Just Read this on another forum and i hole heartedly agree with the comments about a disappointing demonstration but as the poster said money talks although it should not for such an important establishment. 😡
Martlesham Heath was first used as a Royal Flying Corps airfield during World War I. In 1917 it became home to the Aeroplane Experimental Unit, RFC which moved from Upavon with the site named as the Aeroplane Experimental Station which became the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) in 1924. The A&AEE carried the evaluation and testing of many of the aircraft types and much of the armament and other equipment that would later be used during World War II. No. 22 Squadron RAF and No. 15 Squadron RAF were present during the 1920s. No. 64 arrived in the 1930s.
The A&AEE moved to RAF Boscombe Down on 9 September 1939 at the outbreak of World War Two and Martlesham then became the most northerly station of No. 11 Group RAF, Fighter Command. Squadrons of Bristol Blenheim bombers, Hawker Hurricanes, Supermarine Spitfires and Hawker Typhoons operated from this airfield, and among the many pilots based there were such famous men as Robert Stanford Tuck, and Squadron Leader Douglas Bader, there as Commanding Officer of 242 Squadron. Ian Smith, the post-war Rhodesian prime minister, was at Martlesham for a time. No. 71 (Eagle) Squadron a squadron formed of American volunteers operated from the station in the middle and end of 1941.
In 1943, Martlesham Heath became one of a group of grass-surfaced airfields earmarked for use by fighters of the United States Army Air Forces Eighth Air Force. The airfield was assigned USAAF designation Station 369. The airfield was opened in May 1943 and was first used by the United States Army Air Force Eighth Air Force 356th Fighter Group, arriving from RAF Goxhill on 5 October 1943. The group was under the command of the 67th Fighter Wing of the VIII Fighter Command. Aircraft of the 356th were identified by a magenta/blue diamond pattern around their cowling.
The group consisted of the following squadrons: 359th Fighter Squadron (OC) 360th Fighter Squadron (PI) 361st Fighter Squadron (QI)
The 356th FG served in combat from October 1943, participating in operations that prepared for the invasion of the Continent, and supporting the landings in Normandy and the subsequent Allied drive across France and Germany.
The group flew Republic P-47 Thunderbolts until they were replaced by North American P-51 Mustangs in November 1944. From October 1943 until January 1944, they operated as escort for Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress/Consolidated B-24 Liberator bombers that attacked such objectives as industrial areas, missile sites, airfields, and communications. North American P-51 Mustang of the 359th Fighter Squadron at Martlesham Heath. North American P-51s of the 361st Fighter Squadron in protective revetments at Martlesham Heath, 1944.
Fighters from the 356th engaged primarily in bombing and strafing missions after 3 January 1944, with its targets including U-boat installations, barges, shipyards, aerodromes, hangars, marshalling yards, locomotives, trucks, oil facilities, flak towers, and radar stations. Bombed and strafed in the Arnhem area on 17, 18, and 23 September 1944 to neutralize enemy gun emplacements, and received a Distinguished Unit Citation for this contribution to the airborne attack on Holland.
The group flew its last combat mission, escorting B-17’s dropping propaganda leaflets, on 7 May 1945. It returned to Camp Kilmer New Jersey and was deactivated on 10 November 1945.
With the departure of the USAAF, the airfield reverted to the RAF. In the immediate post-war years, Fighter Command squadrons were in residence at Martlesham but the proximity to Ipswich and the physical limitations on lengthening the runways restricted jet operation. In an effort to improve the station the main runway was extended in 1955.
Early in 1946, the Bomb Ballistics and Blind Landing Unit moved in which, in 1950, was rechristened the Armament and Instrument Experimental Unit (A&IEU) remaining at Martlesham until disbanding in 1957.
An RAF Police flight had also occupied the station from 1951–1953. The following year, the A&IEU was disbanded and the station was retained in reserve status during which time an Air Sea Rescue helicopter unit was in residence.
In 1958, another Reserve Flight arrived and a Station HQ formed; No. 11 Group Communications flight moved in to be followed by HO No. 11 Group. These units were deactivated by the end of 1960. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight moved to the airfield in 1958 and left in 1961. After this the airfield reverted to care and maintenance status before the Air Ministry closed the facility on 25 April 1963.
By: Bruce - 9th September 2012 at 18:58
Right. now we have the facts, and a reply from the horses mouth, I think this thread has run its course.
Thanks Graham for the clarity
Thanks Paul for doing what you do.
Bruce
By: alohha1234 - 9th September 2012 at 18:49
I was there today with my two grown up sons and we all had a great time and they thoroughly enjoyed it. By the way I counted three passes by the Spifire…
There were no passes last year due to the weather.Graham
i do beleive that there was a P51 displaying last year approximately 1230 ?
By: alohha1234 - 9th September 2012 at 18:47
This thread is a classic case of somebody starting a thread but actually wasn’t even there. Thank you GrahamF for posting the facts. This time of the year is our busiest with 7 a/c out and about this weekend. We try our best and sometimes because of weather and unserviceablilites we can’t make all the venues. Paul B
Sorry Fluffy you are right i wasn’t standing outside the control tower, however i do live 5 minutes walk from it and have done so since 1989. In the past i have seen many flypasts both from privately owned war birds, the BBMF and the USAF
By: trumper - 9th September 2012 at 18:38
This thread is a classic case of somebody starting a thread but actually wasn’t even there. Thank you GrahamF for posting the facts. This time of the year is our busiest with 7 a/c out and about this weekend. We try our best and sometimes because of weather and unserviceablilites we can’t make all the venues. Paul B
On a positive note ,i would like to say “thank you ” to the BBMF for a wonderful Spitfire display over Whitby last month.I can assure you the whole of the town was waiting.
There was a slight delay i believe as we were told there was a problem with the original Spitfire en route so another had to replace it,well worth waiting for.:D
By: Fluffy - 9th September 2012 at 18:29
This thread is a classic case of somebody starting a thread but actually wasn’t even there. Thank you GrahamF for posting the facts. This time of the year is our busiest with 7 a/c out and about this weekend. We try our best and sometimes because of weather and unserviceablilites we can’t make all the venues. Paul B
By: GrahamF - 9th September 2012 at 17:36
I was there today with my two grown up sons and we all had a great time and they thoroughly enjoyed it. By the way I counted three passes by the Spifire…
There were no passes last year due to the weather.
Graham
By: Rocketeer - 9th September 2012 at 17:08
I think that you will need to look into what was actually asked for and organised.
The BBMF has a huge display schedule and really tries to do everything.
You also need to get your request in very early. We did a rededication for the 70th anniversary of Nicolson VC’s event at Boscombe Down (where A&AEE moved to in 1939). The request was made in November the previous year.
The aircraft all have very tight hours budgets and they try to do alot with every precious hour.
Sorry, but I think the OP is being a tad unfair. I have always been delighted with the BBMFs displays and flypasts. They have always given us far more than we asked and dreamt for. It cost us nothing.
Regarding MH’s place in history – well it is very important, for the reasons you mentioned and more. Unfortunately it has been built on, but the Tower museum is wonderful.
By: pagen01 - 9th September 2012 at 16:56
So, do we take it that the USAF put in an appearance, then?
I must admit a private P-47 or P-51 display would seem as, or more, appropriate – maybe the cost factor played a part.:confused:
In which case I would be grateful for the Spitfire single pass.
By: alohha1234 - 9th September 2012 at 16:55
I’m sure the BBMF will have made every effort to include a flypast in what was probably a very busy weekend for them. When was this? Last weekend, although the weather was good in places, between show venues it was bad enough to cause cancellations.
Today at 1430ish (thats Sunday 09/09)
By: Bruce - 9th September 2012 at 16:54
A lot of ‘apparently’ here..
Were you the show organiser?
If so, how was the ‘flypast’ explained to you by the Flight?
If not, and you were attending, how was it billed? A flypast, or a display?
As Tangmere says, very often, the flight will route through a particular place, whether it be a village fete, old airbase, Uncle Toms funeral or whatever, on request, if they are able. Routing flypasts are free. More than that will cost a bob or two.
Bruce
By: Creaking Door - 9th September 2012 at 16:48
I’m sure the BBMF will have made every effort to include a flypast in what was probably a very busy weekend for them. When was this? Last weekend, although the weather was good in places, between show venues it was bad enough to cause cancellations.
By: Arabella-Cox - 9th September 2012 at 16:38
Is it me?
I’m even more confused!
So, do we take it that the USAF put in an appearance, then?
Clarified? Not entirely….
By: hampden98 - 9th September 2012 at 16:31
Whenever the BBMF fly over my house (and it’s a rare occurrence but does happen living near Farnborough) I’m more than happy!
By: pagen01 - 9th September 2012 at 16:31
WIth the amount of displays on this weekend, maybe the Spitfire could only commit to one pass of MH?
By: alohha1234 - 9th September 2012 at 16:30
Sorry the dissapointment that a BBMF spitfire managed only one pass ?
Ok sorry again i guess i didn’t explain at the outset. Apparently it was there association open day with many veterans both RAF & USAAF visiting and considering the historic content i thought it was a poor show by the BBMF, although there was no mention of anything from the USAF flying through or past in the original post. Hope that clarifies a few things.
I live near Parham which is a pretty important place for B17 crews from WW2 and we have many Vets visiting at various times listening to there memories puts the word hero’s well and truly into context let alone survivors of the few who are getting fewer.
By: Creaking Door - 9th September 2012 at 16:23
…the poster said money talks although it should not for such an important establishment…
Had anybody there paid to see the BBMF Spitfire?
The BBMF Lancaster has missed two displays that I know about (that people paid for) in the last seven days.
By: Arabella-Cox - 9th September 2012 at 16:23
I am also a tad confused. However, if there was some kind of event there which BBMF supported with a fly-past then that alone is fortunate, probably. Someone with better BBMF knowledge will doubtless be able to confirm the situation, but as I understand it (from my limited experience of such requests) the situation is pretty much as follows:
Where possible, BBMF will route over a site/event/memorial whilst transiting from/to other shows and events or returning to their home base.
In these instances, organisers put in a request for BBMF appearance and the Flight get very many hundreds of such requests. It is a bit of a lottery as who is lucky, and who is not. Sometimes, it is just a single fly-over and that is that. However, timings between other appearances, fuel and other considerations might well limit time over the event in question.
Don’t be peeved at the limited-time appearance of the Spitfire. Feel privileged.
By: Lynx815 - 9th September 2012 at 16:19
Moggy C
You weren’t alone.
By: TwinOtter23 - 9th September 2012 at 16:18
One pass for what?
By: alohha1234 - 9th September 2012 at 16:15
Am I alone in my confusion as to what the point of this post is?
What disappointment?
Moggy
Sorry the dissapointment that a BBMF spitfire managed only one pass ?
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September 9, 2012 at 3:45 pm