64 Squadron Duxford
 

Took my father to Duxford last week on his 80th birthday - transpires that he was stationed there 60 years ago [last 6 months of 1952] and it was his first operational squadron. Found the Chipmunk he first solo'd in - I think it was WD373.
Excellent day out and I found out a great many things about his flying life there and beyond - 151, 25 and 11 squadrons.
Came away feeling a bit overwhelmed about what he (and all his friends) used to do and very proud to have been let into his world if only for a very short time.

Hope your father enjoyed reminiscing back at one of his old haunts. Do you or your father have any photos of 64 sqn whilst at Duxford, as i'm very interested in photos of Duxford's jet era?! Thanks.


Rob

Wyvernfan, i was with 64 at Duxford, i will have a dig to see if i can find any photos. Great station by the way. :ok:

Hi sled dog, that would be much appreciated thank you. My parents used to live in an old cottage near the end of runway 24, right next door to The Flowerpot inn during the late fifties early sixties (before i was born i might add). And i have always thought the jet period of Duxfords history has always been somewhat overlooked.

May i ask in what capacity did you do your service with 64 at Duxford?


Rob

Wyvernfan
 

I will ask my dad to have a look see too. Meteors a plenty me thinks. 16 aircraft and 22 crews...apparently never mixed much with 65. As he said 'didn't go up that end very often'!

Thanks fetcheveryone.

One mystery i would like to clear up is that of a Meteor that, having apparently suffered brake failure, ran off the end of the eastern runway and slid across Hunts road before stopping in a field (presumably before the rising crash net was installed at the R24 end). But i cannot find any information regarding this incident. The only ones involving 64 sqdn Meteors i do have info on are the following;

23/8/1953; Gloster Meteor F.8 WK966 64 Sqn Hit slipstream on
approach & stalled onto r/w. Wing hit ATC caravan W/O. NF


6/10/1954; Gloster Meteor F.8 WH314 64 Sqn Swung on take off & u/c
collapsed. Ventral tank caught fire. W/O. NF


Rob

Meteor accident.
 

I was one of the ground crew with 64Sqdn from 1952-56. Both Sqdns (64 & 65)
were on exercise on the far side of the airfield that day. We were waiting for our
aircraft to return and most of us could see what was going to happen. We also saw
the men in the caravan make a very quick exit. Thank goodness no-one was hurt