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The RAF in Suffolk -> All Other Suffolk RAF Stations -> Ipswich Airport/RAF Nacton Ipswich
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TOPIC: Ipswich Airport/RAF Nacton Ipswich
John Cooper


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Ipswich Airport/RAF Nacton Ipswich
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I once lived on the Nacton Road which backed on to Ipswich Airport, in fact I had a back gate that led on to the periphery of the airfield. I was able to sit in the rear garden and watch those parachutists leave the Britten Islander parachute aircraft after the throttles were cut back, with anything up to 9 Parachutists exiting a perfectly serviceable aeroplane.

The summer air would be punctuated by the sound a mighty 'crack' as the 'chute enveloped, I did see the occasional main chute 'Roman Candle' and the reserve chute open where the parachutist had no control over these. The only injurious incident I recall was when one parachutist wrapped himself around a lamp post  and broke a leg.

Other incidents I recall were the odd 'chute landing in Maryon Road or Nacton Road and one foreign team competing in a competition where the wind was excessive and two of the 'chutists landed in my next door neighbours garden.

I recall a similar incident at nearby Martlesham Heath one Sunday afternoon when some parachutists landed near to the Old Felixstowe/Woodbridge site now occupied by BT research HQ, they brought the traffic to a halt.

I will place some more details and photos here later, if you do have any photos/stories please let us see/read them

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John Cooper


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September 1991 I snapped this Hawker Fury at Ipswich Airport�

FW Hawker fury Ipswich Airport.jpg



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John Cooper


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This is what has taken its place now!

Former Ipswich Airport [011110]-1 (1280x857).jpg



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tarkey


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The first bombing raid of WW2 was from Ipswich when Blenheims carried out the mission

1939 saw No.45 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School established here to train Volunteer Reserve pilots and when war was declared in September, the government requisitioned the airport facilities and the Straight Corporation left the site. Ipswich was allocated as a satellite airfield for Wattisham and was placed like its parent station in No.2 Group, Bomber Command. Wattishams No.110 Squadron was the first to use the site dispersing its Bristol Blenheim light bombers all around the grass airfield during early September; these bombers, together with similar aircraft of No.107 Squadron based at Wattisham, took part in the first bombing raid of the war on 4th September 1939 against the pocket battleship Admiral Von Scheer. There are two versions of No.110 Squadron's involvement in this operation, either they took off from Ipswich and flew direct to the target or they flew to Wattisham first to be armed and loaded with bombs.

Ipswich was used by Wattisham as an outstation for both Nos.107 and 110 Squadrons through 1940 and 1941, the latter flying some operational sorties from the airfield during February and March 1941. Another unit stationed at Wattisham, No.1517 Blind Approach Training Flight, also used Ipswich around this time.



-- Edited by tarkey on Tuesday 8th of December 2009 10:14:04 PM

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John Cooper


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Thanks for that tarkey just behind my back gate was some half rounded hangars, with hardstandings, I never thought of taking a photo. The old hangar at Ipswich Airport is now relocated at The Norfolk & Suffolk aviation Museum at Fixton, Bungay.

We used to get Roy Sucklings Dornier Do 28 G-BMMR regularly using the airport on schedule runs to Holland, you could set your egg timer by Roy, his service was that precise. Easily seen on take off and landing from my chalet bungalow window, it was a joy to watch until Ipswich Borough Council put the mockers on his activities.

Nigel Brendish was another forward thinking owner, sadly he was killed in an accident over Essex

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