Whenever youre at Duxford and you pass the Historic Duxford exhibit building, you will notice this nondescript sticky out bit on the eastern end of the building. This was the office of the 84th Fighter Squadrons Commanding Officer. The rest of the building was the Ready Room for the 84th FS, and the hangar behind was the 84ths too. Prior to the 78th Fighter Group arriving at Duxford, and prior to the control tower you see today being built, this building was used as the airfield Watch Office. Originally built in 1918, it was extended in 1928. But, this building, specifically the office once occupied by the 84th FS CO may hold a deeper historical significance. The Royal Air Forces Air Fighting Development Unit arrived at Duxford in December 1940. It was tasked with the development and testing of a wide variety of Allied aircraft. (Captured airworthy Axis aircraft also found their way to Duxford during this time.) In April 1942, a Rolls-Royce test pilot, Ronald Harker, was invited to Duxford by the RAF to fly a Mustang I, which was at the time powered by an Allison engine. After a short test flight, Harker declared that the Mustang could perform much better if it was re-engined with a RR Merlin 61 engine. This was the engine fitted to the Spitfire Mk.IX, due to be introduced a month later. There are reports that Ronald Harker made this declaration inside this very office.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 20:24:35 +0000
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