While its better known as the home of the 20th Fighter Group, RAF King's Cliffe was the first home in the UK of the 56th Fighter Group ( although the 63rd FS was accomodated at nearby RAF Wittering), and it was to King's Cliffe that the 56th's first P-47C's were delivered on 25th January 1943.
Today, not much remains to remind the visitor of the history, but one building that still stands is the control tower.


The first two comparrison photos are from a press day on March 10th 1943.
First, a "finger four" of P-47C's fly past the control tower.

66 years later, August 2009.
The mounting brackets for the windsock still remain in situ.


A group of airmen outside the control tower.
Of these, Harold Comstock and Group Commander "Hub" Zemke achieved "ace" status. Richard Allison (far left) and Conway Saux (far right) were both killed in flying accidents during 1943.

1943...

2009...


A couple of weeks after the press day, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester vsited the 56th Fighter Group to see the new P-47's for themselves.Zemke and Lt Col Brower of the 33rd Service Group were the royal couples hosts.
29th March 1943...

August 2009..


1943...

2009....


The guests and their hosts leave the control tower and head towards their cars.




A week later, the 56th and its Thunderbolts moved to RAF Horsham St Faith.

Nige