Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'

Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'
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Battle of Britain Day

Posted by Ken Wood on 15/9/2025, 5:00 pm

lest we forget

Re: Battle of Britain Day

Posted by Norman on 15/9/2025, 5:23 pm, in reply to "Battle of Britain Day"

Thanks for posting that tribute Ken.
It seems to have been kept quiet for some reason.
I heard about it last night on the news, and then forgot about it.

Re: Battle of Britain Day

Posted by Liz Dance on 15/9/2025, 5:43 pm, in reply to "Re: Battle of Britain Day"

If only we were still as Patriotic now as we were then, such a pity.

I was saddened to read that at The Last Night of The Proms there were more EU flags flying than the Union Flags, so upsetting.

Re: Battle of Britain Day

Posted by Sheila on 15/9/2025, 6:01 pm, in reply to "Re: Battle of Britain Day"

I think that was planned Liz, the pro Europeans have sleays smuggled flags into Albert Hall in past years.

Re: Battle of Britain Day

Posted by Ray Forster on 15/9/2025, 7:56 pm, in reply to "Re: Battle of Britain Day"

There was a piece about it on Look North tonight.

Re: Battle of Britain Day

Posted by George on 15/9/2025, 7:10 pm, in reply to "Battle of Britain Day"

Earlier this year, my daughter bought me a flight in a spitfire. This childhood dream came true at a time when this country was celebration the 80th anniversary of VE day. The professional pilot, Charlie, took off from Newcastle with me sitting just behind him. He piloted the Spitfire to the mouth of the Tyne whilst demonstrating some maneuvers. Satisfied I could handle this beautiful machine, he handed the controls to me and said over the headphones. "Take it up the coast to Holy Island". I am not so naive as to believe Charlie wasn't "at the ready" if necessary. We flew at around 3000 ft and after he demonstrated a victory roll to the left, offered me the chance of a lifetime to do the same over Alnwick Castle. Apparantly the torque of the merlin engine makes rolls to the left very easy. I have no doubt that a signiicant amount of work was also being performed by the pilot but the Spitfire responded to my actions. I feel my life's ambition has been achieved. At no time did I consider myself as "one of the few" - but I am one of the few 88year olds who has taken the controls of a 1944 Spitfire. After the 45 minute flight, Charlie landed the aircraft back at Newcastle.

Re: Battle of Britain Day

Posted by Norman on 15/9/2025, 7:16 pm, in reply to "Re: Battle of Britain Day"

WELL DONE GEORGE.
What an experience that must have been.

Re: Battle of Britain Day

Posted by Liz Dance on 15/9/2025, 8:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Battle of Britain Day"

What a lovely gift, must have been a fantastic experience for you.

George

Posted by Carol in hampshire on 15/9/2025, 9:49 pm, in reply to "Re: Battle of Britain Day"

George what year was that Spitfire built?
We live not far from Supermarine where Mitchell designed the Soitfire.
Carol

For Carol

Posted by George on 15/9/2025, 11:28 pm, in reply to " George"

Spitfire ML295 DB-M G-CLXB was built at Castle Bromwich in 1944. Sent immeditely upon completion on 13th April to the Royal Canadian Air Force based at RAF Colerne. First Flown in action on June 2nd by Thomas "Tommy" Wheeler in support of a "Ramrod" bombing mission over France. After D Day, she flew many "Rhubarbs" before the squadron was re located to Normandy. ML295 was shot down whilst being flown by Flying Officer H W Kramer who survived the crash and became part of the french Resistance until captured and made a POW. He escaped and met up with the allies and retuned to Canada. The wreck of Spitfire ML295 was recovered in 1989 and restored at Biggin Hill to a 2 seat Tr.9 specification. She has been stored and maintained since 2022 at Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar. Carol, I feel priviliged to have sat where giants of history had served. The flight was the thrill of a lifetime which I will never forget. The only disappointment was I never got to use my parachute. Before take off, I was quizzed by safety officials on how I would react to a forced landing command and an evacuation emergency. Failure to answer correctly would have meant my flight cancellation.

Re: For Carol

Posted by Carol in hampshire on 16/9/2025, 8:22 am, in reply to "For Carol"

Thank you George, glad your parachute didnt need to be used.
Take care

Re: Battle of Britain Day

Posted by Malcolm on 15/9/2025, 10:13 pm, in reply to "Re: Battle of Britain Day"

Nice one, George. What a brilliant experience that must have been. BIG smiles, eh?

Re: Battle of Britain Day

Posted by Malcolm on 15/9/2025, 10:22 pm, in reply to "Battle of Britain Day"

Too true, Ken.

Whilst I served in the RAF, There were always massive airshows, at Waddington, St Athan, Leuchars, and others, on Battle of Britain week-end...

Not seen a single report of airshows, anywhere..

Sign of the times....

Re: Battle of Britain Day

Posted by Sheila on 16/9/2025, 9:05 am, in reply to "Re: Battle of Britain Day"

Malcolm, RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, do an Air Show every July. We see lots of aircraft passing about our house going to the show. When Abingdon was an RAF base they used to have an air show every year . When it closed the Army took it over and they do an air show, but it’s closing in 2030.

Re: Battle of Britain Day

Posted by Stan Wears on 16/9/2025, 2:26 pm, in reply to "Re: Battle of Britain Day"

If there's one thing to make my hair stand on end its that powerful crisp sound of the Merlin and Griffin engines! When I worked at Rolls Royce Gateshead around 2000, they were still classified!

Re: Battle of Britain Day

Posted by Malcolm on 16/9/2025, 10:35 pm, in reply to "Re: Battle of Britain Day"

Gotta agree with you there, Stan.

That sound is SO iconic......

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