Following the signing of the contract last year between the Royal Air Force Museum and Precision Aerospace Productions of Wangaratta, work has moved forward rapidly with the restoration of Douglas A-20G Havoc 43-9436 ‘Big Nig’. Completion is currently scheduled for the summer of 2010.The largely intact airframe was recovered from Papua New Guinea in 1994 and subsequently transferred to RAAF Amberley. ‘Big Nig’ was one of a batch of new A-20Gs allocated to the 89th Bombardment Squadron, 3rd Bombardment Group, 5th Air Force. Based at Nadzab, near Lae in Papua New Guinea, the aircraft featured a caricature of its regular pilot (Capt James L Folse), who supposedly resembled a Damon Runyan character of the period.

On 3 May 1944, ‘Big Nig’ was brought down by ground fire after a bombing mission against Japanese forces at Wewak as part of the mopping up operations subsequent to Operation Reckless – the invasion of Hollandia. The aircraft was safely landed by its pilot 2nd Lt Tom Reading (with S/Sgt Burke L Cock as gunner) in a freshwater swamp where it would remain, undisturbed, for the next 50 years.

The aircraft will now be returned to as close to its original condition as possible. Every effort is being made to retain contemporary material while ensuring the airframe’s long term structural integrity. The attached photographs show the recently completed nose-art and the original nose-art (on badly corroded panels that have had to be replaced). When the aircraft goes on display at Hendon next year, ‘Big Nig’ will represent not only one of a handful of surviving A20s worldwide but also the thousands of Bostons and Havocs successfully employed by the RAF, RAAF and SAAF between 1940 and 1945. It will also serve as a memorial to all those air and ground crews that operated the aircraft through the Second World War in the European, Mediterranean and Far East Theatres.

As with the recently unveiled FE2b, the RAF Museum will be publishing a detailed monograph, in conjunction with Guideline Publications, describing the story of this ambitious and important restoration project, as well as the operational history of the A-20 in Allied service.

www.rafmuseum.org

Take part in a weekend of special activities at the RAF Museum London, celebrating the bravery of all those who took part in the Battle of Britain.

Dates: 12 September – 13 September

Time: 1000 – 1800

Admission: FREE

Attractions/Events 

Re-enactors: Meet the young fighter pilots of 1940 and ask them about their experiences during the great battle in the sky.

Living history area: Visit the scramble tent, to see how the pilots lived. Always on standby awaiting the ring of the bell.

Tableaux will include a “Scramble” and raid interception at 11:30 am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm each day based on events taking place at RAF Hendon on 15th September 1940.

Special film shows: Watch some classic wartime footage, newsreels and propaganda shorts in the Museum’s own 200-seat movie theatre:

Handling Collection: Get in character with four pocket tunics, flying suits and other paraphernalia. Here’s your chance to try on some authentic RAF uniforms and flying clothes and have your photo taken by the Spitfire.

Live music: Kick back and listen to some authentic 1940’s era music. 

Saturday:

The Kew Wind Orchestra will be providing two concerts underneath the Lancaster in the  Bomber Hall at 12.15 and 2pm with the Dambusters March, 633 Squadron, Oklahoma and As Time Goes By forming part of the Orchestra’s programme.

London Pro Arte Choir will round the afternoon off at 3.30pm with a series of haunting and evocative choiral works such as would have been heard by “The Few” when attending concerts with family and friends. 

Polka Dot Dolls performing hits from yesteryear such as “Kiss me Goodnight Sergeant Major” and  “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B

Sunday:

The Barnet Band, back by popular request, will provide rousing musical entertainment on the Sunday.

Polka Dot Dolls performing hits from yesteryear such as “Kiss me Goodnight Sergeant Major” and  “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B

Talks

Taking place in the Battle of Britain Hall at 12.15, 2.15, & 4.15 pm by our resident experts, these will give an added insight into the Battle, The Few and the women so integral to operational success.

Sat & Sun
*12.15 pm – In the Round(al): The RAF and the Battle of Britain.

* 2.15 pm – ‘The Few’: The Fighter Pilots of the Battle of Britain.

* 4.15 pm – Wind Beneath Their Wings: The Women of the Battle of Britain.

Free Tours

Free tours around the Museum’s Battle of Britain Hall will give added insight into the heroes who defended London from the air and the ground.

Children’s activities

There will be a range of activities in the Museum’s Aeronauts Interactive Gallery where children will be able to make, free of charge, their own cut out and keep Spitfire as well as a fun quiz trail that will take them Battle of Britain Hall.

 All this and the permanent ‘Battle of Britain’ exhibition Hall, featuring the emotionally charged multimedia experience ‘Our Finest Hour’.

http://www.rafmuseum.org/