RAF WWII Aircrew Veterans Re-union

**cessna152towser** · 30th June 07, 02:16 PM

Today I took two RAF war veterans to a re-union held at the Cold War Jets Collection at Bruntingthorpe, in Leicestershire in the English Midlands.
85-year old Syd flew 23 missions as flight engineer on Halifax bombers while 83-year old Arthur flew a full tour of 30 missions as rear gunner on Halifaxes.

Dassault Mystere IVA

When I had previously posted photos of the Cold War Jets Collection in Off Topic, Cajunscot had asked about the Hunters so I made sure to get one of these in the pics today.

There was a lunch in a marquee.

And a Jazz band playing all the old Glenn Miller tunes.

This is a special bike which our organisation, Project Propeller, helped fund, which can carry a wheelchair bound passenger

And a few of the auld yins had a go in the passenger seat!

One of the Buccaneers was powered up from an auxiliary unit to demonstrate the wing folding mechanism.

**Splash_4** · 30th June 07, 02:17 PM

Brilliant Alex, thank you!

**cessna152towser** · 30th June 07, 02:23 PM

The rain eased off long enough for Syd and I to have a walk outside.

We got to visit the giant French built Super Guppy

Where Syd met a member of his old squadron.

And I went inside and got to sit in the pilot's seat.
I had intended to fly Syd and Arthur to the event but with the met. office issuing a bad weather warning I took them by car instead.

This is inside the upper cargo deck of the Super Guppy.

And finally Syd and Arthur had a look at the sales stalls in the marquee before we went home.

**CelticRanger66** · 30th June 07, 07:30 PM

As usual Great Pictures!!!

**McMurdo** · 30th June 07, 07:39 PM

Wonderful pictures Alex, I am very impressed with the bicycle that your organization purchased, what a great idea.

**cavscout** · 30th June 07, 07:44 PM

Alex, I'd love to know more about that bike. I'm an avid biker and also promoting a multi-purpose trail system in my area where something like this would be very useful. Please tell me all you can.

**David Dalglish** · 1st July 07, 12:43 AM

Hope you all had a great day, pity about the weather Alex, not allowing you to fly down. Great picture's.

**McClef** · 1st July 07, 01:37 AM

Nice pics Alex, that Super Guppy is a strange looking beast!

**cessna152towser** · 1st July 07, 12:44 PM

This one was taken at the entrance to the marquee by Janie, a hostess from an executive aircraft which brought some veterans in from Biggin Hill.

**macwilkin** · 1st July 07, 05:47 PM

Alex,

Many thanks for the photo of the Hunter (I didn't realise that the Swiss used them!), but more importantly, thank you for sharing your experiences with Syd and Arthur. Those gentleman deserve our honour and respect for stopping the forces of tyranny.

Seeing them reminded me of my grandfather, may light perpetual shine upon him, who also fought tyranny in China and India during WWII with the US Army Air Force.

Thanks again!

Todd