23 March 2017
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Richard Gibson will be on hand to sign autographs
To celebrate the completion of its three year restoration of the Weston Airfield Control Tower and Pilots Block, The Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare is hosting a very special weekend in April.
The event will be taking the site right back to its hey-day of the 1940s with the construction of a huge WWII Living History Encampment on the airfield.
Museum Marketing Assistant, Peter Michallat, said, “With over 150 period re-enactors, 30 wartime vehicles plus command tents, artillery pieces, gun emplacements and home guard displays this is one of the most ambitious events the museum has ever undertaken. There will be German Paratroopers on the prowl, a replica field hospital, a shooting range, wartime espionage tent and also a Vietnam Village on site with the jeeps and weaponry from the Vietnam war. Plus, even a Lancaster Bomber Flight Simulator for visitors to test fly during the weekend!”
Veterans from the more recent Falklands Conflict will be attending the weekend to chat to visitors whilst actor and friend of the museum, Richard Gibson (famous for his portrayal of Herr Flick in 'Allo Allo'), will be signing autographs and posing for photographs.
The World at War event has been organised in association with the military charity SSAFA and The Royal British Legion as part of their 2017 Poppy Appeal. Representatives of both charities as well as other local armed forces charities and associations will be in attendance throughout the weekend when the newly completed Weston Aviation Exhibition, housed in the 1940's pilot's block will also be opened to the public for the first time. The World at War Weekend takes place 8th and 9th April. Doors open at 10am on both days and actual helicopter flights take place on the Sunday afternoon. There are no extra charges for the event or access to the new exhibition, although normal museum admission does apply.
Finally, news just in that the last surviving Dambuster, George 'Johnny' Johnson, will be joining the event on the Sunday.
The Weston Aviation Exhibition charts the history of aviation in Weston-super-Mare over the last 100 years. The Helicopter Museum is a Registered Charity and houses the world's largest collection of helicopters, including two aircraft of the Queens Royal Flight and a fully armed Russian Anti-tank Gunship.