Duxford

This was the base at which 609 was first to make acquaintance with the Hawker Typhoon, joining 56 Squadron who had converted to them from their Spitfires and were already highlighting teething troubles with both the engine and the airframe that were to continually dog the Typhoon throughout its service life. In 609's first month at Duxford, arriving on 30th March 1942, they only received one Typhoon - but were kept busy as they still operated their 13 (worn-out) Supermarine Spitfire MKVB's. By the beginning of May, they were at long  last in possession of their new mounts - fifteen factory-fresh Hawker Typhoons of both types 1A and 1B, with which they were to train before becoming fully operational once more. During this time, 609 had one fatal accident - on 26th June 1942. Whilst taking off as a pair, the Belgians Raymond 'Cheval' Lallemand and Francois De Spirlet collided (De Spirlet's Typhoon having a blow-out that swung the aircraft across the runway). Francois Xavier Egenoff De Spirlet was killed.

While still at Duxford, 609 was to fire its guns in anger for the first time since the change-over - courtesy of Armand 'Fifi' De Saxce, who fired on a Focke-Wulf Fw190 that was flying in accidental formation with the Belgian Bob Wilmet - this mistaken identity between the two types of aircraft was soon to become a familiar occurrence from both sides, especially once the Typhoons were sent to the south coast to intercept the Fw190 tip-and-run raiders, both flying at low-level. Under Paul Richey's reccomendation, the Duxford Wing - which now consisted of 56, 266 and 609 Squadrons - was split up and redeployed to combat this new threat. On 18th September 1942, 609 (West Riding) Squadron returned to Biggin Hill, leaving merely the words on the blackboard outside dispersal:

 "Tally Ho! Gone away!"

And the Goat.

Duxford was built during World War One as one of the earliest RAF Aerodromes. From training RFC aircrew in 1917, it went on to become No 35 Training Depot in September 1918. When the war ended shortly afterwards, it was used to disband squadrons returning from overseas, becoming No.2 Flying Training School in 1920. In 1924 Duxford was to finally become a fighter station.

In August 1938, No.19 Squadron at Duxford became the first RAF squadron to re-equip with Supermarine Spitfires, the first being flown into Duxford by Chief Test Pilot Jeffrey Quill of Supermarine. Duxfords first Hurricanes arrived 11 months later when escaped Czech Pilots formed 310 Squadron, soon to be joined 242 Squadron from nearby Coltishall, along with the still-present Spitfires of No19. In September 1940, these squadrons, under Douglas Bader, formed a wing, intercepting a large Luftwaffe force before they could attack their target. 611 (West Lancashire) and 302 (Polish) Squadrons were soon added to this now famous.’Big Wing’ of sixty fighters.

Once the Battle Of Britain was over, Duxfords role changed slightly, to accommodate the Air Fighting Development Unit, and to become the place where squadrons were sent for converting onto new aircraft. As such, Duxford became the operational birthplace of the Hawker Typhoon with its formation under John Grandy of the first Typhoon wing, consisting of 56 (Under Hugh ‘Cocky’ Dundas, brother of John), and 609 Squadron (Under Paul Richey’s command). Their first operation together took place on 20th June 194 with a sweep over France.

In April 1943 the Duxford became Base 357, one of many bases used by the United States 8th Air Force, and held the headquarters of the 78th Fighter Group flying P47 Thunderbolts and P51 Mustangs. It remained in America’s hands 1 December 1945.

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Last modified: April 11, 2003