Four excellent presentations have been secured on the theme RAF100 Flying the Icons, covering a range of topics from historic accounts, personal memories of aircraft operations, and contemporary events within our historic aircraft movement.
Renowned Lightning pilot and author Ian Black recalls his experiences flying high performance RAF jets in the 1980’s, with particular emphasis on the formidable Lightning. Ian began his flying career with the legendary McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom in RAF Germany at the height of the Cold War. After three years flying “Back seat” Ian underwent Pilot Training in 1984-1986 during which time he was awarded prizes for flying ability , aerobatics and unsurprisingly navigation skills. On completion of his flying training, Ian was selected to fly the English Electric Lightning in the Air Defence Role. Twenty five years earlier, Ian’s father had been one of the RAF’s first Lightning Pilots and his son was set to become the last.
We are also privileged to welcome Flt Lt Rusty Waughman DFC. After training in Canada, he qualified as a heavy bomber pilot and was posted to No.101 (Special Duties) Squadron at Ludford Magna. He completed a tour of operations, which began during the Battle of Berlin, where his crew undertook several operations. He survived a mid-air collision, only to write the aircraft off on landing. Rusty and his crew had a further miraculous escape when their aircraft was blown upside down, over the target, at Mailly-le-Camp. This is a rare, not-to be missed opportunity to hear from one of the few surviving veterans of Bomber Command.
Eric Verdon Roe is the Chairman of A. V. Roe Heritage, which was was created to celebrate the centenary of the first all British flight by Sir Alliott Verdon-Roe in 1909. Since then it has commemorated the 100th anniversary of the founding of AV Roe and Co. in Manchester on 1st January 2010 and the centenary of the Avro 504 in 2013, the most prolifically built aeroplane during the First World War. Eric acquired a replica Avro 504, built in Argentina and has now been certified to fly in Britain by the CAA and based at Sywell. Eric’s account of these pioneering years brings to life the formative beginnings of one of Britain’s premier aircraft manufacturers.
Film Producer Steve Milne is one of the leading figures behind this years hit Spitfire documentary film, widely seen in UK cinemas in summer 2018. Spitfire was co-directed by Ant Palmer and David Fairhead and produced by Steve Milne of the British Film Company. It tells the story of the iconic British aircraft, the Supermarine Spitfire, which was a crucial component of the Battle of Britain during the Second World War, and features first-hand accounts from veteran pilots. With breath-taking aerial footage from the world’s top aviation photographer, John Dibbs, and never before seen digitally re-mastered archive footage from the tumultuous days of the 1940’s, when the Spitfire’s reputation in the skies was unrivaled; all combined with a specially commissioned score by composer Chris Roe and an incredible soundscape of the famous Merlin engine, which makes this a striking and poignant film. Steve Milne takes us behind-the-scenes, to reveal the story of this production, with emphasis on the flying and filming challenges associated with operating these historic fighter aircraft.
The poster will be appearing in various magazines to advertise the event. Ticket sales are progressing well, so make sure you have yours to avoid disappointment.
