Three Mosquito's and the Black Swan.
 

For a future project at work I was forced to visit Hemel Hempstead on Saturday, this gave me the perfect opportunity to do a mini 633 squadron heritage trail.

First stop the De Havilland Heritage centre to see the three Mosquito's, I forgot to ask where the fourth cockpit section now resides.

Followed by a brief visit to Bovingdon airfield, the location for the films 633 and Mosquito Squadron.

Followed by an apropriate pint of Arkells Lysander ops inspired Moonlight at the Black Swan (Three Compasses) at Patchetts Green.

The Three Compasses


Accommodation in Swindon, hotels, bed and breakfast and pubs Swindon | Arkell's Brewery Swindon

Batchy.

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I always thought the Black Swan was the Swan at Leyhill.

But I enjoyed my time operating at Bovingdon

Hi Robin,

I know it seems odd that the film company used a pub at Platchetts Green rather than one nearer Bovingdon, but The Three Compasses is really close to the studios at Boreham Wood.

Batchy.

Perfectly true and I've spent happy evenings in both in a previous life.

One likes Mossies, almost as much as Spits. Certainly innovative and surely the best fighter-bomber of WWII.

In 1957 I was on a gliding course at RAF Halton, where there were several Mosquitos standing unwanted and apparently unloved in a quiet corner. Most were night fighter variants with blunt-shaped radomes, and all had their entry hatches hanging open temptingly. So at every opportunity I was "up and in there" like a rat up a drainpipe. I was 18, slim and fairly fit, but it was still quite an effort to heave myself into each of them. With the passing of time I'm pretty certain it would probably be beyond me now, so I wonder whether the more mature and/or portly aircrew had the benefit of boarding ladders or steps to get aboard?

The Mosquito is undoubtedly the best"Multi-Role Combat Aircaft" of all time.

Nothing else comes close.