2012 – Lincolnshire’s Year of Aviation

An interesting item appeared in the Sunday Express yesterday to help bring the Year of Aviation towards a close, before new horizons beckon http://www.express.co.uk/features/view/357565/RAF-bravery-never-to-be-forgotten

I spoke to some people from AHL whilst I was at East Kirkby today and they say that they have a few places left for their talks in Lincoln on Saturday if anyone is still.

I won’t be able to go as I’ll be getting the teas and coffees in at a certain aviation sale! 😉

The Petwood Hotel is a wonderful venue, I helped organise a 619 Squadron reunion event there – it was their Squadron Mess as well; even got a plaque installed to that effect! 🙂

😉 Materials Handling World is on an aviation roll – Thor replica this time!! 😀

I now have additional details of the first Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire talk for the 2012 season, which takes place on April 17th and is fund raising funds for the charity ‘Flights for Life’………………….

phil(AT)aviationheritagelincolnshire.com or by telephoning 01529 308135/ 01529 308172.

Venue:
The Petwood Hotel
Woodhall Spa
Lincs
LN10 6QG

Updates about the events being organised by AHL can be found on their website at www.aviationheritagelincolnshire.com ”[/I]

Nice thread Guys. FWIW, 3 of my cousins own and operate The Petwood Hotel. I doubt that they’ve seen this mention of their establishment so I’ll forward a copy of this post. There is still a room there dedicated to the Dam Busters who used it as an Officer’s mess at the time.

Perhaps, one day, I’ll get back to Blighty and see it for myself.

Rather apt for a Cuban Missile Crisis anniversary week is the latest news from AHL about an unusual transport project that has been completed today from Cosford to Scampton – apologies to any ‘transport police’ for the company mention 😉 and lack of photo!!

“Thor missile replica finds new home in Lincolnshire

On 22nd October 2012 drivers on various major roads across the West and East Midlands could have been forgiven for thinking they had been transported back in time; perhaps some 50 years to the time ‘Missile Convoys’ in the time leading up to the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Fortunately the ‘2012 Missile Convoy’ was transporting a 2/3rd scale replica of the Thor missile from the Royal Air Force (RAF) Museum Cosford repository to the nascent Cold War collection of exhibits being assembled at the RAF Scampton Museum, just north of Lincoln.

The ‘2012 Missile Convoy’ is pictured in the careful care of Lincoln based Denby Transport Limited on a section of the A46 in Nottinghamshire; very close to RAF Newton, which is believed to be one of the replica missile’s former homes.

RAF Newton was once home to No.9 SoTT (School of Technical Training), which was a ‘Guided Weapons College’, teaching personnel the skills they needed to be RAF technicians in the missile age. The base built up a Missile Museum, which opened in 1963 and displayed an impressive array of weapons from across the history of missile technology. The collection was dispersed during the late 1980s, which is when the replica Thor missile is believed to have been transferred to RAF Cosford.

Once at RAF Scampton the replica Thor missile will be erected into a launch position in the display space in one of the hangars that houses the RAF Scampton Museum. Much of the co-ordination work for this acquisition has been carried out by by staff from Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire, which is funded by a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) award of £436,000.”

A good day at Newark today listening to talks and looking over various Cuban Missile Crisis related items including: the Vulcan and NAM’s ‘Bloodhound’ Radar Cabin!

Don’t forget the last in the Cold War related lectures next weekend in Lincoln:

“Saturday 27th October – Hardy Lecture Theatre – Bishop Grosseteste University College, Lincoln

AHL will be hosting a series of talks by those who have studied the Doomsday events of half a century ago and we will have the opportunity to listen to those who were serving on the Thor sites and Vulcan bases in Lincolnshire. A fascinating day with lunch included £15 per person.

Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire (AHL) is funded by a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) award of £436,000 and these Cuban Missile Crisis Anniversary events, will highlight the county’s diverse involvement with this important part of the country’s aviation heritage and history.

All events and talks must be pre-booked. Tickets and further details can be obtained from Phil Bonner on 01529 308135, or Debbie Roberts on 01529 308172 or e-mail phil(AT)aviationheritagelincolnshire.com

www.aviationheritagelincolnshire.com “

I’ve just spotted an interesting addendum to the forthcoming Cuban Missile Crisis anniversary events in this BBC article http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19930260

Is anyone attending any of the Cuban Missile Crisis events mentioned in post #20?

A brief write-up from today’s commemorations at Kirton in Lindsey can be found in this BBC weblink http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-19769391

N.B. the photograph does not show the new memorial that was unveiled today!

A brief write-up from today’s commemorations at Kirton in Lindsey can be found in this BBC weblink http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-19769391

N.B. the photograph does not show the new memorial that was unveiled today!

Don’t forget the Eagle Squadrons of Kirton in Lindsey events highlighted in post # 18 above – these are taking place on 28th & 29th September 2012. 🙂

Next month AHL is organising a series of talks, events and visits to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis – full details are in the following News Release:

“The Cuban Missile Crisis – 50th Anniversary

In October 1962 whilst Lincolnshire was apparently miles away from the real centre of events; in reality the county was at the heart of Great Britain’s response to the Cuban Missile Crisis; a time when the world seemed to be on the brink of nuclear war!

Next month, over a similar 13 day period as the original events of the Cuban Missile Crisis, Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire (AHL) and several partner organisations will highlight some of the county’s roles in this internationally significant event by hosting a series of 50th anniversary talks, tours and events.

Monday 15th October – A talk by John Boyes on Project EMILY

Noted author John Boyes wrote the definitive book on the Thor missile project, known as ‘Project Emily’. The talk will take place at 7pm at Hemswell Court, which was the former Officers Mess for RAF Hemswell. This venue was selected because it was part of RAF Hemswell, which was the Wing Headquarters for the Thor missile sites at Hemswell, Caistor, Ludford Magna, Coleby Grange and Bardney.

Tickets £5 per person.

Tuesday 16th October – Cold War Tour

Starting at Hemswell Court the day will comprise of a coach tour of significant Cold War venues in Lincolnshire including: Caistor, Faldingworth, Dunholme Lodge and the RAF Scampton Museum.

Full day tour including lunch – £15 per person.

Saturday 20th October – Cold War Focus – Newark Air Museum

A series of talks focusing on the equipment of the Cold War in Lincolnshire with an opportunity to view the Vulcan bomber from inside the cockpit; to learn more about the Bloodhound Surface to Air Missile; and to hear about the role of the Royal Observer Corps.

Tickets £15 per person.

Sunday 21st October – Visit To Holbeach Royal Observer Corps Post

Heritage Lincolnshire have arranged for the former Royal Observer Corps (ROC) underground post at Holbeach to be opened up for visitors to find out more about the vital role carried out by the ROC. To book your place please contact Penny Ward at Heritage Lincolnshire on 01529 461499 or e-mail at penny.ward(AT)lincsheritage.org

Saturday 27th October – Hardy Lecture Theatre – Bishop Grosseteste University College, Lincoln

AHL will be hosting a series of talks by those who have studied the Doomsday events of half a century ago and we will have the opportunity to listen to those who were serving on the Thor sites and Vulcan bases in Lincolnshire. A fascinating day with lunch included £15 per person.

Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire (AHL) is funded by a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) award of £436,000 and these Cuban Missile Crisis Anniversary events, will highlight the county’s diverse involvement with this important part of the country’s aviation heritage and history.

All events and talks must be pre-booked. Tickets and further details can be obtained from Phil Bonner on 01529 308135, or Debbie Roberts on 01529 308172 or e-mail phil(AT)aviationheritagelincolnshire.com

www.aviationheritagelincolnshire.com”

Another video clip has gone online from AHL and this features an interview with Tad Weir.

Tad flew Lancaster bombers with 300 Squadron out of RAF Faldingworth, Lincolnshire during World War II here’s the link to the clip

http://vimeo.com/47950786

The latest news release from AHL has just been circulated and it has details about a new memorial, the next talk and 1940s dance – all with an American theme!

“The Eagle Squadrons of Kirton in Lindsey

To commemorate Lincolnshire’s connections with the United States Air Force (USAF) Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire (AHL) has instigated a series of aviation events connected to the Eagle Squadrons of the USAF.

Before the events of Pearl Harbour the United States of America was a neutral country, but this did not prevent 9,000 Americans joining either the Royal Canadian Air Force or the Royal Air Force in defiance of their government’s policies.

Within Fighter Command three unique squadrons were formed, each manned by these Americans but commanded by a Royal Air Force Squadron Leader. These squadrons were 71 Squadron, 121 Squadron and 133 Squadron and they became known as ‘The Eagle Squadrons’. Uniquely all three squadrons were based at one time or another at RAF Kirton in Lindsey, just north of Lincoln.

After Pearl Harbour the Eagle Squadron pilots were no longer an embarrassment to America, but were regarded as highly respected combat experienced pilots. Subsequently the squadrons were transferred from the Royal Air Force to the American Air Force as the 334th, 335th and 336th Fighter Squadrons, which are still in existence at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. The date of the transfer was 29th September 1942.

70 years to the day, Saturday 29th September 2012, the town of Kirton in Lindsey will be unveiling a memorial to the Eagle Squadrons at 3.00 pm. USAF representatives from Seymour Johnson AFB will be in attendance.

The memorial unveiling will be preceded by a talk in the Kirton in Lindsey Town Hall on the evening of Friday 28th September by Dr Roy Heidicker, the Eagle Squadron Historian from Seymour Johnson AFB.

The Town Hall
Kirton in Lindsey
North Lincs
DN21 4LZ

Tickets for the talk, which begins at 7.30 pm, cost £5 and must be pre-booked. Tickets can be obtained from Phil Bonner on 01529 308135, or Debbie Roberts on 01529 308172 or e-mail phil AT aviationheritagelincolnshire.com

Following the memorial unveiling on the Saturday, the Kirton in Lindsey Society will be putting on a 40s/50s Dance in the Town Hall with the RAF’s Shades of Blue Band in aid of the RAF Benevolent Fund. Tickets cost £20 and include a Pie & Peas Supper. The dance starts at 7.30 pm and tickets are available from Lynne Duffin on 01526 649094 or Martin Hollingsworth on 01652 648435 or e-mail lynneduffin905 AT btinternet.com

Updates about this and other events being organised by AHL can be found on their website at www.aviationheritagelincolnshire.com ”

Details of AHL’s next talk on 7th August have just been released:

“7th August 2012 – Talk
420 Squadron and the Royal Canadian Air Force in Lincolnshire

To commemorate Lincolnshire’s connections with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire (AHL) is hosting a talk by Phil Bonner on Tuesday 7th August 2012, which is entitled “420 Squadron & the Royal Canadian Air Force in Lincolnshire”.

During World War II Lincolnshire was home to an ever changing assembly of airmen and women from across the world. At RAF Waddington 420 Squadron became the fourth RCAF bomber squadron to form overseas.

Phil Bonners talk is being held in the Nettleton Room at RAF Waddington on 7th August 2012 at 7pm, and it will mark the squadron’s transfer to 4 Group and a new base at Skipton-on-Swale. The talk will also chart the RCAF’s operations from Lincolnshire between December 1941 and August 1942.

The Nettleton Room
Royal Air Force Waddington
Lincoln
LN5 9NB

Admission to the event will cost £5.00 per person (includes tea & coffee), with proceeds being donated to the ‘Flights for Life’ charity. Tickets must be booked in advance by contacting AHL via e-mail phil(AT)aviationheritagelincolnshire.com or by telephoning Debbie Roberts on 01529 308172, or Phil Bonner on 01529 308135.

Venue:
The Nettleton Room
Royal Air Force Waddington
Lincoln
LN5 9NB

Time: 7pm

Updates about this and other events being organised by AHL can be found on their website at www.aviationheritagelincolnshire.com ”

A link was included in post #3 of this thread that detailed how people who visited Lincolnshire aviation attractions this year could have the chance of winning a Lancaster Taxy ride at East Kirkby.

Part way through this Passport Scheme, AHL has just sent out the following reminder:

“Opportunity still available to win two Lancaster Taxy Rides

With the main school holiday period fast approaching the team at Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire (AHL) is keen to remind people that they still have just over three months remaining to complete their 2012 Aviation Passports; for the chance to win a Taxy Ride for two people in a World War II Lancaster bomber at East Kirkby.

Launched in spring 2012 the Aviation Passport scheme is being run across ten of Lincolnshire’s aviation attractions by AHL, which is funded by a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) award of £436,000 and AHL’s remit is to work with various venues to raise the profile of aviation heritage in the county.

Potential participants in the AHL Aviation Passport scheme can put the forthcoming summer holiday to good use by visiting each of the following ten aviation venues across the county:

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Centre
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre
Cranwell Aviation Heritage Centre
RAF Digby Sector Operations Room Museum
Metheringham Airfield Visitors Centre
Scampton Historical Museum
Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre
RAF Waddington Heritage Centre
RAF Waddington Airfield Viewing Area
RAF Wickenby Memorial Museum

The AHL Aviation Passport scheme runs through until the 31st October 2012. Aviation Passports are available to download under the Aviation Trails tab on the AHL website at www.aviationheritagelincolnshire.com or they can be individually requested by people contacting Debbie Roberts on 01529 308172.

The scheme is very straightforward. Participants need to visit each of the 10 aviation sites in the scheme and collect a passport stamp at the venue. Once completed the Passport is returned to: Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire, PO Box 3, Kesteven Street, Sleaford, Lincs, NG34 7EF

In return each successfully completed Passport will receive an Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire badge and be entered into the prize draw with the winner receiving a Lancaster Taxy Ride for two people at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at East Kirkby, Lincs.

People that decide to participate in the 2012 Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire Passport scheme are advised to check on the opening times of all the sites; as some sites are not open every day and some close during the autumn and winter. Individual details about each participating site can be found at www.aviationheritagelincolnshire.com

It is also essential that people check which sites are open by appointment only and that they make an appointment in advance. Please note that some sites charge an entrance fee and the Passport Scheme does not entitle visitors to free admission at these venues. Others sites are free but donations are always welcome to support their operation.”

Details of AHL’s August 7th talk have gone live on the BBC Things To Do website!

Don’t forget the World War I talk this coming Saturday.

Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire (AHL) has again managed to secure a national listing on the BBC Hands On History website for their next talk World War One Aviation In Lincolnshire.

If you follow the link you’ll see some other forthcoming aviation events listed as well! 😉

Some more information has now arrived from AHL:

“23rd June 2012- Talk
“World War One Aviation In Lincolnshire”
– Its airfields & aircraft industry

To mark the one hundredth (100) anniversary of the formation of the Royal Flying Corps Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire (AHL) is hosting a talk by Andy Johnson entitled “World War One Aviation in Lincolnshire” on Saturday 23rd June 2012.

Lincolnshire’s location and open countryside made it an ideal location for the development of airfields during World War I. My mid-1915 Lincoln itself had become one of the top five aircraft manufacturing centres, with more than 5000 aircraft being built there, by companies such as Robey; Ruston, Proctor & Co Ltd; Clayton & Shuttleworth; and Marshall & Son.

Aviation historian Andy Johnson’s talk on Saturday 23rd June 2012 takes place at 2.00pm at the Doubletree Hilton Hotel Lincoln. Andy will look at the formation of the Royal Flying Corps and provide an overview the county’s early airfields and its aircraft industry.

The afternoon event will also include the official launch of a new commemorative booklet entitled “Lincolnshire Aviation in World War One” that has been published in association with the Airfield Research Group, about the county’s World War I era aviation history.

Admission to the event will cost £5.00 per person, with proceeds being donated to the ‘Flights for Life’ charity. Tickets must be booked in advance by contacting AHL via e-mail dave (AT) aviationheritagelincolnshire.com or by telephoning Debbie Roberts on 01529 308172, or Dave Harrigan MBE on 01529 30813.

Venue:
Doubletree Hilton Hotel Lincoln
Brayford Wharf North
Lincoln
LN1 1YW
2pm

Updates about this and other events being organised by AHL can be found on their website at www.aviationheritagelincolnshire.com ”

Outline details of AHL’s next talk, ‘World War One Aviation in Lincolnshire’ have appeared on the BBC Things To Do Website – the talk is on Saturday 23rd June 2012 and more details can be found here on the BBC website!

I will try to find fuller details in due course.