433 Sqdn. RCAF - 80th Anniversary

[3Greens]

The flight of four aircraft on Monday 25th (188735, 188774, 188730, 188782) across to Yorkshire was to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the 433 Squadron, which was formally established on 25th September 1943 in Skipton-on-Swale, North Yorkshire.
The WW2 airfield was located just south of Leeming and north of Dishforth along the A1.
It was established as a bomber squadron and received its first aircraft a Halifax III on November 3rd 1943.
Between January 2nd 1944 and April 25th,1945 2,316 missions were completed.

A fixed memorial is on site for Plt.Of. C.W. Panton, RAF the Flight Engineer on Halifax HX272 lost on the Nuremburg raid on 30th March 1944, he is buried in Germany along with four crew members.
Memorials are also on site for Fg.Of. Donald Alfred Robinson 433 Sq. RCAF who was lost on March 24th 1944, Flt.Serg. Fred Haynes and Flt.Eng. Ron Broome both also of 433 Sqd. RCAF whose ashes are scattered on the airfield.

433 Tactical Fighter Squadron is currently a composite of 3rd Wing, based in Bagotville, Quebec.
(RCAF/ARC)

[Vulture 01]

Isn't PO Panton the elder brother of the Panton's who bought Lancaster Just Jane?

[3Greens]

Think your right on that Vulture01

[Supra]

You guys are correct in your recollection of the Panton / East Kirby connection.
With due Credit... https://raffeaea.com/home/stories/po-ch ... on-panton/

[David Thompson]

I was fortunate enough to attend the 433 (Porcupine) Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force 80th Anniversary Remembrance Service at the former RAF Skipton On Swale both in the village and then afterwards at the airfield itself .

Sadly the memorial plaque to Christopher Panton was stolen several years ago , the memorial to Don Robinson is scratched into the plasterwork on the first floor of the control tower whilst the plaques in memory of both Ron Broome and Fred Haynes are outside near the entrance door . These last two plaques are in poor condition but will be replaced in the near future with new ones which will also then be mounted inside the 'tower alongside the new 433 80th Anniversary plaque .

Unfortunately I cannot post any photographs but here is a link to a report in the local newspaper The Northern Echo with apologies for the repeated adverts and the repetition of the same photograph in the article ! ;
https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/ ... niversary/ .

[F3]

Very interesting David. Did you experience anything paranormal? (As reputedly one of the most haunted former airfields according to the accounts in Bruce Barrymore Halfpenny's Ghost Stations series). Apparently one airman engaged on clear up duty after the Canucks went home went into one of the toilet blocks for some quiet contemplation and all the cubicle doors started opening and closing by themselves! If that does nt get you in the mood for Hallo'een I don't know what will.
BTW - Church Fenton shows book (last and best yet) out soon. Defo one for the Christmas list!

[roughcutter]

Very interesting David. Did you experience anything paranormal? (As reputedly one of the most haunted former airfields according to the accounts in Bruce Barrymore Halfpenny's Ghost Stations series). Apparently one airman engaged on clear up duty after the Canucks went home went into one of the toilet blocks for some quiet contemplation and all the cubicle doors started opening and closing by themselves! If that does nt get you in the mood for Hallo'een I don't know what will.
BTW - Church Fenton shows book (last and b7est yet) out soon. Defo one for the Christmas list!

Bet it helped your constitution