POST-WAR JETS SIGNING EVENT – 28th FEBRUARY

Single-engine jets became the fighter of choice for the post-war RAF and we are delighted to announce that we’ll be joined at the UK Gallery by pilots and aircrew who flew this new generation of aircraft.

28 February 2016

  

Air Vice-Marshal GEORGE BLACK CB OBE AFC* - 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.

Flight Lieutenant ROGER WILKINS - flew Meteors with 1 and 63 Sqns as well as Hunters with 63, 2 and 43 Sqns where he saw action in the RADFAN Campaign in Aden flying 130 ground attack missions. Roger also flew the Lightning, Swift and Vampire and took part in the Coronation Flypast over Buckingham Palace in June 1953.

Air Commodore JOHN MITCHELL CBE AFC - after two night-fighter tours on Meteors and Javelins, John converted to Lightnings, and flew with 92 and 226 Squadrons, and as a Flight Commander with 111 Squadron – he was the first pilot to attain 1000 hours on the Lightning. In the early ‘60s he was the Project Officer on the high level interception trial versus the U2 and was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air.

Flight Lieutenant WALTER FORSTER - based in Germany after the war in 1946 he flew Spitfires and then Mosquitos with 98 Sqn. Moving back to the UK he flew Meteors with 65 Sqn from Duxford before moving again to Germany with 234 Sqn flying Hunters. Posted to RAF Leuchars in Scotland with 43 Sqn he again flew Hunters before moving back to Germany on an exchange with the new German Airforce instructing young pilots on the Fouga Magiser jet trainer.

Squadron Leader ROBERT GWYN WILLIAMS - flew Hunters with 43 Sqn in Aden and 8 Sqn in Muharrak before joining No 4FTS as an instructor on Gnats. He was then selected for an exchange with the Canadian Armed Forces in Quebec flying the F-101 Voodoo with 416 Sqn, 22nd NORAD. Moving back to the UK he joined 4 Sqn flying Gnats before serving with the MoD responsible for Air Defence and Flying Tactics. He then spent over 20 years with the Civil Aviation Authority which included 10 years flying Concorde. 

Wing Commander MICHAEL RUSSELL OBE MBA - as a Navigator he flew with 201 Sqn at Kinloss on Shackletons before being part of the first operational crew to convert to Nimrods. He completed a full tour on Nimrods and a staff tour with CTTO writing Tactics Manuals for Nimrods. Returning to operations he flew as Navigation Leader with 120 Sqn at Kinloss and led several search missions for missing aircraft. He also served at HQ Strike Command, Staff College, Air HQ Episkopi, Cyprus and with the MoD.

Air Vice-Marshal GRAHAM WILLIAMS - a Pilot with 54 Sqn on Hunters before spending time as an Instructor on Hunters and Meteors. He then transferred to 8 Sqn in Aden, again on Hunters, and joined the A&AEE testing many aircraft including Lightnings, Harriers and Phantoms. He was appointed OC of 3 Sqn at Wildenrath on Harriers and then OC of Brüggen, Germany on Jaguars. Back in the UK he served with Experimental Flying RAE, Farnborough and A&AAE, Boscombe Down on many aircrafts including Buccaneers, Gazelles and Sea Fury’s.

Our guests are happy to sign items for customers and entry is FREE but STRICTLY by ticket only. We are currently taking bookings so please contact us now to reserve your place.

ARRIVE EARLY AND CHAT TO OUR SPECIAL GUESTS! We'll be opening the Gallery at 10am for an opportunity to talk to our special guests prior to signing which begins at 11am. This will be a relaxed and informal affair so why not join us for a cuppa!

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