RAF Bovingdon - 1960s
Many of us cadets from squadrons in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire would do the same scrounging at Bovingdon, in fact the Guardroom had a separate book for ATC cadets to sign on and off the station. When they amalgamated FCCS and CCCS into 'Southern Communications Squadron' (at the same time at Northolt the different units initially became 'Metropolitan Communications Squadron' long before they were assigned the squadron number of '32', and that was only when The Queens Flight became part of the squadron) it was easier because they used the 'old' terminal building which had been occupied by the USAF so you only had one place to visit to enquire about 'spare seats' rather than 2.
Actually the CCCS was the CCCF. Coastal Command Communications Flight. Pedantic I know, but I am sure that was what it was called when I was on it in 1961/2. We were much smaller than Fighter Com with 4 Anson,s a VIP Valetta and a Flight Lieutenant boss called Dickie Colbourne.
Cadet 'Air Rides'
Although living near Kenley was a boon for the gliding it was devoid of RAF power flying by 59 as was Biggin Hill, hence having to 'go north' before one could start 'Air Hitching'. and even Northolt was not 'around the corner' so to speak.
However what was evident was how helpful all the various units were to get you airborne even if you arrived at the Guard room 'unannounced' so to speak.
In my case the Gliding took over from power 'rides' plus led to an amazing association with the famous BoB stations of Kenley and Biggin Hill: we described our Cadet MK 3 gliders as the fretwork fighters. In fact the initial 'winch launch ' experience in a MK 3 was far more exciting than the sedate t off in a Chipmunk with 800-1000 ft gained by the airfield boundary (and Kenley was quite small).
From the Kenley circuit both Croydon and Biggin were only a short hop, and indeed it was not unknown to take the T21 to Croydon using the thermals from the built up area. The original 11 Group Fighter haven had migrated across the Thames and East but you never take its history away.
However what was evident was how helpful all the various units were to get you airborne even if you arrived at the Guard room 'unannounced' so to speak.
In my case the Gliding took over from power 'rides' plus led to an amazing association with the famous BoB stations of Kenley and Biggin Hill: we described our Cadet MK 3 gliders as the fretwork fighters. In fact the initial 'winch launch ' experience in a MK 3 was far more exciting than the sedate t off in a Chipmunk with 800-1000 ft gained by the airfield boundary (and Kenley was quite small).
From the Kenley circuit both Croydon and Biggin were only a short hop, and indeed it was not unknown to take the T21 to Croydon using the thermals from the built up area. The original 11 Group Fighter haven had migrated across the Thames and East but you never take its history away.
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indeed it was not unknown to take the T21 to Croydon using the thermals from the built up area.
The Stumps went to Halton. SL 574 still has the three marks on the wing, Bromley is built up and Maguire was low. His arrival did little damage to the airframe (it was on its wheels the next day) but the prop was shattered.There is a wonderful image of the ongoing cricket match going on after lunch with 574 on its belly near the boundary. Peter Arnold had some great shots. There was quite a debate on whether the stumps could have caused dents in the leading edge of the wing and it got quite heated. Considering they would have been impacted at about 50 mph, and images were produced that showed the repairs in progress the 'non believers' as I described them would not have it, got even more annoyed when I suggested a test with someone hitting them on their head with a suitable stump and then asking them if it hurt (when they woke up that is)
but I certainly would not get 'heated' about it - it was a wonderful story .There were indeed some lovely pics on that thread.
Creeping Again
Anyway the 21 would have been on AE trips so it was not encouraged to be up too long. Looking back on it it was quite a large machine for a P2 staff Cadet + px to get caught out in away from the circuit. I had been lucky to fly the T53 at Swanton and thought this would be great when we got them as it would have allowed more probing away and less problems with ground handling if a squall came through. It was not to be, and the organisation eventually had the Venture which was considered too underpowered to operate from Kenley.(what was needed were thinner Pilots) , and a licence built Blanik. that could take the 'all winch' operation. My other abiding memory of BV was the line of Ansons on the flight line which added a 1930's theme to the place, some had come from Kenley when they ceased ops there.
Thread Starter
John Young's Bovingdon memories
For those who haven't seen it, here's a link to famed aviation artist John Young's compendium of memories and pictures of Bovingdon airfield. Just scroll down to the relevant pdf link.
Accident P40E Warhawk 41-36028 at Berkhamsted 23-9-1942
John Young lists the presence of P40s in his Bovingdon diary. During 1942 two and in 1943 one Curtiss P40E Warhawk aeroplanes were based with the 8th A.A.F. at Bovingdon. They were used for fast liason and other general duties. Both aeroplanes were destroyed in fatal accidents. I'll mention here that I'm downloading excerpts from the original accident reports and the quality leaves much to be desired. However it's worth a squint.
Berkhamsted (in 1938). Looking North-east. Small highlight gives approx location of crash site on L.M.S. Railway.
Aftermath looking North.
David's Home was on Castle Hill Avenue which is to the right and above the houses in the foreground.The view is to the south-east. Impact point (approx) and Bovingdon Aerodrome high-lighted.
I suppose this is the equivalent of what we used to call the tech log. It shows that the aircraft has just had an air test on September 21st following replacement of much of the tail-plane. This was due to damage, caused by diving in to the propellor wash from B17s , which the P40 had sustained during simulated attacks. On the day of the accident the aircraft was once again tasked to do this but crashed before the exercise started.
The Thomas Coram Foundling School. Some staff members saw the starboard elevator flutter to the ground and retrieved it. Postwar (and still) Ashlyns School just off Chesham Road.. Approx location of crash site high-lighted.
A very experienced Captain and perhaps his first flight in a P40?
Captain William K Knowles. Described by Brig.Gen. J. Kemp McLaughlin as 'a very senior Captain we called "Pappy" . We all went to the American Cemetery at Madingley for his funeral, for everyone loved him'
Whipsnade tomorrow........
Berkhamsted (in 1938). Looking North-east. Small highlight gives approx location of crash site on L.M.S. Railway.Aftermath looking North.
David's Home was on Castle Hill Avenue which is to the right and above the houses in the foreground.The view is to the south-east. Impact point (approx) and Bovingdon Aerodrome high-lighted.
I suppose this is the equivalent of what we used to call the tech log. It shows that the aircraft has just had an air test on September 21st following replacement of much of the tail-plane. This was due to damage, caused by diving in to the propellor wash from B17s , which the P40 had sustained during simulated attacks. On the day of the accident the aircraft was once again tasked to do this but crashed before the exercise started.
The Thomas Coram Foundling School. Some staff members saw the starboard elevator flutter to the ground and retrieved it. Postwar (and still) Ashlyns School just off Chesham Road.. Approx location of crash site high-lighted.
A very experienced Captain and perhaps his first flight in a P40?
Captain William K Knowles. Described by Brig.Gen. J. Kemp McLaughlin as 'a very senior Captain we called "Pappy" . We all went to the American Cemetery at Madingley for his funeral, for everyone loved him'
Whipsnade tomorrow........
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 22nd May 2023 at 13:28.
Accident P40E Warhawk 41-35934 Whipsnade 9th October 1943
P40E 41-35934. Photo credit IWM - Roger Freeman Collection.
In comparison to the investigation of the crash at Berkhamsted this accident appears to have been investigated in a rather cursory manner.
The Chequers Pub Whipsnade 1944.
The crash is said to have occurred in the garden of the house opposite the Pub.
No longer a pub. The house opposite is, I believe, where The Land Army Girls based in the village came for their meals.
Another view of what was The Chequers with the village green beyond.
Major Glenn E Hagenbuch came from an Illinois farming family. He had been the Commanding Officer of the 427th Bomb Squadron flying B17s. On the day of the accident he was carrying out self proficiency training. He was 24 years old and left a Widow in the United States.
Most of the data I've found on Glenn Hagenbuch gives his dob as December 12th 1918 - however the publicity photograph and press release taken just after his arrival in Britain in 1942 (see American Air Museum photos on link below) state that he is 27 years old. He certainly looks 27 but then combat weighs heavy on the brave. I've also added a Flying Tigers link - you then need to scroll down to find the article about his life.
A few associated links here:https://flyingtigersavg.com/avg-books-articles/
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/241051
https://virtual-library.culturalserv..._whipsnade.htm
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 22nd May 2023 at 13:27. Reason: Correction to Pilot's age.
A Few Avro Yorks at Bovingdon and Farther Afield
G-AHFD Once with B.S.A.A. and now with Skyways.
In Trooping Livery as WA 500.
G-AHFD was sold to Middle East Airlines in 1957 becoming OD-ADB.
OD-ADB looking very smart at Beirut 1957. Photo The Peter Keating Collection (c) A Flying History ltd.
Sadly OD-ADB and its five crew was lost over the Mediterranean on September 29th 1958. It was operating a cargo service from Beirut to London with a tech stop at Rome.
G-AGNY Eagle Aviation at Bovingdon 1950
In 1949 Harold Bamberg purchased Eagle's first Yorks. In 1950 the airline moved its base from Aldermarston to Luton where it was to remain until 1952.
Eagle Aviation's Halifaxes and Yorks were a familiar sight at Bovingdon. The company's first commercial flight carried cherries from Verona to Bovingdon in a Halifax on May 9th 1948. During the period of 1950-52 many flights were operated by Eagle from Bovingdon due in no small part to restricted airport opening hours and restricted customs facilities at Luton. It wasn't until 1951 that Luton Airport was granted a one year 'Customs facilities Trial' . Until then I believe that Customs and Excise staff from Bovingdon motored over to provide cover at Luton. Eagle like several of the larger British Independent Airlines relied on Government Trooping Contracts for their bread and butter. Jackie Pritchard writing in 2016 describes a journey on G-AGNY in 1951 when the airline had a contract with The Air Ministry:
' I flew on an Avro York G-AGNY this was in 1951 leaving Singapore and landing for over night stops in Ceylon, Bombay, Karachi, Iraq, Malta, and finally England. This was a bare bones flight, the plane had seating of all descriptions old car seats, coach seats, you name it, we boarded wearing only our tropical uniform but had the sense thank goodness to carry our great coats. The plane was exactly the same as if being used for cargo no heating and the fuselage was clearly visible rivets and all, we half froze to death the steward was the navigator, the food was in little brown cardboard boxes complete with dry curled up meat and not forgetting a small wooden knife and fork. I often think about that journey and wonder if there are many left who were on that flight with me.'
Captain John 'Pancho' Villa. York Fleet Captain Eagle Aviation. When Bamberg sold his Yorks to Skyways, Villa went too.
Photo - Peter Villa.
Peter Villa Remembers: ' My father was a Captain with Eagle and later with LAC/Skyways. I attended Bovingdon Primary School and was there when the King died. We later moved to Garston and after that, Tring. I too spent time at the end of the runway and in the hangars when I could persuade Dad to take me. Independent aviation was so precarious Dad bought the caravan so he could move the family from base to base and job to job. Bovingdon sticks in my memory. We lived at Highcroft in a caravan for a while. It was parallel to the runway and you could hear the Merlins popping on the Yorks as they landed.' (pers com)
G-AGNY at Adelaide Circa 1953. Photo credit Robert Wiseman.
On June 26th 1954 while inbound to Berlin flying empty near Kyritz (Soviet occupied Germany) G-AGNY suffered an engine separation and crashed following loss of control. The crew of three were killed. The daughter of one of the pilots subsequently wrote in 2017:
' I flew in this plane in 1953 on a test flight from Stansted airport, my father was one of the pilots. He died in 1954, June 26th. It crashed over Germany with 3 crew , ironic as he flew through the war earning the DFC. I was 9 at the time and remember it clearly.'
Previously G-AMRI of Surrey Flying Services and now sold in 1955 by Freddie Laker to Air Liban OD-ACD is seen at Bovingdon.
Photo credit Bovingdon-Airfield.co.uk
OD-ACD at its new home, Beirut, 1955. This aeroplane was destroyed in a take-off accident at Tehran May 27th 1960. Three crew were injured. Photo credit The Peter Keating Collection (c) A Flying History ltd.
AND NOW FOR A BIT OF YORK DRIFT (OFF THE RUNWAY)
Brize not Bovingdon. MW168 November 28th 1946. Loss of power on N2 engine during take-off contributed to loss of control on this training detail. Photo credit baaa-acro
By 1949 the RAF had nine Squadrons of Yorks. During The Berlin Airlift 29,000 sorties were flown by these aeroplanes transporting approx 239,000 tons of supplies.
G-AGJD of BOAC at Castel Benito Libya February 1st 1949. On departure for London the York was caught by a strong gusting cross-wind. The pilot over-corrected and ran off the runway. No fatalities. Photo credit Andy Frish baaa-acro.
G-AMUM Scottish Airlines Luqa, Malta April 13th 1954. Prior departure for Stansted one engine suffered starter motor failure. The Captain elected to start the engine by wind-milling it during a high speed taxy. This was successful but control of the aircraft was lost in the process.
CF-HFP Pacific Western Airlines Cape Parry Airfield, North West Territories. June 25th 1957. Over ran on landing resulting in loss of Starboard undercarriage and damage that was beyond repair.
CAPE PARRY NORTHWEST TERRITORIES CANADA Geography Population Map cities coordinates location - Tageo.com
CF-HFX Arctic Wings at Hall Lake, Nunavut April 12th 1955. While taking off from Hall Lake the aeroplane hit a snowbank and broke its back. Both Arctic Wings and Pacific Western were amongst airlines using Yorks to re-supply the DEW Line project in Northern Canada. Photo credit baaa-acro.
As seen in 1972.
More recently.
HALL LAKE NUNAVUT CANADA Geography Population Map cities coordinates location - Tageo.com
And, if you have time to spare:http://www.ruudleeuw.com/search116.htm
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 27th Jun 2020 at 21:58.
Crash P51 AM138 Bellingdon February 22nd 1944
The following link is to an article by Katherine Dallas assisted by Chris Brown of Cholesbury-cum-St Leonards Local History Group and Retired Master Sergeant Craig Kirwin.
It is hoped that one day a Commemorative Plaque will be placed at the accident site. https://cholesbury.com/pdf/lhgnews-2015-16.pdf
Scroll to page Four.
The Bull Pub (now closed) highlighted. It seems the accident was somewhere nearby.
https://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/101398
It is hoped that one day a Commemorative Plaque will be placed at the accident site. https://cholesbury.com/pdf/lhgnews-2015-16.pdf
Scroll to page Four.
The Bull Pub (now closed) highlighted. It seems the accident was somewhere nearby.
https://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/101398
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 1st Sep 2023 at 10:33.
Miscellany
9th October 1942
J Kemp McLaughlin was co pilot to the Squadron Commander leading the 407th on this early raid on Lille mounted by the 92nd Bomb Group from Bovingdon:
'After crew checks and engine run-ups, we began our takeoff roll at 1000hrs. We formed up over the field and began our climb eastward along our planned route. We joined another group in trail at the coast at about fifteen thousand feet and continued our climb. It was a bright clear morning, and we were climbing directly into the sun when my pilot Major K decided we were closing too fast on the lead Squadron. Without notifying his wingmen, he reduced power, and they began to overrun his lead ship. As they fought to stay in formation and began to maneuver back and forth, Lt. Eugene Wiley's numbers three and four propellers chopped the vertical stabilizer entirely off Lt Jimmy Dempsey's airplane. Both slipped out of formation and luckily made it back to England. Wiley landed with two good engines at an RAF field (Detling) and Lt. Dempsey made it back to our home base at Bovingdon.'
Safely returned to Bovingdon without serious injury. Lt Dempsey (at left) and his crew. Text and image extracted from ' The Mighty Eighth' by Brig.Gen. J. Kemp McLaughlin.
20th December 1943
I was trying to find a new image of P47 42-7921 but could only come up with this:
Yes, It's our old friend Cass Hough again with his favourite Thunderbolt which was written off at Bovingdon on December 20th 1943. First Lt Franklin L Robertson had taken this aeroplane on a local test flight and was about to land back at Bovingdon when the aircraft caught fire on the approach. Robertson was partly blinded but landed and ground-looped to a stop. He was removed from the cockpit in a 'dazed state' by two bystanders. Photo credit American Air Museum in Britain.
On the 9th of February 1944 Robertson was again at the controls of a Thunderbolt (42-75204 ) on a test flight from Bovingdon but was unable to maintain height due to an engine defect. He carried out a successful forced landing at Westwick Hall Farm, Gorhambury near St Albans.
1944
I found this image somewhere but can't tell you anything about it!
October 26th 1951
A slight upset on the Chesham Road....
Avro Tudor 5 G-AKCC. Image credit John Dent (Bovingdon Remembered).
1955
Burmese Air Force. I believe this aircraft survives in one form or another in an Australian Air Force Museum. Photo credit the Late Arthur Pearcy.
Nineteen Fifties? Meteor Quartet.
Late Fifties early Sixties?
I was probably with my pal David Rayment when he took this photo of a C54. It had just landed on the shorter runway (27) and was taxying around to the ramp. It is just about to cross the threshold of 04.
I lived then at Ashley Green and David used to cycle over from Watford to watch the aeroplanes. One afternoon we were cycling home for tea, going a hell of a lick down a hill on Two Dells Lane when my pedal lodged in David's rear wheel and we both came a hell of a cropper, bending our bikes rather badly.
1961 The War Lover
John Crewdson opens the taps. Photo credit William Schneider (Bovingdon Remembered).
Photo credits: Warbird Information Exchange.
Circa 1963 ?
I believe this Mosquito was used in both '633 Squadron' and 'Mosquito Squadron'.
October 26th 1968 The Battle of Britain.
Photo credit Bernard Martin.
I don't know if any parts of the Battle of Britain film were shot at Bovingdon. This appears to be some sort of Open Day? However I do remember one morning watching a CASA 2.111 trailing 'smoke' from one engine whilst performing low runs over the control tower upon which a gunner was firing off blanks.
J Kemp McLaughlin was co pilot to the Squadron Commander leading the 407th on this early raid on Lille mounted by the 92nd Bomb Group from Bovingdon:
'After crew checks and engine run-ups, we began our takeoff roll at 1000hrs. We formed up over the field and began our climb eastward along our planned route. We joined another group in trail at the coast at about fifteen thousand feet and continued our climb. It was a bright clear morning, and we were climbing directly into the sun when my pilot Major K decided we were closing too fast on the lead Squadron. Without notifying his wingmen, he reduced power, and they began to overrun his lead ship. As they fought to stay in formation and began to maneuver back and forth, Lt. Eugene Wiley's numbers three and four propellers chopped the vertical stabilizer entirely off Lt Jimmy Dempsey's airplane. Both slipped out of formation and luckily made it back to England. Wiley landed with two good engines at an RAF field (Detling) and Lt. Dempsey made it back to our home base at Bovingdon.'
Safely returned to Bovingdon without serious injury. Lt Dempsey (at left) and his crew. Text and image extracted from ' The Mighty Eighth' by Brig.Gen. J. Kemp McLaughlin.
20th December 1943
I was trying to find a new image of P47 42-7921 but could only come up with this:
Yes, It's our old friend Cass Hough again with his favourite Thunderbolt which was written off at Bovingdon on December 20th 1943. First Lt Franklin L Robertson had taken this aeroplane on a local test flight and was about to land back at Bovingdon when the aircraft caught fire on the approach. Robertson was partly blinded but landed and ground-looped to a stop. He was removed from the cockpit in a 'dazed state' by two bystanders. Photo credit American Air Museum in Britain.
On the 9th of February 1944 Robertson was again at the controls of a Thunderbolt (42-75204 ) on a test flight from Bovingdon but was unable to maintain height due to an engine defect. He carried out a successful forced landing at Westwick Hall Farm, Gorhambury near St Albans.
1944
I found this image somewhere but can't tell you anything about it!
October 26th 1951
A slight upset on the Chesham Road....
Avro Tudor 5 G-AKCC. Image credit John Dent (Bovingdon Remembered).
1955
Burmese Air Force. I believe this aircraft survives in one form or another in an Australian Air Force Museum. Photo credit the Late Arthur Pearcy.
Nineteen Fifties? Meteor Quartet.
Late Fifties early Sixties?
I was probably with my pal David Rayment when he took this photo of a C54. It had just landed on the shorter runway (27) and was taxying around to the ramp. It is just about to cross the threshold of 04.
I lived then at Ashley Green and David used to cycle over from Watford to watch the aeroplanes. One afternoon we were cycling home for tea, going a hell of a lick down a hill on Two Dells Lane when my pedal lodged in David's rear wheel and we both came a hell of a cropper, bending our bikes rather badly.
1961 The War Lover
John Crewdson opens the taps. Photo credit William Schneider (Bovingdon Remembered).
Photo credits: Warbird Information Exchange.
Circa 1963 ?
I believe this Mosquito was used in both '633 Squadron' and 'Mosquito Squadron'.
October 26th 1968 The Battle of Britain.
Photo credit Bernard Martin.
I don't know if any parts of the Battle of Britain film were shot at Bovingdon. This appears to be some sort of Open Day? However I do remember one morning watching a CASA 2.111 trailing 'smoke' from one engine whilst performing low runs over the control tower upon which a gunner was firing off blanks.
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 1st Aug 2020 at 18:47.
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
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From memory, all the BoB aircraft acquired by Spitfire Productions gathered at Bovingdon, though I don't think much if any filming took place there.
If I haven't mentioned it before, "Everything but the Flack" is Martin Caidin's book about the acquisition and delivery of the War Lover B-17s - worth getting a copy if you can!
Bernard Martin - is he still around? Used to enjoy his chatty round up of UK registration happenings in Air Britain...
If I haven't mentioned it before, "Everything but the Flack" is Martin Caidin's book about the acquisition and delivery of the War Lover B-17s - worth getting a copy if you can!
Bernard Martin - is he still around? Used to enjoy his chatty round up of UK registration happenings in Air Britain...
Log Book
I was going to attach a copy of my Father's log book, mentioning the Tudor crash, but I cannot get the pdf to attach!
I can remember Father talking about this as he was at the holding point waiting to take off when the Tudor landed down wind and went whistling past them. It also touched down a considerable way down the runway. Ahead of him was a USAF Neptune and its crew shut down and got out presumably to help. At that point the Tudor caught fire and the Neptune crew hurriedly ran back to their aeroplane to move it. Unfortunately the hot engines wold not start and the crew must have had a uncomfortable wait. Father also seemed highly amused that the fire tender arrived with some of the firemen running behind it.
I can remember Father talking about this as he was at the holding point waiting to take off when the Tudor landed down wind and went whistling past them. It also touched down a considerable way down the runway. Ahead of him was a USAF Neptune and its crew shut down and got out presumably to help. At that point the Tudor caught fire and the Neptune crew hurriedly ran back to their aeroplane to move it. Unfortunately the hot engines wold not start and the crew must have had a uncomfortable wait. Father also seemed highly amused that the fire tender arrived with some of the firemen running behind it.
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
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Get another couple of replies in on this thread and you should be ok. Posts on JetBlast don't count!
Does anyone know the operator of the Tudor? I think it might have been Surrey Flying Services? From memory I am pretty sure the Captain flying the Tudor was Marian Kozubski.
