This year is the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Norwegian Air Force in November 1944 as an independent part of the armed forces. It had previously been split between the Norwegian Army Air Service and Royal Norwegian Navy Air Service.
Chief of The Royal Norwegian Air Force, Major General Tonje Skinnarland, accompanied by Norway's Military Attaché to the UK and members of 331 and 332 Squadrons, visited the Airfield today to mark this significant anniversary. 331 and 332 Squadrons served at North Weald from May 1942 until March 1944, when they joined the 2nd Tactical Air Force.
The General laid a wreath at the Norwegian Obelisk at the Debt of Honour Memorial as part of a commemorative ceremony along with the EFDC and Parish Council Chairmen and W/Cdr Matt Fleckney of 56 Squadron. An Aero Legends Spitfire TD314 also performed a flypast overhead.
The party then proceeded to the Little Norway revetment at The Squadron where the Spitfire was parked for them to admire and take a closer look, guided by its pilot Tony Parkinson.
After a further floral tribute was laid at the Norwegian Stone, paintings of the 331 Squadron ‘Star of Stone’ Spitfire, BL637, were presented to the delegation by Geoff Berriman. He has been instrumental in getting a memorial dedicated for its pilot Karl Jacobsen in his home town of Stone in Staffordshire, which raised £5,000 to buy the Spitfire by public donations at The Star Inn during 1941. It was shot down over France on 19 June 1942 while flying from North Weald.
It was an honour for us to greet such distinguished guests back on their old home Airfield once again.
Sycamore, quite right, it's the Bravo 3 taxiway! Nice to see you again the other day for a chat. Not on hols, actually a swap, so 8-days on and 7-days off. I came in for the Norwegians as I'm the Airfield Press Officer, so I have to cover special events – photos for the newsletter, this site and Facebbok. I had also done a special two profile print which was presented to 132 Wing for their new mess, which was nice and I also got to meet Geoff from the 'Star of Stone' project, I had spoken to him several times on the phone before. The lunch courtesy of the Norwegians, was a bonus. Back to work tomorrow and counting the days!
On Monday 5 August the MiG 15UTI flew in from Hawarden. It has a revised scheme and will be using North Weald as a base over the summer. Its next display is at Eastbourne along with thge T-133.
By: LN Strike Eagle
- 17th August 2019 at 17:53Permalink
Some shots of the Norwegians earlier today. Seems they had a local flight this morning, which is annoying as the Saturday market opens up more viewing on the eastern side and it would have been very good for photos had I known.
Strikemaster shots were poor due to clutter, cloud cover and not paying attention when they returned, so will try again for those tomorrow.
I wish the Norwegians would operate from Weald Aviation.
By: LN Strike Eagle
- 18th August 2019 at 19:46Permalink
Some shots from today - massive thanks to YakRider and the airfield ops team for making them possible. More emphasis on the Strikemasters today, because there was cloud cover every time the Norwegians moved.
If you're not on Facebook there isn't much info there. I gather from posts on here that this is a ticket only affair and the implication of your post is that this is the only NW event and it isn't CAA approved.
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By: YakRider - 16th July 2019 at 06:46 Permalink
This year is the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Norwegian Air Force in November 1944 as an independent part of the armed forces. It had previously been split between the Norwegian Army Air Service and Royal Norwegian Navy Air Service.
Chief of The Royal Norwegian Air Force, Major General Tonje Skinnarland, accompanied by Norway's Military Attaché to the UK and members of 331 and 332 Squadrons, visited the Airfield today to mark this significant anniversary. 331 and 332 Squadrons served at North Weald from May 1942 until March 1944, when they joined the 2nd Tactical Air Force.
The General laid a wreath at the Norwegian Obelisk at the Debt of Honour Memorial as part of a commemorative ceremony along with the EFDC and Parish Council Chairmen and W/Cdr Matt Fleckney of 56 Squadron. An Aero Legends Spitfire TD314 also performed a flypast overhead.
The party then proceeded to the Little Norway revetment at The Squadron where the Spitfire was parked for them to admire and take a closer look, guided by its pilot Tony Parkinson.
After a further floral tribute was laid at the Norwegian Stone, paintings of the 331 Squadron ‘Star of Stone’ Spitfire, BL637, were presented to the delegation by Geoff Berriman. He has been instrumental in getting a memorial dedicated for its pilot Karl Jacobsen in his home town of Stone in Staffordshire, which raised £5,000 to buy the Spitfire by public donations at The Star Inn during 1941. It was shot down over France on 19 June 1942 while flying from North Weald.
It was an honour for us to greet such distinguished guests back on their old home Airfield once again.
Posts: 933
By: YakRider - 16th July 2019 at 06:48 Permalink
The MiG 17 was also outside and a Scout and Wasp were continuing with air tests
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By: Trolly Aux - 16th July 2019 at 14:43 Permalink
Great update YR, one question, is that new emergency services helicopter base on the dead side IE east side of the airfield adjacent to 20-02?
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By: YakRider - 16th July 2019 at 15:07 Permalink
It lets out onto the Bravo 4 taxiway so is nearer to Runway 12/30. It is on the other side of the peri track from Hangar 4a, where the Gnats are based
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By: sycamore - 16th July 2019 at 15:14 Permalink
No ,in the middle,S of 12/30.....
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By: sycamore - 16th July 2019 at 15:16 Permalink
YR,thought you were on hols....
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By: YakRider - 16th July 2019 at 20:31 Permalink
Sycamore, quite right, it's the Bravo 3 taxiway! Nice to see you again the other day for a chat. Not on hols, actually a swap, so 8-days on and 7-days off. I came in for the Norwegians as I'm the Airfield Press Officer, so I have to cover special events – photos for the newsletter, this site and Facebbok. I had also done a special two profile print which was presented to 132 Wing for their new mess, which was nice and I also got to meet Geoff from the 'Star of Stone' project, I had spoken to him several times on the phone before. The lunch courtesy of the Norwegians, was a bonus. Back to work tomorrow and counting the days!
Posts: 933
By: YakRider - 8th August 2019 at 17:10 Permalink
On Monday 5 August the MiG 15UTI flew in from Hawarden. It has a revised scheme and will be using North Weald as a base over the summer. Its next display is at Eastbourne along with thge T-133.
Posts: 3,778
By: Trolly Aux - 9th August 2019 at 13:46 Permalink
Love the 15's new adornments, thanks YR
Posts: 933
By: YakRider - 12th August 2019 at 08:53 Permalink
On Sunday afternoon C-47 Drag-Em-Oot returned from Headcorn
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By: Wyvernfan - 12th August 2019 at 18:34 Permalink
What’s the story behind the MiG’s new scheme?
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By: YakRider - 16th August 2019 at 21:05 Permalink
On Thursday two ex-Omani Strikemasters – G-SOAF and G-RSAF – arrived from Exeter.
Later G-SOAF went off to display at Eastbourne.
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By: YakRider - 16th August 2019 at 21:10 Permalink
We had CJ-6A Nanchang G-CJSA in for some maintenance on Thursday as well. It has a new Sri Lankan Air Force scheme.
Westland Wasp, G-RIMM, went off to Fenland.
Today, Friday, it was the turn of Strikemaster G-RSAF to display at Eastbourne.
Posts: 18
By: Human Factor - 16th August 2019 at 22:09 Permalink
I thought I saw someone with a camera. Quite a sporty crosswind...
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By: LN Strike Eagle - 17th August 2019 at 17:53 Permalink
Some shots of the Norwegians earlier today. Seems they had a local flight this morning, which is annoying as the Saturday market opens up more viewing on the eastern side and it would have been very good for photos had I known.
Strikemaster shots were poor due to clutter, cloud cover and not paying attention when they returned, so will try again for those tomorrow.
I wish the Norwegians would operate from Weald Aviation.
Posts: 699
By: Orion - 17th August 2019 at 18:43 Permalink
Are there any aeronautical events at NW? I get the impression the answer is no.
Regards
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By: LN Strike Eagle - 17th August 2019 at 18:53 Permalink
JetFest is on next month - https://www.facebook.com/JetFestNorthWeald/
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By: Wyvernfan - 17th August 2019 at 21:09 Permalink
Yep, really hoping to get to that one.
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By: LN Strike Eagle - 18th August 2019 at 19:46 Permalink
Some shots from today - massive thanks to YakRider and the airfield ops team for making them possible. More emphasis on the Strikemasters today, because there was cloud cover every time the Norwegians moved.
Posts: 699
By: Orion - 19th August 2019 at 11:50 Permalink
If you're not on Facebook there isn't much info there. I gather from posts on here that this is a ticket only affair and the implication of your post is that this is the only NW event and it isn't CAA approved.