This years’ summer event was a visit to Tangmere Aviation Museum where after an introductory talk about Tangmere’s aviation history we split into two groups for an informative guided tour of the highlights of the collection. The collection of original and facsimile aircraft was excellent and related to the stories from the WW2 and the ‘Battle of Britain’. Tangmere was at the forefront in repelling the Luftwaffe.
No less interesting were the tales about the SOE flights in Lysander aircraft flying in and out of occupied France with agents to assist the ‘Resistance’
Post war attempts to break flight speed records were recalled by some of the Old Cicestrians present. ‘Watching on Bognor beach as Neville Duke in a red Hawker Hunter raced along with sonic booms to accompany the flights’
The staff, in the main volunteers, looked after us very well and after a pleasant snack lunch we explored the site at leisure – stopping to see our ex-teacher Ken ‘Bogey’ Murch’s memorial plaque in the garden. With thanks to Alan Green for organising – yet again a summer event in beautiful weather!
