Monday 26th January - 1845 for 1930
“Flying and Displaying Vintage Piston Aircraft” Presented by Mr Rod Dean.
Rod Dean is a familiar face to many of us, not only as a greatly valued patron of AirACES, but also as a superb speaker on many aspects of aviation.
Rod is one of the most respected figures in aviation – not only as a hugely experienced display pilot, but also Flying Display Director and Flying Display Co-ordinator at numerous air shows.
This talk “Flying and Displaying Vintage Piston Aircraft” looks at his 40 years of display flying with particular emphasis on the classic vintage aircraft such as the Mustang, Hurricane, Spitfire and many others. Highlights include some far flung venues such as Sumburgh and displays in what had been East Germany and other parts of Europe. Also includes a technical review of a number of the big piston engine fighters and finishes with a look back at a number of particularly memorable moments and events.
Monday 23rd February - 1845 for 1930
Two Talks - “90 Years of the Spitfire” and “Winkle – Our Greatest Aviator” Presented by Mr Paul Beaver.
Paul Beaver is a leading aviation historian, broadcaster and author, as well as an historic airplane pilot who has been flying the Spitfire since 2011. He has written more than forty books. As well as being an author, Paul has been a television war reporter, journalist with Jane’s, a parliamentary advisor and served twenty-seven years in the Territorial Army, rising to the rank of Colonel in the Army Air Corps.
90 years of the Spitfire.
Paul Beaver explores the amazing icon’s legacy through the prism of R J Mitchell. Paul’s latest book is entitled MITCHELL which was published in September 2025. In the book, the author follows the engineering successes of the man who is truly The Father of the Spitfire.
Winkle – our greatest aviator
Captain Eric (Winkle) Brown is a legend. In his 30 years career of a naval pilot, test pilot and Captain of a Royal Naval Air Station. He flew 487 different types of aeroplane and helicopter. This record is impossible to beat. Paul Beaver knew him for 40 years and has written a widely acclaimed and best selling Biography which was published in 2023.
AirACES is an aviation talk society, providing its members with regular talks, given by experts in many different fields related to the world of aviation.
VENUE – Boxgrove Village Hall, The Street, Boxgrove, Chichester, PO18 0EE
6.45 pm for 7.30 pm start. Members £5, Non-members £10 and under 16s FREE.
Doors open at 6.45 no pre-booking, no reserved seating
For further information about AirACES, please see: www.airaces.org.uk
Email: airacesuk@gmail.com or call Air Aces on 07423 670703