This year’s spring Sunday talks opened with a highly informative and entertaining presentation by Ray Bushell, Operations Manager at Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, on a short history of RAF Biggin Hill, from its original concept as an airfield in 1917 until the end of hostilities in WW2. Using his in-depth knowledge of this famous station, he focused on two significant Squadrons who served, and then on two personalities – one from WW1 and one from WW2.
Ray then described some of his experiences whilst working at the Heritage Hangar, which he’s been with for a little over five years. His background at the Hangar pre-dates this as he started as a part-time volunteer performing ground crew duties.
Ray explained that the Heritage Hangar has two operations that embraced the restoration, rebuilding and maintenance of Spitfires and other veteran aircraft, and the provision of passenger flights in historic aircraft.
In a lively discussion after the talk, the qualities of the Spitfire versus the Hurricane were explored, and the tactics employed. The differences between Rolls-Royce Merlin engines and those produced in the USA by Packard also sparked a lively discussion.
Details on flights from the Heritage Hangar can be found here.
Other presentations planned for this season include a talk by Adam Fraser and Catherine Tappenden on An early record-breaking flight on Sunday 5 March and a presentation by Jo Rogers (Instagram’s That Spitfire Bird) and Peter Hall on Sunday 19 March.
Ticket prices:
Friend of the Few (Hurricane) Free entry
Friend of the Few (Spitfire) £5
Guest of Friend of the Few (max one per friend) £6
Non-members of Friends of the Few £12
For details and to book, phone 01303 249292 or email enquiries@battleofbritainmemorial.org
