Watton air cadets film for Channel 4

WATTON air cadets and staff have spent a couple of days filming on the former RAF station at West Raynham as extras in a Channel 4 documentary.

WATTON air cadets and staff have spent a couple of days filming on the former RAF station at West Raynham as extras in a Channel 4 documentary.

The programme on Polish fighter pilots will be broadcast near Christmas and is part of a series on how foreigners have helped the United Kingdom.

The episode, featuring staff and cadets from 864 (Watton) Sqn, portrayed the Polish flyers' from 303 Squadron's contribution in the Battle of Britain.

Over a week of filming, West Raynham masqueraded as RAF Uxbridge and Northolt in July 1940. Numerous extras and vehicles were used to portray the actions of 303 Sqn in the Battle of Britain. The air cadets soon discovered the valuable contribution the Polish airman made as they flew Hurricane Mark 1's against the Luftwaffe.

FS Alex Thorpe said: 'It was a very interesting experience and we appeared in a lot of the filming. Our cadet training helped enormously and it was great fun being part of a TV documentary on the Battle of Britain. Everyone at 864 is looking forward to seeing it on TV at Christmas.'

Watton staff member Symon Wilkins added: 'It was interesting to see just how a TV production comes together. As we got more involved with the storyline, we gained a greater insight into the bravery and sacrifice of the pilots of 303 Sqn.

'Overall [it was] a very humbling experience remembering their contribution.'