by Chairman | 02-05-2026 | 1954, Recent news
Welcome to the new website of the 609(WR) Squadron Association! It is part of the re-vitalisation of the Association which we hope will keep the memory of 609(WR) Squadron, in all its incarnations from pre-WW2 to the present day, alive. Please browse the site and... by Chairman | 02-05-2026 | 1954, On this day
A foggy morning which cleared by the afternoon. At 1230hrs twelve Spitfires taxied out to patrol Dunkirk but only eleven took off as Flt Lt Barran in L1083 struck a contractor’s wagon which took off his starboard wing tip! Some time later Plt Off Blayney returned with... by Chairman | 02-05-2026 | 1954, On this day
Twelve Spitfires took off shortly after noon to rendezvous at Biggin Hill with another squadron before heading for Dunkirk: Red SectionBlue SectionFlt Lt Persse-JoyntFlt Lt BarranFg Off AyreFg Off BeaumontFg Off EdgeFg Off Gilbert Yellow SectionGreen... by Chairman | 02-05-2026 | 1954, On this day
The missing fittings for the armour plate arrived and about midday work started to install them. Flight Sergeant Evans led the team of Auxiliary fitters who worked non-stop for 24 hours to complete this modification on 13 Spitfires, and not a moment too soon. Orders... by Chairman | 02-05-2026 | 1954, On this day
A much-awaited modification for the Spitfires was received in the form of armour plating for behind the pilot’s seat and on the main fuel tank, which was directly in front of the pilot behind the firewall bulkhead. This had not been essential in Scotland as no enemy... by Chairman | 02-05-2026 | 1954, On this day
Aircraftsman Ward was carrying out routine checks and maintenance on L1082 and tested the flaps without first looking underneath. A starter trolley was in the way which badly buckled the flap. Result: F292 action and 7 days stoppages of privileges! News was received... by Chairman | 02-05-2026 | 1954, On this day
Another incident on the taxiway, this time much more serious. Fg Off Russell taxied out in L1068 in too big a hurry and collided with a Command Reserve aircraft parked on the edge of the taxiway. The resulting damage was beyond the capacity of the Station to repair,... by Chairman | 02-05-2026 | 1954, On this day
Fg Off Dundas proved to be the first taxiway victim. Moving out of dispersal in L1096 he got mixed up with a lorry transporting ground crews. The rear of the lorry was dented and so was the leading edge of the port wing! Neither was considered unserviceable, the... by Chairman | 02-05-2026 | 1954, On this day
The remainder of the Squadron arrived during the morning. After the rough and ready dispersal points at Drem, the concrete dispersal bays at Northolt were greeted with enthusiasm, as was the wide taxiway which linked them to the rest of the airfield. It looked like... by Chairman | 02-05-2026 | 1954, On this day
A Flight personnel arrived at Kings Cross at 0730hrs and proceeded to Northolt. B Flight personnel left Drem by road and rail. Fifteen aircraft left Drem by 1000hrs and refuelled at Church Fenton. The Squadron was declared available at Northolt by 1300hrs and a... by Chairman | 02-05-2026 | 1954, On this day
The Squadron received orders at 1800hrs from HQ 13 Group to move to Tangmere, which was quickly changed to Northolt. Ground crews of B Flt were on the train at 2230hrs, but A Flt, who were on 24 hours release, couldn’t be rounded up in time. A tour of local pubs found... by Chairman | 02-05-2026 | 1954, On this day
The best crash yet! Fg Off Proudman was attached from 65 Sqn flying L1007 which was an experimental cannon armed Spitfire. Following a practice flight, he made a decent landing but put his Spitfire down on top of another at dispersal. Both aircraft caught fire and... by Chairman | 02-05-2026 | 1954, On this day
Fg Off Beaumont in L1095, having remembered to put his wheels down, made a very heavy landing and smashed both undercarriage legs, the port wing and the propellor! Plt Off Bisdee was detailed for night flying and the odds on another pile up were pretty high however he...
by Maintain | 05-13-2025 | 1954, On this day
Plt Off Kemp overshot his landing in L1063 and finished up in the ploughed field at the edge of the airfield, much to the disgust of his groundcrew. Luckily the Spitfire stayed upright and was recovered intact.
by Maintain | 05-13-2025 | 1954, On this day
Night flying practice! Two scrambles today but no interceptions.
