the forward fuselage panelling, arranged for a Saturday evening the cowling gills and their slider in August. units. The drive assembly would be remade later. The aircraft had News now been moved forward into (Brian Lloyd) the new hangar area which An extensive item appeared in makes access to it much easier. the Aeroplane magazine in The link trainer has been moved March 2008 edition about the indoors again and the wings Dart Herald G-APWA. The have been temporarily re-fitted article entitled “Flying Down To Volume 2 Number 14 for the opening of the Museum Rio” had both interesting text and pictures. The Museum was Editorial extension but they would have to be removed on one side for a mentioned in a number of (Brian Lloyd) modification to the drive arm for places. It includes mention of HELP PLEASE. With the the roll operation. It is hoped the fire on board G-AODF opening of our extension, which that this will be the last whilst it was on it’s way to you can read about in this issue, alteration required. Farnborough. we are looking for more The two men working on the The Museum Extension volunteers, especially to be on Miles Student are still duty during admission hours. If has Arrived – on time concentrating on the rear area of required, we can provide a the fuselage. They have been thorough induction to our disturbed a lot by the building Planning for the extension was procedures. It is not necessary to work and hangar moves. granted by the Local Authority have a high standard of aviation in 2002 and work started in knowledge or to know The Handley Page Herald was October 2007. The Main everything about our exhibits washed prior to the Handley Contractor was Early Builders, and displays. There will always Page Society’s annual get- supported by Kimkast the steel be another volunteer on duty together. work contractors who who can “field” any unanswered constructed the frame. questions. The Committee Over the past two months the would be very grateful for any team have been busy moving The Chairman and Committee help, however small, because we equipment, aircraft and exhibits would like to place on record the are really stretched in order to and also getting the new hangar volume of work and time given keep the Museum open. ready for the “big move”. by Derek Cann. He was the Architect, Project Manager, One or two sessions per crew The Shop Report negotiated with the local member per annum would be ap- (Margaret Etridge) Authority, co-ordinated with the preciated. Then if you get a taste The shop was not running prop- main contractor and other trades for it you might feel encouraged erly at present due to the alter- and saw the extension through to to do other session for us. Thank ations but new supplies of toys the final completion in May you and best wishes to everyone. etc. are being got ready to stock 2008. Additional help will greatly take the shop. Some artificial plants the pressure off our hard core of The photographs showing the for the shop are also being got. helpers. work in progress are on the It was decided that the Museum following page. Engineering Report would not have a presence at the (Geoff Etridge) Thanks are due to the other Woodley Carnival this year. volunteers who have helped with Work is now ongoing on the Another Skittles Evening at the minor but important work to Miles Martinet to manufacture Seven Stars, Knowl Hill is being achieve a high standard of

Museum of Berkshire Aviation Newsletter – Summer 2008 finish. The extension doubles his thanks to the Chairman, Names he remembers are Bert the space for exhibit display. Committee, Volunteers and Taylor, Pat Sullivan and Felix The workshop is now Members for keeping the Bowness the boxer and actor (Hi incorporated in the building and Museum going. Di Hi fame) at the front of the building there is a very attractive and The Woodley ATC 1116 Squad- A Just Award for Geoff. comfortable shop. The ron were “on parade” under the direction of WO Twigg. The Ca- At a special ceremony held in photographs show the completed April, one of our volunteers was building. dets provided help throughout the afternoon honoured and recognised for his On Saturday 26th April 2008, a work at the Museum. Geoff dance was held in the hangar The extension has been named Etridge, our Engineering which was attended by one “The Bob Brown Hall” in manager, was presented with a hundred people. This was honour of the late Bob Brown. Woodley Civic award by the organised by Jean Fostekew so Mayor of Woodley, Councillor Sadly within days vandals broke Shelagh Flower. There were four thanks are due to Jean for her three of the windows. The hard work. The B B and O Big other recipients from the insurance will cover some of the Woodley Community. Band provided the appropriate costs – but it hardly looks good music. Members and their guests for a new building to have one In making the presentations Cllr entered into the spirit of the window boarded up... Although Flower said “This evening is my evening by wearing traditional dress. The a car number plate was reported opportunity of saying thank you adjoining photograph indicates a to the police (the occupants to all, not just personally, but on good time was had by all. having been observed throwing behalf ofthe Town Council, who bricks at the houses) it is very are enormously grateful for the On Saturday 24th May 20008 the doubtful if the culprits will be important voluntary work official opening took place on a brought to justice. carried out by many residents warm and sunny day. The throughout the Community” Chairman opened the A Distant Memory, received proceedings by giving the from David Miles. In 1943/44 he The Double Mamba background to the financing of worked in the Miles Aircraft the extension and thanked the Experimental shop. He was not “Flypast” Magazine has two hundred attendees for their an apprentice but worked with announced the death of Harry support and said he hoped to see the woodworking team on such Rayner (RIP). He had a many of them on another aircraft as the M28, M38, distinguished career occasion in order to see the re- Aerovan, Marathon, Flying Pig, commencing with the RAF in arrangement of the exhibits and and Monitor. Also he thinks he 1947. Among his many displays. Ken Fostekew then can remember a Miles Falcon achievements after leaving welcomed Member of fitted with razor edged wings Brooklands Aviation, was to be Parliament, Theresa May, covered with strands of wool – involved in the development of Patrons John Fairey, and He supposes for a wind tunnel the HS Double Mamba JulianTemple, and The Mayor test. Turboprop for the Gannet of Woodley, Councillor Gilder, AEW3. After that, he took a who had the pleasure of He also recalls travelling to position with Handley Page in declaring the extension open. Farnborough with a Monitor 1960 testing the Victor Herald The Mayor was accompanied by fuselage for probably stress and Jetstream. testing. He also remembers the Immediate Past Mayor, ATA Badge Councillor Sheleagh Flower. A having a M38 in for repair response to the Mayor was given which he thinks was allocated to A badge is to be struck to be by the Museum’s President, General Montgomery. awarded to men and women who Douglas Goddard, who included flew with ATA. The ATA

Museum of Berkshire Aviation Newsletter – Summer 2008 Chairman, Eric Viles was very Adobe Acrobat Reader and Committee Members pleased to hear about this deci- Windows Media Player. Information sion. He recalls their only train- ing was provided by reading a They cost £10 each (plus £2 Chairman & Curator Ken simple booklet – known as han- Postage and Packing) from: Fostekew: jean.- dling notes – where just a single David Gibbings, [email protected] page was dedicated to every air- Draywood Cottage, Treasurer Alan Foskett craft. 173 pilots lost their lives Chapel Hill, and some flight engineers. Odcombe. Engineering Geoff Etridge: We are very pleased with the re- Yeovil, [email protected] sponse from members who have Somerset BA22 8UH ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Publicity & Press Brian Lloyd: completed Gift Aid forms. If you brianlloyd@redwood32. are a Tax Payer and have not Royal Berkshire Aviation freeserve.co.uk 01628 661 005 completed one please send it in Society or obtain a form from Treasurer Museum Manning: Jean & Ken A full programme of meetings is Alan Foskett, or from Member- Fostekew: promised over the coming ship Secretary Keith Freeman. [email protected] months – and from .September Membership Keith Freeman: Rotodyne onwards they will be held (first Tuesday of each month exclud- [email protected] The Airliner, whose hour ing August) at the Museum. came too soon All Museum Members are very welcome to come to any of these Published by The Museum of (and future) meetings. Berkshire Aviation, Mohawk Way, Woodley, Reading, September - Don Currie with Berkshire RG5 4UE films Web Site October - Tony Houghton on his experiences with the Vulcan. http://www.museumofberkshire- aviation.co.uk/ November, December & January ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ – TBA February – AGM + A Digital Book compiled by: The Dance Band- Photo John David Gibbings. March, April, May, June – TBA Hunt The original work for this CD- ROM was compiled for the Royal Aeronautical Society’s ‘Cierva Lecture’ presented by the author in 2003. The content has now been enlarged beyond the scope of a technical paper to include added technical data, a photographic album and a short cine film clip. The Data CD requires a PC with OS Windows 98 or later with

Museum of Berkshire Aviation Newsletter – Summer 2008 Started... Almost finished (photo: Ken Fostekew) (photo: Ken Fostekew)

Finished ! Pre-official opening Grand Dance (photo: Keith Freeman) (photo: Jean Fostekew)

A good crowd enjoying the new spaciousness... Official opening (photo: Keith Freeman) (photo: Keith Freeman)

Museum of Berkshire Aviation Newsletter – Summer 2008