RAF HARROWBEER

YELVERTON

Archive of Latest News ~ to the end of 2013

LATEST NEWS!

Aug 2013: Apologies but this got a bit forgotten with the 1940s Event going on.

We have had a busy Summer! The 1940s Event was a partial success. Sadly, the Saturday was ruined by a very British Summer gale which swept through during the day. Sunday was lovely though but the money raised at the event wasn't enough to clear our costs. We will persevere with next year's event.

Earlier in July, we had some geo-phys done in the area of the demolished property Udal Torre. It showed up quite a lot of things which we hope to investigate further in due course.

March 2013 ~ updated 27th March

In conjunction with the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), we are giving a guided walk around the airfield on Tuesday, 2nd of April, starting promptly at 1pm. The walk will start and finish at Knightstone Tea Rooms.

Please note that Knightstone Tea Rooms is closed on a Tuesday and refreshments will not be available at the end of the walk.

General details about our guided walks can be found by clicking on 'Airfield Walk' above.

February 2013

The HIG have joined up with the RAF Harrowbeer Archives and the 1940s Roadshow, to put on a 1940s themed event at Knightstone on the 17th & 18th August. Michael Hayes of the Harrowbeer Archives has decided not to put on any 'Harrowbeer Archive Weekends' this year, so the August event will be the only one at Harrowbeer this year.

There is a separate website www.rafharrowbeer1940s.co.uk which will have all the relevant details on it.

To see the work done to clear the Dispersal Bay in 2011, click here: Dispersal Bay clearance work

Our RAF Harrowbeer 70th Anniversary celebrations in 2011 were a huge success. Anniversary page

August 2012

The RAF Harrowbeer Weekend at Knightstone Tea Rooms suffered badly from the poor BH weather. The planned Spitfire flypast never happened probably due to poor conditions elesewhere as the pilot had contacted us to say he was coming but in the event, he never arrived so probably had to turn back.

Sunday's weather was much nicer and good crowds turned out to make the most of the fine weather.

The less said about Monday the better! The weather was worse than attrocious!

July 2012

The terrible weather of the last few months has put paid to any further work on clearing the dispersal bays. We will be continuing with this once we get into Autumn. Chris & Greta Bailey (and Archie the dog!) had been clearing the signal square of turf/weeds but even this has had to stop for now.

Remember: if you would like to help with our work please come and see us at Knightstone over the BH weekend in August.

The Parish Council are proposing to install an analemmatic sundial on the airfield. If you want to know what one of these is, they take a look here: SUNDIAL. It works by your standing on the correct month marker and then, if the suns out (Ha!) you can tell the time. The chosen postion for this is over by the Rock.

April 2012: Press Release

Volunteers from the RAF Harrowbeer Interest Group (HIG) have been hard at work over the last few months, restoring another of the former WWII airfield's Dispersal Bays, at Yelverton. Following last year's successful restoration of the Bay near Knightstone Tea Rooms, a second Dispersal Bay has had trees and gorse removed, soil and rubble cleared away, and the protective 'arms' rebuilt.

When we completed last year's work, it became more evident what a bad state some of the other bays had fallen into. After consultations with Maristow Estate, Dartmoor National Park, and the Commoners, we tackled a second Dispersal Bay, removing trees and gorse and clearing away soil and rubble. Tree roots had severely damaged the centre arm but once these had been removed, we have been able to repair it with much of the soil that had fallen onto the floor of the bay. We are very proud that it now looks more like it did during WWII and have received many favourable comments from passers-by.

There are no plans to dig out the internal air-raid shelter of this bay and we will be working with Maristow Estate to restore further bays in the future. We would like to thank Tavy Task Force for their help with the tree clearing.

Visitors to the Airfield over the Easter weekend will be able to admire the repaired bay and will also be able to visit the internal air-raid shelter in the Dispersal Bay restored last year. Opening times for this are Noon to 4pm on both Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th April. Entrance to the shelter is free, but a donation to HIG funds will be welcomed. HIG members will be on hand to answer questions and to talk about the history of the RAF Harrowbeer.

The Dispersal Bay before we started

The Dispersal Bay after we finished

L to R: Pavel Vincenc; Den Fairchild; Stephen Fryer And yes! It was cold that day!!!! Thanks also to Rod Hole, Claire Fryer, David Parnall, Marek Vincenc, Chris Bailey, Greta Bailey, Tavy Task Force and anyone else who helped

16th August

I am putting together some photos and information on the Anniversary event and will up date ASAP.

2nd August

Now in the last throws of finishing off the Anniversary plans! See the Anniversary page for the latest info.

We have finished the restoration of the Dispersal Bay and this will be open to visitors during the Annivesary Weekend.

July 7th 2011

The RAF Harrowbeer 70th Anniversary Group have borrowed a page from history and launched a 'Spitfire Fund' to help raise money for the Airfield's Anniversary Celebrations taking place around Knightstone Tea Rooms over the weekend of the 13th and 14th August 2011. The Group were disappointed recently to be refused lottery funding for the event and need to raise over £5,000 to pay for the weekend's flying displays by the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight plus the Fairey Swordfish of the Historic Flight from RNAS Yeovilton.

Picture of the RAF Harrowbeer 'Spitfire' Badge alongside a 20p coin for scale (not a brilliant picture but it's hard to photograph something so small and shiny!)

All donations to the Spitfire Fund will be gratefully received, but a £10 donation will qualify you to receive a specially created, limited-edition badge in the shape of a Spitfire, with the inscription "RAF Harrowbeer" on it. A £25 donation qualifies you for a gold-plated version of the badge. The design copies the style of the wartime 'Spitfire Fund' badges that were used to raise funds to buy Spitfires for the war effort.

Anniversary Group Chairman Michael Hayes said, "We have had a number of personal donations for the event and thought that the creation of the Spitfire Badge was a nice way of saying thank you for those donations." He continued, "We wanted to celebrate RAF Harrowbeer's 70th Anniversary in spectacular style and have put together what we hope will be a superb weekend of activities and events. As everything takes place on the open moor we cannot charge for entrance or car parking and so all the costs have to be met from funding bids, sponsorship by local businesses and donations. We are very grateful to all who have supported our plans so far but we still have a long way to go to meet the planned costs."

You can make a donation and if you qualify, receive your badge, from Knightstone Tea Rooms, Yelverton; Buckland Computers, Horrabridge; or from the Yelverton and Tavistock Offices of Mansbridge & Balment.

You can also contact the HIG on 01822 855336.

You can make a donation by post by writing to:

Spitfire Fund, 30 Modyford Walk, Buckland Monachorum, Devon, PL20 7NQ

If making a donation of £10.00+ or £25.00+, please enclosed a postcard sized SAE so we can send your badge.

July 4th 2011

We have been hard at work preparing the airfield for the Anniversary weekend. We have uncovered part of the Pundit Base (where the Airfield's identification letters were shown) so that it is visible again. Surprisingly, given that all the records show the Airfield's letters were QB, we have uncovered the letters HK instead! They are cast in concrete so there is no mistake.

The other project has been to clear the Dispersal Pen alongside Knightstone Tea Rooms (and in front of Ravenscroft) of its trees and undergrowth. These have been damaging the earth banks and walls and after consulting the National Park, Maristow Estates and the Commoners, they were removed with the help of Tavy Taskforce. The ground within the bay has also been cleared of sixty-odd years of earth and rubbish build-up and we have also cleared out the entrances to the internal air-raid shelter. Steel gates have been ordered for these and the entrances will be fully open for the anniversary weekend, allowing visitors a view of the inside for the first time in over 50 years. I will put some information on the work on the 'buildings page' shortly.

We have also started patching some of the potholes over by Pound. Devon County Council Highways have made some of their 'road-trimmings' available to us for this.

Also on our anniversary wish-list: We hope to have the edges of the runways marked out in white. The signal square near the pundit base will have the runways etc marked out again - complete with 'airfield closed' signs!

Volunteers to help with this work enthusiastically accepted! Get in touch via email in the usual way: info2010@rafharrowbeer.co.uk

Plymouth Armed Forces Week & RAF Harrowbeer Weekend (updated)

As part of Plymouth Armed Forces week, The HIG will be at the "RAF Harrowbeer Weekend" organised by Michael & Lucy Hayes of the 'RAF Harrowbeer Archives' based at Knightstone Tea Rooms, over the weekend of 189th & 19th June. We will have our display stands there plus our collection of related artefacts. HIG members will be on hand to answer questions or to hear anecdotes of Harrowbeer. You will also be able to buy copies of our book.

Guided Walks: Subject to availabilty of guides, On each of the two days, we will be offering our 'famous' guided walk around the airfield at approximately 1pm each day. If you haven't been on this yet....why not!? It's FREE and takes about three hours, but we don't mind if you drop out half-way round. No need to book, just turn up.

There will be lots of other attractions on show at Knightstone over the weekend. Michael & Lucy Hayes will have their archive on view, together with a replica Spitfire Cockpit and other Spitfire bits and pieces, (courtesy of the South West Historical Aircraft Group) and there will also be some Military Vehicles dropping by.

There is no charge for entrance although donations to any of the attending groups are always welcome.

The following weekend, the HIG were planning to be on the Hoe on Sunday 26th June but we are not now going.

February 2011 (updated)

Work has been going on to clear the dispersal pen outside Knightstone/Ravenscroft of trees and gorse. This has been done with the full approval of Maristow, the Commoners, and DNPA. The work has been done by Tavy Task Force, along with Michael Hayes (RAF Harrowbeer Archives) and HIG members. Mike & Linda Downing removed the large trees. This pen will be used to 'park' the replica Spitfire during the anniversary celebrations. Plans are now in hand to open the air-raid shelter inside the pen and to provide it with security gates so it can be used in the future.

In due course, we are going to clear the Signal Square and Pundit Base by the control tower site. These will then be marked appropriately as they would have been when Harrowbeer was open. The signal square will naturally show an "Airfield Closed" signal!!!

Earlier:

As you can read elsewhere, we have joined up with the RAF Harrowbeer Archives to mark the official opening of Harrowbeer in August 1941.

We are also going out and about to various events with our photographic displays again this year. Plus we will be giving talks to various groups and societies around the area. Details of where we can be seen on the Interest Group page.

We have been given permission to do some 'test pit' excavations on the airfield to examine various locations to identify what's there. These will be properly recorded and reinstated afterwards. We are also going to be clearing the trees and undergrowth from the dispersal bay beside Knightstone. This is being done to protect the bay from tree root damage and will include the repair of the brick wall at the base. Both of these are being done with full permission from Maristow, DNPA and the Commoners.

August Bank Holiday Weekend.

The HIG are gearing up for the "RAF Harrowbeer Weekend" organised by Knightstone Tea Rooms, over the August Bank Holiday Weekend (29th, 30th & 31st). We will have our display stands there plus our collection of related artefacts. HIG members will be on hand to answer questions or to hear anecdotes of Harrowbeer. You will also be able to buy copies of our new book.

Guided Walks: On each of the three days, we will be offering our 'famous' guided walk around the airfield at approximately 1pm each day. If you haven't been on this yet....why not!? It's FREE and takes about three hours, but we don't mind if you drop out half-way round. No need to book, just turn up. We will also be offering a shorter, 'taster' walk lasting about an hour, taking in just a few of the remains around the Axtown area of the airfield (near to Knightstone that is).

There will be lots of other attractions on show at Knightstone over the weekend. Their [Knightstone Tea Rooms] private archive will be on view, together with a replica Spitfire Cockpit and other Spitfire bits and pieces, (courtesy of the South West Historical Aircraft Group) also there will be Military Vehicles, Model Aircraft, plus (all being well) a full-size replica Spitfire! There is no charge for entrance although donations to any of the attending groups are always welcome.

April 2010: Launch of "A History of RAF Station Harrowbeer Revisited" ~ updated 15th August

The HIG is pleased to announce a new book on the history of RAF Harrowbeer has been officially launched.

The book is "A History of RAF Station Harrowbeer Revisited" and is an updated version of Dennis Teague's 1980s book on the history of the airfield. The text and photos have all been revised and updated, with many new photographs included. The HIG are very grateful to Dennis's family for giving them permission to revise his work and bring his much sought after book back into print. The book is priced at £4.95 and has 28 pages. It is in A4 format, as was the original. All proceeds from the book's sales will go into HIG funds.

A History of RAF Station Harrowbeer Revisited Original work by Dennis Teague. Revised and updated by Stephen Fryer ISBN: 978-0-9529922-1-9

The following shops have copies of the book available for immediate purchase:

Knightstone Tea Rooms, Crapstone Road, Yelverton.

Yelverton Stores, The Parade, Yelverton

Dousland Post Office and Stores, Dousland

Book Stop, 3 Market Street, Tavistock

You can also purcahse a copy direct from the Harrowbeer Interest Group by visiting us at a show.

If you live in the UK, send a cheque for £5.95 (£4.95 plus £1 for P&P) to: Mr S C Fryer, 30 Modyford Walk, Buckland Monachorum, Yelverton, PL20 7NQ.

If you live outside the UK, we should also be able to mail you a copy through the post. we would need a sterling cheque to cover the £4.95 cover price, plus a fee to cover P&P for your Country. (our local Post Office says sending to South America for instance would cost approximately £1.49). Please email us in the first instance so we can confirm the full price.

27th March 2010

We will be taking our displays to the Knightstone Tearooms "Harrowbeer Weekend" over Easter. The event is on the Saturday 3rd, Sunday 4th and Monday 5th April. Our famous guided walk around the airfield will be available at 1pm on each of the three days.

The following weekend, Saturday 10th April, the displays will be at the Village Market and Coffee Shop at Buckland Monachorum Village Hall from 10am to Noon. Then in the evening, from 7.30pm, I will be giving our talk and film show on the airfield, "RAF Harrowbeer ~ The Story So Far...."

14th February 2010

We will shortly be making an announcement about the reprint of Dennis Teague's book on the history of RAF Harrowbeer.

16th October 2009

On the 16th October 1943, the Brazilian Ambassador visited a wind-swept RAF Harrowbeer to present No. 193 Squadron RAF with nine Hawker Typhoon aircraft which had been paid for by the Fellowship of the Bellows of Brazil.

Fast forward to the 16th October 2009, and the Brazilian Air Attaché, Colonel Cesar Estevam Barbosa came to Harrowbeer to unveil a plaque to commemorate the event. The weather was once again to pay a hand in proceedings, when strong winds at Coningsby meant the flypast by a Spitfire Mk IIa from the Battle of Britain Memorial flight had to be cancelled because it was unable to take off.

It didn't spoil the day though and the unveiling, whilst suffering a minor mishap, was completed with due ceremony.

Left: Brazilian Air Attaché, Colonel Cesar Estevam Barbosa unveils the plaque, watched by Percy Beake and David Ince. Right: Percy Beake and Col Barbosa shake hands. Percy Beake was at the original ceremony in 1943.

24th September (and updated 15th October)

At last! Carlos Motta's idea of a plaque to commemorate No. 193 Squadron and the Fellowship of the Bellows of Brazil has come to fruition! Carlos Motta is the co-ordinator of the "Britons from Brazil" project . The plaque is part of this project to recognize and remember those Anglo Brazilians who served the British forces and gave their lives during WWII. A similar plaque will rest at the Museu Aeroespacial in Rio de Janeiro

The unveiling of the plaque will take place on 16th October 2009 at Knightstone Tea Rooms, the plaque being affixed near to the present airfield interpretation board on the wall of the building.

Just before the ceremony, at approximately 1pm, there will be a flypast by a Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Following this, the Brazilian Air Attache, Colonel Estevam, will perform the unveiling. He will be accompanied by his personal assistant and by a Colonel from the Brazilian Aeronautical Commission.

The itinerary for the day is as follows:

1230 - arrive; meet people; view Harrowbeer photo display.

1300 - Flypast by a Spitfire Mk IIa from the Battle of Britain Memorial flight, piloted by S/Ldr Al Pinner MBE.

On completion of the flypast, the unveiling of the plaque will take place

1330 - buffet lunch for invited guests.

After lunch, walk to 193 Squadron site and view Knightstone museum.

1500-ish - depart.

This is a picture of the plaque to be affixed to the wall of Knightstone Tea Rooms.

193 Squadron were presented with nine Hawker Typhoon aircraft by the Brazilian Ambassador of the 16th October 1943.

The public are invited to attend the event, and watch the Spitfire flypast. We understand that Knightstone Tea Rooms will be closed to the public during the day, but that some refreshments may be available to take away.

14th September

Although a while ago now, the August Bank Holiday weather was typical of our 'summer'. Saturday was quite pleasant, whilst the Sunday was horrible, with fog, rain and wind. Monday wasn't too bad and we took two groups out on walks. We then went up to the Hoe (on the 3rd Sept) for the Plymouth Air Show, which too, was affected by weather, with several booked aircraft unable to take-off from their respective airfields. However the sun came out just in time for the Red Arrows who put on a stunning display of flying. It's easy to take what they do for granted but they really do take your breath away with their skill.

Finally, we took the displays to Okehamptom Army Camp for their Heritage Weekend (12th & 13th Sept). Glory be! The sun shone and shone! The crowds came too and a steady stream of visitors visited us and the displays next door. (I spent ages talking to a chap who had been a mid-upper gunner on a Halifax bomber. He had been shot down over Germany and taken prisoner. Fascinating stuff!)

Coming up we have a talk at Buckland Monachorum Village Hall on the 10th Oct (as described on the home page) and plans are still going ahead for the presentation on the 16th October, to commemorate the visit by the Brazilian Ambassador to 193 Squadron on the 16th October 1943. Full details will appear here in due course.

28th July 2009

There are plans to commemorate the link between the Fellowship of the Bellows of Brazil and No.193 Squadron at Harrowbeer on the 16th October 2009. You can read about the history behind this on the 193 Squadron pages. The intention is for a plaque to placed on the wall at Knightstone Tea Rooms (alongside the RAF Harrowbeer one). More details in due course.

Bank Hoilday Weekend: Don't forget that we will have our displays at Knightstone Tea Rooms "RAF Harrowbeer" weekend at the end of August. And of course our ever popular three-hour guided walk around the airfield will be on offer. If you haven't been on this and don't know anybody who has: The walk is a leisurely stroll around the airfield's remains, during which we tell the story of how RAF Harrowbeer came into being and recounting some of the exploits of the Squadrons stationed here. We explain what all the building bases were used for using archive pictures whenever possible. Anecdotes about the lives and deeds of the Station's personnel are recalled to make this an entertaining and informative afternoon's walk.

18th June 2009

Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th June @ 2pm (during the RAF Harrowbeer Weekend organised by Knightstone Tea Rooms) Guided Walk around the airfield. No need to book - just turn up. No charge, but a donation to HIG funds is always welcome.

16th May 2009

The cold weather on the Bank Holiday Sat & Mon no doubt put off a lot of people from visiting the Moors because the Harrowbeer Weekend was fairly quiet. Sunday, however was different! We went to Bolt Head for the Devon Strutt Fly-in. And it's fair to say that THOUSANDS turned up to see the planes. Well I guess MOST had come to see the Hurricane and the Spitfire and they were not disappointed. Both pilots gave a superb display, which were flown in near perfect weather. So guys, if you read this...well done! The HIG displays in the 'Bunker' had a constant stream of visitors all day, sometimes three deep around the boards! I took the flight simulator and didn't have time to take it out of the car!

Future Walks: The HIG members who give the guided walks have decided that there won't now be walks during the late May Bank Holiday. The next guided walks will therefore be during the Harrowbeer Weekend of the27th/28th June.

25th April 2009

Over the coming Bank Holiday Weekend, May 2nd, 3rd & 4th, Knightstone Tea Rooms are holding one of their regular "RAF Harrowbeer Weekends". Opening times are 10.30am to 16.30pm daily and all are welcome. Entry is of course FREE.

We will have our display stands there on the Saturday and Monday ONLY, as we will be at Bolt Head on Sunday for the Devon Strutt Fly-in. Our famous Guided Walk will likewise only take place on the Saturday and Monday afternoons, starting at 2pm (from Knightstone).

Future Guided Walk dates:

Sunday and Monday of the late May Bank Holiday, (24th & 25th May). Update: Walks cancelled

Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th June @ 2pm (during the RAF Harrowbeer Weekend organised by Knightstone Tea Rooms)

Saturday 29th, Sunday 30th & Monday 31st August @ 2pm. (during the RAF Harrowbeer Weekend organised by Knightstone Tea Rooms)

I will also be setting up a computer based flight simulator during the Harrowbeer Weekends. If all goes to plan, you'll be able to take off from Harrowbeer on missions over France. But as I say...if all goes according to plan!

Two other public events we will have our displays at are:

Buckland Monachorum June Fair on Saturday 13th June. The Fair opens around 1pm

Okehampton Army Camp Heritage Weekend, (12th & 13th September)

We hope to see you at one of the above events! (Stephen Fryer)

25th January 2009 (updated 2nd & 20th March)

Guided Walks & Talks: Our talks to groups start on Feb 4th. If you would like a talk for your group, please get in touch by email. No public talks are planned at present. We will be offering guided walks at the Harrowbeer Weekends organised by Knightstone Tea Rooms, but these have not yet been finalised. There will almost certainly be one during the August Bank Holiday Weekend and we will publicise others when we hear.

We do plan some public guided walks for the Easter Sunday and Monday afternoons. These will start at 1pm (so we can arrive back at Knightstone for a cuppa before they close!). Please drop us an email to pre-book a place. You can of course just turn up but we have to limit the number of walkers we take with us so if you pre-book it will help confirm your place.

If you can't make these days, we will offering another walk on Monday 4th May at 1.30pm again.

16th October 2008: I recently realised the significance of today's date! It is exactly 65 years to the day, that the Brazilian Ambassador visited RAF Harrowbeer to present 193 Squadron with its Hawker Typhoon aircraft! The Typhoons had been paid for by the Fellowship of the Bellows of Brazil. Read all about this on the "Bellows of Brazil" page.

Unlike that day however, today's weather is dry! Hope to take a 'today' shot of the bay where 193 took their photo with the Typhoon later.

29th September 2008

The HIG have had a busy year to date, and by Christmas we will have given 16 talks to various groups, with more planned for next year! The weather hasn't been kind for walking but the August Bank Holiday weekend was better than most and we took nearly 60 people out around the airfield over the three days. We've also been to Okehampton Army Camp and to the Transport Weekend at the Plym Valley Railway.

If that wasn't enough, we've added an 'extra' event. On Saturday the 11th October, from 7.30pm, we will giving a public talk on the history of RAF Harrowbeer in Buckland Monachorum Village Hall. We will also have our displays of pictures, maps and artefacts on show. The talk has been given privately to many groups but it's only the third time we've given it a public airing! Don't miss it!

8th August 2008

We've got our fingers firmly crossed for the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend, when we will be at Knightstone Tea Rooms with our exhibition, for their 'Harrowbeer Weekend'. Last year we had three days of sunshine, but there's been precious little sunshine this year! Rain, rain and yet more rain and after that...yet more b****y rain!!!! Will it never end!

Still...like I always say...."It's better than nothing!"

If you haven't been on one of our famous guided walks yet, then you've three further opportunities over the weekend. Each afternoon, we will be offering a walk starting at 1.30pm from Knightstone. Just come along on the day and tell us you want to go on the walk. We aren't put of by the weather either, rain or shine...we walk! If it's hot and sunny, put on the sunscreen, if it's wet and windy, put on the waterproofs! Walks last about three hours and it's all easy walking over flat(ish) moorland. Good shoes are recommended as it can get damp at times.

8th July 2008

Once again I've had to change the email address on the website! How much viagra can one old WWII airfield buy! Anyway, it's now info08@ instead.

4th July 2008

On the 12th July we are taking a group on a guided walk around the airfield and we usually find that there are a few spaces available for others to join the walk. If you would like to join us on the 12th, please email us on the usual address and we will send you further details. The walks usually take about three hours.

26th May 2008

Well, the weather Gods were not kind to us this weekend. Despite a week prior to this of fine warm(ish) weather, it all went bad for the Bank Holiday. Saturday was cool and windy, and we weren't able to get our gazebos up with the displays in them. We did try, but it quickly became apparent that they would become hang-gliders in very short time!!! I took six people on the 2pm walk and the weather hadn't improved much by then. Sunday started cold and windy with showers. Definitely no chance of putting the displays up. By the afternoon, the wind had dropped, and Brian took another eight on the walk, and finished in brilliant sunshine, with no wind at all to speak of. In fact it was a glorious sunny evening!!! Monday.......Ha! We would describe it as "blowing a hooley!". Branches were being ripped off trees, horizontal rain...just awful. We welcomed a group from the Widdecombe History Group, who were determined to go on the walk! We split them into three very small groups so we didn't have to shout over the wind too much, and set off into the wind and rain. To be fair, it did ease off rain-wise as we went round, and....at one point, I was bathed in warm sunshine for about 20 seconds! In fact the whole weekend can be summed up with, "Tch! Typical Harrowbeer weather again!".

12th April 2008

The HIG displays will be in Buckland Monachorum Village Hall on Saturday 17th May, at the Hall's Coffee Morning which runs from 10am to Noon. We will also have our WWII Flight Simulator running for any budding pilots to try!

We are also gearing up for the "Harrowbeer Weekend" organised by Mike, Lucy & Francis Hayes, at Knightstone Tea Rooms, over the late May Bank Holiday Weekend (24th, 25th & 26th). We will have our display stands there plus our collection of related artefacts. HIG members will be on hand to answer questions or to hear anecdotes of Harrowbeer.

Guided Walk: On each of the three days, we will be offering our 'famous' guided walk around the airfield. If you haven't been on this yet....why not!? It's FREE and takes about three hours, but we don't mind if you drop out half-way round. No need to book, just turn up.

14th March 2008

Just a brief note to say the Harrowbeer Interest Group will be at the Knightstone Harrowbeer Weekend over the Easter Holiday. As usual, we will have our displays and artefacts, plus once again offrering our famous guided walk around the airfield at 2pm on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday afternoons.

Follow up:

Well the weather wasn't too kind over the weekend. Twelve hardy souls braved the snow flurries on Saturday, but only three (two of whom are HIG members!) braved the hail showers on Sunday! Monday was a little better..eventually, (but we did manage to get the displays erected at least! Sat/Sun had just been too windy) and another sixteen people enjoyed a tour with us.

Our next guided walks will be at the next Knightstone 'Harrowbeer Weekend' at the end of May.

28th February 2008

It was with great sadness that the HIG learnt of the death of Frank Mares, on the 10th February, following a short illness. Frank, from Czecholslovakia, was a pilot with 312 Squadron and was the first Czech pilot to be awarded a DFM. He lived locally and was a terrific character, as all those who met him will testify. Our condolences to Gwen and the Family.

Frank at Duxford in 2007, signing copies of his biography, "Mission Accomplished"

26th January 2008

DNPA Rangers are organising a further scrub clearance attended, they hope, by Radio Devon.

Volunteers to meet at the aircraft bay down near the Leg O' Mutton & Children's playground end of the taxi way. In fact where the last scrub clearance ended in December. Turn up anytime between 1000 - 1400. Last time we finished at about 1500.

21st January 2008

The HIG gave its first talk of the year, when we went to Yelverton War Memorial Hall to talk to the Yelverton Ladies Open Group. They all enjoyed the evening and we got some useful feedback too!

10th December 2007

The HIG can now offer you the opportunity to buy a Harrowbeer postcard or an A4 framed print of the graphic created for our interpretation boards. Postcards are available from: Knightstone Tea Rooms, Leg O' Mutton Corner Shop, Yelverton Stores, Leg O' Mutton Pub and Horrabridge Post Office and Tavistock Information Centre. The A4 Framed Print is available from Leg O' Mutton Corner Shop.

If you live a long way away (America? Australia? Canada?) and aren't able to get to any of the above, please let me know and we'll see what we can do. It's the usual email address.

10th December 2007

The DNPA organised a working party to tackle some of the gorse and scrub growing on and around the dispersal bays today. It was pleasing to see about 30+ volunteers getting stuck into a major clearance operation! I didn't take any photos but I have been promised some! [Stephen Fryer]

Volunteers from several groups tackling the gorse and shrubs that have grown up on the dispesal bays. Another session of this is planned for February 23rd. Photograph from DNPA: Harrowbeer Scrub Clearing 2007 © DNPA

11th November 2007

The Harrowbeer Interest Group laid a wreath at the Rememberance Service at Crapstone War Memorial on Sunday 11th November at 11am in memory of all those who lost their lives whilst serving at RAF Harrowbeer.

Sunday 11th November 2007 Just before 11am and a photo of the people gathered to pay their respects at the Rememberance Service. The service, organised by the Parish Council, has been getting larger each year recently and over one hundred people attended today.

I was proud to lay the Harrowbeer Interest Group wreath in memory of all those who gave their lives whilst serving at RAF Harrowbeer.

The Crapstone War Memorial is situated at the South-Western end of the airfield, on the road from Yelverton to Buckland Monachorum/Milton Combe.

13th October 2007

We have received planning permission for our third interpretation board! This will be placed near the 'armoury' in due course.

We are continuing with our 'walks & talks' during the Autumn and New Year. There are two walks we are doing for a local history group on Saturday 20th & 27th October, on which we will have spaces for others. If you would like to join us please drop us an email for further details. (we can't publish start time etc as we only have limited spaces)

We are also doing talks for private groups, but have no public talks planned. Please get in touch if you would like us to visit your group or club.

27th August 2007

We've just had three glorious warm sunny days for our final outing of the year with the Harrowbeer displays at Knightstone. Highlight of the weekend with out any doubt was meeting Judy Goldup on Sunday, who's Father was a member of the "Fellowship of the Bellows of Brazil"! Take a look at the Bellows of Brazil page for the details.

Our new feather banners look terrific and are very eye-catching!

Our next event will be the Military Weekend at Okehampton Army Camp, over the weekend of 8th/9th September.

Our new feather banners fluttering in the breeze outside Knightstone during the August Bank Holiday "RAF Harrowbeer Weekend"

Guided Walks! We offered a free guided walk around the airfield on each of the three days. On Saturday, it was bakingly hot (definitely not 'Harrowbeer Weather'!) and only 6 people started the walk and had to give up after an hour because of the heat! We took twenty plus people out on the Sunday and as you can see here, over thirty on the Monday!

2nd August 2007 (with 19th Aug update)

First...the spammers have been at it again! The info06 email was being bombarded with pointless viagra adverts and has had to be switched off. I will now use info07...until that starts getting hit!

The HIG are gearing up for our next big event, the "RAF Harrowbeer Weekend" at Knightstone Tea Rooms, over the August Bank Holiday Weekend (25th, 26th & 27th). We will have our display stands there plus our collection of related artefacts. HIG members will be on hand to answer questions or to hear anecdotes of Harrowbeer. We have also purchased some smashhing 'feather banners' to draw attention to ourselves! So you can't miss us now.

Guided Walk: On each of the three days, we will be offering our 'famous' guided walk around the airfield. If you haven't been on this yet....why not!? It's FREE and takes about three hours, but we don't mind if you drop out half-way round. This is the last opportunity this year so don't miss it! No need to book, just turn up. Early indications are that the weather will be dry on the Saturday at least!

There will be lots of other attractions on show at Knightstone over the weekend. Their [Knightstone Tea Rooms] private archive will be on view, together with a replica Spitfire Cockpit and other Spitfire bits and pieces, (courtesy of the South West Historical Aircraft Group) also there will be Military Vehicles, Model Aircraft, plus (all being well) a Spitfire Flight Simulator! There is no charge for entrance although donations to any of the attending groups are always welcome.

29th June 2007

My Wife and I have been away for a short break and during this, we took the opportunity to visit a few airfields during our travels! One of these was Aston Down Airfield near Stroud. We'd just like to say "thank you" to Pat, Richard, and also John Muir, who showed us round and answered our questions. I'll try and add some of the photos I took at the next big update.

In the meantime; we are going to be at three events during July. I am giving a talk at Milton Combe Village Hall on the 9th July in the evening about RAF Harrowbeer. It's open to everyone and the Harrowbeer displays will be there if we can squeeze them in! Then, we are taking the displays to the Eddystone Model Flying Club 'Open Day' on Sunday 15th July, at Little Lane, Staddiscombe. Full details about this event and the model club on: http://www.emfc.rcfun.co.uk/ [This event was cancelled due to bad weather] Finally, we are giving a guided walk around the airfield on the evening of the 17th July for the Yelverton History Society. More details on this last event to follow.

15th June 2007

We will be at Knightstone Tea Rooms next weekend, 16th/17th June for another 'Harrowbeer Open Day' (which is what the Spitfire Weekends have been renamed). On the Saturday & Sunday afternoons, we will be offering another opportunity to go on a guided walk of the airfield. Starting at 2pm from Knightstone, the walk will take about 2 - 2 1/2 hours. No need to book, just turn up in plenty of time.

25th May 2007:

The Spitfire Society (Registered Charity; 2999033) have asked me to point out that group who have visited Knightstone in the past are called the Spitfire Society - South West Region. I am happy to make this clear. I have thus changed all references accordingly. Stephen Fryer

Quote from the Spitfire Society:

"The Spitfire Society held their AGM at RAF.Hendon, London on 21st April 2007 not the Knightstone Restaurant, as reported. The South West region is only part of a world-wide organisation which covers an area of Somerset/ Cornwall/Dorset/Avon and has been a successful group under the elected chairman Dave Dorey.

It is incorrect to assume the title South West Spitfire Society, the correct heading is The Spitfire Society - South West Region. Events for this region have been held at Knightstone, but it is only one of many other locations and Knightstone Tea Rooms & Restaurant is not endorsed by The Spitfire Society.

At no time has their been consultation with the Society's Executive Committee and The Spitfire Society has not authorised the promotion or advertisement of Knightstone Tea Rooms & Restaurant, which breaches the rules of our Constitution."

Also, Please Note: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Spitfire Society - South West Region will NOT be attending any of the weekends at Knightstone previously advertised.

The weather for the Bank Holiday weekend looks very poor for Sunday & Monday. We will not be able to put up our displays if there are strong winds.

20th May 2007 "Spitfire Weekend" at Knigtstone Tea Rooms, Yelverton

We will be at Knightstone Tea Rooms over the Bank Holiday Weeekend (26th, 27th & 28th May) with our displays. We will also be offering a guided walk around the Airfield at 2pm on each of the three days. The walk lasts about 2 hours and takes in most aspects of the Airfield's life.

Also at Knightstone will be artefacts, memorabilia and a replica Spitfire Cockpit. Also expected over the three days are a varied selection of visiting WWII vehicles.

8th May 2007

Interpretation Boards formally unveiled!
	It was typical Harrowbeer weather for the formal unveiling of our Interpretation Boards on the 8th May - fog, rain, cold, but mercifully no wind, (so the gazebos stayed put!). Left to right: George Finegan; Richard Vavrecka; Stephen Fryer; Bernie Steed; Frank Mares DFM; Gwen Mares; Pam Fendall. (Photo © James Bird)

On Tuesday evening (8th May) the Interpretation Boards on former RAF Harrowbeer were unveiled by Mrs Pam Fendall, the widow of the founder of RAF Harrowbeer Interest Group, and three WWll veterans: Frank Mares DFM, Richard Vavrecka and George Finegan - combined age 268 years! All three who served together at Harrowbeer in 1942.

In spite of the wet and misty evening the unveiling was attended by about 80 supporters from schools, parishes, tourist organisations and by many individuals - all of whom had supported this community project to install Interpretation Boards on the former airfield site. The occasion was given a military flavour by the attendance of a Flight from 2312 (Tavistock) Squadron Air Training Corps, Officer Commanding Flight Lieutenant Phil Newcombe; and by former Royal Marine bugler, Tony Holder of Princetown.

After a short speech of welcome by Stephen Fryer, Pam Fendal & Frank Mares DFM unveiled the board at Leg O' Mutton and, after moving to the other side of the airfield, George Finegan and Richard Vavrecka unveiled the board near the Rock. There was a reception in Knightstone Tea Rooms (the original Control Tower for RAF Harrowbeer) afterwards, during which guests were able to view the RAF Harrowbeer Interest Group displays, together with artefacts, etc., held at Knightstone by Michael, Lucy and Francis Hayes.

Those conducting the unveiling were:

Pam Fendall. Widow of the founder of Harrowbeer Interest Group - the late Norman Fendall of Clearbrook. RAF Harrowbeer enthusiast and long time friend of Frank Mares. They met because of Norman's interest in RAF Harrowbeer.

Frank Mares. Czechoslovakian former RAF pilot who was based at and flew with 312 Czech Sqdn from RAF Harrowbeer in 1942. Frank now lives at Sampford Spiney and aged 87

Richard Vavrecka: served with 312 RAF (Czech) Sqdn throughout most of war as a parachute packer and 'off duty' tailor at RAF Harrowbeer at same time as Frank Mares. After the War Richard taught tailoring at Plymouth Polytechnic. Now lives at Roborough and aged 96

George Finegan: was a Rifleman with the Royal Ulster Rifles who were tasked with providing RAF Harrowbeer airfield Defence and Security from Sept 1941-December 1942. Now lives in Tavistock and aged about 85.

(Interestingly Frank Mares, Richard Vavrecka and George Finegan time at Harrowbeer overlapped in 1942. Frank and Richard served together again in 1944 at RAF North Weald, north-east of London.)

19th April 2007

And now the second is up!

On the left, our second interpretation board with Knightstone in the distance. On the right, looking the other way. The board is near the end of the centre arm of the dispersal bay near the Rock.

18th April 2007

The first of our new interpretation boards has been erected!

This is by the Leg O' Mutton car park, a short distance from the memorial stone (middle picture).

10th April 2007

Our new Interpretation boards will be installed in the next few weeks! We will then hold an official unveling ceremony in early May. Further details in due course.

The Spitfire Society - South West Region are holding their AGM at Knightstone Restaurant on the 21st/22nd April. The HIG will be there with our displays and we will also be offering guided walks at various times during the weekend. This will depend on demand! We haven't any times in mind yet but if you would like to join one of the walks please get in touch...or just turn up!

2nd February 2007

The HIG are attending a number of local events over the coming months. However, during February, I will be giving a talk on RAF Harrowbeer to the members of the Tavistock History Society at the Tavistock Parish Hall on the 13th February, and then, on the 23rd February, the same talk will be given at Buckland Monachorum Village Hall, to which everyone is welcome. Start time for both talks is 7.30pm.

HIG member David Keeling is giving a talk to the Old Plymouth Society at Mutley Baptist Hall, in Plymouth on the 16th February and to the Yelverton History Society on the 20th February at Meavy Village Hall. The latter talk is more to do with 'old Yelverton' though.

Sometime in April, we hope to be able to officially unveil the new interpretation boards! More on this in due course.

The Spitfire Society - South West Region are holding their AGM at Knightstone Restaurant on the 21st/22nd April. We plan to offer guided walks at sometime during the weekend. More in due course.

Stephen Fryer

23rd January 2007 (copy of Press Release)

RAF Harrowbeer Interest Group wins funding for Interpretation Boards on former RAF Harrowbeer Airfield at Yelverton

Ever wondered what went on at RAF Harrowbeer and what it looked like?

Well, soon, visitors to the former site of RAF Harrowbeer at Yelverton on Roborough Down will see Interpretation Boards informing them of what they are seeing now and what 60 years ago was there when, between 1941 and 1946, it was an active WWll airfield. Thanks to Lottery 'Awards for All', West Devon Borough Council Community Fund, Dartmoor National Park, Buckland Monachorum Parish Council, WestDen Community Chest and individuals, enough funds have been raised by the RAF Harrowbeer Interest Group to provide three Interpretation Boards at key locations around the former WWll aerodrome. The Lottery provided £5000, WDBC £3174, The Dartmoor Trust £500, BMPC £200 and WestDen's 'Communities in Action' £150. In addition we had very good moral support from local primary schools, parish councils, tourist organisations as well as Dartmoor National Park and Maristow Estate.

RAF Harrowbeer was built in 1940 and was operational between 1941 and 1946. Flying from Harrowbeer were many types of planes and nationalities - British, Canadians, Americans, French, Czech and Polish - mostly RAF Squadrons but also Fleet Air Arm and US Navy. The airfield existed virtually intact fo

13th November 2006

There is a new email address for getting in touch from this website. I have had to 'kill' the old 'info' address as it was being flooded with spam. I have added 06 after the info for now.

3rd November

Ok, this page is a bit out of date! Unfortunately, I have been very busy on other projects which has meant little time for updating the news etc. Sorry!

Aug 24th 2006

The latest line-up for the weekend:

As well as the Spitfire Society - South West Region Memorabilia Stall, Restored Spitfire Cockpit, and Flight Simulator (with Spitfire yoke and controls I am told) plus other bits & pieces.

Raf Harrowbeer Interest Group Display and artefacts plus model of the airfield.

Scale model aircraft (possibly)

Military Vehicles (various if they are available)

Flypast by RNAS Yeovilton's Sea Fury! Approx 2pm each day before it flies down to Navy Days. (the papers have been advertising the Swordfish as a visitor but apparently it's not going to be there).

Lillian Harry signing copies of her book based on life on and around Harrowbeer during the War, "A Song at Twilight", 2pm onwards on Sunday.

Plus a couple of other surprises which may or may not happen!

The Harrowbeer Interest Group will also be at the Heartswell Summer Fair in Yelverton Memorial Hall on Sunday afternoon.

July 28th 2006

I do have a number of additional items, updates etc to go on the site. Pressure of work means I haven't had time to put it together!

Briefly....as you will note from the home page, the Spitfire Society - South West Region are visiting Harrowbeer again during the August Bank Holiday Weekend. The HIG plan to have their Airfield Display up during the weekend but which days still has to be confirmed. There is also the possibility of some visiting Military Vehicles as well! Now if only we could find a Typhoon or a Spitfire to park in the dispersal bays.......!!!

July 10th 2006

The RAF Harrowbeer Interest Group is pleased to support Lilian Harry's latest book launch - "A Song at Twilight" - as it is based on life on and around the former WWll airfield and the surrounding villages. The launch is to be held 7.30pm on Wed 12 July at the Knightstone Tea Rooms, Yelverton, (entrance by invitation only).

The Harrowbeer Interest Group will be holding its next meeting on Wednesday, 26th July at 7.30pm, (not the 23rd as I put earlier!) in Knightstone Tea Rooms. The Group are always pleased to see new visitors to the informal meetings but as space is limited, they would ask that you make contact via email before coming. It's the usual email address, info@rafharrowbeer.co.uk

The HIG recently took the Yelverton History Society on a guided walk around the airfield. Well, that is to say we tried! June 21st 2006 was the wettest, windiest, most awful longest day imaginable! We can now appreciate the 193 Squadron ORB writer who said, "Seagulls coming in under the fence, and planes asking for vectors to get to dispersal!". Yuk!!!!

June 10th 2006

On Saturday 10th, The RAF Harrowbeer Interest Group will have maps, photos, documents and other Memorabilia about the former WWII Airfield on display at Buckland Monachorum Village Hall's monthly Coffee Morning and Bring & Buy, from 10am to 12 Noon. The Group are still keen to meet and chat to anyone with memories of the airfield, so do please come along. Entrance to the Hall and Display is free.

May 21st 2006

The HIG have been granted planning permission for two interpretation boards for the Airfield! See the HIG page for details of the boards.

We will also be at the Coffee Morning at Buckland Monachorum Village Hall on Saturday June 10th from 10am to 12 noon, with our displays. Please come along if you're in the area!

We recently took the display to a Flying Club 'Fly in' at Roborough Airfield. As always, we drew a large crowd!

Apr 23rd 2006

Members of the HIG undertook a guided walk for the Plympton Civic Society. About 40 of their members were there and (again) judging by the comments, all seemed to enjoy themselves! Many remembered the airfield and were fascinated to hear its history. In return, we got some more interesting snippets of information! If you were on the walk today (Sunday) and are dropping by to look at the site, Greetings!! It got a bit chilly towards the end but then rain held off for us!

Jan 2006

We gave a presentation to the Yelverton Local History Society at Meavy Hall. Over 100 members turned up (which surprised the Chairman as they normally get about 40!) to see a 'slide' show. Judging by the responses and feedback, they all seemed to enjoy it!

18th September 2005

The Harrowbeer Interest Group will be repeating the April walk. Take a guided tour of the Airfield, exploring the remains of the buildings. Full details on the 'Airfield Walk' page! (N.B. this was a very successful afternoon, with about thirty people taking part)

20th August 2005 (we have no other info on this item - spotted it on the Parish Council website)

THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION, YELVERTON BRANCH.

CLELEBRATING BRITAIN'S BIGGEST THANK YOU.

On Saturday 20th August 2005 between 10am to 2pm, on the green near Yelverton roundabout, opposite the Rock Inn, a WWll communications post will be set up with a genuine WWll WS19 radio set. Communications will be arranged with a Special Events Radio Station in East Anglia. Visitors will be able to talk using war time communications techniques to other like-minded folk giving thanks to all those who fought in the Second World War.

22nd May 2005

Some of you may have read in the British Newspapers, that the last flying B17 in the UK, "Sally B", is under threat from (yet more stupid) EU rules. Apparently, this wartime four-engined bomber, is now classed under the same classification as an airliner and needs a massive hike in its insurance premium (about £1,000 per hour) in order to fly! You can read all the sorry details by going to http://www.sallyb.org.uk . They also list loads of ways you can help. (Unfortunately for the EU, it is ridiculous rules such as this that earns them so much disrespect from people like me ~ Stephen Fryer).

As far as we know, only two B17s actually landed at Harrowbeer, mainly as a result of enemy action damaging them and resulting in them landing at the nearest airfield.

8th May 2005

Local Author to write novel set at Harrowbeer!

July 2006 will see the publication of a novel set at Harrowbeer Airfield! Lilian Harry, author of 16 novels set mostly during World War 2, is researching and writing a story about the men and women who served on the station and those who lived nearby, at Yelverton, Horrabridge, Crapstone and Buckland Monachorum, who were affected by this sudden invasion of their peace and quiet. The Harrowbeer Interest Group is co-operating closely with Lilian in her research, and she is especially keen to hear from those who worked here or lived nearby and have interesting stories to tell.

The book will be published by Orion, who have published all Lilian’s other novels, some of which have reached the Top Ten in the Sunday Times Bestseller List. It will be published first in hardback and then, in March 2007, in paperback, and will follow such bestsellers as Dance, Little Lady (set in a Naval munitions factory), Under The Apple Tree (a story about WVS workers and spotters in the Royal Observer Corps) and Three Little Ships (the story of Dunkirk).

For further information, go to www.lilianharry.co.uk You can contact Lilian through her website or on lilianharry@hotmail.co.uk

24th April 2005

Almost 50 people joined us for a circuit of the Airfield! We managed to get round in a little over three hours and everyone seemed to enjoy the walk, (and the Cream tea afterwards!).

RAF Harrowbeer Exhibition 9th April, Buckland Monachorum Village Hall Our exhibition on the 9th of April drew a large crowd of people to the Hall. It just goes to show the level of interest there is in the Airfield.

16th April 2005

We are all set to walk around the airfield next Sunday. We will be attempting to get to 99% of building remains!

Also next Sunday, it's worth giving a plug to the Spitfire Society - South West Region, who will be holding their AGM outside Knightstone Tea Rooms. Their caravan (with memorabilia on it) will be there from 10am, with the AGM set for 3pm.

We have also located the base of another Alun Williams turret, close to the road near Whistley. Photos in due course!

30th March 2005

The walk on 28th was great fun, with 34 hardy souls braving the cold wind! (A pity because Friday and Saturday were lovely and warm!) Most of the walkers were unaware of the dispersed sites attached to Harrowbeer and found our commentary very interesting. One of our number had actually lived in Site No 12 (which we didn't visit) after the War and was able to give us some information on life there. Another remembered having delivered milk to the WAAFs on the WAAF site at Pound. He particularly remembered a huge mug of piping hot tea which he had to drink quickly as his colleague was in hurry to get on! We are now planning for the display on the 9th April in Buckland Monachorum Village Hall, and our second Airfield Walk on the 24th April, when we hope to do a complete tour of Harrowbeer itself.

25th January 2005

Two walks and another showing of the RAF Harrowbeer display are planned for the coming months. Full details on the 'Airfield Walk' page (link above).

We now know of the existence of four Bellman Hangars and one Blister hangar. Two Bellmans are in Exeter, and two more, plus the blister are in Plymouth. We are trying to discover which airfields they came from!

18th November 2004

After putting up the info about the Bellman Hangars at Exeter, (buildings page) I have now been told of the existence of another two hangars, one Blister, one Bellman!!!! It remains to be seen where they came from. Watch this space!

13th November 2004

There is a very strong probability, that there will be a reprint of the Airfield Focus book by Jerry Brewer on Harrowbeer, sometime in 2005. Watch this space for further information!

14th October 2004

The Group put on a display in Buckland Monachorum Village Hall at the weekend to try and jog the memories of local people who remember the airfield. It was a very succesful two hours with lots of people calling in. Notable highlights were the visit of an ex-pilot who flew in to Harrowbeer once, stayed two days and then flew out! And a friend of an ex-pilot who donated his old leather flying helmet and goggles, complete with long cable.

20th September 2004

Our Airfield Walk & Cream Tea was very successful, with over thirty people joining us for a very pleasant stroll around the airfield & dispersed sites. (and over £100 was raised for the Village Hall Kitchen Fund!)

Many, many questions, and a bit of information gleaned as well. My thanks to all who came. I will try and organise another walk in the Spring, this time as a circuit of the airfield itself.

27th July 2004

RAF Harrowbeer had a surprise visitor on 27th July 2004, when a Sea-King Air-Sea Rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose landed on the airfield, near to Yelverton. The helicopter was on a training mission over Dartmoor, when the crew were alerted by cockpit warning signs that the rotor gearbox oil pressure was dropping. They aborted their mission and decided to head immediately for Plymouth's Roborough Airport, but it soon became evident that they weren't going to make it. Pilot, Lieutenant Nigel Terry takes up the story. "With the oil pressure dropping, we needed to get down on the ground as quickly as possible. We started to look for a big field to land on and then spotted Harrowbeer and thought 'Perfect!' Once on the ground we could see immediately that we had suffered a major oil leak as the rear of the aircraft was covered in oil."

The Sea-King (ZA166) is from 711 Squadron at RNAS Culdrose. There were three crew on board at the time, Pilot, Lieutenant Nigel (Nige) Terry, Lieutenant Jamie Chestnutt, and Leading Air Crewman 'Cags' Lacy. Attempts to repair a damaged oil pump during the afternoon ended in failure, meaning the aircraft had to spend the night on the airfield, whilst a replacement pump was brought up from Culdrose.

Not surprisingly, the helicopter became an instant tourist attraction, with dozens of families dropping by to take a look at the stranded aircraft. Lt Terry and Lt Chestnutt patiently spent the afternoon explaining over and over again the reason for them being there! When the Dartmoor Ranger arrived, she dashed of to get them a 'brew' from Knightstone Tea Rooms! As was pointed out to Lt Terry, nothing much exciting happens in Yelverton!

ZA166 was following in the footsteps of her forebears by landing at Harrowbeer, as during the Second World War, Air-Sea Rescue craft of 276 Squadron were based at the Airfield. Many pilots were rescued from the English Channel by the crews of the Supermarine 'Walrus' flying boats of 276.

Footnote:

ZA166 was repaired by the following afternoon and took off about 3pm to return to Culdrose