Army Flying Museum Ticket Portal

Andrew Wheale discusses the development of British glider assault capability culminating in Operations DEADSTICK, TONGA and MALLARD during the Normandy Landings.

Inter-service rivalry, the scarcity of resources and the development of doctrine will all be discussed.

How did the development of Airborne Forces and the glider build programme fit into the wider war strategy set by Churchill in 1941?

What impact did the airborne landings have on the German defenders on D-Day?

We are now so used to the sight of aircraft flying over our towns and cities that it’s hard for us to imagine the impact that the first Zeppelins had. These huge silver, cigar-shaped aircraft, quietly purring along, at about 1000 feet above ground level, must have looked like something from another planet.

For the privileged few, they ushered in the golden age of air travel. Cruising along gently, enjoying all the comfort and luxuries of the finest hotels, they gave their passengers a truly unique experience.

Join Tony Bray in the Museum for a fascinating daytime talk to find out about the early days of Graf von Zeppelin, as he created his first airships, many of which were lost to sudden changes of weather over the Bodensee. The peace of Europe was shattered in 1914 when the First World War erupted. Quickly the Zeppelins were adapted for military purposes, becoming the first strategic bombers, and giving the German navy an inexpensive force-multiplier over the Royal Navy.

After 1918 the Zeppelin organisation was forced to share with the victors the many production and design secrets it had developed over the years. But the British and American copies were not as successful as hoped. Later the Zeppelin organisation was allowed to build and put into service two new, huge aircraft – the Graf Zeppelin and the Hindenburg. Tony will explore the history of these aircraft and look at how the Nazi Party used Graf Zeppelin for propaganda after they'd come to power. 

 Tony will also cover the brief histories of the R100 and R101, two British built airships, and the huge hangars constructed at Cardington to house them. He will also share the stories of the two US Navy airships, U.S.S. Akron (ZRS-4) and U.S.S. Macon (ZRS-5) which were designed for long-range scouting in support of fleet operations.

Operation PLUTO - Pipeline under the ocean - was an ambitious and top-secret operation to lay a series of pipelines across the English Channel from the south coast of England to France following the D-Day landings in order to supply fuel to the advancing Allied forces. 

Described by Eisenhower, ''It was second in daring only to the artificial (Mulberry) Harbours'', and in the words of Winston Churchill, ''Operation Pluto was a remarkable feat of British engineering, distinguished in its originality, pursued with tenacity and crowned by complete success. This creative energy helped to win the war.''

Find out more by joining Ivor Ivor Ellis in the Museum for this fascinating daytime talk at 10:30am on Friday 6th June. There is the option to pre-book a lunch of Quiche, Salad and Fries in our Apache Café after the daytime talk.

Most know Middle Wallop for its Battle of Britain connection but its history during the Second World War was varied and fascinating. From flying Poles to America fighters, the airfield has many users in five years of conflict. Paul Beaver will highlight some things you may not have known about Wallop!

Christian Lewis is an ex-paratrooper, parent, adventurer, charity fundraiser and two-time Sunday Times Bestselling author. Chris spent 6 years walking 19,000 miles around the entire UK coastline for the veteran's charity, SSAFA. Join him for an entertaining, heartwarming and inspiring event as he shares stories and reflections from his incredible journey.