Monday 22nd January - 1845 for 1930
‘The Spitfire and Seafire’ by top aviation speaker, Rod Dean, returning to give another of his enthralling presentations.
Rod, who has recently agreed to become a patron of Air ACES, has been actively involved in aviation for over 50 years as both an RAF fast jet pilot and for over 30 years as a display pilot, mainly flying vintage piston and jet engine aircraft. He has flown a variety of World War Two fighter aircraft such as the Spitfire and the Mustang.
This presentation, 'The Spitfire and Seafire', will be a review of the development of the Spitfire from the Mk1 to the Seafire Mk 47, covering the major variations including the engine combinations, gun installations and the increasing need for more fuel. The improvements in performance and the handling aspects of the Spitfire are also discussed.
Monday 26th February - 1845 for 1930
‘The History of Martin Baker, its ejection seats and the lives they saved’ presented by Mr. Jeremy Mudford
The Martin Baker story centres around the life of Sir James Martin. Jimmy was born at the end of the 19th Century, the only son of a working farmer in Northern Ireland. He had little formal education but through his own hard work and single minded dedication, he became the creator of a unique industry, totally committed to saving the lives of pilots flying stricken aircraft. He was the inventor of the Martin Baker ejection seat, which, since its introduction in the late 1940s has saved over 7000 lives.
In the second half of the evening there will be a few short accounts of people who have been saved by a Martin Baker ejection seat and hence have become members of the ‘Caterpillar Club’. Among these will be accounts of the lives saved including that of Jeremy Mudford himself, Capt. Eric (Winkle) Brown, ex Red Arrow Pilot – Mike Ling, Flt Lt Johnny Evans, W. Officer Henry Ramsden and Ian Maclean.
It promises to be a fascinating evening including some first-hand accounts.
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.
NEW VENUE
The talks are now held at the Avisford Park Hotel, Yapton Lane, Walberton, Arundel, BN18 0LS. 7pm for 7.30 start. Members £5, Non-members £10 and under 16s FREE. Doors open at 6.45 no pre-booking, no reserved seating
For further information please go to: www.airaces.org.uk or call David Batcock on 07502 400657