- Contributed byÌý
- Anthony C Smith
- People in story:Ìý
- Tony Smith
- Location of story:Ìý
- Boxted Airfiled, Nr. Colchester UK
- Background to story:Ìý
- Civilian
- Article ID:Ìý
- A8137776
- Contributed on:Ìý
- 30 December 2005
A P51 Mustang landing at Boxted Airfield fly in over half a century after they flew from there during the war.
The most visible reminder of the base is the memorial that is situated at the North of the runway area that is just down the road from where I now live. In addition there are various huts and tracks around the area that date back to the war, now used by local farmers. Although much of the area is now used for farming on a map or from the air the distinctive shape of the airfield is still visible
For each of the last few years there has been a ‘fly in’ at the airfield and it stirs my memories to see planes once again flying in to land. In particular a couple of P51 Mustangs have been coming along, and there have been fly past by a Thunderbolt. It really takes me back.
A couple of years ago there as some excitement in the village when a light plane towed a glider in but snagged some power lines as it came in to land and although the plane was undamaged there was a fire in the field where the cables came down.
At other times during the year it is not unusual to see a Mustang fly low and fast over the airfield on its way to a show somewhere. The spirit of the planes hasn’t left the place even if there are now just crops and orchards over most of the site
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