Past: Heritage Day 2014

RAF Defford Heritage Day 2014 took place on Saturday July 12th at Croome.

National Trust, Croome Park, Worcestershire, WR8 9DW
10am to 5pm.

Ground-based Displays and Exhibits, around historic WW2 RAF buildings, painstakingly restored by the National Trust. Vital development and proving of airborne radar 1942-1957, was carried out by RAF, Fleet Air Arm and US aircrews working with scientists and engineers at Defford Airfield, the secret aerodrome in the grounds of Croome Park.

Attractions:

  • BBMF ‘D-Day’ Dakota fly past – a theme of the event is the development trials at Defford of radar aids for the airborne forces – such as Eureka ground beacons, which were a key feature of success at D-Day and other Allied airborne landings (weather permitting, time to be confirmed).
  • The Canberra WK128 has been requested, plus one or possibly two more nose sections with ‘open cockpit’
  • DAHG and Malvern Radar & Technology History Soc. marquee
  • RAF Re-enactors and vehicles
  • Pershore ATC cadets
  • An old favourite – Merlin engine from Group Captain McDonald’s Spitfire
  • Stalls including aviation and second hand books
  • ‘Bertha’ – the 1941 restored YMCA ‘Tea Car’ as used on RAF airfields to serve ‘tea and a wad’ to ‘erks on Dispersals’. This will be operational serving rather more modern fare to visitors! Follow our news page for the full story of the YMCA tea car at Croome.
  • Follow RAF Walk, view of airfield and sites.
  • Vintage vehicles
  • RAF Defford Veterans Reunion photocall, 11:00
  • National Trust refreshments, shop, children’s playground, Croome Park and Court open

Also this year will be the opportunity to see the restoration of the Decontamination Annexe, and get a preview of work in progress on the RAF Defford Museum, due to open in the autumn.

"The Croome Canberra", WK128

“The Croome Canberra”, WK128, as seen at Pershore in 1962

1941 Austin K2 YMCA tea car arrives at Croome, the site of former RAF Defford

‘Bertha’, an 1941 Austin K2 YMCA tea car arrives at Croome

RAF Defford Sick Quarters, now the National Trust canteen at Croome

The former Sick Quarters of RAF Defford were restored by the National Trust and are open to the public as a canteen at Croome (October 2013).

RAF Defford Reunion, 2013

RAF Defford Veterans reunited, 2013

DIRECTIONS:

  • National Trust Croome Park – Reception and Car Park area. Sat Nav WR8 9DW
  • From M5, jn 8 to M50 jn 1, take A38 north, then A4104 east, follow NT brown signs to Croome Park.
  • From A44, take A4104 south through Pershore, B4084 west out of Pershore, follow NT brown signs to Croome Park.
  • Contact: National Trust Visitor Services 01905 371006.