de Havilland Aeronautical Technical School Association

Hatfield Memories

Richard (Dick) Whittingham has kindly agreed to let us publish some of his memories of Hatfield. This article records his reminiscences about the Moth Minor, the Mosquito, the Vampire and Geoffrey de Havilland junior. June 2009: a new page has been added, describing his involvement with the high-altitude Mosquito - seven days from inception to flight! July 2009: now read about the 'big gun Mosquito', fitted with a 57mm six-pounder cannon.

Published: 6 July 09

Author: The Editor

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Comments

05 Oct 09 12:31   Des Markus from Hatfield
People who worked or visited Hatfield during its aviation years may find this website brings back a few memories. http://www.hatfield-herts.co.uk/aviationandaerospace.html Warning: it may upset some - Hatfield, sadly, hasn't left the airfield intact but more buildings have survived here than at Stag Lane.
14 Sep 09 18:49   Kenneth W. Bates from Whidbey Island, WA
I am trying to locate Dave Owlett or any other mates who attended the deHavilland Aeronautical Technical School with me from 1946-1952. Thank you. Note: anyone wishing to contact Kenneth can do so by using the Enquiry Form link on our "Contact Us" page. We will pass any messages on to him.
11 Aug 09 01:26   michael j king from maryland usa
My father, Rex King, was the manager of the experimental shop mentioned in Dick Whittingham's Hatfield Memories. He managed the building of the prototype Comet and many other prototypes. Does anyone have any memories of Rex King that they could share?
26 Jun 09 21:34   Reg Willoughby from Hatfield
Those were the days ! What memories to treasure and what wonderful experiences. Thank goodness Dick saved his diary entries. Very well done indeed.
19 May 09 18:41   Dave Whittingham from Seattle, USA
What a treasure trove of memories! Thanks to Dick for sharing. Regards, Dave P.S. I'd better declare a slight bias!
07 Apr 09 12:12   gerry jameson from southampton
I stumbled on Dick's memories, is he still around? I was a trade school apprentice 1938 to 1944 so I am not eligible for membership. I knew Dick from early days as we shared a liking for music also later on we were both members of the photo society. A great guy! During my year in the trade school we did a lot of work on the 94 and a bit on the TK5.

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