WW11 Fighter Pilots Veterans Reunion Day
12 September 09 – Cranfield University
Cranfield University in conjunction with Cabair College of Air Training organised the veterans reunion day at Cranfield. There were around 35 veterans, all of whom had trained in the USA before returning home to join one of the airborne squadrons, as fighter pilots, during the Second World War.
Upon their arrival at Cranfield Airport hey were greeted by the Vice Chancellor and his wife and escorted to attend a buffet lunch.
Unbeknown to the esteemed guests, Cabair had secretly arranged for some vintage aircraft from Old Warden, to perform a fly past before landing, and giving the veterans a chance to meet with old friends, the Ryan PT22 and the Harvard.
Many of the veterans could not resist the chance to climb aboard, and given half a chance would have easily gone for a spin, following the commands, ‘chocks away!’ and ‘contact!’.
Cabair had also parked some of their state of the art fleet alongside, the DA40 and DA42, displaying the modern glass cockpit interior, which the veterans found very interesting.
Once they had been gently persuaded to leave the aircraft, they were taken on a tour to the Whittle building and then onto Cabair’s Simulator Department, based in the Innovation Centre at the Technology Park, where they were given the opportunity of actually taking control of an aircraft in a modern cockpit environment.
Following tea and cakes, they then departed back to their hotel, to prepare for a reunion dinner that evening.
A fantastic day was had by all, and the many stories of their bravery and fight for their country will live in the memories of those that attended for ever.
If you have a special/corporate event to organise, and would like to include a real or simulated flight in an aeroplane or helicopter, please contact Keren Caird at Cabair on 01234 436070.
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