Well, we got away with it again! I was most apprehensive when I opened the curtains on Saturday morning to see the mugginess upon Coventry. However, we still landed about 78 of the 105 scheduled aircraft, and many of the other pilots drove to the airfield with their passengers (including a 1915 Model T Ford!!!).
A couple of participants have promised to forward some of their best photos of the day, and once we have them I'll publish them with a write-up of the day... Stand by your beds!
We are returning to Bruntingthorpe - where we were rained out in 2007 - this Saturday, June 27th 2009. Hopefully this year will finally see us under glorious weather - but running things over the Wimbledon weekend may be a bad omen!
Quite remarkably, ALL aircrew that registered to take part this year have been accommodated by volunteer pilots. This may be a first! Thanks to everyone who has jumped in at the last minute to fill the gaps.
Pilots are reminded that Bruntingthorpe is an unlicensed airfield.
There is no fuel available. Expect a possible hold-off before joining, a go-around or two before landing, and a delay before departure. Know your fuel state.
All times (including slot times) published in your joining instructions are LOCAL!
Bruntingthorpe's main runway will not be available to PP on 27th June due to a VW event hogging it - and we can't put our towels out on the runway as they'd present a FOD hazard!
Instead, we shall be using both the grass runway (900 metres) and the hard-surface taxiway to the south of the grass runway (800m x 30m), 06R/24L.
An 'Air/Ground' service will be in operation during the day, Bruntingthorpe Radio, on 122.825 MHz. As an A/G service, clearances cannot be given - so don't expect (or ask) for one. 'Land one-on' is not an option. Both runways must be clear before you land, unless you are part of a formation...
With 103 aircraft due to arrive, we suggest arrivals via a standard overhead join. Make standard calls, but don't waffle and clog the frequency. The runways will be referred to as "06/24 Grass" and "06-Right" or "24-Left" for the taxiway-cum-runway.
For reference, our arrival notes are available for download and printing. They contain useful diagrams of the Runway/Taxiway layout for the day. Essential viewing!
The basic premise of the Project Propeller scheme is to match up WWII RAF air crew with current pilots and to gather together for a day at a significant location. The air crew and pilots meet up at a convenient airfield, fly to the venue for the day, then fly back home once the event comes to an close. In addition (and all other conditions being favourable) it is hoped that the veteran air crew get an opportunity for some more "stick and rudder" time.
Project Propeller began in 1999 following discussions between Ian Burnstock and Gideon Todes. Ian and Gideon are keen pilots and were looking for a more meaningful reason to go flying (other than just for the fun of it!). On their travels around the UK, especially in East Anglia, they became aware of the hundreds of World War II airfields that, though now disused, were still very obvious from an aerial viewpoint. This started them thinking how many of the WWII RAF air crew are still survivng, and would they once again like to get airborne. The cost of the exercise was to be borne by current pilots offering their aircraft for flights from their home field with one or two air crew on board.
With this seed of an idea they contacted the Air Crew Association (ACA) to ask for volunteers to take part in the inaugural event. Pilots were recruited via word of mouth and adverts placed in a few aviation publications - all sorts offered to take part, from basic PPL's to full commercial ATPL's with thousands of hours in their log books. Soon there were about 60 pilots and 120 air crew all revved up and ready to go.
North Weald hosted the opening 1999 event with everyone enjoying the ambience of a
WWII airfield. Complimentary refreshments were provided - tea, coffee and bacon
butties - with the mess being available for those with a taste for something stronger.
All agreed that it was a great day and we should do it again.
The next year (May 2000) saw almost 100 aircraft and over 200 air crew fly into
Duxford for a wonderful day, including aerial displays by both a Spitfire and a DC3.
In 2001 we returned to Duxford on 9th June, slightly increasing our numbers over
the previous year.
June 2002 will see us visiting Kemble for the first time, where we hope to increase
the number of aircraft to 125. This will allow us to fly in another 50 air crew,
making it our largest event to date.
Since the 2000 event at Duxford, an organising committee has been in place. The committee members are Ian Burnstock, Dave Cockburn, Dennis and Lynette Ray, Aneurin Hughes and Peter Rackliff. Aneurin and Peter are WWII RAF air crew, the rest of the committee are current pilots. Gideon retired from Project Propeller in February of 2001, but will continue to take part as a volunteer pilot.
We are always looking for more helpers. If you can spare us some time please get in touch.
Project Propeller
3 Arundel Court
Rushden
Northamptonshire
NN10 9JB
England
tel: +44 (0)1933 391171
mob: +44 (0)7806 784732
email: dennis@projectpropeller.co.uk
We are always looking out for new people who want to join Project Propeller. Whether you are Veteran Air Crew, a current pilot, or someone who could volunteer their time to help with the organisation of our meetings, we'd love to hear from you... If you don't register we won't know about you!
The air crew experience a wonderful day out each year where they are able to
meet up with former colleagues, enjoy the facilities of the chosen venue and,
most importantly, get airborne once again.
We will try to pair you up with a pilot and aircraft from a local airfield to
fly you to the meeting. If you served in any capacity as Air Crew during World
War II, then you are more than welcome to join us.
The volunteer pilots meet old and bold aviators, have the privilege and
pleasure of flying them to an interesting venue and strike up long-lasting
friendships.
If you are a current pilot and could volunteer your services and an aircraft
for the day, please register here.
We are looking for help in the following areas :
Organisation - we always need specialist help;
Handling visitors on the day - reception, guides and advisors;
Fund raising - we never have enough money to do what we would like;
Publicity - newspapers, radio, TV, magazines;
Refreshments - we like to provide a little complimentary food for all attendees;
If you think you could spare some time or resources to help us,
we would be very grateful.
