Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer by
websites that you visit. They are widely used in order to make
websites work, or work more efficiently, as well as to provide
information to the owners of the site.
Here is a list of cookies this site uses:
Cookie name
Description
existing_user
Stores the email address used to previously log into the site, used to prefill forms like on the reset password screen
authchallenge
Authentication security checks
hcart
Stores the anonymous customer\'s cart token. If items are added to the card while not logged in, if you log in the items will be added to the customer\'s existing cart
hannants
Stores the session information while you remain on the site
pricer
Stores if the export or eu prices is selected on the catalogue page
hidefilter
Stores if the search filter panel is hidden or shown
AWSELB
Stores which server you\'re connected to so to access the same server while you navigate around the site
Initially a British Army cavalry training ground, RFC Mousehold Heath was established on the site and was home to a number of Royal Flying Corps units; Nos 18, 37, 85 and 117 Squadrons. In April 1918, RFC Mousehold Heath became RAF Mousehold Heath, and following the war, Boulton & Paul Ltd took over the site as a test facility, although it should be noted that they had been present there during the conflict.
During the latter half of the 1920s, the Norwich and Norfolk Aero Club was established and from 1933, four grass landing strips were built forming the basic infrastructure of the first Norwich Airport, although by the beginning of the Second World War, use of the site had been reduced although it remained operational as an airfield up to the 1950s when it was redeveloped into the Heartsease Housing Estate.
RAF Horsham St. Faith and RAF operations
In 1939, a new airfield was constructed at nearby Horsham St. Faith, and opened on June 1st 1940 as RAF Horsham St. Faith. During the early part of the war it became home to a number of squadrons; Nos.19, 21, and 66 flying the Spitfire I, No. 105 Squadron flying the Mosquito IV, and Nos. 18, 21, 107, 110, 114, and 139 Squadrons, flying the Blenheim IV, with the exception of No. 139 Squadron which switched to the Mosquito IV in 1942. In 1945, the base became home to No 65 Squadron operating the Mustang III and IV and the de Havilland Hornet F.1.
The United States Army Air Force arrives
In the autumn of 1942, Horsham St. Faith began to be used firstly by USAAF ground units and then shortly after and briefly by the 319th Bombardment Group (Medium) operating B-26 Marauders. The 319th quickly departed then they were reassigned to the Twelfth Air Force and moved to Saint-Leu in Algeria.
It wasn't until April 1943 that the next USAAF unit, the 56th Fighter Group arrived comprising the 61st, 62nd and 63rd Fighter Squadrons flying the P-47 Thunderbolt. Again, occupation of Horsham was short-lived. Work had started on expanding the base for USAAF heavy bomber use and so the 56th FG relocated to RAF Halesworth in Suffolk in July. This was a move which was not entirely well-received by 56th FG personnel due to the relative comfort afforded by facilities and conditions at Horsham when compared to those at Halesworth.
In January 1944, the 458th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrived with their B-24 Liberators and comprised the 752nd, 753rd, 754th and 755th Bomb Squadrons. Offensive combat operations began the following month. The 458th BG remained at Horsham until July 1945 when they returned to the United States.
Post war and a return to the RAF
That same month, the base was returned to Royal Air Force command and over the next twenty or so years, became home to a number of RAF squadrons; No 23 Squadron flying Vampire NF. 10's (1955-56), Canberra's (1956-57), Venom NF. 3's and Javelin FAW. 4/FAW. 7 (1958-60). No. 34 Squadron (1949-51) on flying target duties. No. 65 Squadron (1946) flying Spitfire LF. XVIe's and Hornet F. 1's. No. 74 Squadron (1946-50) equipped with Meteor F. 3's and F. 4's. No. 118 Squadron (1945-46) with Mustang III's. No. 141 Squadron (1955-56) flying Venom NF. 3's. No. 228 Squadron (1959-64) Bristol Sycamore HR. 14's and Westland Whirlwind HAR. 2, 4 and 10's. No. 245 Squadron (1946-55) operating Meteor F. 3's, F. 4's and F. 8's. Nos. 257 and 263 Squadrons (1947-50) flying the same Meteor variants as No. 245 Squadron. No. 275 Squadron (1957-59) with Bristol Sycamore HR. 14's and Westland Whirlwind HAR. 2's and HAR. 4's. No. 307 (Polish) Squadron (1945-46) operating Mosquito NF. 30's and last but not least, No. 695 (1945-49) on target duties. A number of other wide and varied ground and training units were also stationed at Horsham during these years.
Operations at Horsham St. Faith began to wind down from 1963 with the RAF finally departing the base in March 1967.
Civilian use
Following RAF use, the site was bought by Norwich City and County Councils and was redeveloped for civilian use. Two of Horsham's three original runways were closed with only the third being utilised. This was due to the runway location and direction which avoided flights overflying nearby residential areas. Norwich Airport finally opened in 1971, with charter flights beginning that year, a common operator being Air Anglia, although during the earlier years, only prop-driven aircraft operated from the site. As the years progressed, increased income allowed the airport to be expanded with the addition of a second control tower, although some of the original pre-war and WW2 building still survive, but have been converted for other uses.
Norwich is home to the City of Norwich Aviation Museum, with a number of static aircraft exhibits both military and civilian, along with an extensive archive and display documenting the history of the airport.
Destinations from Norwich do (or have) include(d); Amsterdam, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Exeter, Rhodes, Palma, Manchester, Tenerife, Alicante, MƒÆ'éilaga, Menorca, Ibiza, Heraklion, Corfu, Bourgas, Crete, Bergamo, Paphos, Jersey, Lapland, and Dalaman.
This will usually be dispatched within 24/48 hours of receiving your order
Wish List:
Department:
Catalogue
Either this kit is too big to be despatched by Royal Mail and can
only be despatched by the more expensive Parcelforce parcel rate.
Or this is a non-acrylic paint product and is now classed as
‘dangerous goods’ by our Royal Mail and they will not accept it.
Our Parcelforce will accept it and can deliver it to the UK and to
any EU countries that they transport to by surface. Parcelforce
rates are more expensive as they only handle heavy parcels not small
packets. All the available postage rates are shown. Please login and
add it to your cart. If you cannot add it to your cart that means we
are unable to post it to your address.