August – Page 9 – Airscene News

Spitfire 10K – Countdown to race day

RAF Museum Spitfire 10k run

Date: 4 September 2016

Time: Race starts at 10am

Cost: Standard entry £22.50 per person (15 years & over)

The countdown has officially started for the first ever Spitfire 10K! Taking place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford in just under two weeks’ time, this unique sporting event will see hundreds of runners’ race across the airfield and down the runway before crossing the finish line and picking up a specially commissioned Spitfire medal. This charity run, raising funds for the RAF Museum (registered charity No. 244708) will take place on Sunday 4 September, where over 600 runners are already signed up to take part.

Participants will head to the start line and begin their race in the museum’s spacious grounds, before setting off onto the adjacent military airfield to complete part of their 10K race. Exclusively for this event; participants will run the scenic route past the wartime hangars, alongside the air traffic control tower and even down the runway! Runners are advised to arrive from 9am in order to collect their race number and warm up, then its chocks away at 10.00am as the race begins.

Whether you’ve been running for years, or you’re just getting into the sport for the first time, the race at Cosford is guaranteed to be a fun and memorable one. The Spitfire 10K is a gently undulating road course with small sections along a track and is suitable for keen runners and novices alike, so if you’re aged 15 and over why not give it a go?

There will be specially commissioned winner’s trophies up for grabs in a variety of categories in addition to the unique Spitfire medal that all runners will receive upon crossing the finish line. Participants will also receive a goody bag filled with goodies thanks to some event sponsors, including a much needed bottle of Radnor Hills mineral water to quench your thirst and a pack of Willy Chase’s Fit Popcorn to pick up your energy levels after the race. Plus, the museums onsite caterers Kudos have supplied a muffin bar for every runner and bags will also include a 20% discount voucher to spend on the day in the museum shop.

As a memento of the day, bespoke 2016 Spitfire 10K technical running t-shirts will be available to purchase on race day for just £10, with limited stocks available. Made from breathable fabrics, they make the perfect attire for race day and for running adventures beyond.

So with the race just days away, if you haven’t already registered and you want to take part, visit the museum’s website www.rafmuseum.org/cosford to book one of the last few places remaining. Entry costs £22.50 per person with proceeds going towards the RAF Museum (registered charity No. 244708), to support work conserving and sharing the story of the RAF for current and future generations. Armed Forces Personnel and running clubs are eligible for the discounted entry fee of £20.50 per person.

(The Spitfire 10K was first launched at the museum’s London site in 2015)

Vampires taking flight at Wings & Wheels

Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron Vampire

For the first time at Wings & Wheels the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron will be bringing two de Havilland Vampires as part of the five-hour air display on Saturday 27^th and Sunday 28^th August.

The first de Havilland Vampire FB.52 on display is the export version of the Mk 6 of which 101 were built and 36 exported to Norway. The aircraft is now in the Royal Norwegian Air Force markings to represent Vampire PX-K, serving at the 336 squadron in the early 50s, Norway’s first pure jet fighter squadron.

The second de Havilland Vampire T.55 was the export version of the DH 115 trainer in RAF service known at the T.11. 216, six of which were exported to Norway and in use from 1952 to 1955. The aircraft is now in the Royal Norwegian Air Force markings to represent Vampire PX-M, a two – seater serving with 336 squadron.

The Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron was founded in 2008 and is based at Rygge Air Base Norway. Their first aircraft was the D.H. Vampire, PX-M which was acquired in 2005.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director, Wings & Wheels comments: “We are thrilled to announce the inclusion of the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron’s two de Havilland Vampires. They are an impressive fast jet pairs display that we’ve not seen at the Aerodrome before and will definitely add a thrill to our five hour air display.”

The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a British fighter jet developed during the Second World War. It was designed to harness the newly developed jet engine and entered service with the RAF in 1945. It was the first fighter jet to be powered by a single jet engine.

The RAF used the Vampire as a front line fighter until 1953, when it assumed the role of pilot training. The de Havilland Vampire jet achieved a series of aviation firsts, including being the first British plane to exceed 500mph as well as the first jet fighter to cross the Atlantic. It was retired in 1966 and replaced by the Hawker Hunter and Gloster Javelin.

Around 3,300 Vampires were manufactured. The Royal Navy’s first jet fighter was the Sea Vampire, a variant of the plane operated from the Navy’s aircraft carriers. As such, the Vampire was the first plane to be landed on a moving aircraft carrier.

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the full complement from the RAF as they display with the Red Arrows, Eurofighter and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Spitfire, Hurricane, Dakota) as well as the Royal Navy Black Cats, Blades, Sally B and B-25 Mitchell bomber. Supercars, classics and race cars put on an awe inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a two-hour auto spectacular from Brooklands Museum. Over in our Wheels Zone is an array of interactive and static displays as well as two and four wheeled shows in the Stunt Zone with Steve ‘Showtime’ Colley and Mission Motorsport and a new Monster Truck arena offering demonstrations and passenger rides.

The show also includes over 25 fixed-price catering outlets, 2 bars, hospitality facilities, free on-site parking, public camping, lost children point, disabled access, informative show commentary, opportunities to meet the pilots, official show merchandise and grandstand seating.

The 12^th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 27^th & Sunday 28^th August 2016, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 21:00.

Advanced rate tickets from £22 for adults or £50 for a family. Single child tickets (for children aged 5 – 15) will be £7. Children under 5 go free. Hospitality packages start from £155 per person, weekend passes, grandstand tickets and camping are also available. For more information, visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book standard tickets call 08712 305 572.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2016 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Historic Reunion of Dutch 320 Squadron at Wings & Wheels

B25 squadron with Eisenhower

Wings & Wheels is honoured to be holding a reunion with the last remaining veteran crew members of the Dutch 320 squadron on Saturday 27^th and Sunday 28^th August.

Organised by Sander van der Hall of the Royal Netherlands Air Force Historical Flight and Mr Morven Voorspuy, over 100 family and friends of the veterans will be attending with the youngest veteran 90 years and the oldest 97 years old.

The veterans attending include 97-year-old André Hissink (bomber aimer) who flew 66 missions, 94-year-old Edward Hoenson (bomber aimer) who flew 89 mission and 92-year-old Eduard Jacob and 90-year-old Camille Stritzko who were both in ground service and averaged 15 flights each.

On the eve of D-Day, April 18, 1944, General Eisenhower visited the Dutch naval squadron at Dunsfold. During the inspection troops he had a personal interview with the then 21-year-old Mr Jacob who said of the meeting, “I was nervous the great commander talked to me!”

The 320 squadron flew from Dunsfold Aerodrome from February 1944 until October 1944. In total 156 members died and 57 members didn’t come back. The 320 squadron were awarded the MWO four times and the Bravery Award The Airman’s Cross 176 times.

The Dutch B-25 Mitchell will be flying at the airshow in its WW2 colours and saluting the men who were part of 320 squadron. The Veterans and their families will not only be able to watch the magnificent aircraft in the air but will also be invited for a special tour to view the aircraft and meet the pilots at 11:30. An official welcome will begin at 13:00 in the Dutch marquee.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director, Wings & Wheels comments: “We are incredibly honoured to be hosting the visit of the remaining Dutch 320 squadron. The history of the aerodrome is never far from our thoughts and to be able to welcome these veterans to the Show and have the B-25 Mitchell flying as part of the display is a wonderful tribute to them and their comrades.”

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2016 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Bournemouth International Air Festival Finishes with a Flourish!

Bournemouth Air Festival

Following a weekend of mixed weather conditions, the ninth Bournemouth Air Festivalcame to a spectacular close on Sunday witha show-stopping finale from a trio ofRAF aircraft–the Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and Typhoon. Taking place over four days from 18 – 21 August, festival-goers enjoyedhighlights including the Swiss Super Puma Display Team, Red Arrows on all four days, demonstrations from the armed forces on the ground and at sea, Otto the Helicopter and Bournemouth’s first ever Typhoon dusk display.

With the opening and closing dayshailed as the busiest ever for the internationally renowned festival, total visitor numbers were estimatedat702,300 over the course of the weekend. In spite of inclement weather, Friday still saw a packed programme of air displays in the afternoon and a busy evening of Night Air entertainment. Although worsening conditions forced the cancellation of earlier daytime displays on Saturday, the valiant pilots rewarded dedicated Air Festival fans with a special early evening display that included the Red Arrows and Royal Navy Black Cats, Hawks and Merlin before clouds and rain closed in to halt the scheduled ‘Sunsets on the Beach’ live music event. By Sunday, the festival was well and truly back on track and once more record crowds turned out for an impressive climax to the weekend.

This year’s festival featured more than 15 display teams and 40 aircraft supported by more than 55 ground crew. Among a variety of RAF assets, including the Black Cats and Typhoon, theever-popular Red Arrows – sponsored by Morgan Sindall – appeared on all four days and attracted unprecedented numbers of admirers at the pilots’ meet and greet.

Alongside the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight sponsored by Spitfire Lager, the B-25N Mitchell sponsored by the Highcliff Marriott and Sally B sponsored by BH Live flew in tribute to the historic aircraft of bygone days.

Aerobatics came courtesy of The Blades sponsored by the Daily Echo, Gerald Cooper in his Xtreme Air XA41 sponsored by the Hotel Miramar,StrikemasterMk82A sponsored by the Littledown Centre and the daring Breitling Wingwalkers. Returning for another year, the Tigers Freefall Parachute Display Team, sponsored by Bournemouth Airport, jumped from eye-watering heights onto the sand in front of adoring crowds.

A relatively new and extremely popular addition to the festival programme, this year’sNight Air dusk displays – sponsored by the Air Festival Patrons Club – starred the Fireflies Aerobatic Display Team, Otto the helicopter, Aerosparx, the Red Devils Parachute Regiment Freefall Team and, for the first time, the Typhoon – lighting up the night skies with its impressive after burn. Fireworks on Friday and Saturday evening provided the perfect end to the evening displays. The patrons also support the 2016 Forces nominated charities – the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity, ABF – The Soldiers Charity and the Jon Egging Trust.

As well as the Royal Netherlands Air Force Historical Flight operating the B-25N Mitchell, this year’s international guests included Swiss Air Force Super Puma sponsored by The Cumberland.Captain MatthieuGhiringhellisaid:”On behalf of the Swiss Air Force and Super Puma Display Team, a big thank you to everyone who has helped to make our first display at Bournemouth Air Festival so fantastic – from the Festival Makers and Events Team to everyone who has come to watch us. It has been a brilliant show – we have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and we hope to be back next year.”

Once again, the Air Festival was honoured to welcome back the armed forces – now a major contributor to the event. As well as a variety of stalls in their beachfront village area, the Royal Navy brought a spectacular flotilla of ships to Bournemouth Bay. The Royal Marine reservists conducted another series of crowd-pleasing amphibious assaults on the beaches and the Band of HM RM Collingwood performed a musical spectacular on the Wave 105 live stage at Boscombe Beach.This year also saw a new mini tattoo on the clifftop featuring the beat retreat sunset ceremony, Queen’s Colour Squadron (63 Squadron RAF Regiment) and unarmed combat demonstrations from the Royal Marine reservists.

Commodore Jamie Miller said: “It has been a delight and a privilege for the naval service to once again support the UK’s premier Air Festival here in Bournemouth. It has been a hugely successful event and a perfect showcase for the Royal Navy. BZ BAF!!”

The success of the Air Festival’s ninth consecutive year reinforces its status as Europe’s largest public aviation event and its unique reputation as the UK’s biggest free family air show.

Councillor Lawrence Williams, portfolio holder for tourism, said: “Naturally, I love the Air Festival and this year’s exhibition from aviation artist, David Bent, at the Russell-Cotes added another dimension for me and many other art lovers. After Saturday’s hiccup with the weather, I am delighted that Sunday’s display programme was able to take place against the backdrop of Bournemouth’s trademark blue skies. We owe much of the success of this year’s festival to the Royal Navy and armed forces for their commitment and resilience in the face of adversity.”

Mark Smith, Director of Tourism for Bournemouth, said: “The weather presented a particular challenge this year but the event still goes from strength to strength with records broken on both the Thursday and Sunday. We managed to beat the weather with flying displays on every day thanks to the enthusiasm and expertise of our experienced flying director and his team, all of the magnificent pilots and crew, as well as event and safety staff including our partners in the emergency services. We are grateful to the public for their patience, cooperation and keenness over the course of the weekend and we are proud to have closed Bournemouth’s ninth Air Festival with such an impressiveprogramme of displays.”

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

The Blades are Back!

The Blades

The Blades are back at this year’s Wings & Wheels with their thrilling high speed aerobatics. A leading display team of former Red Arrow pilots, The Blades are renowned for their cutting-edge display and breath-taking manoeuvres.

Displaying on Saturday 27^th and Sunday 28^th August, The Blades will perform over 30 exhilarating manoeuvres containing a variety of mind-blowing aerobatic stunts flown just feet apart. With combined speeds of 400mph, extreme gravity defying solo ‘gyroscopic’ acrobatics, synchronised rolls, twists, double-tumbles and knife edge spins, this is a display not to be missed.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director, comments: “The Blades are a firm favourite with visitors to Wings & Wheels and we are delighted to be welcoming them back to Dunsfold.”

Since The Team began in 2006, The Blades have flown over 600 displays throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle-East and with over 30,000 flying hours and more than 3,900 displays between them, The Blades are amongst the most experienced display pilots in the country.

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the full complement from the RAF as they display with the Red Arrows, Eurofighter and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Spitfire, Hurricane, Dakota) as well as the Royal Navy Black Cats, Brietling Wingwalkers and B-25 Mitchell bomber. Supercars, classics and race cars put on an awe inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a two-hour auto spectacular from Brooklands Museum. Over in our Wheels Zone is an array of interactive and static displays as well as two and four wheeled shows in the Stunt Zone with Steve ‘Showtime’ Colley and Mission Motorsport and a new Monster Truck arena offering demonstrations and passenger rides.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2016 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Ground Control for the Reds Duo at Wings and Wheels

Mini Red Arrows Dunsfold

Wowing audiences around the world with their quarter-scale BA Hawk replicas, the Reds Duo remote controlled display team are returning to Wings & Wheels on Saturday 27^th and Sunday 28^th August 2016.

By far the most popular remote controlled display team on the circuit, father and son duo Steve and Matt Bishop are returning to Wings & Wheels with their 1/4 scale Red Arrows Hawk models. Built by themselves at Bishop Aviation from a German kit, each model is powered by a Jetcat P200 Jet Turbine, weighs 24 kg, has a wing span of 100 inches and is controlled by radio controls with 15 servos in each.

The models are copies of the real Red Arrows and they even use the famous red white and blue smoke during their display.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director comments: “The control that Steve and Matt exhibit with their model Hawks is phenomenal. They are one of the best radio controlled formation flying teams in the world and we are excited to be welcoming them back to Wings & Wheels.”

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the full complement from the RAF as they display with the Red Arrows, Eurofighter and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Spitfire, Hurricane, Dakota) as well as the Royal Navy Black Cats, Blades, Brietling Wingwalkers and B-25 Mitchell bomber. Supercars, classics and race cars put on an awe inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a two-hour auto spectacular from Brooklands Museum. Over in our Wheels Zone is an array of interactive and static displays as well as two and four wheeled shows in the Stunt Zone with Steve ‘Showtime’ Colley and Mission Motorsport and a new Monster Truck arena offering demonstrations and passenger rides.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2016 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Museum evening event is plane marvellous!

FD2 RAF Museum Cosford

Date: 16-17 September 2016

Time: 6.00pm to 9.00pm

Cost: £12.50 per person

The doors to military aircraft spanning a history of more than eight decades will be opened up to visitors at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford next month during a special two night event. Aviation fans will be able to view inside a total of fifteen aircraft, with everything from Cold War mainstays to unique prototype jets that pioneered the way for many of the world’s most iconic defence aircraft. Taking place on 16-17 September, just 300 tickets per evening are available for those who want to make their visit to the museum extra special.

Visitors can marvel at the advanced technologies on unique airframes including the TSR2, one of the most exciting and controversial British combat aircraft designs of the 1960s. Despite its outstanding technical success, political opposition led to the project being cancelled in April 1965 and the TSR2 is still a subject of great debate to this day. Arguably the most popular and advanced aircraft of its time, the TSR2 is still a popular favourite with aviation fans and is sure to be a highlight on the night.

The Fairey Delta 2 (FD2), one of only two ever built will also be opened up to ticket holders. Designed during the late 1940s in a bid to retrieve Britain from trailing in supersonic aircraft design, the FD2 later went on to break the World Air Speed Record in 1956 reaching 1132mph, breaking the record set only the year before by over 300mph. One of its unique features was the aircrafts ability to tilt the cockpit and nose section down by ten degrees in order to improve the pilot’s forward view during landing, taxiing and take-off. Visitors can learn more about its capabilities by speaking with staff and volunteers on the night, ensuring they get the most out of their visit.

Over in the museum’s National Cold War Exhibition a collection of aircraft that were the backbone to the west’s successes during the Cold War period will also be available. Aviation fans will be able to take a seat inside the cockpit of the sturdily built nuclear-capable Blackburn Buccaneer S1 nose section flown by the Royal Navy and the United States Air Force’s General Dynamics F-111, a combat aircraft capable of altering its wing configuration in flight to adjust the aerodynamic properties. Plus, the giant Short Brothers Belfast used by the RAF for almost twenty years, capable of carrying 150 fully-equipped troops or two Wessex helicopters will be opened exclusively for ‘Open Cockpits Evening’.

During the event, ticket holders will also have exclusive after-hours access to the museum which displays a collection of over 75 aircraft, military vehicles, engines and aviation artefacts within three wartime hangars and the National Cold War Exhibition. Other aircraft available on the night include: Hawker Siddeley Andover, Avro Anson C.19, Scottish Aviation Bulldog T Mk1, Hunting Percival Pembroke C1, SEPECAT Jaguar ACT Demonstrator, Saunders-Roe SR53, Hunting H126, McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1, Hawker Hunter F.4 and the Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer. This mix of aircraft means there is something to suit the interests of all enthusiasts and young aviators alike.

Tickets are now available to purchase through the museum’s website www.rafmuseum.org/cosford and cost £12.50 per person which includes parking (minimum height restrictions of 1.07 metres will apply). A full list of aircraft available on the night is also available online. The Museum will close at 5.00pm both days, however the Visitor Centre and Refuel Restaurant will remain open prior to the event which commences at 6.00pm and finishes at 9.00pm.

Fleet & Foreign Aircraft Days

Mig 27 cockpit newark air museum

Fleet & Foreign Aircraft Days

Newark Air Museum

3^rd & 4^th September 2016

Preparations for the new Fleet & Foreign Aircraft Days are now well underway at Newark Air Museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire; close to the border with Lincolnshire. Newark Air Museum is a registered charity that is located on part of the former site of RAF Winthorpe.

The Fleet & Foreign Aircraft Days event takes place on Saturday 3^rd and Sunday 4^th September 2016 and will focus on the museum’s diverse collection of Fleet Air Arm (Royal Navy) and international aircraft / helicopters. Visitors will get the opportunity to view the cockpits and interiors of more than twenty (20) of the museum’s collection of aircraft, cockpits and CIMs.

We also have flypasts on both days by aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight; 3^rd September, Hurricane & Spitfire and 4^th September, Spitfire – times to be confirmed.

The event is open to everyone and normal museum admission rates will apply:

Adults £8.50, Over 60s £7.50, Children £4.50 and Family ticket [2 adults & 3 children] £23.00. Please telephone 01636 707170 if you require any further information.

{A small additional fee / donation will be applicable when going inside the museum aircraft – this will go into the Project Panini Fund; to build a new Café & Toilet facility.}

N.B. The cockpits and aircraft may not be open at all times during the day and access will depend on the availability of our team of volunteer cockpit openers.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Mirage IVA Aircraft Cleared for Transfer to Allied Air Forces Memorial

Mirage IVA

French Ambassador to the UK, Her Excellency, Mdme Sylvie Bermann, said:

“I am delighted to add my congratulations to the Allied Air Forces Memorial at Elvington upon the announcement that our Minister of Defence has agreed to the gift of one of France’s most iconic aircraft, the Mirage lV, in recognition of the close ties between our two nations.’

Museum Director, Ian Reed, who began negotiations for the transfer of the jet with the French Government in 2007, said today:

“I would like to thank the French Government, diplomatic staff from the French Embassy and the French Air Force based both in Britain and Paris and aviation associates as far away as Dubai for their efforts in helping us over the last 9 years, to make this unique and historic project happen“.

Note: Last year the Museum was formally acknowledged by the European Union as “The Allied Air Forces Memorial”, which undertakes significant memorial events across UK and Europe. On behalf of DCMS (the UK Dept of Culture Media & Sport), the Museum represented the British & French air services last month at the international centenary commemorations for the Battle of the Somme at Thiepval, France by exhibiting a full sized WWl British fighter biplane.

Images attached show examples of Mirage !V aircraft. Two of these show the actual aircraft in the Citée des Sciences Museum that will shortly be transferred to Elvington.

www.yorkshireairmuseum.org

Poignant Womens Section Royal British Legion Memorial Day at Yorkshire Air Museum

Yorkshire Air Museum Royal British Legion

In what turned out to be a very special and moving occasion here at the Allied Air Forces Memorial & Yorkshire Air Museum, the Women’s Section Royal British Legion held their annual Memorial Day on Sunday 14^th August. Members of RBL Women’s Section Branches from across the Yorkshire and North East regions gathered during the morning in readiness for the Parade of Standards, which led into the unique Memorial Garden to the Women’s Air Services for the colourful Wreath Laying Ceremony. In a strong turnout, 19 Standards were presented, including support from York Royal Air Forces Association.

Both the Museum and RBLWS organisers were delighted that HM The Queen’s representative the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Mr. Barry Dodd CBE and Lady Feversham, President North Yorkshire RBLWS; attended the event to take the Salute from the Parade and lead the wreath laying ceremony. Wreaths were also laid by Mrs. Wendy Bromwich JP Life Vice President;(who followed the Lord Lieutenant to lay the wreath); Mrs. A. J. Murray MBE, Vice President Durham RBLWS; Mrs. D. Ingham OBE, President East Riding RBLWS; Mrs. H. Crosby, South & West Yorkshire RBLWS and Mr. Ian Reed ONM FRAeS, Director of the Allied Air Forces Memorial & Yorkshire Air Museum.

Following this, the Parade reformed to march to the Chapel for the Memorial Service. What made the ceremony so significant and poignant this year was the official Laying Up of the three Regional Women’s Section Standards of North Yorkshire County, East Riding of Yorkshire and South & West Yorkshire County. Additionally, following a last minute decision by Branch Members, the Crofton, Walton & Warmfield cum Heath Branch (South West Yorkshire) also presented their Standard to be Laid Up. The Laying Up of these Standards followed the recent decision by the Royal British Legion to amalgamate the Women’s Section into the core body, to no longer be a distinct group.

Emotions were welling, but stoically kept in check, as the Standards were taken into our care by our Honorary Chaplain, the Revd. (Squadron Leader) Charles “Taff” Morgan MBE, with each Standard Marched forward in turn. In his typically eloquent sermon, “Taff” paid tribute to the dedication of women in Service from WWI and the Battle of the Somme, which saw women tending to the horrendous wounds suffered by infantry and indeed airmen, engaged in the bloody battles on the fields and, for the first time in history, in the skies above. He reflected also on those women at home, who were left to deal with the consequences of menfolk away from home, and the damage to mind, body and soul of those returning from the front. This dedication has continued to today, where women are now serving on the frontline and piloting the latest aircraft in service, with no distinction between them and their male counterparts. Perhaps it is this modern ethos that has led the decision to streamline the Royal British Legion.

Not surprisingly, after the ceremony was complete, the tears flowed as the significance of the occasion sank in.

Ian Reed, Museum Director comments: “We are very proud and indeed humbled to take these treasured Regional Standards into our care here at Elvington. Our Station Chapel is indeed a fitting place for these symbols of friendship and Remembrance to rest. They mean so much to those that have carried and marched with them at many Memorial Ceremonies, and are honoured that this Memorial & Museum was the past place they were Paraded to the public.”