Heroic Spitfire Veterans to Attend 75th Anniversary Event
5 March 2011
Spitfire Appearance 1.00pm
FREE Admission
The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, home to the world’s oldest Spitfire, will be marking the 75th Anniversary of the first Supermarine Spitfire flight on Saturday 5th March 2011. Attending the event will be a host of special guests including three Spitfire Pilots and an Engine Fitter. This 1936 Anniversary will be marked with a day packed full of events, activities and exhibitions for the whole family to enjoy.
Visitors will have the opportunity to meet with a number of Spitfire pilots including; female pilot Margaret Frost from Wales. Margaret is one of only 15 women and 100 men to have a special merit award for serving in the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) flying replacement fighters to RAF bases during WWII.
Pilot Tony Pickering from Rugby who flew both Spitfires and Hurricanes was aged just 19 when he was fast tracked into active service in July1940, after just three short flights in a Hurricane. Tony has flown in the Mk1 Spitfire currently on display in the Museum.
Also attending will be pilot Ken Wilkinson from Solihull and Spitfire Engine Fitter Sid Lenthall from Albrighton. All three Pilots and Engine Fitter will be speaking with visitors on the day during a Question and Answers session taking place the in the Lecture Theatre.
Another exciting treat for visitors on the day will be an appearance from a MK9 Spitfire at 1pm, Courtesy of The Aircraft Restoration Company, based at Duxford Airfield.
As an extra incentive members of the public will be given a free ticket on arrival to enter a prize draw, to win a limited edition Spitfire print by Richard Broom signed by the RAF pilots who will be visiting the Museum on the day. Tickets will be handed out to visitors on arrival and the draw will take place at the end of the day and the winner will be notified.
The Museum is open daily from 10am. Entry to the event and to the rest of the Museum is FREE. For more information on this event and details of the activities and exhibitions on display please contact the Museum on 01902 376200 or visit www.rafmuseum.org. (Charges may apply for some of the activities)
