Britain at War Magazine, PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1NA
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LETTER OF THE MONTH
Gerry and the ‘Fly a Spitfire’ campaign
Dear Editor, It may interest readers to know that Gerry Abrahams, the Berlin Airlift veteran featured in the October issue of Britain at War, is a trustee at the Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum at Manston, Kent, and is leading a major new campaign aimed at enthusiasts keen to fly a Spitfire. The museum now has an impressive Spitfire simulator in which visitors can experience the virtual thrills and spills of flying over London and the Kent countryside.
Gerry explains: “The simulator is modelled on Spitfire TB752 – a Mk (LF) XVI, which took part in combat in 1944 and is now on display at the museum. Over the years I campaigned endlessly to the Museum Trust to install a simulator and raised much of the £17,000 needed myself through hard work that inspired charity donations from military historians and benefactors, including Lord Ashcroft. Our simulator is the only one in Kent and must be experienced. It’s sensationally good!” To find out more, contact the museum on 01843 821940.
Melody Foreman Via email
Far East Service
Dear Editor, It was interesting to read the story of Sqn Ldr Lusty in the December issue, particularly where it describes his service with 132 Squadron in Ceylon. Late in the war my father was attached with the unit that he told me first landed at Bombay before moving to Ceylon. He said that the CO was a Sqn Ldr Charney, who he said was a fighter ace [Sqn Ldr Ken Charney had a total of six destroyed and four ‘probables’ from service in Malta and the UK - Ed]<…
