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North Weald Airfield (Ex RAF North Weald)

 

Gate guardian replica Hawker Hurricane Mk I V7313/US-F of RAF's 56 Squadron at North Weald Airfield

Gate guardian replica Hawker Hurricane Mk I V7313/US-F of RAF's 56 Squadron at North Weald Airfield. Photo by Bob Franklin

 

North Weald Airfield based in North Weald Bassett was founded in 1916 by The Royal Flying Corps, it continued to develop as an airfield between the two wars, with the construction of hangars and accommodation for Royal Air Force personnel. North Weald played its own part during the Second World War housing Hawker Hurricanes alongside Bristol Blenheim night fighters. North Weald's Hurricanes saw action over Dunkirk and played a key role in The Battle of Britain. Other aircraft operating from North Weald during the war were the Supermarine Spitfire. In later years the airfield was home to Gloster Meteors and de Havilland Vampire fighters. The last RAF squadron operating from North Weald was No. 111 Squadron flying Hawker Hunters (who left North Weald in 1958) with the RAF withdrawing from the airfield in 1964. The airfield was bought by Epping Forest District Council who still own it today.

The airfield continues to be a home to many vintage and veteran aircraft, such as Spitfire, Mustang, Kittyhawk, Hurricane, Dakota, Skyraider, Seafire and Harvard. Also North Weald is home to a Vampire, Gnats and Jet Provosts. North Weald is home to warbird operators such as The Hangar 11 Collection and Kennet Aviation.

 

 

Norwegian Wings Over North Weald - Friday 7th September 2012

 

General Dynamics (Fokker) F-16AM Fighting Falcon 686 (cn 6K-58) at Norwegian Wings Over North Weald

On Friday 7th September 2012 the sight and sounds of the Norwegian Air Force arrived at North Weald, a former RAF Battle of Britain airfield. The reason for the visit was that from 1943 to 1945 two squadrons No. 331 and No. 332 of the Royal Air Force were stationed at North Weald and flown mostly by Norwegians. Two F-16s also arrived with a C-130 Hercules which had a number of veterans and families on board. Also aircraft from the Norwegian Historic Flight arrived for this special occasion. The main event took place on Sunday 9th September. The veterans of Norway have been back regularly for the past sixty years. A fitting tribute.

 

Review by Bob Franklin

 

 

 

 

General Dynamics (Fokker) F-16AM Fighting Falcon 669 (cn 6K-41) at Norwegian Wings Over North Weald
Supermarine Spitfire HF Mk IXe G-PMNF TA805 - Spirit of Kent at Norwegian Wings Over North Weald
Royal Canadian Air Force (French: Aviation Royale Canadienne, formerly Air Command (AIRCOM) - Canadair CT-133 Silver Star 3 (CL-30) 133599 (cn T33-599) at Norwegian Wings Over North Weald
Fairchild PT-19A Cornell (M-62A) LN-BIF/163 (cn T42-7448) - Spirit of Little Norway at Norwegian Wings Over North Weald
de Havilland Vampire T55 (DH-115) LN-DHZ/PX-M (cn 990) and FB6 (DH-100) SE-DXS/K-PX (cn 705) at Norwegian Wings Over North Weald
de Havilland Vampire T55 (DH-115) LN-DHZ/PX-M (cn 990) at Norwegian Wings Over North Weald
de Havilland Vampire FB6 (DH-100) SE-DXS/K-PX (cn 705) at Norwegian Wings Over North Weald
General Dynamics (Fokker) F-16AM Fighting Falcon 669 (cn 6K-41) at Norwegian Wings Over North Weald
Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) (Norwegian: Luftforsvaret) - Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules (L-382) 5629 (cn 382-5629) - Nanna at Norwegian Wings Over North Weald
Supermarine Spitfire Tr Mk IX G-LFIX ML407 (OU-V) - The Grace Spitfire at Norwegian Wings Over North Weald
General Dynamics (Fokker) F-16AM Fighting Falcon 686 (cn 6K-58) at Norwegian Wings Over North Weald
General Dynamics (Fokker) F-16AM Fighting Falcons at Norwegian Wings Over North Weald

Images courtesy of Bob Franklin

 

 

North Weald Air-Britain Fly-In 2010 - 19th & 20th June 2010

 

Vampire Preservation Group - de Havilland Vampire T11 (DH-115) 15127 G-VTII/WZ507/74 at North Weald Air-Britain Fly-In 2010

North Weald hosted a mixed event which included resident aircraft on static display, including Kennet’s Skyraider and Seafire, The Vampire Preservation Group's Vampire T11 (which also flew later in the day) and also included a line up of Provosts and a Strikemaster. Early visitors included a DC-3 and Venom from Coventry and several Spitfires, a Hurricane and the Hispano Buchon from Duxford. Later in the day Maurice Hammond’s pair of Mustangs arrived. There were good photo opportunities to be had and a chance to talk to the aircraft owners and pilots. With a large display in the hangar with the added bonus of a large gathering of WWII veterans that were on hand to sign books, prints and share their experiences with the long queue of enthusiasts waiting to meet them, a well organised event.

 

US Navy - Stearman N2S-3 Kaydet (B75N1) N63590/143 (cn 75-7143) at North Weald Air-Britain Fly-In 2010
Piper PA-22-108 Colt G-ARON (cn 22-8822) at North Weald Air-Britain Fly-In 2010
Piper PA-22-150 Caribbean G-AREL (cn 22-7284) at North Weald Air-Britain Fly-In 2010
Piper PA-22-108 Colt G-ARNJ (cn 22-8587) at North Weald Air-Britain Fly-In 2010
Piper PA-22-108 Colt G-ARNG (cn 22-8547) Awful Red at North Weald Air-Britain Fly-In 2010
Erco 415D Ercoupe SE-BFX (cn 4413) at North Weald Air-Britain Fly-In 2010
US Navy - Stearman N2S-3 Kaydet (B75N1) N63590/143 (cn 75-7143) at North Weald Air-Britain Fly-In 2010
Vans RV-6 G-RVET (cn PFA 181-12852) at North Weald Air-Britain Fly-In 2010
Percival P-40 Prentice T1 G-APPL (cn PAC-013) at North Weald Air-Britain Fly-In 2010
Percival P-10 Vega Gull G-AEZJ (cn K.65) at North Weald Air-Britain Fly-In 2010
Bolkow BO-207 F-GZXM (cn 290) at North Weald Air-Britain Fly-In 2010
Auster J-1N Alpha G-BLPG/16693 (cn 3395) at North Weald Air-Britain Fly-In 2010
Auster J-1N Alpha G-BLPG/16693 (cn 3395) at North Weald Air-Britain Fly-In 2010
Rans S-6-116N/TR Coyote II G-BUWK (cn PFA 204A-12448) at North Weald Air-Britain Fly-In 2010
Yakovlev Yak-12M HA-HUB (cn 210989) at North Weald Air-Britain Fly-In 2010
French Navy - Morane-Saulnier MS-733 Alcyon (Kingfisher) G-MSAL/143 (cn 143) at North Weald Air-Britain Fly-In 2010
Vampire Preservation Group - de Havilland Vampire T11 (DH-115) 15127 G-VTII/WZ507/74 at North Weald Air-Britain Fly-In 2010
Vampire Preservation Group - de Havilland Vampire T11 (DH-115) 15127 G-VTII/WZ507/74 at North Weald Air-Britain Fly-In 2010

Images courtesy of Bob Franklin

 

 

The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures - Sunday 25th April 2010

 

Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX G-CCCA IAC-161 formerly PV202, Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX G-IXCC PL344 and Hispano Aviación HA-1112-M1L Buchon 223 G-BWUE (Ex C.4K-102 of the Spanish Air Force) at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald

North Weald being an Ex RAF station many years ago was brought alive for the Warbirds Fly-in. It was a nice pre-season warm up for the enthusiasts. The Aircraft Restoration Company (ARC) brought several aircraft in. One of which was the Buchon, painted back in the colour scheme in which the aircraft was flown in The Battle of Britain film. A lot of interest was shown in this aircraft, which was flown by John Romain and out in the public domain for the first time. Charlie Brown brought in a Spitfire with Dave Harvey flying the HAC Hurricane.

 

 

Vampire Preservation Group - de Havilland Vampire T11 (DH-115) 15127 G-VTII/WZ507/74 at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald
Noorduyn AT-16 Harvard IIB 14A-1431 G-AZBN/FT391 at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald
North American T-28S Fennec 119/N14113 Little Rascal at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald
Supermarine Spitfire HF Mk IXe G-PMNF TA805 - Spirit of Kent pilot Clive Denney at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald
Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb G-MKVB BM597 at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald
Supermarine Spitfire HF Mk IXe G-PMNF TA805 - Spirit of Kent at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald
Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX G-CCCA IAC-161 formerly PV202 at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald
Hispano Aviación HA-1112-M1L Buchon 223 G-BWUE (Ex C.4K-102 of the Spanish Air Force) at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald
Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX G-IXCC PL344 at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald
North American Aviation P-51D-25-NT Mustang G-MSTG 414419 Janie and P-51D-5NA Mustang G-MRLL 44-13521 Marinell at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald
North American Aviation P-51D-25-NT Mustang G-MSTG 414419 Janie and P-51D-5NA Mustang G-MRLL 44-13521 Marinell at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald
North American AT-6D Harvard III 88-16336 G-ELMH/42-84555/EP-H/D - Fools Rush In at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald

 

Other pilots who supported the day were Cliff Spink, Rod Dean, John Beatty and Ray Corsten. Another Spitfire attending the event was The Spirit of Kent flown by Clive Denney. Other aircraft attending were Harvards and Maurice Hammond's pair of Mustangs, which arrived late in the day due to adverse weather conditions. The largest aircraft flying in was a DC-3 in Air Transport Command colours from Coventry and of course North Weald's resident aircraft were on static display, including Jet Provosts, a Skyraider and the Seafire.

 

Percival P-40 Prentice T1 PAC/086 G-APJB/VR259/M at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald
North American Aviation P-51D-25-NT Mustang G-MSTG 414419 Janie at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald
Classic aircraft line up at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald
Hunting Percival P-84 Jet Provost T1 PAC/84/011 XD693 at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald
Supermarine Seafire Mk XVII G-KASX SX336 at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald
North American Aviation P-51D-5NA Mustang G-MRLL 44-13521 Marinell at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald
BAC (Hunting Percival) Jet Provost at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald
Percival P-56 Provost T1 PAC/56/335 G-MOOS/XF690 at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald
Pilatus P-2-05 600-30 G-PTWO/U-110 at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald
Nord 1002 Pingouin II 274 G-ETME/KG+EM (German designed and license-built Messerschmitt Bf 108B Taifun) at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald
Boeing E75 Stearman 75-5945 N4596N U.S. Mail at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald
Hunting P-84 Jet Provost T3A PAC/W/10138 G-BWOT/XN459 at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Departures at North Weald

Images courtesy of Bob Franklin

 

It turned out to be a worthwhile day for the enthusiasts, with an estimated crowd of over 2000 people. Proceeds from the entry fees were donated to Help for Heroes. Also of note were the World War II veterans who kindly gave up their time to meet the public and sign prints and books etc. Overall this event was a credit to those who gave their time to organise it.

 

Review by Bob Franklin

 

 

 

 

The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static - Saturday 24th April 2010

 

Yakovlev Yak-18T 22202054812 HA-YAD at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static
Extra EA-200 1034 G-EEEK at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static
Sukhoi Su-29 5151 HA-YAO at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static
Extra EA-300L 172 G-TENG at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static
Rutan Model 61 Long-EZ PFA 074A-10648 G-BLMN at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static
Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb G-MKVB BM597 at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static
Hawker Hurricane Mk XII G-HURI Z5140 at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static
Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX G-CCCA IAC-161 formerly PV202 at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static
Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX G-IXCC PL344 at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static
Canadian Car Foundry North American T-6 Texan (Harvard) lV 1747/G-BGPB - Taz at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static
Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX G-CCCA IAC-161 formerly PV202, Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX G-IXCC PL344 and Hispano Aviación HA-1112-M1L Buchon 223 G-BWUE (Ex C.4K-102 of the Spanish Air Force) at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static
Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina (28) 1785 N423RS/JV928/Y at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static
Douglas A-1 Skyraider 7722 G-RADR AK-402 126922 at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static
Hispano Aviación HA-1112-M1L Buchon 223 G-BWUE (Ex C.4K-102 of the Spanish Air Force) at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static
Noorduyn AT-16 Harvard IIB 14A-1431 G-AZBN/FT391 at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static
Bell UH-1H Iroquois (205) 13560 G-HUEY/560 - United States Army at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static
Beechcraft Super 18 at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static
Supermarine Spitfire HF Mk IXe G-PMNF TA805 - Spirit of Kent at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static

Images courtesy of Bob Franklin

 

Hawker Hurricane Mk XII G-HURI Z5140 at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static
Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb G-MKVB BM597 at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static
North American Harvard AT-6D 88-16849 LN-AMY/8084 at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static
BAC Jet Provost T.5P G-VIVM XS230 at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static
World War II fighter plane props line up at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static
North American AT-6D Harvard III 88-16336 G-ELMH/42-84555/EP-H/D - Fools Rush In at The Gathering of Warbirds & Veterans - Arrivals and Static

Images courtesy of Chris Cannon

 

 

Sir Sydney Camm Hurricane event at North Weald - Sunday 25th October 2009

 

Veterans at the Sir Sydney Camm Hurricane event at North Weald

This event was staged towards the end of the flying season and was organised by The Sir Sydney Camm Commemorative Society to help raise funds to buy and erect a Hurricane replica in Sir Sydney Camm's home town of Windsor to celebrate his life, 1893 - 1966.

This well organised event brought together four airworthy Hurricanes. Their owners and pilots and no less than twelve wartime Hurricane pilots. The veterans were on hand to meet and talk to the large gathering of enthusiasts and also carry out interviews and were available for book and print signings. All four Hurricanes were available to photographers on static display and the three visiting aircraft carried out flypasts on their departure in the late afternoon.

 

Hawker Hurricane line up at the Sir Sydney Camm Hurricane event at North Weald
Hawker Hurricane Mk IIB G-HHII BE505 Hurribomber at the Sir Sydney Camm Hurricane event at North Weald
Hawker Hurricane Mk I G-HUPW R4118 at the Sir Sydney Camm Hurricane event at North Weald
Veterans at the Sir Sydney Camm Hurricane event at North Weald
Hawker Hurricane Mk IIB G-HHII BE505 Hurribomber at the Sir Sydney Camm Hurricane event at North Weald
Hawker Hurricane Mk XII G-HURI Z5140 at the Sir Sydney Camm Hurricane event at North Weald
Hawker Hurricane Mk XII G-HURI Z5140 and Hawker Hurricane Mk I G-HUPW R4118 at the Sir Sydney Camm Hurricane event at North Weald
Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk IB G-BKTH Z7015 at the Sir Sydney Camm Hurricane event at North Weald
Hawker Hurricane Mk IIB G-HHII BE505 Hurribomber at the Sir Sydney Camm Hurricane event at North Weald
Hawker Hurricane Mk IIB G-HHII BE505 Hurribomber at the Sir Sydney Camm Hurricane event at North Weald
Hawker Hurricane props at the Sir Sydney Camm Hurricane event at North Weald
Hawker Hurricane Mk XII G-HURI Z5140 pilot at the Sir Sydney Camm Hurricane event at North Weald
Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk IB G-BKTH Z7015 at the Sir Sydney Camm Hurricane event at North Weald
Hawker Hurricane Mk XII G-HURI Z5140 at the Sir Sydney Camm Hurricane event at North Weald
Hawker Hurricane Mk I G-HUPW R4118 at the Sir Sydney Camm Hurricane event at North Weald
Hawker Hurricane Mk I G-HUPW R4118 pilot at the Sir Sydney Camm Hurricane event at North Weald
Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk IB G-BKTH Z7015 at the Sir Sydney Camm Hurricane event at North Weald
Hawker Hurricane Mk XII G-HURI Z5140 at the Sir Sydney Camm Hurricane event at North Weald

Images courtesy of Ross Cannon

 

Many thanks to the Hurricane operators and event staff who helped to make this event possible.

Maybe this will become an annual event (a North Weald Hurricane meet).

Full credit is deserved by The Sir Sydney Camm Trust for organising this event at North Weald, a former World War II Hurricane base.

 

Review by Chris Cannon

 

 

 

 

The Sir Sydney Camm Commemorative Society

Hurricane R4118 - The only Hurricane from The Battle of Britain still flying

Hangar 11 Collection

Shuttleworth Collection

Historic Aircraft Collection Limited