside put it all this into perspective for me.

Sea Vixen 'Office'.

Sitting behind the Vixen, is a small but dedicated room named the 'Pre War aircraft Hanger'. Compered to modern, even 'T' 'T2' or 'J' Type hangers, it's not a 'hanger' but more a room. However,  within it's walls are a small collection of some of the most beautiful examples of pre-war aircraft you are ever likely to see. Also, a small section of a Horsa glider, rescued from a farm in Kent where it was used as an animal sanctuary. Also here are examples, of models and artifacts collected over the years.

Returning back to the main entrance you pass the front section of a Trident. Again steps allow you to enter and experience life on one of Britain's most famous airliners. There are also various displays including the history of the de Havilland company, it's milestones and achievements. Next door, a workshop, where you can peer in and be amazed at the work it takes to restore these beautiful aircraft. On the opposite side, lies a small but poignant memorial dedicated to all those whose flew, or maintained Mosquitoes during and after second world war. Also, an almost insignificant concrete block. On closer inspection, it is a mould use to make the fuselage of the Mosquito.

Under restoration - the Prototype 'Wooden Wonder'

Of course, the main attraction. Originally designed to look like a barn to put off marauding attackers, the main and central hanger, is the very building where the first prototype Mosquito was built all those years ago. On entering, you come face to face with a Mosquito. Superbly restored to a beautiful condition, its the pride and joy of the museum. The work that must have gone into getting it such condition must be amazing. Next to it, stands the original prototype currently under restoration. Looking at this, you can truly see how it came by it's name, the Wooden Wonder'. A mass of struts, wooden panels and metal, they are truly superb aircraft examples and a testament to the work of the de Havilland company. Also in here, and somewhat overshadowed, are a Swiss Vampire and another Vixen painstakingly dissected and standing against the wall. Of course no de Havilland collection would be complete without the little Chipmunk. How many aircrew started their flying careers in this little delight?

Chipmunk

Swiss Vampire

Yes, many of the external examples are in need of a little tender care, but this is a rare corner of aviation history. A trail of one company's history through two world wars and a cold war up to the 1960s when British Aviation turned a corner. It is a unique collection of aircraft, cared for a by a small collection of volunteers, in a small rural location next to the expanding and overpowering monster that is London

The de Havilland Mosquito, a rare and beautiful aircraft.

.

 

for more information, oening times etc see www.dehavillandmuseum.co.uk