RAF HUNSDON memorial !

[Martin Bull]

If you think that you have no interest in this, but you're about to buy the Corgi 'F-for-Freddie' Mossie......

THEN YOU'RE WRONG !

An important memorial is to be unveiled at the old airfield site on May 22nd - hopefully with a BBMF overflight.

See : -

http://hunsdonmemorial.tripod.com

[Agent X20]

mm thanks for that... stuck it in Outlook.. its only down the road..

[Martin Bull]

It's now confirmed that - weather permitting - the BBMF Lancaster will perform a flypast at this event.

To see a display over a derelict airfield site with veterans present is always something special.

[Martin Bull]

The timetable for this event is now confirmed ; event opens at 12:00 with memorial dedication at 13:15. Weather permitting, flypasts will be from a P-51 to open proceedings and the BBMF Lanc' at 14:00.

During the afternoon, veterans ( and you ! ) will be able to walk over the historic airfield site.

Don't forget - this is where the Amiens Raid Mossies flew from - it's already earmarked for 'development' - so this is your last chance.......

[CFBC]

Thanks for all the information M/B, I will hopefully be attending as it sounds like an interesting afternoon, but I know Mrs CFBC has other plans for me that day.

We will see.... :(

[Martin Bull]

A superb event - one of the best of its kind I've ever been to.

Nice weather, a large crowd, and a lot of RAF 'top brass' present plus many veterans. Maurice Hammond's P-51 opened the event but everyone was - almost literally - bowled over by the BBMF Lancaster ....

Arriving exactly on cue, PA474 made a dramatic low-level appearance over some trees and literally blasted overhead, rather lower than is usually the case at airshows ! Great to see all the veterans clapping and waving as the great bomber performed four fly-bys and another low-level pass.

I wanted to talk briefly to two famous 'Mosquito men' present and got a chance to do so. It was a rare privilege to speak with S/Ldr Tom Bennet DFM, last survivor of 617 Squadron's Pathfinder Mosquito aircrew, and also to Wg Cdr Branse Burbridge DSO DFC, the RAFs highest-scoring nightfighter ace ( 21 victories plus 3 V1s - all on Mosquitoes ).

A great day.

[Martin Bull]

For anyone who didn't make it, here's a nice photo-montage of the days events...

http://hunsdonmemorial.tripod.com/id9.html

And bear in mind that the elderly gentleman reading the address in the photo bottom left used a Mosquito to shoot down 20 Luftwaffe aircraft ( including four in one night ) and 3 V1s.....

[shuttle]

Martin,

I think you have just put forward another candidate for a 1/72 or 1/32 Mosquito? Come on Corgi, how about bringing back the 'Aces' series and including this great man? You could include a V1 and a full historical backgound to Branse Burbridge (http://www.swafineart.com/pages/published/published_night_hawks.htm). He seems like a very interesting and brave hero.

:) Shuttle

[Martin Bull]

Nice idea, Shuttle, but somehow I can't see Corgi doing the mould modification. For the paste-and-paint people, Tamiya do a remarkable 1/72 NFXVII Mossie.....

Thanks for the Branse Burbridge link, BTW.....

[shuttle]

Martin,

The 1/72 Mossie has a 'nose cap' on it. But I think it would it be too much to get the NFXVII nose onto the existing mould. Maybe when they have nearly 'retired' the Mossie they could modify it?

:) Shuttle