raydon airfield preservation society

Mayor Sparks of Federal Heights that it was the owner, Shelly Ruston total quantity of material on this site is to continue to grow. After the end of World War II, in September, the group left Raydon and transferred back to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey where it was inactivated on 18 October 1945.[1][2]. Daniel became a POW when his aircraft engine failed. Some of the photos from Lt. Bishops album are posted here with thanks to Scott Bishop for sharing this fascinating further information. According to Cheryl York, Between The buildings that remain are largely unaltered in appearance. Frank arrived in Britain 6 June 1943 and completed theatre training at Goxhill. It took him 3 years to get When it was being built Woodlands Road (the road that goes over level crossing at Raydon Wood station) was truncated at the airfield boundary. (353rd FG Archive), John Madson in the cockpit of Janie (353rd FG Archive). He completed 270 combat hours and was awarded the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters and the DFC. WebRAYDON AIRFILED PRESERVATION SOCIETY This record comprises all information held by IWMs War Memorials Register for this memorial. You may use this image, for up to 30 days following download (Evaluation Period), for your internal review and evaluation only (layouts and comps) in order to determine if it meets the necessary requirements for the intended use.This authorization does not allow you to make any use in final materials or products or make it available to third parties for use or distribution by any means. Dr Graham Cross grew up in the village of Raydon, Suffolk. McColloms frustration was evident in his diary entry for October 20 writing [I] had to come back because she overheated. Raydon, Suffolk Polished black granite was the material of choice for many memorials erected in the 1990s. Communications, Within a garden/park/churchyard/enclosure/Marketplace. If you believe any of the information you cannot edit is wrong The new experiences and friendships formed in remembering the 353rd together are something to truly treasure. He was assigned to 351st FS, 353rd FG in October 1942 at Richmond, VA as an original cadre member of the group. Colorado Springs, Colorado. Powered by. http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1408576. One pilot with the 357th was a Lt. Charles Chuck Yeager. Our Squadron Commander said we should get at least two apiece. A recent query from the 8th Fighter Command research community has prodded me out of inaction on the aircraft histories part of this blog. WebMrs Rosie Crisp and Mrs Edie Peart discuss the construction of Raydon Airfield, May 18, 1991 by Graham Cross Collection Limited Time Offer: Get 50% off the first year of our best annual plan for artists with unlimited uploads, releases, and insights. Shes just not dependable. To add to these problems, Glenn Duncan had lost a wingtip from the aircraft in combat on September 23, 1943 so you can imagine that McCollom was probably not sorry to lose the aircraft. He gave us a very knowledgeable tour of the building and escorted us to the Mayors Parlour to see the 17th Century Rose Bowl given by the 353rd and 55th Fighter Groups to the town to commemorate the friendship in 1945. At some point between 1949-54, the field was having 3 runways, with the longest being the 3,900' Runway 17/35. McGraw, he reported: At about 12.40 hrs I was flying with Capt McGraw at 19000 ft when we saw two Me109s getting into position for an attack on the bombers from 6 oclock high to the rear. Royal Air Force Station Raydon or more simply RAF Raydon is a former Royal Air Force station located just to the northeast of the village of Raydon, about 6 miles (9.7km) from Ipswich, England. Choose the license that best suits your needs. Occupiers may be able to benefit from full business rate relief. the original hangar building, depicted in [previous] photos as the P-51 Mustang Janie represents the aircraft of Bill Price, 350th FS, 353rd FG (353rd FG Archive), P-51 Mustang Marinell of the 339th FG (353rd FG Archive). format. I then pulled off to stay with my leader and cover his tail. Located around two miles south-east of Hadleigh, it is part of Babergh district. Post-service reception at St Marys Church, Raydon (353rd FG Archive), John Madson and Lou Rosatone talk at the book of remembrance at St. Marys Church, Raydon (353rd FG Archive), The 353rd Families at St Marys Church, Raydon (353rd FG Archive), Is this the same country? After combat, he transferred to 27th Air Transport Group, Belfast, Ireland. Cheryl York showing the demolision of the former Ruston Airport enquiry has been made and can read the response to avoid duplicate enquiries. For your sacrifice Richard: RIP (Rest In PEACE). The group were able to tour the brand new visitors centre at the cemetery and visit some of the graves of 353rd Fighter Group. Stan was very proud of his association with the Squadron and Group and returned to Raydon in 1995 as part of the reunion party that year. office building, last reused as the Flight Deck Bar. A posthumous award was made to Lt. Keywan Lieutenant of the Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf (DFC OLC) Raydon Airfield Memorial. Saturday August 23 dawned bright and sunny and the party left the hotel for a 10 am appointment at the Raydon Memorial. The 353rd FG were at this time desperately short of pilots and so ten pilots were hastily transferred from Fowlmere to Raydon on October 2, 1944 (they were Warren, Linger, Clark, Rosen, Arnold, Fulton, French, Gilmer, Petticrew and Brock). Initially on loan to the Ninth Air Force, it was first occupied by the 357th Fighter Group, equipped with P-51s, in November 1943. You will need to be registered and logged in to For a depicted the "Ruston Heights" Airport as The buildings that remain are largely unaltered in appearance. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. It was depicted as having a 3,900' unpaved runway. Pre-application enquiry form. It reminded me of ground gunnery practice in the States. (S Bishop), Lt. Walter E. Murphy of Albany, IN and the 351st Fighter Squadron (S Bishop), Donna J (serial and code need checking) is thought to be the aircraft of Lt. Billy J. Murray who appears to be seated in the cockpit (S Bishop), The 351st Ready Room at Raydon (S Bishop), Heading to the planes from the briefing hut at Raydon (S Bishop), Lining up in the front in Fred Lefebres Willit Run? (S Bishop), Mustangs of the 351st FS take-off (S Bishop). The aircraft is unidentified, but may well be his (S Bishop), Thunderbolt and Mustangs at Raydon (S Bishop), Being checked out on the P-51. To our new American friends we say safe journey and Haste ye back!. consider checking the box to make a monthly donatation. This olive drab Thunderbolt was a replacement for Lt. Clifford F. Armstrongs first aircraft. He was assigned to the 8th Air Force, 353rd Fighter Group as an original cadre member of the 351st Fighter Squadron flying his beloved P-47 that he named High Sierra. On my second pass this Ju88 also burst into flames. All opinions on this site are those of the authors and do not represent those of supporting organisations. John Madson seated in the cockpit of Janie by kind permission of Maurice Hammond. The 358th was initially assigned to the 66th Fighter Wing, at Sawston Hall, Cambridge, then transferred to the Ninth Air Force on 1 February 1944 in exchange for the 357th FG. For your sacrifice Richard: RIP (Rest In PEACE). The crew for the Mustang period is unconfirmed and may have either changed entirely or in part. If Although never used as such, Raydon was built during 1942-43 as an Eighth Air Force bomber base, with three concrete runways, 50 loop and one pan hardstandings, and two dispersed T2 hangars. | Cookie Policy, Copyright War Memorials Trust Registered Charity Number: 1062255 | Site by The first is an accident at the hands of Reavy H. Giles while landing at RAF Woodchurch on April 23, 1944. help defray the increasing costs of the site. Where we hold a names list for the David reported, Demolition started 5/11/17 on This project would not be possible without the support of the following organisations:Manchester Metropolitan University. Scott Bishop has been in touch with some further information and pictures from his stepfathers wartime album. The outline of the airfield can clearly be seen on google He soon found himself outclassed by 50 Messerschmitt 109 German. Colonel Duncan directs three squadrons of 12 aircraft with an escort of eight P-47, 351FSand 352 FSon a mission bombing and strafing against enemy communications in the region of Evreux Dreux. Although it does not appear that the Squadron flew another SX-F before converting to Mustangs, the records for September are missing so it can only be assumed that no further SX-F coded Thunderbolts existed. When the Mustangs landed, we were all able to get an even closer look at the aircraft with the opening of the safety fences. WebMemorial bricklayer and member of RAPS ( Raydon Airfield Preservation Society), celebrates it's completion. It was originally named "Alabama Rammer Jammer" and assigned to Lt Arthur C Cundy (KIA 11 March 1945). Please contact Dr Graham Cross. WebRaydon Airfield Preservation Society, Notley Enterprise Park, Raydon Road, Great Wenham, Colchester: Workshop Factories, Workshops and Warehouses (Incl Bakeries and Dairies) 3,400: 1,646: Unit 1, Notley Enterprise Park, Raydon Road, Great Wenham, Colchester: Warehouse Factories, Workshops and Warehouses (Incl Bakeries and Dairies) 84,000 Given their progress today, it's likely to be Cheryl York showing the remains of the steps which led into the Although never used as such, Raydon was built during 1942-43 as an Eighth Air Force bomber base, with three concrete runways, 50 loop and one pan hardstandings, and two dispersed T2 hangars. Initially on loan to the Ninth Air Force, it was first occupied by the 357th Fighter Group, equipped with P-51s, in November 1943. depicted at all on the June 1963 Denver Sectional Chart (courtesy He was later at Operations Control dealing with the Dominican Republic and ferried C-119s to India and Vietnam. There is a nice colour photo of this aircraft available from the Jeff Ethel collection HERE though I have seen other versions of this photo but cannot establish who actually has the copyright. On 13 April 1944 the 358th was transferred to RAF High Halden. Ruston Field was no longer In Evreux, squads split up to attack specific targets: The 352FS, led by Lieutenant Colonel Bailey takes care of a truck convoy near Evreux before heading to rail objectives and Goms station. A Brief History of SX-C and SX-F of the 352nd FighterSquadron, 1st Lt. John W. Bishop, 351st FighterSquadron. AIRFIELD (Second World War - 1939 AD to 1945 AD), AIRCRAFT HANGAR (TYPE T2) (Second World War - 1943 AD to 1945 AD), AMMUNITION DUMP (Second World War - 1943 AD to 1945 AD), BARRACKS (Second World War - 1943 AD to 1945 AD), BOMB STORE (Second World War - 1943 AD to 1945 AD), MILITARY AIRFIELD (Second World War - 1943 AD to 1945 AD), MILITARY AIRFIELD (Mid 20th century - 1954 AD to 1958 AD), MOTOR TRANSPORT PARK (Late 20th century - 1970 AD to 1979 AD). Travel Company. standing (for the time being). Ive been absent from the blogosphere for quite some time planning the forthcoming reunion and other 353rd history related endeavours aremy onlyexcuse. diagonal outline). (Northwest of Denver, CO). The Group did not give him long to settle in. Raydon is one of the more complete Second World War USAAF airfield (bases) in East Anglia that was not used by the United States Air Force during the Cold War. True site is not supported by commercial advertising . We chose Colchester as the base camp for the weekend as it was a popular destination for group members when they were on leave from their duties. On April 7, 1945, flying wing to Capt. intersection of 100th Avenue & Federal Boulevard. Memorial bricklayer and member of RAPS ( Raydon Airfield Preservation Society), celebrates it's completion. WebI used to cycle up to Raydon airfield and remember seeing a Thunderbolt fighter crash at Raydon wood. A well-known photo of Lt. Cliff Armstrong about to climb into his aircraft SX-F 8 Gun Melody (a/c P-47D-1-RE 42-7904). - The lounge of the Officers Club at Raydon air base. A World War Two military airfield, opened in 1943 and closed in 1958. Following a superb lunch, Graham Cross presented the families each with a print of a pencil sketch depicting 352nd Fighter Squadron aircraft gifted by renowned local artist Geoff Pleasance. PORT ORANGE Raydon Corp., a Port Orange-based maker of virtual-reality training simulators for the U.S. military, has been sold to a Virginia company for an undisclosed amount. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with cluster, Air Medal and three clusters. 357th Fighter Group North American P-51B-1-NA Mustang Serial 43-12123 of 1957-1960, the Jefferson County Airport took all the business from This agreement, and the associated fee, must be renewed annually. Then it was back on the bus to visit the afternoon air show as guests of Mr John Anderson and family. In Evreux, squads split up to attack specific targets: A highlight of the ceremony was the joint unveiling of the new information board by John Madson (350th Fighter Squadron) and Mr John Peacock. Carl Mangold. We were very lucky to have 350th Fighter Squadron pilot John Madson in attendance with his family and the families of Glenn Duncan, Gordon Compton, Frank King, Tony Rosatone, Galen Bevington, John Davenport and Bayard Auchincloss. Ruston Airport office building. WebThe marquee of the Raydon Airfield Preservation Society (RAPS) Guests looking at the displays around the RAPS marquee . Frank returned to the U.S. October 1, 1944. Laurent has been investigating the circumstances of the crash that cost Lt. Keywan his life and sent me below write-up of events June 12, 1944. Joe Lopez may have been armourer at this time. Indeed his parachute did not have time to open and he was killed and on the edge of the Vigne Street. Pastscape. They were given up and sold in the 1980s. For 35 years, he has been the UK contact, historian and archivist for the 353rd Fighter Group organising their UK reunions and attending many in the United States. Proceedings closed with a toast to the men of the 353rd Fighter Group. Some of the details are also quite difficult to see so just click on the images for a larger view. Replacing the 9th AF 358th FG was the 353rd Fighter Group, moving in from RAF Metfeld in April 1944. 320 acres. The membership is currently full and there is a waiting list of fellow modellers keen to join the club. On 19 December the group received their first fighter, a single North American P-51B. As Air Force Reservist 1940s he was assigned to a Troop Carrier Wing in 1951. Surely the biggest grin on the field that day! This olive drab Thunderbolt appears to have come into the Squadron in early September 1943. Here he flew new aircraft to combat bases, including P-47, P-51, P-38, B-26, A-26, B-24, B-17, and C-47. WebRaydon was primarily a fighter station for the Eighth and Ninth United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). Film footage of American airmen at Raydon is available through the East Anglian Film Archive: http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/933. If it is, you will need to provide further details and submit current I pulled up behind mine and opened fire. I request financial contributions from site visitors, to operation of this site. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. (N/S: 3,900', N/W: 2,600', and N/W & S/E: Members of the 353rd families helped place the wreaths (Glenn Duncan Jr with Mr Tom Peacock, Gary Bargerhuff with Cllr Jim Lowe, and Lou Rosatone with Bob Gooding). @ 0.125 --> Keywords task completed, 2023 agefotostock - stock photography agency. The Flight Deck Bar is still standing & is located on the This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/. you enjoy the site, and would like to make a financial contribution. tunnel where the Ladies Of The Eve went from airport [office Because of the congestion, my flight moved out to an auxiliary field nearby. Maguire and their father were great friends (353rd FG Archive). of the field. Sadly, due to the worsening weather, a trip to Metfield by some of the party had to be cancelled. Object Number - FRE 352 WebHome of the Raydon and District Model Aircraft Club (est. Coming from the direction the boscherons Gaudreville Richard bailed out, but too low. Ruston Airport the ever-present new homes. Hopefully I will resume posting more regularly in the near future. The runways were mostly broken up in the 1960s. After McCollom, the aircraft then became the assigned aircraft of Lt. Gordon L. Willits, but there are few records indicating that he ever flew it operationally. Privacy Policy site covers airfields in all 50 states: Click Im sure you will join me in thanking Laurent for all his endeavours to ensure Lt. Keywan is remembered and in congratulating the people of the area for such a moving tribute to a member of the 353rd who made the ultimate sacrifice. along the west side of the field. One of the more complete 2nd WW USAAF bases in East Anglia that was not used during the Cold War. This post is made with condolences to the families of Frank King and Jack Walsh and with thanks to Susan King (daughter of Frank) and Marilynn (daughter of Jack) for passing on the the sad news. site covers airfields in all 50 states. WebRaydon airfield preservation society building, Raydon, Suffolk, England, Stock Photo, Picture And Rights Managed Image. Copyright 2023 | The Friendly Invasion - Conflict and Commemoration, Raydon Airfield - Fighter Station to Farmland, Ace in a Day: The Memoir of an Eighth Air Force Fighter Pilot in World War II, The Friendly Invasion - Conflict and Commemoration. will require ever-increasing funding to pay its expenses. I was recently contacted by Laurent Henrisson from Gaudreville, France. Glenn Duncan Jr at the Raydon Memorial (353rd FG Archive), John Madson at the Raydon Memorial with the USAF Honour Guard from RAF Mildenhall (353rd FG Archive), The 353rd Families at the Raydon Memorial with Mustangs en route! ensure that it continues to be available & to grow. Please The buildings that remain are largely unaltered in appearance.Details in Wikipedia under RAF Raydon (copy in parish file).HBSMR mapping an approximation only - needs checking with contemporary AP coverage.A World War Two military airfield, opened in 1943 and closed in 1958. After the war flying ceased, part of the airfield was sold in 1954 and the rest of the airfield followed in 1958. The local fire brigade used the airfield from 1965 for a short period to practice fire extinguishing. For further information on how your data is collected and used, please read our Privacy Policy. Raydon Wood was downgraded to an unstaffed public siding on 6 April 1964 and all traffic ceased a year later on 19 April 1965. [Clarification needed]. 2 runways, with a hangar & a few smaller buildings on the west Lt Col. Loren Mac McCollom took it as his personal aircraft and named it Butch II for his wife. I thought it rather touching and significant that the village in which Lt. Keywan lost his life are looking to remember him this year. Just as a final note on SX-C the coding was only used once in the Squadron during the entire war. paulandterryfreeman@gmail.com. He later recounted the grim realities of this type of mission: It was a balmy April day. This pages of this website are sponsored by the Colorado As the 353rd families arrived, John Anderson welcomed them personally and the Wattisham Military Wives Choir treated them to songs. The party then split with some choosing to visit the Imperial War Museum at Duxford and some heading into Cambridge for lunch at the Eagle Pub (famous for the aircrew signatures on its ceiling and walls) followed by a tour of Kings College Chapel and Queens College. airport office building, which remained in use as the Flight He also leaves behind 5 great grandchildren. The airport property consisted of Trust, Totally The airport served as a training The highlight of the afternoon was, of course, the static and flying aircraft displays kindly arranged by Maurice Hammond of Hardwick Warbirds. As commander of the 61st FS, 56th Fighter Group, McCollom called his P-47 Butch. His daughter Patty explains that Butch was her fathers humorous nickname for her mother a very diminutive, feminine and educated woman who you could never imagine calling Butch. When he left the 56th to join the 353rd, McColloms old P-47 would likely have remained on the 56th books and the natural thing to do would be to call the new 353rd aircraft Butch II. It seems that Butch II was disappointingly unreliable in the air. We knew a flak barrage protected Pocking airdrome and that expert camouflage concealed several hundred planes of all shapes and sizes. Cheryl York showing the former Ruston Airport hangar, which remains The party then were able to have some free time to explore Colchesters sights and shops. One of the more complete 2nd WW USAAF bases in East Anglia that was not used during the Cold War. Stan flew the first of 65 missions from Raydon on October 12, 1944 and his last on April 20, 1945. + http://wikimapia.org/18291131/Notley-Industrial-Park. He founded the Raydon Airfield Preservation Society and was Chairman for the airfield memorial project. It is with great sadness that I have to start the year with a report that we have lost another Group veteran recently. the charity can fund. Gary Bargerhuff read a very moving poem by Galen Bevington entitled The Cause and particularly poignant as Galen was killed in action November 25, 1944. this site was first put on the web in 1999, its popularity has grown The following is posted with grateful thanks to Lt Col. McColloms daughter, Patty McCollom Bauchman. When the 353rd Fighter Group were stationed there, it was known as "The Auger Inn". Although never used as such, Raydon was built during 1942-43 as an Eighth Air Force bomber base, with three concrete runways, 50 loop and one pan hardstandings, and two dispersed T2 hangars. If the trace remained of Ruston Field, with the majority of the airport site completely down by 5/12 & the debris hauled off fairly quickly.. If at the end of the Evaluation Period you do not contract a license for its use, you must stop using the image and destroy / delete any copy of it. A/C 44-14694 P-51D-10-NA. A 2017 photo Event - Survey: Historic Building Recording - Technical Site of Raydon Airfield (ESF23164), guidance about the use of Suffolk Historic Environment Record data. Colonel Duncan directs three squadrons of 12 aircraft with an escort of eight P-47, 351FSand 352 FSon a mission bombing and strafing against enemy communications in the region of Evreux Dreux. interesting part of Ruston Airport's configuration: When I got a tour from a Exclusivity: Please contact us, if you wish to license this image with exclusive rights. The moving ceremony included an Honour Guard of current serving USAF personnel from RAF Mildenhall and words from Glenn Duncan Jr (the son of the 353rds Commanding Officer), Revd Paul and Councillor Lowe. After making approximately eight passes on three t/e e/a, believed to be Ju88s, on the opposite side of the woods, these a/c failed to burn although I covered each with numerous strikes. Harry Ruston's idea for the The Raydon Airfield Memorial Group (Mark Manning, Steven Silburn, Mervyn and Maynard Pizzey, Chris Elsey, Janice Rumsey, Bob Gooding and many others) had been working hard to brighten up the memorial and to create a new information board for visitors to the site. A posthumous award was made to Lt. Keywan Lieutenant of the Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf (DFC OLC). Ruston Field was depicted on the The 353rdmade a special friendship with the people of Colchester during World War II so we spent Friday August 22 touring the town. Group markings were red, yellow and red spinners, with a 12-inch red and yellow check band around the cowling behind the spinner. Details in Wikipedia under RAF Raydon (copy in parish file). Inevitably this fact has brought some speculation that it was not used again as a tribute to Lt. Col. McCollom who was brought down by flak on the mission of November 25, 1943 to become a POW. The Quinn, pilot & educator, in front of a Cessna at Ruston Field. An eyewitness reported that his body had been buried in our village cemetery. For 35 years, he has been the UK contact, historian and archivist for the 353rd Fighter Group organising their UK

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