The Old Haltonian social networking site
Welcome to all Old Haltonians
The RAF Halton Apprentices Association's social networking site for former apprentices & directing staff of No1 SofTT, RAF Halton.
The RAF Halton Aircraft Apprentices Association
The Royal Air Force Halton Aircraft Apprentices Association (RAFHAAA) was formed in September 1980 to meet the need for a point of focus for all those young boys who went through Halton.
If you are not already a member of this elite band then why not get in touch? The association has approximately 3,500 members and holds a major reunion at Halton every three years (the next one is scheduled for 25 September 2010).
The RAFHAA twice yearly publishes a magazine called, "The Haltonian" and, in addition, sends a Newsletter two or three times a year to all members. It also performs the vital function of bringing ex-Apprentices together in renewed comradeship.
The Association may be able to assist you in making contact with other members of your Entry, most of whom now have their own Entry Association.
CONTACT DETAILS
RAFHAAA office is manned on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 0930 and 1300 hrs
(Tel: 01296 696 896)
Email:- secretaryhaaa@aol.com
Web site:- http://www.oldhaltonians.co.uk
RAFHAAA COUNCIL
Patron:
Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Armitage KCB, CBE, 56th entry
104th entry;
210th entry
231st entry
Email: trenchard63@btinternet.com
General Secretary: Peter West, 73rd entry
Branch and Entries Secretary: Peter Milner, 67th entry
Editor, Haltonian magazine:- Bill Kelley MBE, 55th entry (Tel: 01903 784142)
Material for publication in the Haltonian magazine should be sent direct to the Haltonian Editor, 99 Broadmark Lane, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 2JN or by email to haltonianeditor@tesco.net
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Assistant Editor, Haltonian magazine:- Stuart Morgan BSc, MA, FCMI, Chartered FCIPD, FRSA, FRSPH, MIHM - 202/203 entries
RAFHAAA MEMBERSHIP
Member
Open to Royal Air Force Apprentices, Royal Navy Artificer Apprentices (Air), and Apprentices sponsored by Foreign and Commonwealth governments who underwent part or all of their training at No 1 School of Technical Training, RAF Halton. Those who trained at Halton include Aircraft, Technician, Craft, Administrative, Dental, Medical, and Mechanic Apprentices. NB:- It is NOT necessary to have completed the apprenticeship.
Associate Member
Open to Instructors and Staff who were directly involved in the training of Apprentices at No 1 School of Technical Training, RAF Halton
Subscription rates
The current subscription rates, are as follows:
* Membership is £8 per year payable by annual Standing Order (Only).
* A Three Year Membership is £24 payable by cheque or money order to the "HAAA".
* Life Membership is £80 payable by cheque or money order to the "HAAA".
At the 2009 AGM, it was agreed that membership fees will be increased to £10 per year, £30 per 3 years and £100 for life membership, respectively. The increase will take effect from 1st April 2010.
Membership application form
CLICK HERE for an application form.
What happens next?
Once your application form has been processed you will receive your membership card, a list of HAAA members who were in your Entry and the latest Magazine and Newsletter. We look forward to you joining us.
WEBMASTERS
RAFHAAA Webmaster:- Clive Brooks, 93rd entry
Social network editor/Webmaster:- Stuart Morgan BSc, MA, FCMI, Chartered FCIPD, FRSA, FRSPH, MIHM - 202nd/203rd entry (Email:- haltonian@stuartmorgan.eu)
All matters related to this social network should be sent to Stuart Morgan in the first instance.
UK air shows
Earlybirds set Air Tattoo Record
A record-breaking number of special Earlybird tickets have been purchased for this summer‘s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, in Gloucestershire. More than 3,000 people have already snapped up the cut-price tickets for the airshow on July 17-18, which this year will mark the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The Earlybird tickets, priced £32.50 [...]Save the Vulcan! (again)
It’s winter and once again we’re being asked to “Save the Vulcan!” It seems like groundhog day with the Vulcan to the Sky trust in financial dire straits. The staff at the Vulcan to the Sky Trust are again on a months notice pending the results of another fundraising campaign. It all seems pretty grim. [...]DVD Review: The Vulcan Effect
Produced by Planes TV; Available from Planes TV -- Blu-Ray £24.99, DVD £15.99 There’s little doubt that the 2009 season was dominated by the Vulcan. The aircraft’s story during the display season had all the ups and downs you’d associate with ant popular soap opera. The production is narrated by Sean Maffett, the aircraft’s official commentator. The production starts [...]RAF Cosford Preview Online
We’ve just posted the 2010 RAF Cosford Air Show preview.FerociousFrankie.com goes live
Our latest website, FerociousFrankie.com, has gone live. The website has been produced to promote the OFMC’s P-51D Mustang for airshows as well as other public and private events.Groups
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102nd entry
26 members
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95th entry
13 members
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213th Craft entry
12 members
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90th entry
10 members
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204th Craft entry
9 members
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202nd Craft entry
8 members
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140th entry
8 members
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126th entry
8 members
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96th entry
7 members
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Bibliography: Books by o…
6 members
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91st entry
6 members
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1st Halton Air Scouts
5 members
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88th entry
5 members
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205th Craft entry
5 members
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Norfolk HAAA Group
5 members
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The Wales (Cymru) Group
4 members
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216th Craft entry
4 members
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206th Craft entry
4 members
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The 94th Entry
4 members
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53rd entry
4 members
Vulcan Restoration Trust
Download and display a poster for us
In order to publicise the much-anticipated talk by Col. Rich Graham on his career flying the SR71 Blackbird (see here for more details), we have produced a poster. If you have the facility to print out a colour poster and display it somewhere, please click the link below or the image itself to download a PDF version of the poster.
Many thanks!
Exclusive talk by ex-USAF 'Blackbird' pilot
The Vulcan Restoration Trust are delighted to have secured a talk by Colonel (Retired) Richard Graham which will take place on the evening of 3 March 2010. Proceeds from the event will go towards the continued restoration of XL426.
Col. Graham has written three highly acclaimed books on the 2000mph Mach 3 SR-71 Blackbird ‘spy plane’ having spent much of his military career flying with, and commanding, SR-71 units within the United States Air Force. He also flew the F-4 Phantom in missions during the Vietnam War, and held a position in the Pentagon. Col. Graham retired from the Air Force in 1989 having been highly decorated for his service.
Col. Graham will be selling and personally signing copies of his book on the night so why not come along treat yourself to a signed copy!
The event will take place at the following location:
Whitmore Suite
Orsett Hall Hotel
Prince Charles Avenue
Orsett
Essex
RM16 3HS
Start time is 8pm and tickets cost £9 each and are available by post from:
VRT Enterprises
Treetops
Woodham Road
Battlesbridge
Essex
SS11 7QW
Please enclose an SAE with your application - cheques must be made out to VRT Enterprises Ltd
or on-line by going to tickets.avrovulcan.com
Happy New Year
Happy 2010, Vulcan devotees! Let us keep our fingers-crossed for all surviving Vulcans not least for XH558 which we hope to see on the 2010 airshow circuit. Being custodians of one of the other two 'live' Vulcans, we wish 655 MaPS all the very best in continuing to preserve XM655 in such fine condition and finally we hope that you will be able to support the VRT and its ongoing efforts to preserve XL426 at Southend.
Vulcan News is on its way!
Members will be delighted to know that at long last the Winter issue of Vulcan News is hitting the post office tomorrow and although unlikely to be with you before Christmas, we hope you get it before the New Year!
"I'm thrilled that we've been able to go to full colour for the first time in my 18 year tenure in the job!", Dave Griffiths, editor of Vulcan News said, "We've some cracking articles and the quality of the colour is superb - not that we'd expect any different from T&C Printers who have been printing Vulcan News for well over ten years".
Prize Draw 2009 Winners
Jonathan Whaley, aircraft owner and pilot, drew the winners of the VRT's 2009 Prize Draw at the Christmas Enthusiast Event & Buffet at Hawkwell Village Hall, Essex, on Saturday 5 December.
Photos
The History of the RAF Aircraft Apprentice Scheme
The RAF Aircraft Apprentice Scheme was initiated by Lord Trenchard at the No.1 School of Technical Training, RAF Halton in 1922. Lord Trenchard started the 'Aircraft Apprentice Scheme' in 1920 at Halton camp, but the site was not ready to accept apprentices until 1922 (See Tribute). The first few Entries were sent to 'RAF Cranwell' and the first HALTON Entry was the 5th Entry in 1922. Between 1922 and 1993, when the scheme ended, over 40,000 young men known, more or less affectionately as Halton or Trenchard 'Brats', had graduated.
See pages 28 - 35 of the pdf file sota_vol1_2 .pdf for a good account of the start of the HAA scheme. The article is written by our patron, Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Armitage KCB CBE (56th entry), who is a member of this Network.
A history of the culture and organisational heritage of the RAF can be found at this link HistoryoftheRAF.pdf
NOTE:- Acrobat Reader is needed to read pdf files. Acrobat Reader can be downloaded free of charge from the SAFE LINK TO ACROBAT READER DOWNLOAD
Queen's Colour - RAF Halton
Forum
The Demise of the Royal Air Force? 2 Replies
Last year the RAF celebrated its 90th anniversary, however will the RAF make its century? If recent newspaper reports and mutterings from Whitehall are to be believed it seems the RAF could sadly be…
Started by David Papworth. Last reply by David Gibbings (62nd) Feb 7.
Flying the Lancaster DVD
For those interested,a DVD entitled Flying theAvro Lancaster is available from Music & Memories Hays House PO Box 261, St Austell,PL25 9 EH Phone01726819109 and amongst its contents is footageof…
Started by Graham Purdy 56th Feb 3.
Why join any group on this site?
Gentlemen, you may have noticed many different groups on this network, and maybe you have clicked on one or two of them to see what they are about. In fact most of the content of these groups is hid…
Started by Network editor (202/203 entry) Feb 2.
New Zealand Window to be established in St George's Church, RAF Halton
Comment by Graham Frankton Smart on January 28, 2010 at 2:25amI am currently organising a New Zealand commemorative window to go into St Georges Chapel. I am hoping to get it to the UK in time to be…
Tagged: 80, window, 80th, RNZAF, zealand
Started by Network editor (202/203 entry) Feb 1.
Link to Old RAF Photos - taken by my late Father (Ian Papworth)
Some of you may be interested in these photos taken by my late Father (mostly in the late fifties), which I came across while going through his effects. My Father (radar) spent 22 years in the RAF an…
Started by David Papworth Jan 27.
Electronic Gismos
The revelation that current members of the Armed Forces are using the likes of “Twitter” and “Facebook” to talk to the world about service life and in some cases giving away sensitive information got…
Started by David Papworth Jan 26.
Shackleton Association
The Shackleton Association has over a 1000 members and we welcome aircrew, groundcrew and anyone else who has had a connection with the Shackleton and Coastal Command. I am the editor of the Growler…
Started by Neville Richard Feist Jan 23.
Do you think the BBMF should continue to be funded from the Defence (RAF) Budget? 10 Replies
If so, please sign the petition and let us know you did! http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/BBMFCuts/
Started by Noel Jones. Last reply by Charles Eric Fennell Jan 29.
The oldest member of RAFHAAA - "King Brat" Richard Martin, 1st entry, 1 S of TT, RAF Halton 32 Replies
"Stuart, you may want to put this photo on the site of our oldest living member. Richard Martin who was in the 1st Halton Entry in Jan 1922 is now 103 and still ackling. Min" (12 January 2010) Wit…
Tagged: 1st, richard, martin, Halton, Wendover
Started by Network editor (202/203 entry). Last reply by Network editor (202/203 entry) Feb 3.
A TRENCHARD BRAT at WAR by THOMAS LANCASHIRE (33rd Entry) & Stuart Burbridge 9 Replies
I am currently reading this autobiography by Thomas Lancashire with Stuarty Burberidge. The story tells of Thomas' boyhood in Denton ( now in Greater Manchester), his time at Halton, then as a Flight…
Tagged: 'brats', of, Autobiographies
Started by A. BRIAN J. BAMFORTH. Last reply by Network editor (202/203 entry) Jan 8.
Events
April 9
Friday
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67th entry reunion
April 9, 2010 at 6pm to April 11, 2010 at 7pm – The Four Pillars Hotel
We are to have our 20th Annual Reunion at The Four Pillars Hotel, Abingdon, Oxon during the weekend 9th, 10th & 11th April 2010, contact me, Cyril Edward Large, asap for details.
Organized by Cyril Edward Large (a member of this network) | Type: reunion
April 17
Saturday
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86th entry reunion - 2010
April 17, 2010 all day – Holiday Inn
An invitation to a celebratory gathering to mark the 50 Anniversary of our graduation from No 1 SofTT is extended to all members of the entry and their partners. The event will be at the Holiday Inn,…
Organized by Pete Towse | Type: reunion
April 18
Sunday
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VRT visit the Vulcan XL426
April 18, 2010 from 10am to 5pm – Southend airport
Your chance to get close to XL426 Admission is £2.00 adults plus £2.50 for cockpit visits (subject to availability - please arrive early to avoid too long a wait for the cockpit). Gates open from 10…
April 24
Saturday
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V Force reunion at Newark, Notts
April 24, 2010 at 9am to April 25, 2010 at 7pm – Newark air museum
Following the success of the previous V-Force reunion in 2004, it has been decided to hold another reunion at Newark Air Museum on Saturday/Sunday 24th/25th April 2010. The reunion is intended for ev…
Organized by Don Chadwick | Type: reunion
May 28
Friday
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82nd entry reunion
May 28, 2010 at 6pm to May 30, 2010 at 7pm – Hilton Hotel (Tel:- 023 9221 9111)
In May 2010, 82nd entry will be meeting at the Hilton Hotel, Portsmouth, during the weekend of 28/29 of May. The formal dinner will be on the Friday. All information will be available on the 82nd ent…
Organized by Mick Simmons | Type: reunion
June 18
Friday
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203 entry reunion - 43rd anniversary of passing out
June 18, 2010 at 6pm to June 20, 2010 at 7pm – Holiday Inn York
Annual reunion organised by Tony Missen (558). 20 double rooms have been booked at the hotel in the name of Tony Missen. B&B rate is £99 per night per room. Dinner in a private room on the Saturd…
Organized by Tony Missen (203 entry) <Email:- missent@huppeng.com> | Type: reunion
September 24
Friday
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80th entry reunion
September 24, 2010 at 5pm to September 25, 2010 at 7pm – Holiday Inn
The 80th Entry will be holding their usual Reunion on the evening before the main HAAA Halton Reunion. We will be getting together on Friday 24th September at the Holiday Inn, Aylesbury (2 miles from…
Organized by Nev Feist | Type: reunion
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78th entry reunion
September 24, 2010 at 5pm to September 26, 2010 at 12pm – Holiday Inn
As Hon.Sec. for the 78th Entry I am eager to trace all who are not aware of our very active association. We have met over a weekend at venues all over the country, enjoy a banquet on the Saturday ev…
Organized by Alan (Baz) Bailey (Secretary, 78th entry assoc - a member of this network) | Type: reunion
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96th entry reunion
September 24, 2010 at 5pm to September 26, 2010 at 7pm – Holiday Inn
50 years after signing on. This reunion will be co-incident with next Triennial and will be centred on the Holiday Inn at High Wycombe, which is at Junction 4 off the M40. Room rate is again held at…
Organized by 96th entry (see their web site for details) | Type: reunion
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101st entry - 2nd reunion
September 24, 2010 at 7pm to September 26, 2010 at 2pm – Holiday Inn, Garden Court
The second 101st Entry Reunion will take place 0n 25th and 26th September. Details can be found @ www.101entry.co.uk
Videos
Blog Posts
Searching for D J A de Silva ex-95th Entry
I have been thinking of some way we might be able to trace D J A de Silva from our 95th Entry.
'Jay' came from Sri Lanka to join the RAF. His first posting was, I believe, to Marham.
I did hear a grapevine story of how, by playing 'hangar pilots' in a Canberra with the engines removed Jay had flooded a hangar with Avtur!
Anyone have any info where Jay went from Marham? ...or better still any current information would be superb. Let me know if you do know anything, please
Posted by Alistair Henry George Allcroft on February 1, 2010 at 8:00pm — 3 Comments
RAF Halton AAA Golf Society
Contact the Membership Secretary Tony Hudson at rafhaaagsmemsec@tiscali.co.uk
We were… Continue
Posted by Cyril Edward Large on January 30, 2010 at 1:44pm
Time that Cold War service was recognised!
Recognition due to these thousands of veterans for the service they gave differs greatly in nature from the normal recognition given to active service campaigns.
The Cold War was one of deterrence with the emphasis on preventing a ‘shooting war’ from breaking out. Whereas any campaign of active… Continue
Posted by Alistair Henry George Allcroft on January 29, 2010 at 8:30pm — 1 Comment
BFPO closure threat
Let's sign this in droves and pass it on to all those unfortunates who never attended the greatest institution in the land (world?)!… Continue
Posted by Peter John (Pierre) Brown on January 29, 2010 at 12:39pm — 1 Comment
Whatever Happened to RAF Halton?
Posted by Michael Barson on January 24, 2010 at 8:19pm — 3 Comments
Close RAF Cottesmore? - I don't think so!
Posted by Clive Brooks on January 24, 2010 at 1:41pm — 9 Comments
Crisis in Haiti--Ex-Brat built trade school in Petion-Ville for street children
My friends, family and their networks have been supporting Timkatec in Haiti since 2004. Since then we have grown the existing orphanage from 90 to almost 500 students by adding a boys Trade School and recently, one for girls. It was featured in the Haltonian recently on the graduation of 57 trained electricians and plumbers.
the devastation there is huge and we only have contact with about 10% of the students and staff. The 43 boarders survived, three teachers lost their home… Continue
Posted by Patrick O'Shea on January 20, 2010 at 3:52am
Haiti Aftermath
<<a href="http://www.timkatec.org">www.timkatec.org>
Posted by Don (Shorty) Gray on January 17, 2010 at 3:50am
126th, We have the biggest entry on the site! Ha! Ha!
See if you can beat us in numbers????
Giles (Greeny) Greenwood
126h entry
Posted by Giles Greenwood (126th) on January 5, 2010 at 4:46pm — 10 Comments
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
MIN LARKIN DEPUTY CHAIRMAN 63RD
Posted by Derek Edward Larkin on December 31, 2009 at 10:46am
Clippings from The RAF News
Homecoming Parade
Thousands of the townspeople of the Suffolk town of Bury St Edmunds turned out to celebrate the homecoming of 27 Sqn RAF Regt on their return from a six month tour at Kandahar Air Base...First RAF F35 Pilot
A Royal Air Force officer has become the first UK pilot to take to the skies in a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, known in the UK as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).New OC Recruit Training Squadron
Squadron Leader ‘Jan’ De-Vry, an Operations Support Officer, was chosen to take over one of the most prestigious jobs in the Air Force as the new Officer Commanding Recruit Training Squadron...Sam hands over at SARTU
After nearly three years in command of the Search and Rescue Training Unit at RAF Valley, Sqn Ldr Sam McDonagh hands over to Sqn Ldr Jamie Mitchell...SAC Paul Mahoney
The Ministry of Defence regrets to announce that Senior Aircraftman Paul Mahoney was killed on Exercise Snow Eagle in Oberstdorf, Bavaria on 4 February 2010.About
Notes
Cliff Spink
One of the two Vice-Patrons of the RAFHAAA, Cliff Spink started his RAF career at the No 1 School of Technical Training, RAF Halton, as a member of the 104th Entry of Aircraft Apprentices. Your network editor first met Cliff on 4 January 1965 when Cliff was a CAA in charge of two rooms of members of 202 entry. Cliff was always generous and courteous in his behaviour, in contrast to the LAA
… ContinueCreated by Network editor (202/203 entry) Aug 4, 2009 at 11:38pm. Last updated by Network editor (202/203 entry) Jan 3.
READ THIS FIRST
Welcome to the Network for Old Haltonians. This network/forum is intended to provide an atmosphere of open communication, where each member can share his or her own insights and opinions. To help achieve this goal, we ask that you:
- Do not post libelous or illegal material.
- Do not post harassing or discriminatory comments based on age, race, ethnic origin, gender, or sexual orientation.
- Do not solicit or advertise without prior approval from the Editor. However,
Created by Network editor (202/203 entry) Sep 10, 2009 at 5:49pm. Last updated by Network editor (202/203 entry) Dec. 19, 2009.
Entry timelines
Thanks to 223 entry for posting this link Apprentice chronological timeline on their site. It provides a very valuable source of material for researchers and all Old Haltonians Continue
Created by Network editor (202/203 entry) Aug 20, 2009 at 10:01am. Last updated by Network editor (202/203 entry) Oct. 22, 2009.
Ex-RAF Halton email lists
Chris McBrien (99th), who has provided a very valuable service to all Old Haltonians over the years, has asked me to post this note:-
"Compuserve, in their infinite wisdom, decided to shut down the OurWorld service without telling any of their users. This e-mail list will now be located at... http://www.99halton.co.
Created by Network editor (202/203 entry) Aug 17, 2009 at 10:54am. Last updated by Network editor (202/203 entry) Oct. 21, 2009.
The Genealogist web site
Created by Network editor (202/203 entry) Aug 26, 2009 at 5:16pm. Last updated by Network editor (202/203 entry) Aug. 26, 2009.
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RAF Halton news
Latest Activity
RAF museum events
Raf Photographer Of The Year
16 January 2010 - 16 April 2010Back by popular request, we will be displaying once again the "Royal Air Force Photographer of the Year" exhibition in Milestones of Flight. Taken by serving Personnel, this exhibition offers the public behind-the-scenes access to the lives of our Boys and Girls at work, rest and play - both at home and in the field. For the first time this exhibition will be displayed electronically in the RAF Today section of Milestones of Flight on glass panels in this area. For further information, please telephone 020 8205 2266
Britain Loves Wikipedia
31 January 2010 - 28 February 2010Britain Loves Wikipedia is a scavenger hunt and free content photography contest running in museums and cultural institutions across the UK through out February. The aim is to increase the number of pictures available to illustrate Wikipedia articles, and to inspire new articles. The themes for this year will be Communication and Love, Conflict and Transport, Daily Life and Freedom. Which of our objects on display at our London site best illustrates these themes? Why not take a picture and submit it to Britain Loves Wikipedia? Which ever image from our London site is judged to be best by Britain Loves Wikipedia will win £100 worth of prizes from the Museum’s shop. Also to give you a little extra nudge on the weekend of 27th & 28th February we will be offering all photographers at the Museum a free tea or coffee with each hot main meal purchased. For competition rules and to download your voucher please go to www.britainloveswikipedia.org and get snap happy!
Douglas Bader Centenary
6 February 2010 - 31 March 2010Douglas Robert Steuart Bader was born on 21st February 1910. At the age of thirteen, Douglas became interested in becoming a pilot in the Royal Air Force and was awarded one of six King's Cadetships to the Royal Air Force College at Cranwell in 1928. On graduating from Cranwell he joined No 23 Squadron as a member of the Squadron Aerobatic Team before losing both his legs in a crash on 14th December 1931 - the left below the knee, the right just above. In typical Bader style his diary notes "Crashed slow-rolling near the ground. Bad show." Invalided out of the RAF because of his injuries the outbreak of World War II and the subsequent shortage of experienced pilots gave Bader the opportunity to do what he loved the most - flying in the RAF. Swiftly promoted to command 242 Squadron Bader fought in the Battle of Britain throughout 1940 before bailing out over enemy territory in 1941 and being imprisoned in Colditz after several escape attempts from various Prisoner of War Camps. In this temporary display, located in Historic Hangars, commemorating the centenary of Bader's birth we examine the man, his achievements and will be placing on public view rarely seen artefacts including Bader's log book.
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