Tuesday 22nd January 2019 saw the first of a number of planned trips to Biggin Hill Heritage Hanger, organised by members 11 Region. This iconic airfield is home to one of the largest collections of Spitfires in the world.
Breakfast. A most excellent way to start the day in anyone’s book. But to begin the days activities at the Spitfire Café in Biggin Hill, really set the scene for what was to be a fantastic opportunity to get ‘up close and personal’ with the largest collection of Spitfires undergoing restoration in the world. The Café itself redefines the term ‘memorabilia’. Wall to wall historic photos, letters, models and ‘stuff’, immerse you in the history of this village, which was at the very centre of the Battle of Britain. Serving a range of ‘Aircraft’ themed breakfasts, (I had the Spitfire) it is a truly unique experience, chatting with members from across four generations of Policing, and soaking up the atmosphere as a pre-cursor to the visit to the hanger. Every wall is covered in reminders of the efforts of ‘The Few’, even the Loo’s! As one member said “It’s unusual to go to the loo and have to set aside more time to read and study the wall art!”.
Having all eaten far too much, it was a short drive to the Airfield, and having negotiated the security barriers, we all met at the Heritage Hanger. The first sight to greet us was a Huge Merlin engine resting in the foyer. This was accompanied by a truly stunning CCM ‘Spitfire’ edition motorcycle, gleaming in powder blue paintwork and chrome, set off by some beautiful leather. I was sorely tempted!!
Handshakes and introductions over, we were introduced to our Guide, Austin, who I have to say was the cornerstone of the experience. Knowledgeable and engaging, he made the whole experience come alive for us all.
For those expecting a museum type experience, I am glad to say they were disappointed. This is a fully functioning restoration facility, with aircraft at different stages of being re-built. You are inches away from skilled craftsmen who are engaged in the painstaking detail of assembling critical parts of wings, crafting new metalwork, servicing engines, and breathing life back into these magnificent machines.
Whilst at times this meant it was noisy, this added to the experience immensely.
Austin regaled the group with stories and tales of derring-do, including the infamous dashes to the local pub between sorties against the Luftwaffe!
At the end of the tour, for a reduced fee (negotiated by Region 11) several of the group took the opportunity to ‘Sit in a Spit’. A very moving experience as it turned out, especially for one of the Group, who’s father had flown these iconic aircraft during the war. It was a very special moment for them, sitting in a Spitfire with a black and white photograph of their father placed on the cockpit dials, like so many a film scene has portrayed before.
All too soon it was over. But several of us captured the memories, and these can be seen on the link below.
As I said at the beginning of this article, this is the first of hopefully many of these trips, and at specially negotiated IPA rates for our groups. And who knows, as summer approaches, there may even be the chance to see one of these in action on the hanger apron!
Steve Chalmers
If you are interested in joining one of our future trips please contact Steve Chalmers, Chair 11 Region IPA at 11Chair@ipa-uk.org
If you are interested in Flying in a Spitfire (it is not cheap starting at about £2800!) we have negotiated a discount code. Quote IPA150 and you will get £150 off as a member.
