VETERANS of secret Malvernbased trials to develop radar systems for aircraft have been coming forward since the Gazette published a feature on the new book Top Secret Boeing by local author Bob Shaw last month.

Dr Shaw, secretary of the Defford Airfield Heritage Group, tells the story of the trials, held at Defford Airfield near Pershore, to test the devices created at the Telecommunications Research Establishment (TRE) that helped to win the war.

Alec Smith, of Malvern, was recruited to work at TRE in 1943, and until the closure of Defford in September 1957, he flew more than 500 hours.

He remembers well the unique Boeing 247D serial number DZ203, as the trials he flew included many hours testing the equipment for automatic orbit, approach and landing.

Donald Nicholson, who also still lives in Malvern, said: “I only flew in the Boeing once, as it wasn’t my project; I was working on Oboe [a different device]. But I remember standing behind the pilots as the plane came in to land on automatic control.

“The pilots took their hands and feet off the controls! It was frightening, but the Boeing touched down, with a bit of bump, right on the centre line of the runway.”

Members of the ground crew also remember aircraft DZ203. Alan Wintle, of Drakes Broughton, now aged 98, vividly remembers being in a vulnerable spot near of the end of the main runway, when the Boeing suffered engine problems on take-off.

“The old Boeing struggled into the air, it only just made it. If it hadn’t, maybe I wouldn’t be here now.”

􀁥 Seventy years of radar research in Malvern will be the subject of an exhibition at Malvern Library starting tomorrow (Saturday).

The exhibition has been put together by the Malvern Radar and Technology History Group, which worked together with the Defford Airfield Heritage Group.

The exhibition, expected to last until the end of June, will include a display on the Boeing and the author Bob Shaw will be signing copies of his book from 10am until 12.30pm.