MOSQUITO AIRCREW & BOMBER COMMAND SIGNING EVENT - 11th August
For this exciting event we'll be joined by veterans who flew the versatile ‘Wooden Wonder’ during WWII along with Bomber Command aircrew.
Our special guests are looking forward to meeting enthusiasts and signing items for collectors. They include:
Warrant Officer CHRISTOPHER McVICKERS - after joining the RAF in 1941 he trained as a WOp/AG and flew his first mission in a Short Stirling with 218 (Gold Coast) Sqn from RAF Woolfox Lodge. The unit later transferred to fly Lancasters and he completed a total of 31 Ops’ including raids on Dresden, Calais, Hamburg, Frankfurt, and many others. After the war he moved to Special Operations and also served with Coastal Command.
Squadron Leader BENNY GOODMAN Ld’H - after gaining his pilot wings his crew were selected to join 617 Sqn where he flew Lancasters until the end of the war. He completed a full tour of 30 Ops’ including missions over Germany, Holland and France as well as taking part in all of the raids against the German Battleship Tirpitz, the Arnsberg viaduct and Hitler's Eagle’s Nest.
Flight Sergeant LEN MANNING Ld’H - after completing training he joined 57 Sqn based at East Kirkby and flew as a Rear Gunner on Lancasters. On only his 3rd mission on the night of 18/19th July 1944, Len’s aircraft was shot down and after baling out he was hidden by French civilians before returning to Britain.
Flight Lieutenant GEORGE DUNN DFCMiD - after training as a Pilot, George flew Halifaxes with 76 Sqn on bombing raids over Germany. His missions included the V1 and V2 rocket factory and testing site at Peenemunde and after completing 30 operations he converted to fly Mosquitos. Volunteering for the Pathfinder Force he joined 608 Sqn and flew a further 14 missions, all of them to Berlin.
Flight Lieutenant DES CURTIS DFC - serving as a Navigator he joined 235 Sqn on Beaufighters over the North Sea and Norwegian coast. In April 1943 he converted to Mosquitos and helped form 618 Sqn for special operations against the German Battleship Tirpitz. He then flew from bases in Cornwall attacking U-Boats in their pens along the French Atlantic Coast and in September 1944 joined 248 Sqn as part of the Banff Strike Wing flying Mosquitos out of Scotland.
...and special guest signer:
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.
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!
