RAF Bovingdon - 1960s

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Boulton and Paul Defiant TT MK1 in USAAF Service.

On 1st September 1942 Defiants DR944 and DR945 were seconded to the 326th BS/11CCRC at Bovingdon. They were seen over the next couple of years at American Airfields across East Anglia and towed targets at the 8th Air Force Provisional Gunnery School which was established to train B17 Gunners at Snettisham, Norfolk in the summer of 1943.



DR945 thought to have been photographed at Bovingdon. Photo credit American Air Museum in Britain.

DR945 had a couple of minor scrapes including a belly landing at Bovingdon on 4th February 1943. The pilot Lt John R Westwood later went on to Command the 401st Bomber Squadron at Bassingbourn. Some nostalgic snaps of 'Westy' Westwood here:Westy Westwood and Peg O' My Heart - 91st Bomb Group (H)

DR945 was again slightly damaged in a ground accident at Bovingdon on June 14th 1943 and was eventually returned to 10 MU in December 1944.

DR945 at Rougham, Bury St Edmunds. Both Defiants displayed USAAF and RAF Markings. Photo credit WW2 Aircraft Net.



DR944 at Bassingbourn. Photo credit WW2 Aircraft Net.



Staff Sergeant Andrew Tolmachoff at Snettisham. In 1944 he was a B17 tail gunner with the 369th BS. Having completed 19 missions and suffered the effects of Frostbite and shrapnel wounds he was re-assigned as a Gunnery Instructor. Photo credit American Air Museum in Britain.



Snettisham - these days an RSPB Reserve. Photo credit Richard Humphrey.

In July 1944 Defiant DR944 was returned to 10 MU in the charge of The Royal Navy. In February 1945 she was allocated to Martin Baker and used for Ejector Seat Trials.
The very first aerial ejection was achieved with this aircraft using a dummy over RAF Wittering on May 11th 1945.



DR944 World's First Ejection.



Pioneer Ejectorist Bernard Lynch of Martin Baker. DR944 in the background.