A surprise phone call yesterday morning (Sunday 15 September) from Flight Lieutenant Antony 'Parky' Parkinson led to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Spitfire and Hurricane operating from North Weald to perform the commemorative flypast over Westminster marking Battle of Britain Day. The winds at their Coningsby base were out of limits for them to return, and they required temporary hangarage, which The Squadron was able to offer at short notice.
The Mark IX Spitfire MK356 with Parky on board and Hurricane IIc LF363, flown by Group Captain Johhny Stringer, arrived during the morning for fuel. They departed later for central London, returning after 40 minutes, giving the Airfield Museum a flypast to mark their Reunion and Fun Day. The aircraft are staying for several days, and are very welcome guests! It was particularly fitting that the BBMF operated from North Weald on this particular day. On 15 September 1945, Douglas Bader and eleven of his Battle of Britain comrades took off from RAF North Weald to lead the 300 aircraft in the first Battle of Britain Day commemorative flypast over London.
The local branch of the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) also took part in a special service at St Andrew’s Church in North Weald village on Sunday. They were accompanied by the Colour Party of 56(R) Squadron and its new Commanding Officer, Wing Commander Middleton. Afterwards, they returned to the Airfield for a reception in the Hurricane Room of the Control Tower. We took pictures of the Colour Party along with the RAFA colour at the Hurricane Gate Guardian, which is in 56 Squadron markings. This coincided with the return of the BBMF aircraft, and made a fitting tribute on this special day. 56 Squadron was the longest-serving squadron on the Airfield and played a major role in the Battle of Britain flying out of North Weald until the beginning of September 1940 when 249 Squadron took over from them..
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