March 4, 2009 at 7:25 pm
On the 4th and 5th April there’s a living history event on at RAFM Hendon on 4th/5th April, entitled ‘Happy birthday, RAF!’ due to the proximity of the 91st Anniversary of the RAF’s formation. Displays will be dioramas using aircraft in the museum’s historic hangars and bomber command hall, from WW1 to inter-war, WW2 and post-war. I’ll be there on the only WW1 diorama, with the 22 Squadron Bristol F2b Fighter. There’ll be at least two pilots as well as a number of Ack Emma’s (Air Mechanics), including myself, and no doubt an observer or two as well. Aircraft used in the displays, from what I recall, will be;
Bristol F2b Fighter – 22 Squadron RFC, March 1918
Hawker Hart – inter-war RAF
Auster I – being used with a chindit display below I believe
Avro Lancaster
B17 – USAAF crew
P40 Kittyhawk
Hawker Typhoon – RAF Servicing Commando
de Havilland Vampire – 1950’s RAF
This is the official blurb from the website
The Royal Air Force was formed on 1st April 1918. To celebrate the 91st anniversary of its foundation, we will have a series of re-enactors on-site in our main halls who will be at hand to talk about the contribution that the people they represent made to the development of the R.A.F and the defence of the U.K. Groups will include members of the Royal Flying Corps, 1930s airmen, World War II Fighter Aces, plus test pilots from the 60s and 70s.
Should be a good weekend, looking forward to seeing anyone from here there (i’ll be the young handsome one with the ‘Biff’ ;))