AUG 17 UPDATE: The fly-past today has been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. Further information from the Kenley Airfield friends group website here
One not to miss this coming Sunday, August 17, at Kenley airfield.
There will be an RAF commemorative flight staged, offering a rare opportunity to see a fly-past by a World War Two Spitfire, a Hurricane like the fighter aircraft which were once based at Kenley, and two Lancaster bombers.
RAF Kenley’s military history dates back to World War One, when it served as a base for the then new Royal Flying Corps. Twenty years later, along with Croydon aerodrome and nearby Biggin Hill, Kenley was one of the main bases at which fighter squadrons were based to protect London during the Battle of Britain.
This Sunday’s events are subject to the weather conditions, with timings as follows:
11.45am: Spitfire and Hurricane.
12.20pm: the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster accompanied by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Lancaster.
These are the only two Lancasters still flying and the chance to see both together in the air will be very special and is unlikely ever to be repeated.
The display will commemorate the sacrifice and dedication of RAF and Commonwealth bomber crews during the war.
After the displays, the Portcullis Club on the airfield will be open from lunchtime for drinks – everyone is welcome and you don’t have to be a member.
Coming to Croydon
- Mythical Maze stories, Crystal Palace Maze, Aug 13
- David Lean Cinema: The Wind Rises, Aug 14
- Mind-Loosing Workshop, Aug 16
- David Lean Cinema: The Love Punch, Aug 16
- Cinema Ruskin film show, Aug 16
- Mythical Maze stories, Crystal Palace Maze, Aug 20
- David Lean Cinema: Stop The Pounding Heart, Aug 21
- Mythical Maze stories, Crystal Palace Maze, Aug 27
- David Lean Cinema: Frank, Aug 28
- Upper Norwood Library well-being groups, Aug 30
- Warlingham rugby dinner with international Richard Hill, Sep 12
- Norwood Society Talk: War Memorials, Sep 18
- Cinema Ruskin film show, Sep 20
- Streatham Common 6M race, Sep 27
- Norwood Society Talk: From Fire Station to Theatre, Oct 16
- Cinema Ruskin film show, Oct 18
- Norwood Society Talk: Lambeth’s Archives, Nov 20
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I’ll be remembering Tony Iveson during next Sunday’s RAF commemorative flight at Kenley airfield. Born on September 11, 1919 Tony flew Spitfires in the Battle of Britain in 1940 from Kenley, as a pilot in 616 Squadron. After 2 years training pilots in Rhodesia, he returned to England and converted to Lancasters, joining 617 Dambuster Squadron. He flew on the mission that sank the German battleship Tirpitz in 1944. Tony devoted much of his time as post war chairman of the Bomber Command Association to the campaign for a permanent memorial to his colleagues. The dedication by the Queen of the Bomber Command Memorial in Hyde Park in 2012 is a tribute to his energy and determination. In 2008 he became the oldest person to pilot a Lancaster, when he was invited to take the controls of the Battle of Britain’s Memorial Flight aircraft. An inspiration to all who knew him, Tony died at his home in Oxted on November 5th 2013.
Although it is not in Croydon it is worthwhile mentioning that they are based at Biggin Hill at the moment and have been since Thursday and will be until Sunday afternoon. It is possible to photograph the movements at Biggin Hill from the main road that passes the airfield.
The timings for Sunday are:
BBMF (Hurricane and Spitfire) departure from Biggin Hill 11:40
BBMF (Hurricane and Spitfire) flypast at Kenley 11:45
BBMF (Hurricane and Spitfire) arrival at Biggin Hill 12:00
BBMF (2 x Lancaster) departure from Biggin Hill 12:20
BBMF (2 x Lancaster) flypast at Kenley 12:25
BBMF (Hurricane and Spitfire) departure from Biggin Hill 12:35
BBMF (2 x Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfire) display at Eastbourne 13:00
BBMF (2 x Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfire) flypast at Headcorn 13:30
BBMF (2 x Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfire) display at Herne Bay 14:00
BBMF (2 x Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfire) flypast at Whitstable 14:20
BBMF (2 x Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfire) arrival at Southend 14:35
There is also an RAF Dakota at Biggin Hill at the moment. Its timings for Sunday are:
Dakota departure from Biggin Hill 13:20
Dakota display at Eastbourne 13:35
Dakota flypast at Worthing 14:00
You might also be interested to see the Red Arrows:
Red Arrows departure from Biggin Hill 11:43
Red Arrows display at Eastbourne 12:00
Red Arrows arrive at Biggin Hill 12:30
Red Arrows departure from Biggin Hill 14:20
Thanks, Peter