Hangar 42 – The Home of The Spitfire Display Team: Wednesday 8th September at 8pm
Firstly, delayed from the start of the Year when we went into lockdown again, we are proud to present for you this Wednesday at 8pm – the Spitfire special, which promises to be another great 41 Club Connects presentation for you, from Hangar 42 – the home of the Spitfire Display Team, which is located at Blackpool Airport, Lancashire. The hangar was constructed in 1939 for the RAF at the outbreak of WW2 and was home to various RAF and Polish Squadrons, operating night fighter cover for Preston and Merseyside Docklands. It has remained relatively untouched since 1945 and retains many original features. The ancillary rooms at the side of the building have been cleared and restored with period features and furniture. The Visitor Centre has been developed to ensure that the sights, sounds and equipment of the era are brought back to life to give a valuable insight to the realities of fighting on the Ground, as well as in the Air during the dark years of WW2.
The museum itself is described as a hidden gem and has recently hosted Spitfire BM597 which took off in anger from RAF Formby for the last time 80 years ago but flew back in, in late August, to commemorate the Polish squadron which was based at RAF Woodvale in the North West defending that region and the crucial Atlantic Convoys coming into Liverpool. Although it has now returned to RAF Duxford I am sure we will regaled with details of its wartime service and that of the other Spitfires based there. Hurricanes, Boulton Paul Defiants and Spitfires were amongst a range of aircraft operated from Hangar 42. Current exhibits include Mark II and Mark IX Spitfires and a Hawker Hurricane as well as operational wartime RAF vehicles.
Come and join us, it will be a great evening. See the 41 Club Connects website for the usual information.
