North Weald

I remember that smoke ring!

You mean THIS smoke ring……:)

Fighter Meet 94 – smoke ring by Whipper_snapper, on Flickr

For those of you unaware, the former Battle of Britain airfield at North Weald (just off the Harlow/Epping junction of the M11) hosts a large open air market every Saturday. The market immediately adjoins the runway and vehicles may park just a few dozen yards from the runway.

The net result is that every Saturday is air show day at North Weald. There are regular flights by Gnats, Jet Provosts, plus a Hurricane, a Spitfire, a P-40, a P-51 and a variety of privately owned aeroplanes.

This is just a selection:

North Weald, Saturday June 16, 2012 by Whipper_snapper, on Flickr

North Weald, Saturday June 16, 2012 by Whipper_snapper, on Flickr

North Weald, Saturday June 16, 2012 by Whipper_snapper, on Flickr

The Fleet Air Arm’s recently restored Sea Fury flew out last Saturday…

Hawker Sea Fury at North Weald by Whipper_snapper, on Flickr

I maintain a full set on Flickr here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/barryslemmings/sets/72157630146627714/

Also of interest to older readers I have now transferred some of my old North Weald ‘Fighter Meet’ 35mm shots to Flickr…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/barryslemmings/sets/72157605106159145/

All date from the early 1990s. Here’s an example…

Fighter Meet ’95 – BBMF and Bf 109 fighters by Whipper_snapper, on Flickr

The rest are on Flickr. Follow this link to see them:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/barryslemmings/sets/72157605106159145/

Barry

I remember that smoke ring!

This Saturday is the annual Wings & Wheels model show, so the main runway will be closed. Take offs only on Runway 31 due to the market.

We are always happy to show visitors around the tower, providing we are not too busy. Call in at the Ops Office and ask, and we’ll see what we can do.

Good shots Barry,in particular the gnat ones.Shame it’s a bit out of reach for a lot of people to go and photograph stuff on the off chance.But a good location with out a doubt and one I use now and again..:)P/s I just checked your links and some great stuff, sadly from an era that it all seemed to happen in.Now with hindsight lots of people wished they had made more from what was about(Me included)

Thank you.

For the married men among us, bring the wife along and leave her in the market, grab a tea and a hot dog from one of the food stalls and come down to the flight line.

Good shots Barry,in particular the gnat ones.Shame it’s a bit out of reach for a lot of people to go and photograph stuff on the off chance.But a good location with out a doubt and one I use now and again..:)P/s I just checked your links and some great stuff, sadly from an era that it all seemed to happen in.Now with hindsight lots of people wished they had made more from what was about(Me included)

What, Suzannah…? 😉

Will this film be shot in the UK or in mainland Europe? Would be great to see these planes fly next year!

T J Johansen
Oslo, NORWAY

Even better if they had a York flying as well.

Will this film be shot in the UK or in mainland Europe? Would be great to see these planes fly next year!

T J Johansen
Oslo, NORWAY

I’m told the C54’s are kept live, but other than that they are still in the same place.

Yes indeed they are still there.

I saw them last week while at the market, I cannot see from the car park if they are being kept live (if that is the correct term).

Did not notice if the Dak was there though.

BP.

They’re still there, as I don’t think they have made the Berlin Airlift film yet. A DC-3 is joining them from the USA early next year, possibly to be included in the filming.

Bump..

Thanks for the info YakRider.
mmitch.

North Weald….brings back memories of the Fighter Meet…. 🙂

The Flypast Fly-in is the one this coming Sunday. It has a BoB theme because of the date – see the mag for details.

Access by car is OK any time. If you come on a market day – Saturdays and Bank Holiday Mondays – don’t let the attendants divert you into a parking space, say you are going to the Squadron, and carry on round the peri track behind the market stalls.

Other days, if the barrier is shut at the main gate, again just say you are visiting the Squadron. We often have car clubs ad bikers turning up at weekends to watch the flying. There is a grass viewing area outside the NAAFI with tables. If you want to view aircraft in the revetments or on the flight line, just ask before you do.

The Aces High and Kennet hangars are closed to the public, so don’t try just wandering in if the doors are open!

Give way to any taxying aircraft as you pass live hangars on your way round, and be aware that normal car insurance is void airside (which is past the traffic lights at the threshold of runway 02).

The big apron on the right at the motorway end is where the modellers fly, if that interests you too.

YR

Have the Flypast Fly Ins finished now? They used to be around this time of the year. Would also be interested in what access to the airfield by car is these days.
mmitch.

I’ve never really visited North Weald on a non-airshow day. Is there somewere the public can view whats going on without being looked at funny.

Thanks for that. A great help. May take a look on Sunday, got an invite to take up – just wanted to go when I’d see something else in addition.

Thanks again.

Come this Sunday for the Battling for Britain fly-in. HAC Hurricane is booked to attend. B-25 Grumpy and the Aces High C-47 will be together on static display. The two C-54s are still parked on the Aces High apron. Also hoping for a 72 Squadron Tucano.

Most weekends we have three or four JPs flying, the Gnats often go out too. The newly arrived two-seat Hunter have been flying a fair bit lately as well. And Kennet have lots of other goodies such as the JP1, Hunter, Skyraider, Piston Provost and Wasp, which can also been seen flying now and then.

Peter Teichman is based at NW in his new hangar with P-51 Jumpin Jacques (often flown) and his Staggerwing. Tony Haig Thomas’ Avenger is parked outside and easily viewed, also a T-33 that doesn’t fly.

Loads of Yaks, including several Aerostars.

If you come on a Saturday, be aware that the market traffic on the other side of the airfield can get very congested, some arrive early rather than at lunchtime. Interesting aircraft often fly in for a visit, so you never know what may appear.

Here are some pics of the residents and visitors…

YR