RAF 100 Morning – Chalke Valley History Festival

RAF 100 Morning
A one-off special with experts and veterans discussing the evolution of British airpower.

RAF 100 Morning

Monday 25th June 2018 – 09:30 – 13:15 | Price £45

To commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the birth of the RAF, we are bringing together a number of experts and veterans to talk about the evolution of British airpower.

With veteran pilots of WWII, the Cold War and the Falklands, as well a focus on that unsung hero of WWII, the Hawker Typhoon, analysis on the RAF in the Second World War, and a Spitfire engine start-up, this will be a very special and exclusive morning.

Featuring veterans Colin Bell, Bernard Gardner, Chris Coville and historians Paul Beaver, James Holland, Seb Cox, Steve Prince, and restorer and pilot, Sam Worthington-Leese.

9.25am	Introduction by James Holland
9.30am	Piston & Jet Pilots Paul Beaver with Colin Bell (Mosquito) and Chris Coville (Lightning, Tornado) Historian and pilot Paul Beaver talks to Colin Bell, who flew Mosquitoes during the Second World War, and to Chris Coville, who flew fast jets during the Cold War and throughout the Falklands.
10.30am	Spitfire Start-Up & Coffee Spitfire discussion This is a chance to hear the Merlin roar into life and to discuss the development and legacy of the Supermarine Spitfire
11am	The Hawker Typhoon Sam Worthington-Leese and Bernard Gardner Bernard Gardner flew Hawker Typhoons in 1944-45 over Europe, while Sam Worthington-Leese is overseeing a project to restore a Typhoon to the skies.
12.15pm	The RAF in World War II: Strategy for Victory James Holland with Seb Cox and Steve Prince Seb Cox is the Head of the Air Historical Branch while Steve Prince is Head of the Naval Historical Branch. In this discussion they will be joining James Holland to discuss the vital importance of the RAF’s contribution to the Second World War and its evolving air strategy for victory.