The Phantom over RAF Grimsby!
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Oh dear. A camel on the bus job. Get the restraints, Nurse!
Inter Arma Enim Silentius Lex Legis
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She flew right over my house three times, twas orbiting at 250' in the Waltham/New Waltham area for about 20 minutes or so around noon ish. Where was the flypast at?
TG
TG
Thread Starter
A history lesson for ST and GF!
RAF Waltham, also known as RAF Grimsby, was brought into RAF service in Nov 1941 as a satellite to RAF Binbrook. Later in 1943 it became No 12 Base substation. RAF Waltham and 100 Sqn are commemorated in a memorial stone on the A16 next to the site of the base.
There is also a commemorative plaque at the Cheapside entrance to the RAF Grimsby site. "RAF Grimsby (Waltham) 1941-1945. To fight for our freedom and to end the Nazi tyranny, young people from all over the world came to this airfield to serve and to fly the Wellingtons and Lancasters of 142 and 100 Squadrons. Over 1000 brave young men came through this entrance - never to return. Many more were shot down and captured. We will remember them and salute all who served here."
RAF Waltham, also known as RAF Grimsby, was brought into RAF service in Nov 1941 as a satellite to RAF Binbrook. Later in 1943 it became No 12 Base substation. RAF Waltham and 100 Sqn are commemorated in a memorial stone on the A16 next to the site of the base.
There is also a commemorative plaque at the Cheapside entrance to the RAF Grimsby site. "RAF Grimsby (Waltham) 1941-1945. To fight for our freedom and to end the Nazi tyranny, young people from all over the world came to this airfield to serve and to fly the Wellingtons and Lancasters of 142 and 100 Squadrons. Over 1000 brave young men came through this entrance - never to return. Many more were shot down and captured. We will remember them and salute all who served here."
Even more history
Waltham actually opened as a civil airfield (Grimsby Airport) in about 1934. My father trained to fly there in 1938 under the Civil Air Guard scheme, although when war broke out and he applied to join the RAF they turned him down because "we have enough pilots at the moment thank you". When they came back to him in 1940 it was too late as he was by then wearing khaki!
(As another aside, when I went solo at Biggin Hill in 1966 I invited him into the clubhouse for a celebratory pint, and he immediately recognised my instructor - the same one who had sent him solo in 1938!)
(As another aside, when I went solo at Biggin Hill in 1966 I invited him into the clubhouse for a celebratory pint, and he immediately recognised my instructor - the same one who had sent him solo in 1938!)
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Waltham actually opened as a civil airfield (Grimsby Airport) in about 1934
The official opening of the Lincolnshire Aero Club's new aerodrome took place on Saturday, June 10 1933. The opening ceremony was preceded by a lunch at which the President of the Club, Brig. Gen. C. G. Hoare, presided.
He announced that a message had been received from His Majesty the King which said " The King sincerely thanks the President and Committee of the Lincolnshire Aero Club, assembled at the new aerodrome, for its loyal message of greeting and sends his best wishes for the success of the undertaking." Maj. Mealing, in proposing the toast of " The Club and the Airport of Grimsby," said that as a result of flying clubs being started the number of pilots in the country had increased from 200 to 2,000 since 1925.
Clubs could be started by the initiative of private individuals, but it was up to members to keep them going. It was nonsense to say that the British Isles were too small for flying to be taken seriously, the growth of flying proved the contrary.
The Lincolnshire Aero Club, by providing an aerodrome, were not only performing a great local service, but also a great national service in providing a link in a chain of aerodromes throughout the country. Replying to the toast, Brig. Gen. Hoare said that he thought there was a great opportunity of establishing Continental traffic at Grimsby Aerodrome.
Mr. Walter West, in proposing the toast of " Visiting Pilots and Guests," said how greatly they appreciated the kindness of so many pilots in coming to the opening. Lt. R. R. Bentley replied on behalf of the visiting pilots and wished the Club " happy landings."
The Mayor of Grimsby, Coun. T. Newby, in replying on behalf of the visitors, remarked that in his opinion an aerodrome run by private enterprise would be more successful than one run by a municipality. After lunch Maj. Mealing formally declared the aerodrome open, and there followed a flying display.
The first event was an official salute and fly past of machines, followed by a demonstration of a Ford three engined monoplane. Flt. Lt. A. G. Loton then gave a demonstration of inverted flying on a Blackburn B.2 " Trainer," and two other pilots also gave an acrobatic display.
Capt. Tindall, the Club's chief instructor, bombed Mr. E. Johnson in a car, and two parachutists dropped simultaneously ; Mr. A. W. Fairlie, of Brooklands Airways, did a delayed drop, landing safely just outside the aerodrome.
A pilots' obstacle race was won by Mr. Henshaw, Mr. Cook being second. The trophy for a 30-mile race presented by the Grimsby News was won by Mr. Gardner in an Avro " Cadet," Capt. T. N. Stack being second in a Blackburn B.2, and Mr. Johnson third in a " Bluebird." By way of variation, there was some clever motor-cycle trick riding by Mr. E. Peacock, 'of Skegness, and Mr. W. French, also on a motor cycle, rode' through a sheet of plate glass.
During the afternoon the Mayor and Mayoress and Brig. Gen. Hoare took a flight in the Ford machine, piloted by Capt. Stack.
Among those present at the lunch and display were Col. the Master of Sempill, Mr. W. J. Womersley, M.P., and Mrs. Womersley, Col. Heneage, M.P., and Mrs. Heneage, Lt. R. R. Bentley, A.F.C., Wing Com. Woodhouse, D.S.O., M.C., and Mrs. Woodhouse, Capt. Norman Blackburn, Capt. Lamplugk, Miss M. Astill, and Messrs. M. D. L. Scott, C. S. Humphries, Henshaw, J. J. Scholes and H. M. Diamant.
The handicapping of the race was in the capable hands of Capt. Dancy and Mr. F. Rowarth, and Mr. William Courtenay presided at the microphone.
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There were a lot of civil aerodromes opening around that time and famous names like Henshaw featured frequently in the 'Openings Circuit.'
But Messrs Peacock and French only seemed to do the Grimsby gig.. I wonder why?
By way of variation, there was some clever motor-cycle trick riding by Mr. E. Peacock, 'of Skegness, and Mr. W. French, also on a motor cycle, rode' through a sheet of plate glass.
But Messrs Peacock and French only seemed to do the Grimsby gig.. I wonder why?
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A full two page spread concerning the fly past in tonights Grimsby Telegraph. Some quotes:
"Every year the plane is flown over the Bradley House Nursing Home where a number of Second World War veterans have always lived"
"The PA474 has recently been repainted like the Phantom of the Ruhr which flew from Waltham and North Killingholme"
Decent picture taken from a helicopter of the Lanc over Peoples Park in Grimsby. Very nice!
"Every year the plane is flown over the Bradley House Nursing Home where a number of Second World War veterans have always lived"
"The PA474 has recently been repainted like the Phantom of the Ruhr which flew from Waltham and North Killingholme"
Decent picture taken from a helicopter of the Lanc over Peoples Park in Grimsby. Very nice!
Last edited by The Gorilla; 31st Jul 2007 at 11:20. Reason: Spalling
