CLASSIC CAR EVENT

Our Classic Car event this year was held on Sunday, 9th September. We were blessed with a glorious warm autumn day and our visitors seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves..

We had a steady stream of visitors to look at all the classic and vintage cars on display. Also, because it is the weekend of the Ipswich and area Heritage Day our Control Tower Museum is one of the attractions advertised. Fish and Chips and ice creams were available and a party atmosphere prevailed.

In addition to the many beautiful classic cars there was a wonderful static display of model aircraft. These models are radio controlled and one of models was even powered by a gas turbine engine. They are lovingly built and flown by dedicated enthusiasts.

A number of working stationary vintage engines were present. They were used at one time to pump water and generate electricity on farms and outlying houses.

It is very satisfying for our volunteers to see how popular our Control Tower museum is and we thank all the visitors for coming and supporting us.  

Above - a view from the Control Tower with many cars hidden behind the trees and a few of the many classic cars on display and some of the radio controlled model aircraft

PILOT OFFICER GEORGE MONTGOMERIE MARSHALL.

We finally honoured the memory of a young New Zealand pilot on Sunday afternoon the 16th. September.

On a very warm autumn day a few of us from Martlesham Heath Aviation Society attended a modest Dedication Service led by Toby Tate, vicar of Martlesham and Brightwell.

A plaque has been attached on to a garden bench in the picturesque gardens at Seckford Hall to remember Pilot Officer George Montgomerie Marshall who tragically crashed in the grounds of the hotel on 30th July, 1941. He was 23 years old and is buried in the military section at Ipswich cemetery,

I have been in touch with his old school and his descendants. They are so pleased that after all these years we still remember him - and of course, many others who tragically lost their lives in WW2.

His story, "Tragedy in the Skies Over Seckford Hall", appeared in our October 2014 "Runway 22." The full story is available on our website on the "newsletter page."

On the very morning of July 30th 1941 RAF Martlesham Heath was visited by none other than  Marshall of the Royal Air Force, Lord Trenchard - Always referred to as "the Father of the Royal Air Force. The airmen at Martlesham were addressed by Lord Trenchard in the morning and P/O George Marshall would surely have been one of the pilots present - just two or three hours before he lost his lfe in the afternoon.

Alan Powell

On the left. P/O George Montgomerie Marshall. Centre members around the bench. On the left of the group is Rev. Toby Tate. Right - a reflection in the plaque of the view enjoyed over the lake.

We had a most successful Classic Car meet on Sunday 9th September and we thank all those who attended.

Our meeting on 5th October was given by Ken Ellis. Ken was a former editor of "Flypast" magazine and has recently been a Contributing Editor. He retired a few weeks ago and will be continuing to submit more aviation articles as a guest editor. Ken has also written aviation books and is clearly a life long aviation enthusiast.

Ken Ellis has delivered a fascinating talk to us before and the title of his talk this time was, "Testing the Limits." An illustrated special talk about the heroes of aviation. Namely test pilots and those who flew with them to monitor the instruments. Always a hazardous and brave occupation.

Some of the early test pilots actually designed and built the aircraft. Legends like Geoffrey De Havilland and AV Roe and, of course, the Wright brothers. Ken delivered anecdotes of famous names, including Bill Pegg, from the Bristol aircraft company and so many other names familiar to many of us seasoned aviation enthusiasts from our audience.

The era of manned military aircraft is now on the wane. Unmanned drones with amazing capabilities are the future.

A most fascinating talk delivered with humour by a good friend of Martlesham Heath Aviation Society. A vote of thanks was given by our president, Richard Barker.

Ken Ellis being introduced to a large audience by our chairman, Martyn Cook