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

Registered under the Charities Act, 1993, No 292523

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

Vice-Patrons:

Air Marshal Cliff Spink CB, CBE, FCMI
104th entry;

Air Marshal Sir Dusty Miller KCB
210th entry
Senior serving member:

Air Vice-Marshal Nick Kurth CBE,
231st entry
Chairman: Air Commodore Rod Brumpton BA, FRAeS, 106th entry Deputy Chairman and Archivist: Group Capt Min Larkin CBE, 63rd 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
-------
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.

Members

  • Mike Nethaway
  • Paul (Paddy) McCloskey
  • Roger (Dusty) Miller
  • Network editor (202/203 entry)
  • Terry Gordon Moore
  • Peter Grice
  • Errol MacBean
  • Jim Pearce
  • Roger George Stockins
  • John Golding
  • Terry O'Regan
  • Brian Edwin William Clouder
  • Graham Purdy 56th
  • Derek John Orr
  • Alan Farley
  • Rowland (Rowley) Cooper
  • Tony Toner
  • Paul hern
  • Griff Griffiths
  • Frank Haynes

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

Vulcan Restoration Trust

Download and display a poster for us

Rich Graham PosterIn 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!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD POSTER

Exclusive talk by ex-USAF 'Blackbird' pilot

SR71 landing at Mildenhall

Col Rich GrahamThe 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!

Vulcan News December 09 - Sneak PreviewMembers 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

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The History of the RAF Aircraft Apprentice Scheme

This network provides a forum to enable all ex-apprentices, who trained at RAF Halton, to communicate. The Old Haltonian network is open to ALL Apprentices who 'did time' at RAF Halton as a member of one the Entries detailed on the http://www.oldhaltonians.co.uk web site. The Entry listing on that site commences with the 29th Entry and runs through to the 410th Entry. 155th were the last entry to pass out (in 1993).

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.

The Government had purchased the Halton estate (previously commandeered during the First World War) on Trenchard's recommendation when Rothschild died in 1918. There were already ample and well-equipped technical shops in existence and it was near to London, a point in its favour since the Chief of the Air Staff believed that the boy trainees should be near enough for friends and parents to visit. On the other hand, Trenchard felt that officer cadets would be better off in the flat countryside of Lincolnshire than anywhere near London.

The badge of No 1 School of Technical Training incorporates a symbolic tree of learning derived from the beech trees typical of the Halton area. The motto "Crescentes Discimus" can be translated to mean ‘As we grow, we learn’. In planning the Apprenticeship Scheme, the Air Ministry clearly took their responsibilities towards the young boys seriously and it was considered necessary to provide some insignia to distinguish them from adult airmen "so as to check smoking and the forgathering of boys with men".

The four-bladed propeller within a circlet, to be manufactured in brass, was approved on 17th April 1919 and worn on the sleeve of the left arm, being, of course, highly polished at all times.

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

In July 1952 the uncrowned Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth performed one of her first duties as Soverign by presenting to Number 1 School of Technical Training RAF Halton a colour. The first to be awarded to an apprentice school, and the first ever to be presented to an 'other' rank, when Sergeant Apprentice Hines of the 63rd Entry, received the colour from Her Majesty.

On 31 October 1997 Her Majesty presented RAF Halton with its second colour. RAF Halton was the first and only station to be granted the dignity of two Queen's colours.

Forum

David Papworth

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.

Graham Purdy 56th

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.

Network editor (202/203 entry)

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…

Tagged: join, group, entry

Started by Network editor (202/203 entry) Feb 2.

Network editor (202/203 entry)

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.

David Papworth

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.

David Papworth

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.

Neville Richard Feist

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.

Noel Jones

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.

Network editor (202/203 entry)

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. BRIAN J.  BAMFORTH

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

April 17

Saturday

  • 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

April 24

Saturday

May 28

Friday

June 18

Friday

Blog Posts

Alistair Henry George Allcroft

Searching for D J A de Silva ex-95th Entry

Hi all you guys,
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

Cyril Edward Large

RAF Halton AAA Golf Society

We have had a Golf Society since 1984 and play various courses within England, we do need some fresh blood from any Aircraft Apprentice or Craft Apprentice; Associate membership is open to those that underwent all or part of their training as Aircraft Apprentices at RAF Cranwell or RAF Locking, also those who trained as Administrative Apprentices or Craft Apprentices at RAF St Athan, Hereford or Bircham Newton.
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

Alistair Henry George Allcroft

Time that Cold War service was recognised!

It is long overdue for MoD to take action and put in place a form of medal, or commemorative badge, to be awarded to those members of H.M. Armed Forces who served their country during the Cold War.
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

Peter John (Pierre) Brown

BFPO closure threat

No.10 have already responded to a petition to close some BFPO's, that there is no intention to close the BFPO's for troops on active service, only for those serving at NATO, SHAPE, etc.. However, once the principle is established, another "cost-saving" exercise may well decide to make further cuts that will affect the front line.
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

Michael Barson

Whatever Happened to RAF Halton?

As a member of the 65th Entry joining in March 1950 I have tried to keep up with what is going on with Halton now there are no more Apps being taught there on how to do things properly when dealing with any type of A/C. After my stint in the RAF I emigrated to Canada in 1969 and have been here ever since. There is not much UK news in the papers or T/V unless of course it is MPs wasting time and money or doing things they shouln't (the same happens over here}. I can picture Halton quite well and… Continue

Posted by Michael Barson on January 24, 2010 at 8:19pm — 3 Comments

Clive Brooks

Close RAF Cottesmore? - I don't think so!

As most of you may have already heard the MoD plans to close RAF Cottesmore in a bid to reduce the shortfall in money over the next few years. A group fighting the closure has been formed on Facebook and the organiser Neil Allison has also launched a petition on the 'No 10 website'. Support is growing every day from local people as well as the military. I sincerely hope you are all going sign the petition to save RAF Cottesmore. I really can't believe they will save money by closing it - Army us… Continue

Posted by Clive Brooks on January 24, 2010 at 1:41pm — 9 Comments

Patrick O'Shea

Crisis in Haiti--Ex-Brat built trade school in Petion-Ville for street children

To all Ex-Brats.

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

Don (Shorty) Gray

Haiti Aftermath

Looked up Patrick O'Shea 83rd, who was subject of recent article in "Haltonian" about his efforts in supporting schools for indigent kids in Haiti.They look after and educate over 500 at threeschools. Earthquake damage means damage to schools and disruption to efforts. For latest updates on situation see his/their website
<<a href="http://www.timkatec.org">www.timkatec.org>

Posted by Don (Shorty) Gray on January 17, 2010 at 3:50am

Giles Greenwood (126th)

126th, We have the biggest entry on the site! Ha! Ha!

Since I heard about this site I have been in touch with all my known contacts and I think I have laid down the challenge to be the biggest group here.

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

Derek Edward Larkin

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

EVERYONE REJOICE IN THE AWARD OF AN MBE TO OUR LONG SERVING HALTONIAN EDITOR BILL KELLEY 55TH FOR SERVICES TO THE RAF HALTON APPRENTICES' ASSOCIATION

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.
 
 

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

Continue

Created 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,
Continue

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.

Continue

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

The Genealogist - UK census, BMDs and more online

Continue

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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Latest Activity

5 hours ago
5 hours ago
5 hours ago
6 hours ago
By the way Michael, we joined on the 9th May 1950 and passed out on the 27th March 1953. The passing out parade no-one remembers, Black draped Drums and no music, because of 'Court Mourning' for Queen Mary's death 3 days earlier. We were either half…
6 hours ago
7 hours ago
Hi Michael. Nice to hear from you again. It was so nice to see you and your wife here in Devon the last time you visited. Coral died on New Years day, in hospital after a very short and unexpected illness. If an old duffer like me, who passed out we…
7 hours ago
7 hours ago
7 hours ago
10 hours ago
Have tried them now need to take computor lessons as well as the Tablets Ha Ha
10 hours ago
11 hours ago
11 hours ago
11 hours ago
11 hours ago
11 hours ago
James, re the entry photos, are you sure its not just "should have tried spec savers"?
12 hours ago
13 hours ago
The Ton Twos have provided our 600th member. Welcome Brian Clouder!
13 hours ago
13 hours ago

RAF museum events

Raf Photographer Of The Year

16 January 2010 - 16 April 2010
Back 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 2010
Britain 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 2010
Douglas 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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