Wow, simply stunning, she looks beautiful! Did she not have the H2S radome and mid upper turret then?

From the NA337 Website:
“The Halifax aircraft assigned to this “Special Duties” work were supplied without the mid-upper turret and the H2S dome on the underside usually found on the bomber versions. The mid-upper turret opening was covered with plywood and the opening usually used for the H2S dome was converted,by the fitting of opening doors, for the dropping of ‘joes’ (spies) and “packages”behind enemy lines. The supply dropping usually consisted of the delivery of containers containing weapons, ammunition and explosives.The containers,about 15″ in diameter and about 60″ long were carried in the Halifax’sbomb bays. One such container was recovered from the NA337 drop site in Norway and is on display at the Museum. We are unable to confirm that it actually was dropped by NA337, but it could have been. ”

What a fantastic restoration especially considering the fate of the aircraft! I have always favoured the Halifax as my favourite “heavy” over the Lanc (strange really, especially as I now live in “Lanc” Country!) and I was bowled over when I saw “Friday 13th” at Elvington for the first time. That said, to see NA337 up close must be brilliant! Thanks for sharing the pics and making my weekend!

Lasham

Some lovely aircraft, shame about the lack of protection for them. I have always believed that aircraft are surprisingly delicate things; built to fly and/ or to be kept safe in a (well-lit) hangar. The British climate (even with alleged warming) is not kind to airframes and I wish all the best to anyone who can give them a safe home (especially the Drover as this must be a real gem). I wish I could!

Condolences from Lincolnshire

🙁 I too have been away from the PC for a few days and had missed this very sad news. May I add my condolences to friends and family on the untimely loss of a gentleman whom I never met but for whom I have the utmost respect.

Born of the sun, they travelled a short while towards the sun
And left the vivid air signed with their honour.

RAF Driffield

I remember flying over Driffield in a Cessna 150 (can I say that on an historic aviation forum?) a few years ago and seeing the alterations that had been made to a typical expansion period RAF airfield to make it fit for the Army’s purpose.
Whilst not a policy maker myself (!) I am aware that current MOD policy is to “Rationalise the Estate” as much as possible but also to get away from London and the SE to some extent, so I would wager that the Army won’t want to part with Driffield for a long time. If it ever did then such sites are prime targets for building as they come into the “brown field” category just like some of the historic railway sites that I would love to have seen survive but are now covered with houses cos people have to live somewhere, even in East Yorkshire (Its quite nice from what I remember!).

The beautiful Hunter

Awesome show guys! Also many thanks to all those who posted photos of the hunters displaying this weekend at Kemble (couldn’t make it – too far away these days!) absolutely marvellous stuff! Now all we need is to hear the amazing sound made by that harmonious dragmaster named after a light throwing spear (yeah right!) the Gloster Javelin (well one can dream – they did make a most distinctive sound).

Excellent photos, many thanks for posting them, I particularly like the black Hurricane! 🙂

Believe me, the RAF uniform hasn’t changed that much, the old round neck blue woolly jumpers are now back in stock! The Supply Section hasn’t changed much either except for the supply computer. “It’s no use pointing at it sir, the computer says there are none in stock!”

Elvington

Many thanks for sharing. I last visited Elvington about a year ago and they seem to have acquired even more hardware since then! It is an excellent museum and there are a number of additional attractions, not least the Barnes Wallis Collection and the Air Gunners’ Display, with its turrets and other items. However, the Halifax (one of my favourite ac) is the one that always impresses me!