Lecture Programme :
All lectures (execpt May) are held during our monthly meetings at our Kents Hill Community Centre venue (see the 'Contact Us' page for full details).
Doors open at 19.30 for a 20.00 start.
14th July 2020 LECTURE POSTPONED
Air Cdre Phil Wilkinson (ret'd) - Red Star and Roundel
Air Commodore Phil Wilkinson (ret’d) presents a lecture based on his new book ‘Red Star and Roundel’. Phil spent several years in Russia during the Yeltsin years as Britain’s Defence Attache. Drawing on this experience and his travels around the former Soviet Union with RAF veterans, Phil has produced a detailed account of the history of the RAF in Russia. Read more....
11th August 2020
Rod Dean - The Gloster Meteor Development
Popular speaker Rod Dean returns with a detailed look at the early jet engines and aircraft that led to the Gloster Meteor – how it evolved through its service career and the various marks of the aircraft. Rod also appraises the use of the Meteor in experimental activities & post front line use and reviews the surviving Meteors to be found today.
8th September 2020
Graham Rood -The Royal Aircraft Factory in World War 1
Full details to follow
13th October 2020
Professor Mike Bagshaw - Hunter Heavy Breathing – Tales of XL563 and the IAM Centrifuge
The RAF Institute of Aviation Medicine was established in February 1945 incorporating a man-carrying centrifuge. The IAM also had a dedicated Hunter T7, XL563, available as a research aircraft. Professor Mike Bagshaw served with the IAM as a Senior Medical Officer Pilot and describes his work in the development of acceleration protection and oxygen systems and will outline some of the other significant research and development undertaken by the IAM
10th November 2020
Sqn Ldr Andrew Melville-Jackson (ret’d) - Cdr George Melville-Jackson - Battle of Britain Pilot and Beaufighter Ace
Sqn Ldr Andrew Melville-Jackson (ret’d) presents the whole story of George Holmes Melville-Jackson. From his German girlfriend, joining up as a volunteer to the Battle of Britain and his story beyond. How he became a Beaufighter ace and the turn of events that led to joining the 'Most Secret Squadron' with time spent with Barnes Wallis - the story behind 618 Sqn in the North Atlantic and Pacific
8th December 2020
Peter Griffiths - Sextant to SatNav - 45 Years in Aviation
Peter Griffiths takes us on a journey through his aviation career. Peter started his flying with BOAC in 1967, navigating by map, compass and sextant. After 8 years he joined Cathay Pacific and stayed with them for 29 years, reaching the position of Fleet Manager B747. After leaving Cathay, he flew executive jets until retiring in 2013. Read more....