Jamie Heffer
@jamieheffer.bsky.social
Chairman of Trustees of RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Centre, UK, Norfolk
Contact to arrange a visit to the museum. Or if you have any questions.
Contact to arrange a visit to the museum. Or if you have any questions.
One of the observation cupola that still silently watches over RAF Bircham Newton. Standing as a reminder of those dark days of 1940 where the future seemed uncertain. #ww2 #worldwartwo #RAF
March 1, 2025 at 1:26 PM
One of the observation cupola that still silently watches over RAF Bircham Newton. Standing as a reminder of those dark days of 1940 where the future seemed uncertain. #ww2 #worldwartwo #RAF
Reposted by Jamie Heffer
Roses might be red
But forget-me-nots, nasturtiums and daffodils are full of air-laid magnetic mines
#niche #IYKYK
But forget-me-nots, nasturtiums and daffodils are full of air-laid magnetic mines
#niche #IYKYK
a bunch of blue flowers with wonderworldmotion.tumblr.com in the bottom right corner
ALT: a bunch of blue flowers with wonderworldmotion.tumblr.com in the bottom right corner
media.tenor.com
February 14, 2025 at 12:58 PM
In 2023, our spitfire that hung outside was kindly restored by Major (retired) Ian Dudding. During restoration, we picked the paint scheme & markings to match Spitfire PR IV X4503. Flown by Wing Commander John "Jock" Forbes, of No. 1401 MET flight at Bircham Newton. Who was KIA, March 15th, 1942
February 14, 2025 at 12:36 PM
In 2023, our spitfire that hung outside was kindly restored by Major (retired) Ian Dudding. During restoration, we picked the paint scheme & markings to match Spitfire PR IV X4503. Flown by Wing Commander John "Jock" Forbes, of No. 1401 MET flight at Bircham Newton. Who was KIA, March 15th, 1942
Reposted by Jamie Heffer
A story close to my heart this one. We'll be covering more VC stories intermittently through the series.
January 29, 2025 at 7:42 AM
A story close to my heart this one. We'll be covering more VC stories intermittently through the series.
Reposted by Jamie Heffer
@jamieheffer.bsky.social's recent appearance on @nmtdambusters.bsky.social pod had got me onto a Coastal Command "rabbit hole" 👀
January 28, 2025 at 3:22 PM
@jamieheffer.bsky.social's recent appearance on @nmtdambusters.bsky.social pod had got me onto a Coastal Command "rabbit hole" 👀
Reposted by Jamie Heffer
Hello! Ep.31 is out now - A Coastal Command station in WW2: RAF Bircham Newton, with Jamie Heffer. Bombers in WW1, Coastal Command in WW2, Air-Sea rescue, anti-shipping operations, Balfour, Portal, Blenheims, Hudsons, Ansons, Kestrels, lifeboats and flying naked!
www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/epis...
www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/epis...
Episode 31 A Coastal Command Base in WW2: RAF Bircham Newton, with Jamie Heffer - Never Mind The Dambusters
This episode has it all... Bombers in WW1, Coastal Command in WW2, Air-Sea rescue, anti-shipping operations, Balfour, Portal, Blenheims, Hudsons, Ansons, Kestrels, lifeboats and even flying nake...
www.buzzsprout.com
January 22, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Hello! Ep.31 is out now - A Coastal Command station in WW2: RAF Bircham Newton, with Jamie Heffer. Bombers in WW1, Coastal Command in WW2, Air-Sea rescue, anti-shipping operations, Balfour, Portal, Blenheims, Hudsons, Ansons, Kestrels, lifeboats and flying naked!
www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/epis...
www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/epis...
Every time I see a Blenheim, it just makes me realise how much I appreciate those who served in them. So many were lost in those early war years, so much respect for the crews who used them. No. 235 Squadron suffered many losses from June 1940 to June 1941, 72 fatalities, while at RAF Bircham Newton
January 21, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Every time I see a Blenheim, it just makes me realise how much I appreciate those who served in them. So many were lost in those early war years, so much respect for the crews who used them. No. 235 Squadron suffered many losses from June 1940 to June 1941, 72 fatalities, while at RAF Bircham Newton
My day job at the moment has me driving not only through the former RAF Bircham Newton but past the former satellite airfield for Bircham Newton, RAF Docking. The memorial was funded by the Heritage Centre and unveiled in September 2007. I've been stopping by to make sure it's clean and tidy!
January 20, 2025 at 3:26 PM
My day job at the moment has me driving not only through the former RAF Bircham Newton but past the former satellite airfield for Bircham Newton, RAF Docking. The memorial was funded by the Heritage Centre and unveiled in September 2007. I've been stopping by to make sure it's clean and tidy!
The Lockheed Hudson, truly one of Coastal Commands unsung heroes of WW2. It proved time and time again it was up to the job. All of the material I've read through, memoirs, letters, etc. at RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Centre. I've never seen a bad word written about the aircraft by a veteran.
January 19, 2025 at 4:50 PM
The Lockheed Hudson, truly one of Coastal Commands unsung heroes of WW2. It proved time and time again it was up to the job. All of the material I've read through, memoirs, letters, etc. at RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Centre. I've never seen a bad word written about the aircraft by a veteran.
Busy morning at RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Centre, I have spent the early part of the afternoon listening to @nmtdambusters.bsky.social latest episode, which I was kindly asked to come on for! It does feel odd hearing yourself talk on one of your favourite podcasts, Jane & James, thank very much!
January 18, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Busy morning at RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Centre, I have spent the early part of the afternoon listening to @nmtdambusters.bsky.social latest episode, which I was kindly asked to come on for! It does feel odd hearing yourself talk on one of your favourite podcasts, Jane & James, thank very much!
There's just something about the Handley Page V/1500. Mechanically flawed, huge wingspan, difficult to fly, numerous gremlins. Yet I still love it. #HandleyPage #WW1 #BirchamNewton #worldwar1aviation
January 15, 2025 at 7:34 PM
There's just something about the Handley Page V/1500. Mechanically flawed, huge wingspan, difficult to fly, numerous gremlins. Yet I still love it. #HandleyPage #WW1 #BirchamNewton #worldwar1aviation
Weather is a bit dubious at the former RAF Bircham Newton today. No operational flying this morning save for the THUM MET sorties in a Gloster Gladiator. That was usually the mornings action in foggy weather until it cleared!
December 27, 2024 at 10:14 AM
Weather is a bit dubious at the former RAF Bircham Newton today. No operational flying this morning save for the THUM MET sorties in a Gloster Gladiator. That was usually the mornings action in foggy weather until it cleared!
I've been trying to get some work done for the Heritage Centre but was dragged down by a terrible case of the flu. It knocked me right off my feet! Couldn't even pick up a pen until this morning. Hopefully I kick it soon so I can get on with Christmas and the rest of it!
December 23, 2024 at 2:25 PM
I've been trying to get some work done for the Heritage Centre but was dragged down by a terrible case of the flu. It knocked me right off my feet! Couldn't even pick up a pen until this morning. Hopefully I kick it soon so I can get on with Christmas and the rest of it!
So very close to having the final copy of the RAF Bircham Newton WW2 ORB narrative of events. The final book contains the years 1943 to 1945. Busy last few years, and it's going to cost us a pretty penny, but it will complete our copy of the book and be an excellent resource st the Heritage centre.
December 19, 2024 at 4:20 PM
So very close to having the final copy of the RAF Bircham Newton WW2 ORB narrative of events. The final book contains the years 1943 to 1945. Busy last few years, and it's going to cost us a pretty penny, but it will complete our copy of the book and be an excellent resource st the Heritage centre.
streaming on Instagram now! www.instagram.com/raf_bircham_...
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December 14, 2024 at 1:40 PM
streaming on Instagram now! www.instagram.com/raf_bircham_...
Had a very enjoyable visit today at RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Centre. For the full details, check out the story on Instagram. It's far too long to share here! www.instagram.com/share/p/BAIW...
#ww2 ##ww2history ##ww2aviationhistory #raf #rcaf #worldwartwo ##coastalcommand #bombercommand #aviation
#ww2 ##ww2history ##ww2aviationhistory #raf #rcaf #worldwartwo ##coastalcommand #bombercommand #aviation
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December 9, 2024 at 8:20 PM
Had a very enjoyable visit today at RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Centre. For the full details, check out the story on Instagram. It's far too long to share here! www.instagram.com/share/p/BAIW...
#ww2 ##ww2history ##ww2aviationhistory #raf #rcaf #worldwartwo ##coastalcommand #bombercommand #aviation
#ww2 ##ww2history ##ww2aviationhistory #raf #rcaf #worldwartwo ##coastalcommand #bombercommand #aviation
Moving onto 206 Squadron now and updating the list. Adding in more details of each loss and where they crews are buried or commemorated. This Squadron really suffered at Bircham Newton between September 1939 and Mid 1941. They contribute over 100 names to the 541 total lost at Bircham Newton in WW2
December 4, 2024 at 10:39 PM
Moving onto 206 Squadron now and updating the list. Adding in more details of each loss and where they crews are buried or commemorated. This Squadron really suffered at Bircham Newton between September 1939 and Mid 1941. They contribute over 100 names to the 541 total lost at Bircham Newton in WW2
I've spent the last two days revising our old WW2 Losses book for the Heritage Centre. Going through the squadrons listing the aircraft serials and the dead. It occurred to me how horrific this job must have been for the individual who's task it was to record this during wartime. 😵💫
December 4, 2024 at 7:26 PM
I've spent the last two days revising our old WW2 Losses book for the Heritage Centre. Going through the squadrons listing the aircraft serials and the dead. It occurred to me how horrific this job must have been for the individual who's task it was to record this during wartime. 😵💫
So many books... the pile has been growing to add to the Heritage Centre's inventory. Which I will get around too soon! 😵💫
November 30, 2024 at 11:06 AM
So many books... the pile has been growing to add to the Heritage Centre's inventory. Which I will get around too soon! 😵💫
Reposted by Jamie Heffer
Good morning! Episode 26 A Canadian Bomber Crew in Training / Your Questions Answered is out now for our subscribers - available to everyone on Wednesday 27th. We talk OTU, HCU, crewing up, loss of Whitley AD685, WAAFs on board, & loads of other stuff !
November 23, 2024 at 8:18 AM
Good morning! Episode 26 A Canadian Bomber Crew in Training / Your Questions Answered is out now for our subscribers - available to everyone on Wednesday 27th. We talk OTU, HCU, crewing up, loss of Whitley AD685, WAAFs on board, & loads of other stuff !
We sadly don't have any photos of them at Bircham Newton, so I'm using this photo of a 'Hoopla Wimpy' from No. 1 GRU at Ismaliya for reference (IWM CM 5312) No. 1 formed at RAF Manston in December 1939. And No. 2 GRU formed at RAF Bircham Newton in March 1940. I'd have loved to see one fly!
November 22, 2024 at 12:41 PM
We sadly don't have any photos of them at Bircham Newton, so I'm using this photo of a 'Hoopla Wimpy' from No. 1 GRU at Ismaliya for reference (IWM CM 5312) No. 1 formed at RAF Manston in December 1939. And No. 2 GRU formed at RAF Bircham Newton in March 1940. I'd have loved to see one fly!
Reposted by Jamie Heffer
NEWS:
We now have a Facebook page! We'll also be starting a Facebook group for discussions and such.
Feel free to "like", join, and share!
Link:
www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
We now have a Facebook page! We'll also be starting a Facebook group for discussions and such.
Feel free to "like", join, and share!
Link:
www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
Redirecting...
www.facebook.com
November 22, 2024 at 10:41 AM
NEWS:
We now have a Facebook page! We'll also be starting a Facebook group for discussions and such.
Feel free to "like", join, and share!
Link:
www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
We now have a Facebook page! We'll also be starting a Facebook group for discussions and such.
Feel free to "like", join, and share!
Link:
www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
It's bizarre to me how things end up coming to me, and I often wonder how many hands have had it. Back in the late summer, this 1918 service plan of Bircham Newton came to me from a village Heritage Centre. It's in bad shape, and the donor of it gave no name. Mystery, how they came across it!
November 19, 2024 at 12:16 PM
It's bizarre to me how things end up coming to me, and I often wonder how many hands have had it. Back in the late summer, this 1918 service plan of Bircham Newton came to me from a village Heritage Centre. It's in bad shape, and the donor of it gave no name. Mystery, how they came across it!
A small extract from a letter written by Wing Cdr C.G. Ruttan Group Cpt G.G. Truscott Jan, 1944. 415 squadrons daily running was challenged by A flight with Albacores stationed at Manston and B flight with Hampdens & Welligtons at Bircham Newton. Ruttan had a bee in his bonnet about how it was run!
November 16, 2024 at 2:50 PM
A small extract from a letter written by Wing Cdr C.G. Ruttan Group Cpt G.G. Truscott Jan, 1944. 415 squadrons daily running was challenged by A flight with Albacores stationed at Manston and B flight with Hampdens & Welligtons at Bircham Newton. Ruttan had a bee in his bonnet about how it was run!
There's nowhere I'd rather be this weekend than at the Heritage Centre, doing some work on the archive. There is so much to do, it's amazing to think how far it has come since this time last year when we decided to reorganise it.
November 16, 2024 at 10:29 AM
There's nowhere I'd rather be this weekend than at the Heritage Centre, doing some work on the archive. There is so much to do, it's amazing to think how far it has come since this time last year when we decided to reorganise it.