Special flying visits welcomed to Haverfordwest Airport

Haverfordwest Airport has welcomed some special visitors just a week apart.

Published: 22nd September 2023

3 Min Read

The Pembrokeshire County Council operated Airport welcomed TRH The Prince and Princess of Wales to Withybush at short notice when their helicopter was unable to land in St Davids due to low cloud on Friday, September 8^th.

The royal couple transferred to a car at the Airport and thanked staff for their assistance before heading off to their engagements.

The unexpected royal visit was followed by the unusual sight of a World War Two era Avro Anson landing at the Airport the following Friday.

The Anson based at Sleap, Shropshire, is one of only two flying in this country and thought to be just one of three anywhere in the world to still be operating.

The flying visit to Haverfordwest was part of a commemorative event at the former RAF St Davids Airfield marking 80 years since the airfield’s opening.

***Avro Anson aircraft at Haverfordwest Airport***
*(Image: Pembrokeshire Council)*

The Anson performed a flypast as part of a ceremony remembering all those who had served at the airfield.

While the Anson is a rare sight these days, in wartime Ansons would regularly be spotted in Pembrokeshire skies.

Many were based at RAF Carew Cheriton, training wireless operators, and Ansons would have been seen operating in and out of all the local airfields.

The Carew Control Tower team is restoring a similar version.

In RAF and Royal Navy service Ansons had a long life, from 1936 up to the late 1960s.

The Anson is painted in wartime camouflage and carries its original serial WD413.

While the Anson stole the show, an impressive RAF Atlas 400 which was exercising in the area took the opportunity to mark a visit of RAF’s Air Officer Wales, Air Commodore Adrian Williams to the Airport with an impromptu flypast.

***Haverfordwest Airport staff Bryn Etchells, Phil Davies and Terry Treiber Johnson with members of the Avro Anson crew.***
*(Image: Pembrokeshire Council)*

Airport Manager Phil Davies, said: “It’s been great that we have been able to welcome some very different but important flights into the Airport in recent weeks.

“It was a pleasure to welcome the royal couple and then the Avro Anson. It shows that you never quite know what to expect from day to day but we were proud to play our part in these flying visits to Pembrokeshire.”

(Lead image: Pembrokeshire Council)

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