J Boyle: I guess I’m another of the old ones. My first show was at Upwood in September 1952. I think it was already called the Battle of Britain Display. In those days the field was scattered with Lincolns of 7 and 214 Squadrons, but there were a few other representative types from those still just post-war days. Other bombers included a Washington, a Mosquito and a very exciting early Canberra B2, while the fighters were a Meteor F4 and F8. The station flight showed off its Oxford. Three Tiger Moths, a Harvard, a Proctor, a Chipmunk, an Anson and a Varsity rounded it off. Notably, for a front-line bomber station, a few civil aircraft had been allowed in, a couple of Austers and a Gemini. Very quiet and sedate compared with modern shows, but exciting for an eleven-year-old.
Little did I realise then that a couple of years later, as an ATC cadet, I would be flying in those Lincolns and that lovely Oxford thanks to our wonderful liaison officer, F/L JB Stephens of 7 Squadron. Fantastic memories, and a red letter day in my fast growing passion for aviation.
Laurence
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