Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire (AHL) is
asking for help from ex V Force service personnel living in the Doncaster area
who served in Lincolnshire in the early 1960s and then again in the early
1980s.
The recording of oral histories is a
significant part of AHL’s remit for their aviation heritage programme,
which is funded by an award of £436,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
Several interviews from the World War II
era have already been recorded as part of the “Shouting The Odds”
project, with some being available via links from their website
www.aviationheritagelincolnshire.com
The AHL team are moving their attention
to the post World War II era of the Cold War which features the Valiant, Victor
and Vulcan crews of the V-Bomber squadrons of the V-Force.
2012 is the 60th Anniversary of the
formation of the RAF’s V-Force and in October it will be 50 years after
the Cuban Missile Crisis. 2012 will also mark 30 years since the Falklands
Campaign where a massive force of Victor tankers supported Vulcan bombers from
Lincolnshire with their Black Buck missions which actually involved planning
which took place at Bawtry Hall.
AHL officers are currently planning to
run some Cuban Missile Crisis themed events in October 2012 and are trying to
identify V-Force (Thor and Bloodhound) personnel who served in Lincolnshire at
the time, who would be willing to assist with these activities. AHL officers
are also trying to identify V-Force, Thor and Bloodhound personnel from this
time to see if they are willing to record their ‘Cold War’ oral
histories. There was a Bloodhound missile base at the appropriately named
Rocket Site at Misson just east of Bawtry as well as Finningley’s well
known connection with the mighty Vulcan bomber.
Lincolnshire RAF bases involved in these
operations include: Coningsby, Scampton, Waddington, Hemswell, Coleby Grange,
Bardney, Caistor, Ludford Magna, Dunholme Lodge, North Coates, Woodhall Spa,
Barkston Heath.In addition they are also hoping to collect oral histories of
V-Force Falklands Campaign, mainly connected with operations from RAF
Waddington in 1982.
Anyone who is able to assist in these matters
is requested to make contact with Phil Bonner:
Phil@aviationheritagelincolnshire.com (for the Cuban Missile Crisis themed
events) David Harrigan: David@aviationheritagelincolnshire.com (for the Cold
War & V-Force Falklands Campaign oral histories) Or via post at: Aviation
Heritage Lincolnshire PO BOX 3 Kesteven Street Sleaford Lincs NG34 7EF.
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