It was a pleasant thirty-five-minute drive from home to the Yorkshire Air Museum this morning. Although I have been many times over the years, this was Jenny’s first visit, so it was nice that I was able to show her some of the aircraft I worked on many years ago.

The other reason for the visit today was that it was their annual ‘We’ll Meet Again 40’s Weekend’ when most of the vintage aircraft are brought out of the Hangers, and with a host of re-enactors and enthusiast’s military vehicles, vintage cars, and memorabilia the museum comes alive and resembles the airbase it was during the second world war.

It was just after 10.00am when we arrived in the car park, the museum was already buzzing, the aircraft looked beautiful in the warm morning sunshine. We made our way over to the main T2 memorial hanger, stopping to admire the vintage cars that were parked up close to the ‘Night Shed’ building, including the Austin, Ford & MG, all from the 1930’s. Looking under the bonnet of these vehicles was quite an eye opener compared to the cars of today.

 We continued our walk passing the Jet Provost, Gannet, Hunter, and Tornado, just a few of the aircraft sat outside on the apron, along with the Dakota and Halifax. T2 hanger was remarkably empty today with most of the aircraft moved outside. The Buccaneer, and Harrier always evoke memories of my working days, serving my apprentice on the Buccaneer and working on the Harrier during the Falklands conflict in 1982, it was like being reunited with an old friend again.

After leaving the hanger we headed across the apron, and had a walk around the huge Halifax bomber, which was parked up outside, then across to the Dakota, I climbed  aboard and had a look inside of this aircraft where one of the museums guides was giving a fascinating insight into what it was like paratrooping out of the aircraft during the second world war. On leaving the aircraft we continued our walk passing the Control Tower, which is currently being restored, and passing many reenactors dressed in their military uniforms in front of their military vehicles. Several of them explaining to the visitors about what their role would have been during the war. I listened as one the officers gave a fascinating demonstration on how to defuse a huge five-hundred-pound bomb. Rows of white and brown ‘Bell Tents’ used by the enactors brought back memories of my younger scouting days when we used to sleep in similar tents whilst on our annual scout camp. What added to our visit today was that many of the visitors/reenactors had dressed up in outfits that were in fashion during the 40’s, the ladies especially looked smart with their period outfits, hair do’s, bright red lipstick, and fascinators. It was all very lifelike and gave you a good impression of the fashion at that time. We eventually reached the Naafi where we enjoyed a very pleasant coffee and cake, even the waiters/waitresses were dressed in period costume,  each looking extremely authentic. Suitably refreshed we made our way back to where the Halifax bomber was parked up on the apron adjacent to T2 hanger, to take some pictures of the reenactors in front of the aircraft, this aircraft would have had a crew of seven, namely the pilot and navigator, the bomb aimer, Wireless operator, Flight Engineer and two gunners – mid upper and rear. True to form the seven reenactors all immaculately dressed, looking very professional, did several walks to and from the aircraft, all extremely lifelike and gave me some great photo opportunities. By this time, it was approaching mid-afternoon, so reluctantly leaving the Halifax, we made our way back to have a final look at the vintage cars before heading back to the car and journey home.