Meet ‘Miss Helen’ – Aces High Summer Social – 30th June
Join us for this exciting event where you’ll have the chance to get up close and personal with WW2 P-51 Mustang ‘Miss Helen’!
Come and meet renowned vintage aircraft display pilot John Dodd who will be flying 'Miss Helen' in on the day.
PLUS we will also be joined by Second World War Veterans: Watch this space!
This will be a fun open day event for all the family with live music provided by the wonderful Hayley Hammond, Jeep rides up the runway AND photo opportunities with Miss Helen.
Complimentary snacks + drinks available throughout the day!
Special guest WW2 Veterans:
Signalman HENRY RICE R.N. Ld’H. - Henry served on HMS Eastway, a floating dry dock ship, arriving off of Juno beach, five days into the invasion. His ship ferried essential men and equipment to Normandy, for the resupply operational phase of the Overlord offensive. Henry made further Normandy trips carrying supplies and troops. After the D Day operations, Henry's Ship went to Malta for 12 weeks, then sailed to the Persian Gulf. After the Gulf he went to Ceylon, Rangoon and finally finished the war in Singapore. He was repatriated aboard HMS Formidable to the UK and finished his Royal Navy service in 1946.
Able Seaman GEORGE CHANDLER MiD Ld’H - having joined the Royal Navy in 1943 aged 18, George served as a Gun Layer on MTB 710, 59th flotilla on coastal defence duties, with regular channel night-time enemy engagements. In the run up to D-Day they trained with US Rangers on the south coast, honing troop seaborne manoeuvres and on D-Day itself served as a defence escort to invasion forces in the American sector close to Omaha beach. George later served in the Mediterranean theatre, Adriatic Sea, in close operational support with the LRDG and SBS special duties sections.
Warrant Officer 2 DAVID MORGAN Ld’H - serving with the Royal Signals, David landed on Utah Beach on D-Day +5, tasked with establishing a wireless link back to the War Office in London. Once the US Forces had taken Cherbourg, David was re-assigned to a smaller unit and continued the advance into Germany. Following the War, David extended his service with deployments in Germany, Egypt, Libya and Kenya. David left the army having served 22 years.
Leading Aircraftman BERT WESTGATE - having joined the RAF in 1943, Bert initially trained as a Lancaster rear gunner, then prior to D-Day was posted to Compton Bassett, a Radar and Radio training facility, to undertake tactical wireless operator training. He was then re-posted to Portland, Weymouth, in early June 1944 and crossed the channel to Omaha beach on D-Day +6 with American forces where he undertook radio van operator duties following the 21st Army Group through Normandy, France and into Belgium
Warrant Officer ROY BRIGGS - as a Wireless Operator on Lancasters with 576 Sqn based at RAF Fiskerton, Roy completed 10 wartime missions including raids to Plauen and Bremen before taking part in Operation Manna. As the war in Europe ended he transferred to 156 Pathfinder Sqn.
Schedule of events - see below for approximate timings:
✔ 'Miss Helen' will be onsite on opening - photos will be possible until her exit display at approx 2:30pm!
✔ WW2 Veterans meet & greet + signings between 10:30am - 1pm
✔ Live music from lunchtime onwards
✔ Jeep rides from 10:30am (put your name on the board on arrival)
NEW LEVEL UNLOCKED...
We’re also delighted to announce the very exciting unveiling of our BRAND NEW mezzanine floor which we can’t wait to show you! Take advantage of the free bar and enjoy views of our gallery and the full-size Spitfire from above, refreshments in hand, surrounded by some of the finest military and aviation artwork in the industry!
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Entry to our event is completely FREE, all we ask is that you RESERVE YOUR TICKET in advance by contacting us to help manage numbers and make it relaxed and comfortable for everyone.
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