A surprise phone call yesterday morning (Sunday 15 September) from Flight Lieutenant Antony ‘Parky’ Parkinson led to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Spitfire and Hurricane operating from North Weald to perform the commemorative flypast over Westminster marking Battle of Britain Day. The winds at their Coningsby base were out of limits for them to return, and they required temporary hangarage, which The Squadron was able to offer at short notice.
The Mark IX Spitfire MK356 with Parky on board and Hurricane IIc LF363, flown by Group Captain Johhny Stringer, arrived during the morning for fuel. They departed later for central London, returning after 40 minutes, giving the Airfield Museum a flypast to mark their Reunion and Fun Day. The aircraft are staying for several days, and are very welcome guests! It was particularly fitting that the BBMF operated from North Weald on this particular day. On 15 September 1945, Douglas Bader and eleven of his Battle of Britain comrades took off from RAF North Weald to lead the 300 aircraft in the first Battle of Britain Day commemorative flypast over London.
The local branch of the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) also took part in a special service at St Andrew’s Church in North Weald village on Sunday. They were accompanied by the Colour Party of 56(R) Squadron and its new Commanding Officer, Wing Commander Middleton. Afterwards, they returned to the Airfield for a reception in the Hurricane Room of the Control Tower. We took pictures of the Colour Party along with the RAFA colour at the Hurricane Gate Guardian, which is in 56 Squadron markings. This coincided with the return of the BBMF aircraft, and made a fitting tribute on this special day. 56 Squadron was the longest-serving squadron on the Airfield and played a major role in the Battle of Britain flying out of North Weald until the beginning of September 1940 when 249 Squadron took over from them.
By: Terryham - 16th September 2013 at 20:39
Thank you for all the info Yak Rider ,North Weald was the last place i took my Mother to before she Died ,went to all the Fighter Meet show,s from the start with Paul Warren Wilson ,John Watts and Co ,cant get down there much now i live in Norfolk ,i was coming down to the Open day on the 8th September ,but it clashed with the Seething air day up here on the same day ,perhaps they could try and arrange the open day on a different day next year as Seething and Duxford were also on the same day !! i still think the Weald will end up as a Housing Estate in the end ,Cheers Terry
By: slicer - 16th September 2013 at 17:29
I really do like the silver Spitfire. I imagine it would bring a lump to Wing Cdr Tom Neil’s throat, too.
By: Trolly Aux - 16th September 2013 at 15:29
I wonder if Pilot Officer Montague Hulton-Harrop, would be looking over from the church?
Great shots, thank you. must of been what I heard this morning heading north.
By: AlanR - 16th September 2013 at 14:29
Great pictures and write up.
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September 16, 2013 at 2:02 pm