de Havilland to be remembered by University of Hertfordshire

THE importance and legacy of the de Havilland aerodrome is to be highlighted by the University of Hertfordshire.

The Hatfield-based uni, which now sits on the former location of the aerodrome, is doing a special one-off project which will finish with an 80-page free booklet being distributed to residents, schools, colleges, libraries, archives and museums around Hertfordshire.

Backed by Heritage Lottery funding it has been organised to mark 60 years since the world’s first jet airliner - the de Havilland Comet - took off.

The year-long venture will also feature a heritage walk and trail boards, each illustrating a different aspect of the airfield’s history.

The last surviving World War Two Beacon, a vital navigational device for pilots flying at night, will also return to the airfield and a temporary exhibition will be opened at the new uni campus in May 2010.

For more on this buy this week’s Welwyn Hatfield Times.