BRL
14th Dec 2008, 13:46
In February next year, the Guild of Air Pilots is holding a Banquet to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Alex Henshaw's 1939 record-breaking Cape Flights.
A pioneer from the golden age of flying, Henshaw flew his tiny Mew Gull from London to Cape Town and back (over West Africa including 1300 miles across the Sahara) with no radio and no navigation aids except a compass.
His solo/single-engine records to and from Cape Town, and for the round trip, are still unbroken after 70 years!
Henshaw went on to become one of the most famous Spitfire Test Pilots - who also barrel-rolled a Lancaster for fun! - but he was always a civvy.
Date: 5th February 2009
Venue: 'Milestones of Flight' gallery, RAF Museum (Hendon)
Guests of Honour -
Richard Noble OBE: Former world land speed record holder
Wg Cdr Andy Green OBE: Current world land speed record holder
The Banquet is a fund-raising event – the theme being 'Youth in Aviation'. There will be a charity Auction and Raffle of various exciting 'aviation experiences that money can't (normally) buy'.
Guild members and guests: £95.65 (£110.00 incl Vat) per head.
Non-Guild members: £126.09 (£145.00 incl Vat) per head.
It's not cheap - but it is for a lavish Banquet rather than a Dinner and includes a champagne reception beforehand and wine & vintage port with dinner.
Who is up for a table for ten from pprune?
A pioneer from the golden age of flying, Henshaw flew his tiny Mew Gull from London to Cape Town and back (over West Africa including 1300 miles across the Sahara) with no radio and no navigation aids except a compass.
His solo/single-engine records to and from Cape Town, and for the round trip, are still unbroken after 70 years!
Henshaw went on to become one of the most famous Spitfire Test Pilots - who also barrel-rolled a Lancaster for fun! - but he was always a civvy.
Date: 5th February 2009
Venue: 'Milestones of Flight' gallery, RAF Museum (Hendon)
Guests of Honour -
Richard Noble OBE: Former world land speed record holder
Wg Cdr Andy Green OBE: Current world land speed record holder
The Banquet is a fund-raising event – the theme being 'Youth in Aviation'. There will be a charity Auction and Raffle of various exciting 'aviation experiences that money can't (normally) buy'.
Guild members and guests: £95.65 (£110.00 incl Vat) per head.
Non-Guild members: £126.09 (£145.00 incl Vat) per head.
It's not cheap - but it is for a lavish Banquet rather than a Dinner and includes a champagne reception beforehand and wine & vintage port with dinner.
Who is up for a table for ten from pprune?