My name is Richard Marshall-Hardy, son of Squadron Leader R F Marshall-Hardy. My father was based and we lived in married quarters at RAF Watton (according to his log books)…
David Fossey Cpl Tech – my time here
I was posted from RAF Yatesbury to CSE Watton in September 1954 and worked there as a Cpl Tech Air Wireless Fitter until September 1957. During my term there we…
![WZ966 on the ground at RAF Watton](https://rafwatton.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Washington.jpg)
192 Squadron Washingtons by Dave Forster
192 Squadron acquired three RB-29As as replacements for its three Lincolns in the first half of 1952. The first two aircraft (WZ966, WZ967) arrived at Watton in April and were…
Dev. Sqdn B flight – Groundcrew for Lincoln B2’s Joe Hemmings
3134186 AC2 Hemmings – Joe to his mates of the time, and nicknamed ‘Josh’ Hi guys – I’ll do my best to remember this all accurately but I’m now 73…
![This is the old 527 Squadron hangar on the Griston side of the airfield at RAF Watton. Taken in 1954/55 it shows a Meteor NF 14 inside the hangar, you can tell the difference from the NF11 as that had a glasshouse type of canopy (Small panes of Perspex) whereas the NF14 had a one piece clear cockpit canopy. If you look closely you can see the tower of Griston Church through the hangar's open doors. This Hangar was a survivor from WWII, it was one of two built on the Griston side of the airfield for use by the USAAF 3rd Strategic Air Depot.](https://rafwatton.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/hangar.jpg)
Gallery: Pictures from Ralph Swift’s album
Flying on 527 Squadron – Early 1950’s by Ralph Swift
All Material on this page is Copyright © Ralph Swift 2003 It is probably true to say that the jet aircraft design of the early 1950’s was still partly rooted…
Flying the Canberra . . . by Ralph Swift
All Material on this page is Copyright © Ralph Swift 2003 I disliked flying the Canberra, I had got bored and uncomfortable during the longer flights made possible by the…
Flying the Meteor . . . by Ralph Swift
All Material on this page is Copyright © Ralph Swift 2003 The job proved to be just as boring as I had suspected and the following weeks were spent learning…
Peter Long’s brief history of Watton – 1954
The CSE’s calibration force was being brought up to strength. By the beginning of the year 527 Squadron had taken on strength three Gloster Meteor NF11 aircraft and the first…