- ***SOLD OUT***
Trans-Atlantic Fighter Fusion Introducing the Hangar 11 Collection, Monday 20th April 2015
***SOLD OUT***
Trans-Atlantic Fighter Fusion Introducing the Hangar 11 Collection, Monday 20th April 2015
Another first, an opportunity to photograph part of one of the UK's most prized private collections of WWII Fighter Planes at the home on North Weald Aerodrome after dark. Engine run and Re-Enactors will make this a night to remember.
£50.00
Book your place
About this event
We are delighted to announce the first ever private photographic event using two of the aircraft from the Hangar 11 Collection based at North Weald Aerodrome. Originally established as North Weald Bassett by the Royal Flying Corps in 1916, becoming Royal Air Force on 1st April 1918 and known as RAF North Weald during the Second World War, the RAF presence lasted until 1964 - the aerodrome is now owned by Epping Forest District Council.
We will be using two superbly-restored aircraft for our first event at North Weald, one British and one of American design. The former is Hawker Hurricane Mark II BE505 which was constructed under license by the Canadian Car and Foundry Company in Canada, being completed in 1942, one of close to 1500 Hurricanes built by CCF. The aircraft served with the Royal Canadian Airforce during the remainder of the Second World War and, like many others, was refurbished to 'as new' condition and sold off privately. In the 1990s, it was discovered substantially complete and in 2005 was brought to England for restoration at Hawker Restorations in Suffolk, returning to the skies in January 2009. The Hurricane carries the fighter-bomber colours and markings of BE505, a Manston-based Mark IIB flown by 174 Squadron of Mauritius in the 1940s.
The second aircraft appearing at our April event will be North American P51-D Mustang 44-72035. The Mustang currently carries the identity of Jumpin Jacques, based on an aircraft originally flown out of the Philipenes by Lt Jacques E Young of the 3rd Fighter Squadron, 3rd Air Commando Group. This identity was chosen by the aircraft's former owner, Jacques Bourret, who based the 'plane at St Rambert in France. Accepted into the USA Air Force in December 1944, the Mustang was assigned to The Red Tails, the 332nd Fighter Group, flying missions out of Italy with the 15th Air Force over Czechoslovakia, Austria and Germany - one can still see where the bullet holes in the fuselage have been repaired! After nearly a decade with the USA Air Force, the P51-D entered civilian service, eventually entering the Hangar 11 Collection; the aircraft is now a regular at aviation shows across Europe.
Our event will run from 17.30 through to 22.00 hours. The aircraft will be positioned to ensure that the backdrop is authentic and devoid of modern buildings, and the 'planes will be spaced to allow them to be photographed separately. There will be two engine runs during the evening, at 20.30 and 21.30 hours, one with each aircraft. We also expect to have authentically dressed re-enactors available plus an American Jeep, army Harley Davidson motorcycle and other appropriate 'props'. If possible, we also hope to have a 1938 MG to take part in cameo scenes. We hope that the on site cafe will be open, and will confirm this closer to the event.
This is the first time that the owner of the two aircraft involved in this event, Peter Teichman, has allowed his 'planes to appear in a photographic event of this nature, and we are extremely grateful to Peter for allowing us the privilege of using the Hurricane and Mustang. We very much hope this will be the first of many future events with Peter and his aircraft and, indeed, with other owners and 'planes based at North Weald, and we look forward to seeing many of you in Essex in April.
Event cost £50.00 per person.
