North Weald Airfield History

'Spirit of North Weald' Gate Guardian

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0000

“249 Hurricane” Returns to Guard Airfield

On Sunday 18 May 2008, the skies above North Weald Airfield once again echoed to the sound of Hurricane and Spitfire aircraft. The Second World War aircraft were part of the Spirit of North Weald Airfield Open day and Fly-in, a unique event commemorating both the 90th Anniversary of the birth of the RAF and the unveiling of the North Weald Gate Guardian Project; a full sized replica of a Hawker Hurricane of the markings of the RAF’s 56 Squadron, as flown by 249 pilot Tom Neil during the Battle of Britain in September 1940.

The unveiling of the North Weald Gate Guardian Project

Standard Bearers and Pipers and airfield veterans provided the backdrop to the ceremony as Wing Commander Tom 'Ginger' Neil DFC [who flew the real aircraft, V7313, still in its 56 squadron marking] unveiled a commemoration plaque before a huge crowd of onlookers.

Tom with Battle of Britain ground crew veterans of 56 and 222 squadrons, and Spitfire display pilot Peter Teichman

During the day, visitors were able to enjoy a large selection of aircraft from the Airfield’s historic aircraft collections; as well as a a flypast and display by a Hurricane, Spitfire and Dakota of the RAF Memorial Flight, a RAF re-enactment group, veteran cars, WWII military vehicles, children's rides and amusements.

The fund raising event was made possible by the hard work, co-operation and fundraising of Epping Forest District Council, North Weald Parish Council, North Weald Flying Services and Hughmark International as well as many other local organisations. The Hurricane Gate Guardian Project is managed by Epping Forest District Council's Airfield Operations Manager Darren Goodey together with local resident and airfield historian Arthur Moreton.

Extract from speech by Arthur Moreton at unveiling:

“German attacks on the airfields of south-east England continued into early September and the aerial battles that took place in the skies over Essex were particularly brutal.

So brutal that 56 Squadron lost 11 aircraft in just five days of fighting and No 151 was reduced to just ten serviceable machines. The loss of pilots on 31st August being so high, that both squadrons became non-operational and were withdrawn to reform. Their replacement squadrons were 249 [who took over the Hurricanes left behind by 56], 46 and 25 – who had little time to get used to their new surroundings before plunging into action

On 3 September, just as the fighters were taking off, the Luftwaffe again bombed North Weald. The damage was substantial with aircraft, hangars, living quarters, the operations room and other station buildings destroyed – leaving 5 people dead and 39 injured.

Hurricane V7313, flown by a young pilot officer of 249 squadron but still in the markings of 56 squadron ; returning to his badly damaged but still operational airfield after battling in the skies over Essex wrote” far below the whole airfield was hidden beneath a huge grey brown pall of smoke and dust. They’d bombed us! The airfield! The blighters had bombed our airfield!”

The same young pilot flew this aircraft many times, before it was shot down in combat while being flown by another 249 pilot on 12th October. He is credited with destroying more than six enemy aircraft while at North Weald and was awarded the first of his two Distinguished Flying Crosses on October 8th 1940..

Now, Wing Commander Tom “Ginger” Neil, DFC and bar, AFC, AE. RAF retired, he is with us today and I would ask him to unveil the commemoration plaque that will be displayed alongside the aircraft when it is sited at the airfield main gate in September.”

'Spirit of North Weald' Gate Guardian in place

The Spirit of North Weald has now been mounted on a pedestal, in a dramatic pose, close to the post war control tower and just inside the Airfield entrance security gate. The steel work was handled by David Young of Hanger 39, assisted by UK Lift and Haul and airfield operations team members John Ramage and Colin Lanson. On 19th April 2009 the Gate Guardian was dedicated, along with plaques recording the names of the sponsors. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Rayner Harris MBE. Once again Tom Neil took part in the ceremony. He was assisted by Wng. Cdr. John Beazley and wartime ground crew John Gill and ‘Dixie’ Heron. A colour party from the recently reformed 56 Squadron was also present.

90th Anniversary

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0000

North Weald 90 Year Commemorative Window

2006 Heralds the 90th anniversary of the opening of North Weald Airfield. For 48 years during two World Wars and the Cold War men and women from seven nations serving in 50 squadrons were responsible for the defence of London and its community. Since then commercial flying, the restoration of historic aircraft, leisure flying and gliding have replaced defence operations thereby maintaining an active and vibrant airfield. In order to create a permanent memorial to all who have kept North Weald alive in War and Peace a stained glass window has been installed in the Airfield Museum entrance hall.

Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary Fun Day

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000

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

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000

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

Chipmunks and forced landings - Gp. Capt. Peter Moore

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0000

“I first took to the air at RAF North Weald in August 1963. While the jets had long gone, there was still a small RAF presence that included No 614 Volunteer Gliding School of the Air Cadets.

Somewhere around mid-1964, the regular RAF withdrew but the VGS remained for a short while longer, until it was relocated to RAF Debden. North Weald continued to be listed as an emergency diversion airfield until a few years later - probably 1967/68, after which it disappeared from RAF publications.

In the summer of 1968, when the army occupied the base for a short period, I escorted another RAF Chipmunk that was making a forced landing on the airfield. That aircraft had run short of oil and North Weald was a far better alternative than a farmer’s field. The army were less than welcoming, but eventually another Chipmunk arrived with a supply of oil from our base at RAF Manston and the three aircraft set off for home. The pilot of the Chipmunk that ran out of oil went on to be a senior captain flying the A330 with Dragonair and I ended up commanding RAF Cranwell.

I believe that 614 VGS still exists at MOD Wethersfield and, no doubt, has a history that covers its happy times at North Weald.”

Peter Moore, July 2010

North Weald Airfield History replies: Many thanks to Peter Moore for getting in touch. If anyone has further stories about the No 614 Volunteer Gliding School, or North Weald in general, please let us know.

Squadron closed