Monday 23rd March - 1845 for 1930 hrs
“Hawker Typhoon - Forgotten Hero” presented by Mr Anthony Knight who is currently the Secretary of TECT, (Typhoon Entente Cordiale Trust), an organisation formed in 2007 to preserve the history and traditions of the former Hawker Typhoon squadrons and develop links with the Eurofighter Typhoon squadrons.
The Hawker Typhoon was the biggest, fastest, most powerful and most heavily armed fighter in the RAF from 1942 until 1945 but is not widely known about. It operated mainly over the continent and was instrumental in the successful Battle of Normandy and the subsequent advance through France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Residents of West Sussex would have been familiar with the howl of its Napier Sabre engine until the Typhoon squadrons moved to France after D-Day. After V-E Day the Typhoons were flown back to England to be scrapped, their fascinating history being soon forgotten.
They played a major part in victory in World War II and we should remember their brief but essential contribution. The talk will explore the development of the Typhoon, its changing roles, its activities before and after D-Day and efforts to preserve its memory.
Monday 27th April - 1845 for 1930 hrs
“More Stories About the RAF Heritage Group” presented by Sqn Ldr Rick Lipscomb who is no stranger to AirACES having previously acquainted us with the RAF Heritage Group and its work ensuring the preservation and sharing of the history of the RAF.
This time his talk will cover the recent diverse activities of the Group including the replacement of the gate guardian Tornado on the parade square at RAF Halton with a Eurofighter Typhoon, including the “how and why”.
He will also cover the replacement of the gate guard at RAF Honington, the 3x Tucanos that have been placed in Museums, the gifting of Sea King helicopters from HMS Sultan to various museums, a Jaguar and Tornado donated to the Development at the former RAF Bruggen, Germany, and the recent support to the Metropolitan Police Art and Antiques Unit.
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 - see: www.airaces.org.uk Email: airacesuk@gmail.com or call Air Aces on 07423 670703