fitted on the box frame that they school holidays so we are very constructed and the rest of the thankful to Bob Sale and fuselage frames are complete. Richard Giles for their sterling efforts. We have finally managed to get a chance to start on the painting on the Gannet and it TREASURER’S SCRIBBLES looks as if we managed to get the colours right. The Day-Glo By Rob Wood is a devil to match but we got it mixed at our Dulux supplier with Those of you who were December the aid of a very comprehensive present at the Museum’s AGM paint choice. You may also will know that the annual notice that the rear cockpit accounts for the year ended th 2001 canopy is now fitted and we 30 November 2000 are now decided to take the guards off available. Financially, it was not the other ones as we think the a good year for the Museum, Welcome to our latest aeroplane looks much more the with a loss being recorded. This Newsletter. Once again, we part now that they are all fitted. was due to a number of factors, hope you enjoy the articles. including the installation of the The Student has been a little new alarm system, and also the slow of late because the guys fact that it was the first full year ENGINEERING UPDATE that usually work on it have had of the Museum having to pay its a number of different problems, rent without the assistance of a By Geoff Etridge two with their health and I and donation as in previous years. all the other guys wish them In addition to this, it was I must first congratulate all well, But I am glad to say that decided to write down some of the Wednesday group for we now have Frank Jeal back the shop stock, which was getting the 3rd prize at the on board, his wife has been ill proving difficult to sell, to the Woodley Carnival, and for their but he informs us that she is tune of £2,000. This is superb effort to in getting the making a good recovery, which essentially a bookkeeping Mini- fuselage built in is very good news. exercise, and will probably time for the show. The enhance the shop’s profits over dedication and the next few time that went into years, as and this project has to when the stock be seen to be in question is believed. The sold. Ironically, chaps are now Margaret has well on the way to already made sorting out the some progress drive assembly on this issue! and actuators for Please let me the motion phase. know if you The wings are would like a about to be copy of the started and Accounts. should not be so complex as the So what have fuselage we learned from hopefully. The rest of the chaps have this? Clearly we need to raise further funds by way of As you will have noticed the done a super job of the gardening and grass, and as donations from the Business Martinet is making very good Community. This is an area progress, thanks to Ian long as we can keep on top of all the rest of the various tasks where John Kite has been an Simmons and the guys who are inspiration with the funds he assisting him. The tail fin that crop up on a regular basis, we will survive. Wednesdays has raised towards the Mini assembly is complete and they Link project; his expertise will have now got the stern post have been very busy during the

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prove invaluable. who had come from the A & UNITS AEE Martlesham Heath, where As we near the end of the he had been a fully qualified OPERATED BY PHILLIPS & current financial year, I am RAF test pilot. An emergency POWIS AIRCRAFT pleased to say that this year landing ground at Sheffield LTD/ LTD has proved to be much better, Farm, Theale was used almost mainly thanks to Margaret’s By Peter Amos from the commencement of efforts with the shop. I am operations and by May 1937 confident that the Museum and A number of RAF units were the school’s fleet had increased Shop will breakeven, which is a based at Woodley at various to 14 civil registered Hawk huge step forward. Thanks times and Phillips & Powis Trainer Mk.II’s, 7 civil Tiger Margaret, what would we do Aircraft Ltd, later Miles Aircraft Moths, 4 RAF Magisters, 2 without you. Ltd, were contracted by the Trainers, 2 Ministry to operate their Hawker Hart bombers and 2 One of the issues I am technical services. The first of Hawker Audax army co- dealing with at the moment is these was the Reserve Training operation aircraft. The school establishing a Gift Aid scheme School, which was formed by became No.8 Elementary & to replace the previous system Phillips & Powis Aircraft Ltd on Reserve Flying Training School of covenants, which was far too 25th November 1935. Following in mid 1938 and the fleet was cumbersome and never worked increased by the for the Museum. It addition of 1 appears that once Hart Trainer, 4 set up, the new Hart bombers system is much and 2 Hawker easier to Hinds. On 3rd administer and we September should receive a 1939, the school significant cash dropped the boost from this. I ‘Reserve’ from hope to have this its title to operational in the became No.8 early part of next Elementary year – details to Flying Training follow. School and the fleet was further The extension enlarged by the to the Museum the expansion of the RAF which addition of 3 Fairey Battles and site is moving closer, with a had commenced in 1934, it was 2 Anson Mk.I’s. On 25th legal agreement to be signed felt that the five existing full-time January 1941, due to the shortly. In addition, we have elementary flying training increasing demand for pilots, asked our Landlords, schools would not be able to No.8 EFTS was upgraded to a District Council, to cope with the extra pilots 'B' type establishment, which consider a number of other needed and the Air Ministry also meant that the existing changes to the lease of the site, therefore awarded contracts to facilities at Theale had also to which should make it more selected civilian companies be improved. On the 3rd acceptable to the Lotteries already experienced in flying February 1941, a second 'Relief Commission in the event that training to undertake the task. Landing Ground' was opened, we applied for a grant. I will at Farm on keep you posted as matters i) The Reserve Training Crazies Hill, near Henley-on- progress. School, which was operated by Thames. This was also known Phillips & Powis Aircraft Ltd, as Henley RLG and consisted Enough waffle from me, was officially opened on 25th of just a large field with some although I hope some of the November 1935 with a fleet of temporary huts. A new ELG above has been informative. If 13 civil Hawk Trainer Mk.II’s was brought into use at anyone has any questions or and 8 civil Tiger Moths and was Waltham St. Lawrence, near suggestions, I am all ears! under the command of the Maidenhead about September Chief Flying Instructor, New 1941 when the use of Theale Zealand born F/L James F Moir, was lost, following the formation

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by Phillips & Powis of a new unexpectedly announced the Germans invaded the EFTS there. No.8 EFTS closure of 7 of the 21 Reserve Netherlands in 1940 and had disbanded at Woodley on 15th Flying Schools in February been completed by Fokker at October 1942. 1953 and after almost 18 years the request of the of continuous training of pilots Reichsluftfahrtministerium ii) Phillips & Powis Aircraft for the RAF, 'an unfamiliar (RLM) for use as advanced Ltd secured the contract to silence descended on the trainers for the Luftwaffe. Work operate a new and separate locality'. had proceeded slowly due to elementary flying training the uncooperative attitude of school at Theale, No.26 EFTS, vi) RAF Flying Training the Dutch personnel and almost which was formed at Theale on Command Communications a year was to elapse before the 14th August 1941 with some 36 Flight. This unit was formed at last aircraft was to be loaded Tiger Moths and No 8 EFTS Woodley on 27th May 1940, aboard a barge for ferrying to assisted with the formation of soon after the H.Q. of RAFFTC Schipol for re-erection and flight the new school. No.26 EFTS arrived from Bruntingsdale Hall, test. disbanded at Theale on 9th July near Market Drayton, 1945. Shropshire to a new RAF camp Fokker engineering test pilot in the grounds of Park, Hidde Leegstra and Ir Piet J.C. iii) No.10 Flying Instructors two miles south-east of Reading Vos, in charge of domestic School (Elementary) was and it stayed at Woodley until sales began planning the hijack formed at Woodley on 22nd the closure of the RFS on 31st of an aircraft in which to fly to July 1942. This unit was tasked March 1953. It then moved to England and eventually they with the training of selected White Waltham and became concluded that their best pilots as flying instructors absorbed into the Home chance of escaping was in one mostly on obsolete Tiger Moths, Command Communications of the last two G 1’s which were with just ten Magisters and Squadron. waiting at Schipol to be some six Masters and an Anson collected on 6th May 1941. As Mk.I for advanced instruction. This Flight had on strength at the aircraft had not been flown This unit disbanded on 7th May various times throughout its for a week, permission was 1946 at Woodley and merged stay at Woodley a variety of granted for the pair to test fly with No.7 FIS (Advanced) to aircraft including; Magisters, the aircraft before it was become the Central Flying Master Mk.’s I, II and III, delivered to Germany and on School at Little Rissington. Mk.III, a 5th May they took off and Westland Lysander equipped headed for England, landing in iv) No.8 EFTS reformed for aerial photography, an a field in Suffolk. On 7th May from No.10 FIS on 7th May and an Anson. the Fokker G 1, escorted by a 1946 but operated on a much This motley collection was Blenheim, was flown to the RAE reduced scale until it disbanded joined in 1946 by ACM Sir at Farnborough for on 3rd March 1947. Arthur Coningham’s, Cellon examination. It was later flown high-gloss finished sky-blue to Woodley ‘for evaluation by v) No.8 Reserve Flying Douglas Dakota Mk.IV s/n Phillips & Powis’ who, it was School formed on 3rd March KK209. claimed were interested in the 1947 by re-designating No.8 construction of the wooden EFTS and operated Tiger wing structure which was Moths and Ansons Mk.I’s. Upon covered in Bakelite-plywood the cessation of aircraft FOREIGN AIRCRAFT skinning. activities by Miles Aircraft Ltd in 'ACQUIRED' BY MILES late 1947, the School was AIRCRAFT LTD, WOODLEY Graham Gates recalls seeing operated by the Fokker G 1 parked just east By Peter Amos (Reading) Ltd from May 1948. of ‘The Falcon’ and agrees that The Anson Mk.I’s were the main reason for giving it to replaced by 3 Anson T. Mk.21’s The first foreign aircraft to be delivered to Woodley was a Phillips & Powis was almost in 1950 and the ageing Tiger certainly for its engines. The Moths were replaced by the Fokker G 1, with the LVA s/n 362. This aircraft was one of the Fokker G.1 was fitted with two new D.H.C. Chipmunk T. Mk.10 825 hp Pratt & Whitney SB4-G from June 1951. The School last five which had reached advanced stages of Twin Wasp Junior 14-cylinder disbanded on 31st March 1953 two-row radial engines of the after the Air Ministry construction on the Papaverweg before the same type as those being fitted

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to the Miles M.27 Master Mk.III where it remained dismantled the aircraft was noted at then in production at the South before being scrapped in 1948. Woodley on 8th January 1947 Marston factory. After the and it is believed that this was removal of the engines, the Air Min 42 Siebel 2040-1. purchased by Don Brown. An airframe was allowed to quietly This aircraft arrived at anonymous Me 108 was seen rot away in the open. Farnborough on 7th October at Thame by the author in July 1945. It was transferred to Miles 1948, this was in natural metal In 1946 someone decided Aircraft Ltd, Woodley for trials finish and devoid of all markings that three ex Luftwaffe aircraft (of what and by air or road?), but it is strongly suspected that should be delivered to Woodley sometime after 14th December this was the machine previously but for what purpose or to which 1945, where it remained seen at Woodley. It was unit, Miles Aircraft Ltd or the dismantled before being probably flown to Thame some FTC Communications Flight scrapped in 1948. time after the financial collapse has yet to be established for of Miles Aircraft Ltd in late certain; Air Min 104 Junkers 1947. ‘Air Min 87’ was Ju52/3m, W Nr 641038. registered G-AKZY to Air Air Min 121 Bucker Bu 181 Previously D-AUAV with Couriers Ltd, Croydon on 7th Bestmann. This aircraft arrived Deutsche Luft Hansa, it was June 1948 but because the at White Waltham from surrendered at Flensburg A.R.B. would not issue it with a Schleswig on 22nd March 1946 having flown the last DLH Certificate of Airworthiness, due en route to Woodley. scheduled airline service, from to the lack of documentation Malmo, Sweden to from its past life, it was sold in Air Min 120 Arado Ar 96B. Copenhagen, Denmark and Switzerland on 9th January This aircraft arrived at White then to Flensburg, on 3rd May 1950 and registered HB-DUB. It Waltham from Schelswig on 1945. It was ferried from was re-registration HB-ESK on 26th April 1946 en route to Schleswig, via Lubeck to 15th April1950 and survived to Woodley. On 3rd July 1946 it Farnborough on 18th July 1945 be sold in the U.S.A., surviving was noted as being on the and it made a number of flights at least until 1992 with strength of the 'Woodley Station from there until its last recorded registration N2231. Flight' (?) and later in 1946 it flight on 23rd August 1945. It nosed over, damaging its was displayed statically at the One other German aircraft, propeller. It was S.O.C. on 29th German Aircraft Exhibition at ‘Air Min 99’, a Fieseler Fi 156C- May 1947. Farnborough in October 1945 7 W Nr 475099, used to make and was still there on 18th frequent communications flights Air Min 123 Arado Ar 96B. January 1946. Taken by road from Farnborough around the This aircraft arrived at White later in 1946 to Woodley, where country, including three return Waltham from Schleswig on 1st it languished in a dismantled flights to Woodley, on 11th May 1946 en route to ‘RAF and near derelict state for some September, 3rd December Woodley’. On charge with the time before being presented to 1945 and 7th January 1946 and ‘Woodley Station Flight’ on 3rd the Reading Sky Observers these latter flights could well July 1946 (?). It was S.O.C. on Club (the original ancestors of have been in connection with 29th May 1947. Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd) for the M.52. use as their clubhouse. Nothing Miles Aircraft Ltd/Don L. much happened to it after this (Peter Amos is the Hon Gen Brown also acquired a number and it was finally scrapped Secretary, of the Miles Aircraft of ex Luftwaffe aircraft from the during 1948 - a sad end to a Collection) R.A.E. Farnborough, probably historic aircraft. in late 1946 and these, it is believed were brought to Air Min 87 Messerschmitt LETTER FROM IAN WILSON- Woodley by road but for what Me 108D-1, W Nr 3059. This purpose is unclear; DICK (EX-FAIREY AVIATION) aircraft arrived at Farnborough on 14th November 1945. It Air Min 5 Siebe1204D-1. Just a little background on made a local test flight on 17th This aircraft arrived at my memories of Flight November and return flights to Farnborough on 1st October Development. and from Woodley on 27th 1945 for the display of German November and Halton on 17th Air Force aircraft held there but Soon after I joined F.A.C. in November. There are no it was not flown again. Taken Oct. 1945 as an engineering records of any further flights but (by road?) to Woodley later, apprentice and a few months in

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the apprentice school at then gently knelt down, followed told Faireys that they didn't Heston, I started my National by his retinue. know much about helicopter Service as a flight mechanic- design. The rotor blades when airframe with the RAF. Drafted Little Stepan therefore used in a demonstration to India October 1946 and back claimed that he had made showed high stress levels. to UK Oct. 1947. Returned to Goering kneel! Blades had a cumulative fatigue recommence apprenticeship life of 18 minutes! Pilots had to after 3 years for HNC 1951. On the first flight of the [Jet] report number of manoeuvres After periods in various shops, I Gyrodyne, John [Morton?] lifted after each flight so we could joined Flight Development for off and attempted to check a total them. Hover performance Gannets, Fireflys and Fairey mild tendency of the a/c to was very poor, a/c was noisy, Delta II. rotate - full pedal wouldn't do it. high fuel consumption Not a consisted of differential great credit to the company. Maurice [Child] called me in pitching of the two propellers. one day to meet Hislop and Extensive measurements by I was not directly involved asked if I would like to FIt. Dev. showed no lost motion with the Rotordyne. This was specialise in helicopters. The to the hydraulic jacks under Sonny's [Darlington] project. All Jet Gyrodyne was getting close. static conditions. The props had I contributed was the I spent a couple of weeks at weights to bring them to fine instrumentation in the 3 auto- Boscombe [Down] in the pitch. Eventually by locking the observers. The noise was helicopter dept. and made my props with some form of obviously the big problem. first flight from D squadron in a wooden clamps it was found Stepan was developing new Sikorsky S5 [?] - commanded that the props were not small jets so that a number of by Ron Gellatley. The Jet responding to diff. pitch, the them on each blade would Gyrodyne was my first project. I pedal input was twisting the replace the single jet per blade. went through ground testing fuselage. I can't remember how I seem to remember he and flight testing with it. we corrected the problem, projected 8 per blade but I will stiffened the fuselage or ask Sonny. This was intended After the war Faireys were changed prop weights, but we to raise the noise frequency issued with a couple of Austrian did it. above human audio levels. scientists, they worked on the rotor jets design and The Gyrodyne worked well While I recognise that the development. Adolph Stepan as a test bed but John was country was in a financial bind I remained with the programme, spooked by a random noise he think American Industry was probably until the Rotordyne picked up in flight - no one else worried at the development cancellation when he returned could hear it, including me in potential and the UK home. He was an amusing the one flight I made. government arm got twisted chap not much over 5 feet tall. Instrumentation showed why else the rush to get it cut He was involved with jet rotors nothing. Only on one flight did up ? in Austria. When Hitler visited we attempt autogyro flight but anywhere, Stepan said, there as John came back on the stick Good looking machine & was no fanfare, he would just with full power the props rotor sensible design philosophy - arrive. Goering, on the other rpm decayed. It came back a maybe now we have engines hand, announced his arrival little as he reduced back stick that could shaft drive the rotor and several cars full of aides but he could not hold altitude. and still use autogyro cruise. would arrive. This was not the purpose for Stepan had a little test the aircraft however and it did IN machine or rig on tie-down, this not matter. One day the order he demonstrated for Goering. came - Don't touch the Following on from the article The visitors formed a ring Gyrodyne - it was over. It was in the February issue a few around the little helicopter and a great experience for me and it points have come to light. Stepan stepped in and started was nice to see her again, this running the jet rotor, after a time in your care. First off, I had spelt the name short while, Goering recognised Flight Lieutenant DEERE as that the rotor was at his head Stan Hiller from U.S.A saw Deare! My mistake, for which I height, with both hands on his the Ultralight and was apologise. Thanks to one of our Field Marshall's baton, Goering interested in the jet rotor but

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Patron, Dr Gordon Mitchell for spotting that one. The Reading Film and Video Lectures start at 6.15pm and Makers are proposing to are held in Wings Conference Secondly, the footnote organise a coach trip to the Centre, British Airways appears to be wrong; Wessex Film and Video Archive Technical Block ‘A’, Hatton at Winchester sometime in the Cross, Heathrow Airport. In the copy of the painting, New Year. Any Museum which accompanies this member who wishes to attend Contact 020 8513 1136 for account, the leading plane, the are invited to attend, though no security passes and further Miles Master, is depicted in date or price is fixed yet. information. camouflage paint with RAF roundels. Training aircraft at the time were painted bright yellow, FORTHCOMING RBAS AN IDEA FOR CHRISTMAS? which may have been a factor EVENTS in averting friendly fire from the By Bob Sale Royal Navy. December 4 Meeting - Mike Howlett who used to fly for A survey has recently been All trainers were not yellow BA will talk about his career, made concerning the traditional by that time. There were no all with emphasis on his post-BA exchange of Christmas cards yellow Masters. Thanks to job flying for the Sheikh of Abu between those who regularly Peter Amos. Dhubai. attend the Museum. An overwhelming majority have Finally, one of the sons of agreed that it would be more S/Ldr James Leathart, O.C. 54 FORTHCOMING RAES appropriate if the money Sqn, has sent a copy of the log HEATHROW EVENTS normally spent on Christmas book to Peter Amos, via Major cards was donated to a charity Douggie Goddard, to help Thursday 13 December – ‘The – in this particular case, the identify the particular Miles ASTOR Airborne Command Museum Master involved. Post Project’ David Ashton, principal Project Manager, A donation box will therefore DERA. shortly be placed on the shop CAN ANYONE HELP ? counter for those wishing to Thursday 10 January 2002 – donate their money to the The Museum of ‘Challenge, Change and museum, instead of the Aviation has recently acquired Opportunity – A new Era for Christmas card manufacturers. some thirty of so video tapes of Aviation or More of the Details of the total amount an aeronautical interest. About Same?’ Chris Tarry, City collected will be posted on the 30 hours of screen time. Airline Analyst of museum notice board soon Commerzbank. after Christmas. These have been recorded on the now obsolete Low Band Thursday 21 February 2002 – U-Matic system and the ‘21st Century Crew – The Museum does not have a Human Factor Challenges suitable machine on which to Faced on the Flight Deck’ Dr run these tapes to view or Helen Dudfield – Asst Director rerecord. Cockpit Systems Engineering & Integration, DERA. Does anyone have a Low Band U-Matic video recorder Thursday 14 March 2002 – they would donate or allow the ‘The Farnborough F1 Air Taxi Museum to use on a long term – The Future of Aviation’ loan basis ? We do not require Melvyn Hiscock – Head of PR a record facility; only a replay and Farnborough Air Force. function need be working. Thursday 11 April 2002 – Offers of a suitable machine to; ‘Plane Magic’ Alan Holland- e-mail: Avery – Award Winning Aviation [email protected] Photographer and Author.

December 2001 / Page 6

WINGS OVER WOODLEY consumption was on the rise. THE ROYAL AIR FORCE This puzzling situation CRANWELL APPRENTICES’ Interested in obtaining the continued until late one night, ASSOCIATION book ‘Wings over Woodley.’ I when a passerby noticed a have found out there seems to flaming airplane on the field. The Royal Aircraft be one for sale in Woking for Apprentice’s Association was only £47. By the time the fire inaugurated in January 1985. department arrived, the plane Full Membership is open to the WORLD WAR II BOOKS. had completely melted into the Aircraft Apprentices of any P.O. BOX 55 tarmac. While they extinguished nationally who underwent all or WOKING the residual flames, the part of their apprentice training SURREY, GU22 8HP passerby noticed a uniformed at RAF Cranwell. Currently we figure lying facedown several have some 800 full members 01483 722880 yards away. It was a security and nearly 200 holding guard! Associated membership. The objects of the Association NUMBER 8 ELEMENTARY He was revived and includes; FLYING TRAINING SCHOOL, questioned. · Fostering esprit de corps WOODLEY and preserving the traditions Turns out he had been of the Royal Air Force. siphoning fuel from small “… I have seen the Feb issue · Providing prizes in planes to use in his car. The asking for information about 8 recognition of Technical and plane he selected that night had RFS 1947 – 1954. …… I was a Sporting achievements by a unique fuel storage system pilot at 8 RFS from just after its graduates of electronics involving hollow, baffled wing inception to the lamented courses within the RAF spars. When the determined closure in 1954 …… many of · Maintaining social and guard shoved the siphon in, it the Tigers were probably re- sporting contact between ex stubbed against the first baffle. treads from the war time school. Cranwell Apprentices No matter how he twisted, · To promote the relief of past and present Association members and dependants in time of need

For further information visit our website at http://www.klif.demon.co.uk.rafcaa. Membership or other information details can be obtained through Dennis Davey, at Maidenhead (01628) 635385 or by Email at [email protected].

MAINTENANCE pushed, and pulled the hose, COMPLAINTS he could not siphon any fuel STRANGE, BUT TRUE from the plane. Problem: "Left inside main tire almost needs replacement." Exasperated, he lit a match Solution: "Almost replaced left (February 1981, California) to see inside the tank… and the inside main tire." Phoenix Field airport in Fair rest is history. Oaks had been subject to Problem: "Test flight OK, except recurring petty thefts from autoland very rough." neighbourhood teenagers, so a Solution: "Autoland not installed security firm was retained to on this aircraft." patrol the grounds. Thefts decreased sharply, but fuel

December 2001 / Page 7

DE HAVILLAND AIRCRAFT 51ST RAF HALTON FINAL THOUGHTS FROM HERITAGE CENTRE APPRENTICE ASSOCIATION THE EDITOR

The historic site of the As a result of the moated Salibury Hall, Wednesday Crew taking part in mentioned in the Domesday this years Woodley Carnival, Book, was chosen by the de the Carnival Committee would Havilland Aircraft Company in like to see the Museum take an 1939 to develop in secret a active part in next years wooden high speed unarmed Carnival. Any ideas for a float ! bomber named the Mosquito. I hope you enjoyed our With 41 variants of the type, this latest newsletter. Don’t forget was the most versatile aircraft that this is your newsletter; let of the war. Thus began the me know what you think of it museum’s long association with and what you would like in the Chairman Salisbury Hall, making it the next issue. If you want to write oldest Aircraft Museum in the R E Bell an article, I would be pleased to country. hear from you. 7 Mill Road Also, don’t forget that the On display there is a variety Museum still needs of aircraft, ranging Hartford volunteers to man the from DH Moths to modern museum on Sundays military and civil jets, including Huntingdon throughout the Winter. If you the prototype Mosquito. The want to help, please let me Cambs museum is staffed solely by know, below you can find my volunteers, and has a PE29 1YJ phone number and e-mail continuing restoration address. If you want to help out, programme. Visitors are Tel: 01480 459774 please contact me. Also, why encouraged to inspect the work not check out the latest news at in progress. our updated website;

The museum is open from http://fly.to/MuseumofBerkshireAviation

1st March to the end of October e-mail: on Thursdays and Saturdays [email protected]

2.00pm – 5.30 pm. Bank

Holidays and Sundays 10.30am

– 5.30 pm.

December 2001 / Page 8