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Battle of Britain

Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary Fun Day

Posted 9 September, 2010 - 14:24 by Jane

Sunday 12th September 2010 sees the Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary Fun Day at North Weald Airfield.

For more information see the Epping Forest District Council website.

John Freeborn obituary

Posted 4 September, 2010 - 00:00 by Bill Aitken

Sadly the death of Wing Commander John Freeborn has been announced. Read the obituary in the Yorkshire Post.

I first got to know John Freeborn, in 2003, through a visitor to the North Weald Airfield Museum. The visitor’s cousin, Roy Smith, had been a neighbour of John’s when they both lived in Spain. I got in touch with Roy and invited him and John to our house in North Weald where my wife and I were living at that time.

As we settled down in the lounge I asked John if he had ever been to North Weald before. His answer was an emphatic “never”. He had blanked it out until recently. The difficult question then was, did he want to visit North Weald Parish Churchyard. Roy said yes. This was one of the most emotional days I can remember. There was Roy, my wife and I, with John looking at the grave of Hulton–Harrop, the man he shot down, on instruction from his Flight Leader. On the Battle of Barking Creek page there is a photograph of John looking at the grave, taken by my wife, Elaine.

I think this visit, along with visits to the Museum and the Squadron Club, where he received warm welcomes, gave John closure.

We became good friends of John’s and he visited our house again and was invited to become an Honorary Member of the Museum.

Memorably, whenever we went to Australia to visit our daughter, which we did about every nine months, we would send John a postcard. He always replied, thanking us, with a two page hand written letter.

Bill Aitken

"The Battle of Britain" film remembered

Posted 11 October, 2009 - 00:00 by Anonymous

BBC Radio 4's "The Film Programme" on 2nd October 2009 included a short feature about the making of the 1969 film, "The Battle of Britain". This interesting 12 minute piece featured interviews with 2 of the technical crew - Robin Brown, a camera assistant, and chief stunt pilot, Connie Edwards - as well as illustrative clips from the film.

Visit The Film Programme website to find out more.

Airfield

F16 leaves North Weald Shuttleworth Sea Hurricane

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F16 of the Royal Norwegian Air Force leaving leaving North Weald for Norway after a visit for the dedication of the new RAF North Weald Memorial and the Shuttleworth Sea Hurricane at North Weald.

 

Aviation activities help to keep the North Weald heritage alive ensuring that tackling the Zeppelins menace in WW1 and the contribution to the Battle of Britain in WW2 are not just pages in the history books.

North Weald is an active airfield, especially at the weekend, and the home of a number of Aviation organisations that operate a wide variety of veteran and classic aircraft, including Mustang, Spitfire, Dakota and other aircraft. Hunters, Gnats, and Jet Provosts represent post war jets. There is a swarm of Yaks and recent arrivals include an Estonian registered L29 Delfin and a Canadair built T33 Silver Star in USAF Thunderbirds markings.

Steeped in history for more than 85 years, North Weald airfield is an ideal place to start your Aviation Heritage Tour. Many former WW2 airfield sites are within easy reach along with important Aviation Heritage sites. The well-known aviation museums Duxford, Hendon and the De Haviland and Shuttleworth collections are easy to get to. Stansted and London City Airports are within easy reach as are Andrewsfield and Stapleford airfields.

Regular events are held at the airfield.  As well as flying and static aircraft displays there are large numbers of suppliers of memorabilia, books etc.  A regular visitor is Derek Vanstone Aviation Books.

Access to the airfield is restricted but group tours can be arranged, subject to adequate notice and the airfield managers’ agreement. For further information please contact the Museum at Ad Astra House.

Further Information:

Despite the airfield's unique features current development studies for the Southeast see it is seen as an ideal location for housing development.  Go to Airfield Threat

On Sunday 18th May 2008 a full size replica Hurricane that will be installed as a "Gate Guardian" at the entrance to the airfield was dedicated.  To read about this event and see pictures of the Hurricane and other aircraft involved go to Gate Guardian.

To find out about the airfield's volunteer fire service, go to North Weald Fire Rescue.

To appreciate why North Weald Airfield is at the very heart of the community of North Weald read a recently published article in the parish magazine, "Our Historic Airfield".

The museum has a close relationship with airfield activities including The Squadron Club.  To find out about the club go to The Squadron.

World War II

The first fighter pilot killed in World War II took off from North Weald on the third day of the war.  He is buried in the local St Andrews Parish Churchyard.  To find out more go to the Battle of Barking Creek.

The year 2000 was the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.  North Weald Airfield played a key role in the skies above Essex and Southeast England.  The museum mounted an exhibition and this can still be seen in the Battle of Britain room.  Read about the airfields part in the Battle of Britain. 

 

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