De Havilland Mosquito Veterans Signing Event with The People's Mosquito - 18th February
We'll be joined by veterans who flew the versatile ‘Wooden Wonder’ to meet enthusiasts and sign items for collectors, PLUS we will be joined by our friends from the People's Mosquito!
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'THE LAST WAVE' by Chris French - a brand new Limited Edition print launched especially for the event which can be signed by the veterans at no extra charge! CLICK HERE for more info.
Our special guests include...
Aviation Artist:
CHRIS FRENCH is Vice-Chairman of the Guild of Aviation Artists which is recognised throughout the world as a premier society for the promotion of aviation art. Chris likes to research his subjects thoroughly and create images that are more than just a representation of the subject – his paintings often tell a story or convey a mood by representing a unique moment and experience for the viewer.
Mosquito Aircrew:
Flight Lieutenant DES CURTIS DFC – serving as a Navigator he joined 235 Sqn on Beaufighters over the North Sea and Norwegian coast. In April 1943 he converted to Mosquitos and helped form 618 Sqn for special operations against the German Battleship Tirpitz. He then flew from bases in Cornwall attacking U-Boats in their pens along the French Atlantic Coast and in September 1944 joined 248 Sqn as part of the Banff Strike Wing flying Mosquitos out of Scotland.
Flight Lieutenant GEORGE DUNN DFC MiD – after training as a Pilot, George flew Halifaxes with 76 Sqn on bombing raids over Germany. His missions included the V1 and V2 rocket factory and testing site at Peenemunde and after completing 30 operations he converted to fly Mosquitos. Volunteering for the Pathfinder Force he joined 608 Sqn and flew a further 14 missions, all of them to Berlin.
Flight Lieutenant WALTER FORSTER – based in Germany after the war in 1946 he flew Spitfires and then Mosquitos with 98 Sqn. Moving back to the UK he flew Meteors with 65 Sqn from Duxford before moving again to Germany with 234 Sqn flying Hunters. Posted to RAF Leuchars in Scotland with 43 Sqn he again flew Hunters before moving back to Germany on an exchange with the new German Airforce instructing young pilots on the Fouga Magiser jet trainer.
RAF Bomber Command:
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.
Warrant Officer HARRY WINTER - after training as a WOp/AG he joined 427 Sqn on Halifaxes based at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire. On the night of 22nd October 1943 his aircraft was shot down near Hamelin in Germany by an Me110 Night Fighter and he spent the rest of the war as a PoW in Stalag Luft VII.
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.
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** PLEASE NOTE - for the welfare of the veterans, signing will be striclty limited to 11am - 1pm **
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Help support this exciting project or find out more by clicking HERE!
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Entry to our event is completely FREE, all we ask is that you RESERVE YOUR TICKET in advance to help us manage numbers and make it relaxed and comfortable for everyone.
Bookings are now being taken so please contact us to secure your place.
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