PROJECT PROPELLER 2012

Project Propeller is an annual reunion for 150+ WWII aircrew, to which they are flown from all over the UK in light aircraft by current volunteer pilots.

The Evening Standard described it rather well here. There is a video here. Photos of last year's event are here (click 'View slide-show' then press F11).

VENUE: Project Propeller is pleased to announce a new venue for PP12 –

COVENTRY AIRPORT (EGBE) on SATURDAY 9 JUNE 2012.

The airfield opened in 1936 as Baginton Airport. In the same year, the first flight of the A-W Whitley bomber took place there. During the war it was heavily bombed in the Coventry blitz and was subsequently home to Hurricanes of 32, 135 and 605 squadrons and Spitfires of 457 squadron. It is now home to Airbase, the Midlands Air Museum (map) and the Frank Whittle Jet Heritage Centre.

INVITATION: If you served in any capacity as aircrew during WWII, then you would be very welcome. Each year, the aircrew enjoy a wonderful day out when they are able to meet up with former colleagues, enjoy lunch, live wartime music and the facilities of the venue but most importantly, to get airborne once again. Please register and we will try to pair you up with a pilot and aircraft from a local airfield to fly you to the meeting.

REGISTRATION: Whether you are a former WWII aircrew member (friend or former foe), a current qualified pilot willing to fly in a veteran or a volunteer helper, we would love you to join us by registering for the ultimate Aircrew Reunion.

BRIEFING NOTES: Registered volunteer pilots should consult these notes. PP will be located on the premises of Airbase, on the NW corner of the field (see Google map). Note: the concessionary landing fee of £9 will be waived by the airport management if you uplift 50 litres of fuel.

DONATIONS: It typically costs £4,000+ to stage PP (marquee, catering, entertainment, etc.) and it is tough to break even - if you can help, please make a credit card donation by clicking the button below

PROJECT PROPELLER is over for another year and the organisers would like to express their thanks to everyone who helped to make it happen, particularly the pilots who generously donated their time and aircraft to give the veteran aircrew a great day out, and to our hosts at Wickenby.

PROJECT PROPELLER 2011

Project Propeller is an annual reunion for WWII aircrew, to which they are flown from all over the UK in light aircraft by current volunteer pilots.

The Evening Standard described it rather well here. There is a video here.

VENUE: Project Propeller is pleased to announce a new venue for PP11 – Wickenby (EGNW), 10 miles NE of Lincoln, on 11 June 2011.

PHOTO: Lancaster Mk III ED424 'Easy Two' of 626 Sqn. at Wickenby in 1944 - their squadron intelligence officer was F/O Michael (Goon Show) Bentine. This aircraft was occasionally flown on operations by Sgt. Pilot Jack Currie, author of 'Lancaster Target', one of the more evocative memoirs of the period.

AIRFIELD HISTORY: RAF Wickenby was home initially to Wellington Mk IIIs and then to the Lancasters of 12 and 626 Squadrons. It now has a WW2 Memorial Collection in the original control tower, which contains many relics and photographs from Wickenby's wartime past, and which will be fully staffed on the day by the volunteer Friends. The video reminiscences of a 12 Sqn. navigator at Wickenby can be found here.

INVITATION: If you served in any capacity as aircrew during WWII, then you would be very welcome. Each year, the aircrew enjoy a wonderful day out when they are able to meet up with former colleagues, enjoy lunch, live wartime music and the facilities of the venue but most importantly, to get airborne once again. Please register and we will try to pair you up with a pilot and aircraft from a local airfield to fly you to the meeting.

REGISTRATION: Whether you are a former WWII aircrew member (friend or former foe), a current qualified pilot willing to fly in a veteran or a volunteer helper, we would love you to Join Us by registering for the ultimate Aircrew Reunion.

BRIEFING NOTES: Registered volunteer pilots should consult the Wickenby airfield website.

DONATIONS: Over the years, PP has been variously supported by the RAF Association, the RAF Benevolent Fund, the Guild of Air Pilots and the National Lottery, but it always struggles to break even. If you can help, the address for donations is here.

P.S. Wickenby has some interesting resident aircraft - see here.