The RAF Harrowbeer 1940s Weekend is organised by the RAF Harrowbeer Interest Group, with support from the Military Vehicle Trust (Devon MVE) and the WWII Re-Enactment South-West Group. We are also grateful for the help from Yelverton Rotary who run our car parking and to all our sponsors.
Our 2024 1940s Weekend will be on the 17th & 18th August, from 10am to 5pm daily.
If you are on Facebook, you can also visit our dedicated page for the event, alongside our usual RAF Harrowbeer page.
We have an open invitation for WWII re-enactors, history groups, military, vintage and classic vehicle owners to attend our 1940s Weekends. Entry to all is free. Vintage based trade stalls are also invited to attend.
For all enquiries, please email: info@rafharrowbeer1940s.co.uk
NOTE: This link isn’t active to stop spambots. You will need to copy and paste it into your email app.
The RAF Harrowbeer 1940s Weekend commemorates the WWII Airfield that was built on moorland near Yelverton, Devon. At our Remembrance Service, we especially honour the memory of the 72 personnel who lost their lives whilst serving on or from the airfield. Aircrew from many nations flew from Harrowbeer during WWII. As 2024 is the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, we will be commemorating the Airfield’s role in Operation Neptune.
New for 2024: We will have two aircraft engines from Historic Aero Engines this year. The ‘Cheetah’ engine (from an Avro Anson) which visited for the first time last year is returning, along with a 1943 ‘Merlin’ engine (from an Avro Lancaster). Both engines will display in our Dispersal Bay and there will be plenty of opportunity to get up close and ask questions in between runs.
New for 2024: We have booked a bigger marquee this year, complete with a small dance floor. So if you love dancing to 1940s music, then do come along and join in. As before, Buckland Monachorum Drama Group will be running the ‘NAAFI’ stall selling tea and coffee in the marquee.
New for 2024: We are expecting a visit from Mr & Mrs Churchill, who will also be making a speech!
Sponsors
If you would like to sponsor our event, please see the ‘Donations’ page for details on how to help.
This year’s sponsors are:
Paladin Advocates
Mansbridge & Balment
Willy’s Ice Cream
Curtis, Whiteford & Crocker Solicitors (CWC)
Westcountry Financial Services
Saturday 17th Events
Times liable to change:
11am Service of Remembrance
A short Service of Remembrance in front of the Airfield Trust Memorial Stone by Knightstone Tea Rooms, to remember the 72 service personnel who lost their lives whilst serving at RAF Harrowbeer.
Regular runs of the Cheetah & Merlin engines. Alternate engine runs during the day with a dual engine run at 2pm approx
Visit and speech by Mr Winston Churchill (accompanied by Mrs Churchill) at approx 11.30pm
1940s Music from Bern Stewart, and the Hummingbirds. (sets throughout the day)
Vintage bus rides on a Leyland Atlantean double-decker bus (provided by the South Devon Railway).
WWII weapons display (approx 2.30pm).
Family Dog Show (organised by Gables Dogs & Cats Home) from 3pm.
Vintage Steam Engine rides with the Robey Trust.
Military vehicles, living history displays, classic cars.
Face Painting with ‘Changing Faces’
Vintage children’s funfair ride.
Plym Valley Railway miniature railway.
Various trade stalls selling vintage clothing, Bric-a-Brac, militaria etc.
Sunday 18th Events
Regular runs of the Cheetah & Merlin engines. Alternate engine runs during the day with a dual engine run at 2pm approx
1940s Music from Bern Stewart, and ‘Fine Whines’ Vintage Jazz’ (sets throughout the day)
Visit and speech by Mr Winston Churchill (accompanied by Mrs Churchill) at approx 11.30pm.
Bus rides from Yelverton bus stop in a vintage coach supplied by Tamar Coaches.
WWII weapons display at approx 2.30pm.
Family Dog Show (organised by Gables Dogs & Cats Home) at 3pm.
Saturday only @ approx 4pm: A convoy of military vehicles will leave the airfield and drive to Tavistock & back (possibly via Horrabridge on the return leg).
Vintage Steam Engine rides with the Robey Trust.
Military vehicles, living history displays, classic cars.
Face Painting with ‘Changing Faces’
Vintage children’s funfair ride.
Plym Valley Railway miniature railway.
Various trade stalls selling vintage clothing, Bric-a-Brac, militaria etc.
Food & refreshments
Andy’s Munchbox (burgers, etc).
Dartmoor Bars Ltd.
Blue Skies Catering (sandwiches, jacket potatoes).
Hungry Hog (hog roast).
NAAFI tent for tea & coffee (run by Buckland Monachorum Drama Group – all monies raised go to event funds).
Baking Wisbeys (baked goods, cakes & savouries).
Retromix Sweet Stall.
Ice Cream supplied by Willy’s Ice Cream of Tavistock.
Living History Displays
Living history displays from various re-enactor groups. Including British, American, Russian and German units.
Military Vehicles
Displays of military vehicles.
Classic Vehicles
Displays of classic cars, motorbikes etc.
Trade Stalls and other attractions
A selection of stalls selling vintage items and bric-a-brac. Displays/stalls for charities and veteran associations.
For the younger visitors?
Changing Faces Face Painting: Children’s face painting.
Vintage roundabout: Hand-cranked vintage roundabout.
Miniature railway provided by the Plym Valley Railway.
BR Airsoft firing range.
END