Re earlier (2013) posts: ‘I wonder what else lurks in the long grass at Waltham’
I was also at HQ 25 Gp in the 1960’s where life both on and off the station was very enjoyable. As a sporty teenager keen on keeping fit I would sometimes go for a run around the perimeter of the large expanse of grass that was White Waltham airfield, usually stopping for a rest at Fairey Aviation. From memory the distance all the way around was a little short of 3 miles.
On one of these runs I noticed a strange shape lying in the grass in the fairly remote south westerly part of the airfield far away from any centre of activity. Getting nearer it became obvious that it was an old RAF Vampire lying derelict in the grass with one wing in the air and the other resting on the ground. After examining the carcass I carefully I stepped up onto the grounded wing and shuffled up the incline to take a closer look into the cockpit area. Within a few minutes an open topped car with a single occupant approached and stopped on the peri-track a short distance away. The elderly (to me) driver then got out of the vehicle (possibly a Lagonda?) and slowly proceeded to do exactly what I had just done before joining me at the cockpit. After a brief hello he began to explain the aircraft’s controls and other interesting facts about the type. After maybe 10 minutes or so he said goodbye and retraced his steps back down the sloping wing and across the grass to his car and drove off. As a very young junior airman I was left feeling extremely elated as my ‘friendly’ lecturer was none other than ex Gp Capt Douglas Bader.
I‘d previously heard that the Gp Capt was often seen around White Waltham at the time and I’d been warned by my RAF boss to be polite and respectful to him if he turned up in the section even though he was no longer in the service. I was also aware of local rumours suggesting that he wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea. My brief encounter with him however was a most pleasant experience which, looking back, I’m pleased to have had. I regret that I know nothing further about the fate of the old Vampire!
Just one of many fond memories of the rather special place that was RAF White Waltham in the 1960’s. Regards…Paul