FAA & RAF SIGNING EVENT - 8th September

For this very special event we’ll be joined by veterans who served with the Fleet Air Arm and RAF during or after WWII.

8 September 2019

Our special guests include:

Fleet Air Arm

Lieutenant KEITH QUILTER DSC RN - helping form 1842 Sqn in 1944, he served on board HMS Formidable equipped with Corsairs and attacked the German battleship Tirpitz three times; twice on strafing missions and a third dive-bomb attack. Sailing to the Far East with the British Pacific Fleet to support US Navy operations, he flew at Okinawa and was involved in sweeps and ground attacks on Japanese airfields on neighbouring islands. Whilst in the Pacific he was shot down attacking a Destroyer but rescued by a US submarine.

Lieutenant Commander BRIAN 'SCHMOO' ELLIS RN - qualifying as a fighter pilot he served with 802 Naval Sqn during the Korean War and Suez Campaign. Whilst flying a Sea Fury from HMS Ocean in Korea in 1952 alongside famous pilot Peter ‘Hoagy’ Carmichael, Brian was involved in a dogfight with MiG-15s which resulted in him defeating one over Pyongyang. New research has now credited this as the first recorded Royal Navy victory of a piston-engine aircraft over a jet fighter in the Korean War. He later flew Sea Vixens with 890 Sqn and still flies today!

An ideal opportunity to have a copy of SEA FURY additionally signed!


Royal Air Force

Air Vice-Marshal GEORGE BLACK CB OBE AFC* RAF - after tours flying Meteors, Vampires and Hunters, George was seconded to the FAA where he flew Seahawks at Suez. In 1961 he transferred to 74 Sqn, the first Lightning Squadron, before commanding 111 and 5 Sqns. He won the NATO Air Defence Trophy, before commanding the Harrier Force at Wildenrath.

Squadron Leader DICK HAVEN - joining the RAF in 1951 he was a Pilot on Canberras, Valiants and Vulcan B.2s serving with a total of eight squadrons including time as Chief Flying Instructor with 9 and 35 Sqns. He received the 207 Sqn Standard from Queen Elizabeth when she reviewed Bomber Command in 1956 and also flew on the Suez operation from Malta.

Entry to the event is FREE but for safety reasons it is important to RESERVE YOUR TICKET IN ADVANCE. Unfortunately, on event days, we can't allow entry to anyone who hasn't reserved a place. Even if you're not 100% sure that you can make it, please book your place in advance and if your plans change, just let us know.

PLEASE BE AWARE – this event is already proving very popular. Bookings are being taken so please contact us to reserve your place!

 

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