BATTLE OF BRITAIN & FIGHTER PILOT SIGNING EVENT - 17th November
To kick-off a busy weekend at the UK Gallery we're delighted to announce that we’ll be joined by WWII veterans who served during the Battle of Britain and pilots who flew British fighters.
THE EVENT IS NOW FULL
After an overwhelming response from our friends and collectors, all places have now been filled and unfortunately, for health and safety reasons, we are unable to allow entry to anyone without a ticket.
If you haven't reserved a place but would like to come along then we can add you to the waiting list - contact us for details.
If you have reserved a ticket but are now unable to attend then please let us know so that we can release your space for a fellow enthusiast.
Thanks for your cooperation.
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Our special guests include:
Section Officer JOAN FANSHAWE - Joan joined the Woman’s Auxiliary Air Force in 1940, aged 19 and was posted to the Ops Room at RAF Uxbridge, the headquarters of 11 Group which was made up of both Spitfire and Hurricane squadrons. One of just 10 Special Duty WAAF she was as a Plotter, monitoring air traffic during the Battle of Britain. Tracking both RAF and Luftwaffe aircraft, this vital and highly pressurised role included pinpointing positions using flagged blocks and arrows on a huge plotting table and grid reference map. Prime Minister Winston Churchill regularly joined them in the Ops Room and was there on 15 September, perhaps the most intense day of the battle, when the tide turned in the RAF’s favour. “I think we realised that we were fighting for our lives. I can’t praise Churchill enough.”
Squadron Leader ALLAN SCOTT DFM - After joining the RAF in March 1941 he was posted to 124 Squadron at Biggin Hill to fly Spitfires. Transferring to 603 Squadron he was shipped aboard HMS Eagle for the defence of Malta, later joining 1435 Squadron on the island, and during the ‘Blitz’ of October 1942 he saw considerable action against Bf109s and Ju88s achieving Ace status. Returning to the UK he was an Instructor before joining 122 Squadron in February 1944 for his second combat tour flying P-51 Mustangs throughout D-Day. He then became a test pilot, finishing the war with 6 victories and 2 probable’s.
And Special Guest signer:
Sub Lieutenant RONALD HEDGE - Ronald joined the RAF from the University Air Squadron in 1942 and completed his training on single-engine Cornells in Canada. On his return to the UK he trained on Harvards near Rugby before being requested to join the Navy as a Pilot on Seafires, in preparation for the Pacific War. He flew from escort Carrier HMS Begum.
We are sorry to report that Flight Lieutenant WILLIAM ‘BOB’ HUGHES DFC AFC is feeling under the weather, and at this point does not feel able to attend. Please keep an eye on the website, as we hope to add other veterans onto the guest list.
Entry to our Gallery events 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.
Bookings are now being taken so please contact us to reserve your place!
