RAF Upwood
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Shows what I know
Just looked at the RAF Upwood website.
What a wonderful history, so closely linked to the Canberra and a proud history as a bomber base. Infrastructure still appears largely intact. May have to swing the old MG by there the next time I'm down that way.
God I miss the cold war, all those old Sqn's, all those lions rampant on mullets addorsed, so proud.....so pissed. Never mind.
I'm proud to be in the RAF and I'm proud that the young sweats call me a crusty old f
er. Going to bed with a brandy and a fat wife. What more could an RAF chap ask for.
What a wonderful history, so closely linked to the Canberra and a proud history as a bomber base. Infrastructure still appears largely intact. May have to swing the old MG by there the next time I'm down that way.
God I miss the cold war, all those old Sqn's, all those lions rampant on mullets addorsed, so proud.....so pissed. Never mind.
I'm proud to be in the RAF and I'm proud that the young sweats call me a crusty old f
er. Going to bed with a brandy and a fat wife. What more could an RAF chap ask for.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: East Anglia.
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Early WW2 years saw Bleheims opperating at Upwood, later Lancasters.
I lived 5 miles to the North of Upwood during WW2. I would be in my bed and hear Lancasters, up to 20 of them at short intervals. The Merlins flat out, fully loaded, struggling for height, rattling my bedroom windows.
I was not to know that a large percentage of those young boys were on their last sortie.
Or that an engine failure would be the end of me. Those WW2 Tech boys must have been magicians, ferreting around for spares.
I saw the crews in Ramsey (then Hunts) visiting the George Hotel.
I lived 5 miles to the North of Upwood during WW2. I would be in my bed and hear Lancasters, up to 20 of them at short intervals. The Merlins flat out, fully loaded, struggling for height, rattling my bedroom windows.
I was not to know that a large percentage of those young boys were on their last sortie.
Or that an engine failure would be the end of me. Those WW2 Tech boys must have been magicians, ferreting around for spares.
I saw the crews in Ramsey (then Hunts) visiting the George Hotel.
Join Date: Mar 2001
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I was an RAF kid at Upwood in 1950 (ish). There were at least two Lincoln squadrons there in those days and we kids had the run of the airfield. I seem to remember a long hot summer and that the Lincolns were parked with the rear side hatch open. Of course - we climbed inside and I remember clambering over the huge main spar to get to the cockpit. I remember listening in bed as my father's squadron got airborne for night training - the noise still haunts me. Then, I would lie awake until they returned; you cannot imagine the constant drone of 15 Lincolns in the circuit!!!
Later, Meteors arrived at Upwood and we kids sat in the hedge on the end of the runway, breathing paraffin with our hair streaming back in the jet efflux.
I also set fire to the box hedge outside the CO's house when playing with matches!!!
Happy memories,
pedro
Later, Meteors arrived at Upwood and we kids sat in the hedge on the end of the runway, breathing paraffin with our hair streaming back in the jet efflux.
I also set fire to the box hedge outside the CO's house when playing with matches!!!
Happy memories,
pedro
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: England
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Thank you for the pictures. Does anyone have pictures of the inside of the mess?
RAF Upwood has a prestigious operational history with 2 bomber sqaudrons and a pathfinder squadron. Young men that died in the service of their country lived in the Officers mess there. It is a massive travesty that it should be allowed to fall to ruin and be vandalised by local chavs who clearly have no respect or knowlege of the fallen.
RAF Upwood has a prestigious operational history with 2 bomber sqaudrons and a pathfinder squadron. Young men that died in the service of their country lived in the Officers mess there. It is a massive travesty that it should be allowed to fall to ruin and be vandalised by local chavs who clearly have no respect or knowlege of the fallen.
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: West Sussex
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Hampden Crash 31-Julu-1941
My uncle lost his life attempting to land at RAF Upwood on his return from a bombing raid over Cologne on the night of 30/31 Jul 1941. He was flying Hampden AE266 from 61 Sqn, based at North Luffenham. For some reason (I think bad weather) they attempted to land at Upwood and crashed short of the runway. There was one survivor of the crash, a Flight Sergeant Harry Scott, who died only recently. His obituary was in the Telegraph here. I had always wondered who the survivor was and if he lived through the war, and now I know (but just too late). The members of the crew were:
Pilot Officer Patrick James Neil Adshead
Captain (Pilot)
aged 23
Flight Sergeant Scott
Observer
injured
Flight Sergeant Rex Ronald Boyce Durtnall DFM
Wireless operator/ Air gunner
aged 21
Sergeant Kenneth Marcel Fillmore
Air gunner
aged 23
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Here is an aerial picture taken on a flight from Conington-Le Touquet(Via Sudbury) on the 15/11/2007. Thought it might be of some interest
I actually live on the housing estate, backing onto the airfield. You can see it just to the North of the existing runway.
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Upwood
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There is a gliding club just to the left of the image. Fortunately, as I can see the site from my house, I know when I can fly overhead. Also this flight was during the week and they only operate outside of working hours.
Here is a picture of the gliding site(bottom right):
@R Supwoods: Yes, it seems I must be your neighbour! I live down Malthouse Lane. Quite a nice area but can be a bit quiet for my liking
Here is a picture of the gliding site(bottom right):
@R Supwoods: Yes, it seems I must be your neighbour! I live down Malthouse Lane. Quite a nice area but can be a bit quiet for my liking
Join Date: Aug 2006
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IIRC it was the College of Air Warfare before it moved to Manby. At least the Manby is being taken care of by a district council even if they don't like the rate payers actually visiting the place.