This is a collection of organisations and individuals that contribute directly or indirectly to keeping our rich and colourful aviation heritage alive.
For anyone who shares our interest in WW2 aviation – especially that linked to the Battle of Britain, we hope that you will follow these links and take the time to make contact with and visit the respective museums. Not only will they welcome your support, but the visit will deepen your interest, and in many cases lead you along another path of discovery. If you come across other organisations / people/ websites that you think should be on our ‘We support’ list, please email us with the link details.
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Battle of Britain Memorial Fund, Capel le Ferne Perhaps of the most moving monuments to visit in England – dedicated to the 500 + allied aircrew who perished in the Battle of Britain. Static ‘replica’ aircraft, and informative visitor centre run by volunteers, make this a lovely venue to spend time there – especially on a hot summers day – like the ones in 1940. www.battleofbritainmemorial.org/ |
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Battle of Britain Museum, Hawkinge Located on the edge of what was one of the most active airfields in the Battle of Britain – now a housing estate. Nevertheless, the original buildings house one of the most comprehensive collections of artefacts and memorabilia from the Battle of Britain. An excellent shop is manned by helpful and knowledgeable staff. www.kbobm.org |
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Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial This is THE museum to commemorate our two most important fighting aircraft from WW2 . Fittingly located on the edge of the airfield at what was RAF Manston, it is a place rich in aviation history, and one well worth spending time at. It also has the bonus of an excellent shop and cafe on site. Please donate generously! www.spitfiremuseum.org.uk |
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Kent Gliding Club – Learn to fly in Kent Ever wondered what it’s like to soar like a bird over the beautiful Kent Countryside? Whether you have never flown before or you are an experienced power pilot, learning to fly gliders has plenty to offer. For the new pilot the first solo flight is something that you will never forget. For an experienced pilot converting to gliding provides the extra fulfilment of maintaining flight using the energy of the sun, the wind and of course your flying skills! For both, there is the added bonus of experiencing the camaraderie of being part of a club of like minded pilots. Flying Instruction is provided by a team of BGA trained instructors who provide their time for free, so it even costs less than you might think. Visit our website for more details and to book your trail flying lesson. |
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Cirrus Flying Jackets Our friends up at Cirrus in Norfolk manufacture the iconic flying jacket as worn by Allied aircrew in WW2. These garments are timeless, respected worldwide for their unique aesthetics and rugged durability. They are hand crafted by this small family business, and offer the best of British design, quality and workmanship – go on spoil yourself and buy a decent flying jacket! http://www.flyingjacket.com/ |
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Rob Laker’s Website Rob is a talented photographer who has flown with us, and shared some of his wonderful photographs with us. If you’re looking for someone who knows his lens cap from his aperture settings; Rob is your man. I believe he also photographs motor cars as well as aeroplanes!http://www.rjlakerphotography.co.uk/ |
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RAF Benevolent Fund The RAFBF is a charity that supports RAF families in their time of need. We have this notion that flying is glamorous – but flying warplanes is bloody dangerous, and if it all goes wrong and a family is left behind, we need to help them. This applies now as it ever did during the Battle of Britain. www.rafbf.org |
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RAF Manston History Museum This airfield is rich in RAF history – it was heavily attacked throughout the Battle of Britain, and served as a base for a variety of aircraft, including the Blenheim, Boulton Paul Defiant, Spitfire, Hurricane, Typhoon, Mosquito. It was where the first Gloster Meteor squadron was based and flew ops from. It was the first landing strip that Allied bombers would reach if they were able, having been ravished by enemy fire. Manston became specialised in ‘receiving’ these aircraft, and trying to rescue the crew often when their planes were on fire – or about to explode. Today, Manston carries on this tradition, and is the centre of excellence for aviation fire training in the UK – and Europe. http://www.rafmanston.co.uk/ |
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RAF Museum, Hendon A ‘must visit’ museum that is not easy to get to from the South side ( it’s at the end of the M1.) but it so well worth going – I would give yourself a full day out at Hendon. www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london |
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Imperial War Museum, Duxford Duxford is, and quite rightly so,the central hub of all things to do with warbird flying here in the UK. Not only are the static exhibits of the highest order, but their wonderful flying programme means that during many weekends numbers of aeroplanes that we all love and care for are flying – this is really Aviation Paradise. Also great for families – well presented information and facilities for all ages. http://duxford.iwm.org.uk/ |
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RAF Cosford Museum Perhaps the lesser well known of the national museums, this Shropshire airfield in the West Midalnds is easily reached and should be on everyone’s list to visit. Especially interesting is the one and only surviving TSR2, which the Labour Government scrapped in the 60’s. There is a Lincoln, Catalina and Mosquito there of particular interest. www.rafmuseum.org.uk/cosford/ |
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RNAS Yeovilton I have a soft spot for naval flying. During WW2 flying the aircraft of the time in war conditions was already ‘challenging ‘ to use the modern idiom. To then operate these aircraft, especially the Seafire, with it’s very narrow undercarriage, from a flight deck – often in bad weather, must have been a superhuman achievement. Hats off to the Fleet Air Arm! The Sea Fury, inspired by the FW190, is a ‘must see’ too – the ultimate piston engined fighter, and the first one to shoot down a Mig in the Korean War. Get yourselves down to Yeovilton, on your way to or from the West Country! www.fleetairarm.com/ |
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| Medway Aircraft Preservation Society (MAPS) This group of volunteers are led by Lewis Deal MBE – one of the UK’s most dedicated aircraft renovation specialists. Based at Rochester Airport, they are currently renovating one of those infamous aeroplanes – the Boulton Paul Defiant – the machine that foxed the Germans for a few weeks, with it’s rear gun turret firing everywhere except forwards! If it hadn’t been for that 1 ton turret in the rear, and if they had fitted forward firing cannon, it might have been a good fighter. Do try to get over to Rochester on one of their open days – and donate generously to these dedicated volunteers. www.mapsl.co.uk |
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Battle of Britain Memorial Flight This flight is a flying tribute to the aircrew who fought and died in the Battle of Britain. It currently consists of 5 Spitfires, 2 Hurricanes, a Lancaster, Dakota and Chipmunk. The whole world stops and looks skywards when these chaps fly over – thank God we took the decision to create the Battle of Britain Memorial flight, and to keep these aircraft and the memories of all those who paid the ultimate price, alive today and hopefully into the future centuries ahead. We are all so very proud of the BBMF – for what it represents, and how it goes about showcasing their wonderful aircraft. Each year between 7 – 8 MILLION people see a BBMF Flypast – what better way to remind people – Lest we Forget. www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf/ |
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Brenzett Aeronautical Museum Brenzett was one of the Advanced Landing Grounds, located around Romney Marsh. Spitfires of 129, 306 and 315 ( Polish) squadrons were based here. Some of the more observant of you will connect that fact with the Spitfire we fly – BM597 – of 315 (Polish) Squadron. Do make this museum part of your ‘Battle of Britain’ experience, when you come down to spend some time with us here in Kent. www.brenzettaero.co.uk |
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The Spitfire Site – A Tribute to Britain’s Finest Fighter www.spitfiresite.com |
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Spitfire Society – Eastern Wing www.spitfiresocietyeastern.org.uk |
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Aviation Links Aviation Links – probably one of the most comprehensive aviation linking websites worldwide, run by Howard Curtis, a well known author and contributor to our aviation world. A truly dedicated chap. www.aviation-links.co.uk |
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Runways to War For those with an interest in Bomber Command, spend a few days up in Lincolnshire with Mickey Burke, and his ‘Runways to War’ experiences. Located in ‘Bomber County’, Mickey’s tours include a visit to East Kirkby – Lincolnshire Aviation Centre, where ‘Just Jane’, the Lancaster that you can taxy in, is based. www.runways-to-war.co.uk |