Swannington Mosquito

[whirlwind]

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t73/helicopterdcr/StPetersMosquito.jpg

I live with a fine view of St Peter's church from my house at Haveringland in Norfolk. Mossies were based at RAF Swannington, during and for a short time after the war before the field closed and reverted to farmland. Access to the church is along the concrete taxiway on which this Mosquito is parked.

I'd like to get a decent copy of the above photo. Apparently the photo, which I found on another forum, appears in a book.

Can anyone help me find it?

[Wyvernfan]

Lovely scene. Be nice to see a then and now comparison photo.

[robbo1]

Whirwind. Have you seen the photograph at WW2 Dedication 2 (http://www.swannington-norfolk.co.uk/index-page6.html). ?
Photo credited to Martin Bowman. At bottom of web page

I am indebted to the following
for permitting me to use
photographs from their books:

Martin Bowman and Osprey
Publishing:
'Combat Aircraft No.9-Mosquito'

Martin Bowman & Patrick
Stephens publishing:
'The Men who Flew the Mosquito

[goofer3]

A very small recent picture is available at
WW2 Dedication 2 (http://www.swannington-norfolk.co.uk/index-page6.html)

(Sorry I repeated Robbo, but your post did not show when I added mine).

[whirlwind]

I can't supply a Mosquito to accompany, but the scene below is of the church from my front gate, looking South. The Mossie was parked to the right of the church in the previous post. Most of the airfield is off well to the right of the picture, but the line of poplars on the right is planted along the line of the main runway (no longer there). My house is actually built on the site of the old Ops block apparently. There are still some foundations to be found in awkward places in the garden!

Robbo, thanks - I think you must have a copy of the book; which one of the 2 has that picture in? I will look for a copy.
Cheers,
WW

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t73/helicopterdcr/P1010035.jpg

[robbo1]

WW Sorry do not have a copy of either of the books but hopefully narrows your search down.

[Will Hung]

Nice picture taken very close to the same spot recently at UK Control Tower & airfield photographs of WW2 (http://www.controltowers.co.uk)

[norwich]

My photo of the church from a couple of years ago, this has been seen a few times on other forums, I also helped with a thread about the bench dedicated to two Harrier pilots in the church grounds ! will add a link later !

Keith :rolleyes:

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii58/keithnewsome/aix%20pix/DSC_0391.jpg

[Atcham Tower]

This link should interest you.

Swannington - Page 2 (http://www.airfieldinformationexchange.org/community/showthread.php?310-Swannington/page2)

[Atcham Tower]

Apologies, I've just read the next few pages of that lengthy thread and it looks like you are well aware of it!

[Wander00]

What a coincidence - Little Snoring was also a Mosquito base, and the church also alongside the airfield also has a rare round tower

[T-21]

The book is "Confounding The Reich" by Martin Bowman ,published by Patrick Stephens 1996, ISBN 1 85260 507 3,page 133 has the photograph. Also as mentioned on page.69 ,Osprey No .9 Mosquito Fighter/Fighter-Bomber Units by Martin Bowman.
The codes RS:L denote 157 Squadron of which NF.XIX MM653 was coded . This aircraft was transferred to No 169 squadron at Great Massingham 21.2.45.
Can anybody help with squadron callsigns for Nos 85/157 squadrons ? The airfield callsign was "Docile".
Whirlwind , Great photo of the church . I stayed with my parents there in 1968/9 in our caravan. Had great fun exploring the old Nissen huts,the place made a lasting impression on me. There were old faded pictures and furniture left from the war sadly all gone now. The book "The Shepherd" always reminds me of this airfield at Christmas.

[whirlwind]

T-21 thank you - I'll get a copy.

To close the thread, here's a picture of my aircraft, built pre-war, saying hello to the church. It's a pity I can't land it on that piece of taxiway and take a similar photo! The farmer would give me permission, but the concrete's not good enough. Maybe one day when the farmland is suitable...(I'll let you know Keith).

Note the granite memorial to the right of the picture, recently erected by the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t73/helicopterdcr/DSC01077.jpg

[T-21]

Nice photo Whirlwind. Your house is virtual where the old Sergeants Mess area was. it was all overgrown with brambles and weeds in 1969. Do they still hold services at the church ?

[whirlwind]

Yes, I believe most Sundays...
WW

[Vick Van Guard]

What a coincidence - Little Snoring was also a Mosquito base, and the church also alongside the airfield also has a rare round tower

A further coincidence is that the owner of Little Snoring airfield, Tom Cushing, was co-author of 'Confounding the Reich', a book I can recommend if you are interested in 100 Group Mosquito operations.

The church at Little Snoring (St Andrews), is even more rare, as the tower is not connected to the Church (one of only two like it I believe).

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n18/JohnManson/P1010128.jpg


If you are in the area, the Church is worth a visit, as well as this rather poignant grave, it contains several score boards, which were liberated from the Officers Mess.

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n18/JohnManson/P1010947.jpg


You could always fly in, it is a short walk from the peri-track.

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n18/JohnManson/Picture225.jpg