Defford

This year proved to have a double treat, one of which was a complete surprise. The arrangements were to travel to Malvern library to see the Magic Ear exhibition in the basement.

This told the secret story of radar, the technology which helped win World War II and paved the way for the digital age.

Of course they knew all about it because they were part of that story.

After a fascinating couple of hours everyone made their way towards Defford stopping off at their wartime watering hole to eat at the Rose and Crown, Severn Stoke.

Suitably refreshed they then made the short trip to Defford Village Hall where a second treat was revealed.

In the centre of the hall was a perfect scale model of the wartime airfield complete with its 50 large frying pans, 26 blister hangars, six aircraft blast pens, 11 hard standings, six T2 hangars and two small hangars and all the other buildings associated with a wartime field - even down to the Cheltenham Flyer passing along the perimeter fence.

This model had taken the combined efforts of Albert Shorrock and Ernie Grose practically 12 months of constant work to complete.

What a joy to behold. But the best part was that it was handed over to Graham Evans and Dennis Williams to form the first major exhibit for the planned RAF Defford museum project.

These plans are for a display cabinet in the village hall telling the story of the part played by the Telecommunications Flying Unit at Defford and the major radar products that were flight tested and installed in frontline aircraft which enabled such a turnaround in the fortunes of the Allies.

Finally, after further refuelling on Char and Wads it was time for the homeward journey.

For information on how to join the association and receive a copy of CONTACT newsletter, please send a self-addressed and stamped envelope to Albert Shorrock at 68 Charles Road, Halesowen, Birmingham B63 4DD.