Manor Farm Air Day July the 14th 2011. This bi-yearly event is held primarily to raise revenue for The Army Air Corps Fund, the fund was established as a charity in 1967. The AAC Committee body of Managing Trustees control the fund, and it obtains its income from Subscriptions Investments and Donations.

The purpose of the fund is to 'provide the financial means whereby the AAC may discharge its charitable obligations to past and present members of the Corps and their dependants'

Conspicuous by its absence, the MK Vlll Supermarine Spitfire relinqueshes its top billing to The American P-51 Mustang "Miss Helen"

This DH82A Tiger Moth was manufactured by Morris Motors Ltd in 1943, and is currently owned by Jeffrey and Anthony Milsom. Limited rides were made available during the afternoon, and local resident Gordon Thorpe, alongside our Vicar, The Reverend Tony Cumberlidge took advantage of a unique and exciting offer. Tony's comment to the pilot after he landed was "That was absolutely terrific, Thank you very much indeed, it made my day"

Gordon Thorpe	The Rev. Tony Cumberlidge

Precision flying from James Lovett in the Hughes 500 helicopter, demonstrates his superb piloting skills with this very manouverable little aircraft. James went on to delight everyone with an aerobatic flying display that included within its itinerary, a wing over and several very low - high speed passes - all with orange smoke trails.   (see the video at the foot of this page)

It's hard to find P-51's that served with the Eighth Air Force here in the UK, however 44-72216 Miss Helen is one such a machine, serving with the famous 352nd Fighter Group at Bodney in Norfolk, otherwise known as "The Blue Nosed Bastards of Bodney". Built at Inglewood California and given the construction No: 12238675 this aircraft was one of 1,600 of this model built at the Inglewood plant.

Once completed and given the serial No: 44-72216, she was accepted into service with the USAAF on the 8th January 1945. The war was in it's final phase, but machines were still needed in Europe as even now the Luftwaffe could prove dangerous and allied fighters were still being lost

Spectacular flying from pilot Pete John treating us all to that beautiful purring/growling sound of the Merlin engine at full tilt.

All too soon it was over, but the memories stay. This is the third time I have had the privilege of being asked to attend the A.A.C air day here at Manor Farm, My thanks to Robs Lamplough, for the invite, to James Lovett for keeping me abreast of what was to come during the day - and, to the two radio toting gentlemen up on the grass strip who were effectively, the control tower for the day.

 

photos :Ken Tarbox