A memorial is to be unveiled at the site of RAF Hunsdon in Hertfordshire on May 22nd. This has been achieved due to the efforts of a group of enthusiasts with the support of the Mosquito Museum. RAF Hunsdon is synonymous with the Mosquito : in particular, it has entered into aviation legend as the base from which Operation Jericho, the Amiens Prison raid, was launched. See : - http://hunsdonmemorial.tripod.com
If the Great British Weather permits ( ), the timetable for Hunsdon is as follows ; - 12:15 Flypast by P-51 Mustang 13:15 Dedication of Memorial 14:00 Flypast by BBMF Lancaster The afternoon is free for veterans and visitors to explore the airfield site. More than perhaps any other airfield, Hunsdon is uniquely associated with the Mosquito and it's a tragedy that no flying Mossie exists to take part in this event. Hunsdon will forever be immortalised as the airfield which, from December 1943 to April 1944, was home to the legendary 464 (RAAF) and 487 (RNZAF) Squadrons which, together with 21 Squadron, have become known as 'The Gestapo Hunters'.
That's a shame, and actually quite odd! Considering the legendary status and good looks of the aircraft! Any particular reason for this I wonder? I'm guessing it might have something to do with the wooden details of the construction not standing up to the test of time ...possibly...?
You're fundamentally right, Heartland. Ironically, the last flying Mosquito ( RR299 ) which sadly crashed in 1996, was destroyed not as a result of airframe fatigue ; there was a fault in an engine. But Mosquitoes do suffer badly if they not regularly flown. Dampness and humidity can enter the plywood and cause the layers to de-laminate. This is why Kermit Week's example has not flown for many years - Florida climate and the DH Mosquito are not good companions.
My father and I attended this event today - one of the very best events of its kind which I have ever been to. The weather was kind, the crowd was large, and many veterans were able to attend. Air Commodore Garwood represented the RAF, and the Air Attaches of Australia and Canada also laid wreaths at the new memorial. A P-51 Mustang opened the ceremony , prayers were offered, hymns were sung, the Last Post sounded, and exactly on cue the BBMF Lancaster roared low overhead for four flypasts - to the obvious delight of all present. I particularly wanted to meet two veterans and was able to do so : S/Ldr Tom Bennett DFM - only surviving memebr of 617 Squadron's original eight Pathfinder Mosquito aircrew - and Wing Commander Branse Burbridge DSO DFC - the RAFs highest-scoring nightfighter ace with 21 victories plus three V1s, all on Mosquitoes. A memorable day indeed.
For anyone interested, a nice photo-montage of the days events can be viewed at ; - http://hunsdonmemorial.tripod.com/id9.html
