Doniford Camp
Note: This map only shows the local area.
DONIFORD CAMP: 'QUEEN BEE' launching site (See also the listing for DONIFORD)
Note: The first picture was provided by Mr Graham Frost. The second was obtained from Google Earth ©. The third was provided by Mr Burt Habard. The area view is from my Google Earth © derived database.
Location: See the listing for DONIFORD.
Period of operation: See the listing for DONIFORD.
NOTES: In July 2022 I was kindly contacted by Mr Burt Habard who lived in the area and remembers the remains of an aircraft catapult near the shore.
He thinks the location was LADY MEAD CAMP, which was probably in close proximity to DONIFORD CAMP (?), one of the several locations used by Army anti-aircraft units, placed along the Somerset coastline as gunnery range, especially during WW2, but some parts of the ranges are still used today, by helicopters.
Some delving around reveals there was an aircraft catapult installed, (possibly more than one?), for use by the de Havilland DH82 Queen Bee. First flown in 1937 it seems. This was a radio controlled version of the Tiger Moth trainer. Fitted with floats the idea was that it could fly along the range for target practice. It was fitted with floats in the expectation that it would not get hit!
In the event that it did survive it could be landed on the sea and towed into Watchet harbour by a launch - to be used again.
Mr Graham Frost, a great friend of this 'Guide', has also provided a link, "War Minister at Watchet (1938)" - https://youtu.be/Be-1Ps6F664
This includes a Queen Bee being launched.
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