HAL-26
10th Mar 2008, 19:40
Latest news from the Historic Aircraft Association is that Hurricane restorer Peter Vacher is to be honoured with the prestigious HAA Conrod Trophy at a ceremony this Saturday at Hendon.
Anyone that wants to meet Peter, and join a Forum featuring an array of top pilots, is welcome. Best of all, it's FREE! http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/images/smilies/smile.gif
The official press release is below:
PETER VACHER TO BE PRESENTED WITH PRESTIGOUS HAA “CONROD TROPHY”
PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT RAF MUSEUM HENDON
1pm. Saturday 15th March.
Aircraft restorer Peter Vacher will be presented with the Historic Aircraft Association’s prestigious Conrod Trophy at the Annual Meeting and Forum at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon on Saturday 15th March. Peter will be presented with the award in recognition of his outstanding efforts in locating, rescuing and resurrecting to flying condition, Hawker Hurricane Mark I, R4118, a survivor of the Battle of Britain.
The Conrod Trophy was originally presented to the HAA by the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight to recognise outstanding contributions to the preservation and safe operation of Historic Aircraft. Previous recipients have been the RN Historic Flight; Andy Sephton, Chief Pilot of the Shuttleworth Trust; Squadron Leader Paul Day of the BBMF and Elly Sallingboe, for her work in keeping the B17 Flying Fortress “Sally-B” in the air.
Vacher, from Abingdon in Oxfordshire, discovered the remains of the Hurricane in the grounds of a college in Benares in India. The aeroplane had lain there for over 50 years, after having being donated to the university for use by its engineering students in 1947.
Peter initially started negotiations to buy the remains in 1996. In 2002, after more than six years of committees, red tape, Indian Air Force involvement and much patient lobbying, Vacher was given just 24 hours to remove the aircraft. Then the truly difficult process began. Four years and 32,000 hours of restoration later, the Hurricane flew again, becoming a living memorial to one of the most important periods of British history.
The presentation will take place at the HAA AGM and Safety Forum at around 1pm on Saturday March 15th at the RAF Museum, Hendon. Any fellow enthusiasts are welcome to attend. Admission is free.
The Historic Aircraft Association was originally founded in 1979 with the aim of furthering the safe flying of historic aircraft in the UK and later on, supporting the restoration, preservation and display of heritage aircraft. The HAA also recognises the massive expansion of ‘hands-on’ interest in the historic aviation sector from the wider range of historians and enthusiasts.
The Association is therefore welcoming all historic aviation enthusiasts to play their part in ensuring that our flying heritage is kept alive.
One benefit of this, is hearing the inside story of flying and operating some legendary aircraft, from some of the “best in the business.” On Saturday 15th March, all enthusiasts are invited to sample this for themselves at the Historic Aircraft Association AGM and Safety Forum at the Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon.
Attendees are invited to arrive from 9.30 for the AGM to commence at 10.30am in the Halton Room at the Museum. Lunch will be available at cost in the Museum visitors’ restaurant.
After lunch, a Safety Forum starting at 1.30pm will include former BAe test pilot John Farley leading a discussion on continuation training in historic, vintage and veteran aircraft. John Thorpe from the General Aviation Safety Council (GASCO) will lead a study of stall spin awareness; display pilot and mentor Barry Tempest will raise topics arising from the recent ICAS Convention in the USA and Display Authorisation Evaluator Colin Dodds will discuss lessons to be learned from aircraft accidents.
Further information on the Historic Aircraft Association can be gained via www.haa-uk.aero (http://www.haa-uk.aero/)
Anyone that wants to meet Peter, and join a Forum featuring an array of top pilots, is welcome. Best of all, it's FREE! http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/images/smilies/smile.gif
The official press release is below:
PETER VACHER TO BE PRESENTED WITH PRESTIGOUS HAA “CONROD TROPHY”
PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT RAF MUSEUM HENDON
1pm. Saturday 15th March.
Aircraft restorer Peter Vacher will be presented with the Historic Aircraft Association’s prestigious Conrod Trophy at the Annual Meeting and Forum at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon on Saturday 15th March. Peter will be presented with the award in recognition of his outstanding efforts in locating, rescuing and resurrecting to flying condition, Hawker Hurricane Mark I, R4118, a survivor of the Battle of Britain.
The Conrod Trophy was originally presented to the HAA by the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight to recognise outstanding contributions to the preservation and safe operation of Historic Aircraft. Previous recipients have been the RN Historic Flight; Andy Sephton, Chief Pilot of the Shuttleworth Trust; Squadron Leader Paul Day of the BBMF and Elly Sallingboe, for her work in keeping the B17 Flying Fortress “Sally-B” in the air.
Vacher, from Abingdon in Oxfordshire, discovered the remains of the Hurricane in the grounds of a college in Benares in India. The aeroplane had lain there for over 50 years, after having being donated to the university for use by its engineering students in 1947.
Peter initially started negotiations to buy the remains in 1996. In 2002, after more than six years of committees, red tape, Indian Air Force involvement and much patient lobbying, Vacher was given just 24 hours to remove the aircraft. Then the truly difficult process began. Four years and 32,000 hours of restoration later, the Hurricane flew again, becoming a living memorial to one of the most important periods of British history.
The presentation will take place at the HAA AGM and Safety Forum at around 1pm on Saturday March 15th at the RAF Museum, Hendon. Any fellow enthusiasts are welcome to attend. Admission is free.
The Historic Aircraft Association was originally founded in 1979 with the aim of furthering the safe flying of historic aircraft in the UK and later on, supporting the restoration, preservation and display of heritage aircraft. The HAA also recognises the massive expansion of ‘hands-on’ interest in the historic aviation sector from the wider range of historians and enthusiasts.
The Association is therefore welcoming all historic aviation enthusiasts to play their part in ensuring that our flying heritage is kept alive.
One benefit of this, is hearing the inside story of flying and operating some legendary aircraft, from some of the “best in the business.” On Saturday 15th March, all enthusiasts are invited to sample this for themselves at the Historic Aircraft Association AGM and Safety Forum at the Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon.
Attendees are invited to arrive from 9.30 for the AGM to commence at 10.30am in the Halton Room at the Museum. Lunch will be available at cost in the Museum visitors’ restaurant.
After lunch, a Safety Forum starting at 1.30pm will include former BAe test pilot John Farley leading a discussion on continuation training in historic, vintage and veteran aircraft. John Thorpe from the General Aviation Safety Council (GASCO) will lead a study of stall spin awareness; display pilot and mentor Barry Tempest will raise topics arising from the recent ICAS Convention in the USA and Display Authorisation Evaluator Colin Dodds will discuss lessons to be learned from aircraft accidents.
Further information on the Historic Aircraft Association can be gained via www.haa-uk.aero (http://www.haa-uk.aero/)