Dakota over the Tower

9 September 2007
Report by Tarkey Barker
Photos by MHAS members

Well it was that time again - It was the 5th Anniversary of our Opening Day at the Tower. The weather was good and we had a record attendance.

The day was opened by Wing Commander Ken Wallis M.B.E. Engineer and Aviator Extraordinaire. He had also once been a double as James Bond in “You Only Live Twice” flying his own well-armed “Little Nellie” autogyro, which he had brought along to our day and together they were a very popular attraction.

There several fly pasts. During the morning there was a surprise visit from a Dutch Dakota which was "mysteriously" re-routed over Martlesham on its way to the Duxford Air Show.

In the afternoon, we were lucky to have flypasts by a 1940s Piper Cub, Nigel Willson in his Yak 52, and also the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) Douglas Dakota.

There were numerous stalls and attractions including..

• personnel from Wattisham with a display of sea survival equipment
• Andy Moore had arranged a large number of military vehicles
• Colin Whitmore of MHAS and the Suffolk Vehicle Enthusiasts Club organised civilian vehicles
• Ipswich Transport Museum provided a 1949 Bristol, Eastern Counties bus, with a driver and our own Ralph Sharman (who is also an Ipswich Transport Museum member) acted as conductor, to give a conducted tour of the old Martlesham airfield. This was a very popular attraction and was kept busy all day.
• special guest Vic Skeet from Ipswich. Whilst on attachment to 605 (County of Warwick Squadron) Vic was stationed at Martlesham Heath in 1941 at the same time as the legendary Douglas Bader. Vic had dealings with him when he had fitted cannons to a Hawker Hurricane, and Wing Commander Bader Commanding Officer of 242 Squadron, carried out a test flight.
• The Control tower Museum was open, along with the underground bunker and the Anderson Shelter.

Thank you to every one that helped to make this one of the most successful Open Days we have had.

Next years Open Day: 14th September so make a note in your diary.

Video of the event by Felixstowe TV.

 

The following are a representative selection of photographs taken by members at the open day:

Alan Powell (left) with Wing Commander Ken Wallis, designer and builder of many
gyrocopters, including Little Nellie (behind them), used in the James Bond film You Only Live Twice .

Video of interview with Ken Wallis by Felixstowe TV.

 

 

Frank Bright with Little Nellie. Frank's not sure whether he should
put some money in the tin, or paint it...

 

 

"Squadron Leader " Colin Whitmore and Mrs Elaine Whitmore as they were then, and...

Back at Martlesham Heath today. They haven't changed a bit!
"Squadron Leader " Colin Whitmore and Mrs Elaine Whitmore
getting into the spirit of the day, as usual.

Note: Colour photo by Tarkey Barker, monochrome re-arrangement by Colin Dean

 

Ipswich Transport Museum provided this 1949 Bristol, Eastern Counties bus, with a driver; our
own Ralph Sharman (who is also an Ipswich Transport Museum member) acted as conductor.
For more info on the bus, follow this link...

 

Wing Commander Ken Wallis, designer and builder of Little Nellie,
the gyrocopter used in the James Bond film You Only Live Twice.

 

Vic Skeet being interviewd by Felixstowe TV. Vic served at Martlesham Heath
at the same time as Douglas Bader, and had occassion to meet him.

 

"American officer" Tarkey Barker, with John Cooper.

 

The same "American officer" doing what they always did... grabbing all the good looking girls.

 

MHAS Vice Chairman Bob Dunnett driving his eco-racer.

 

Steve Suttle of Patchymatt Disco - master of ceremonies

 

Flying display by a 1940s Piper Cub

 

Nigel Willson piloting his Yak-52 for a flying display

 

A freeze-frame taken from a video of the BBMF Dakota approaching the Control Tower.

 

AND FINALLY... Dakota over the tower:

John Cooper's splendidly evocative shot of the BBMF Douglas Dakota,
with the Union Flag fluttering on the corner of the Control Tower.