Old airfield hosts wartime thrills and celebrates jet age

Thousands flocked to Metheringham Airfield 1940s weekend.
Metheringham Airfield wartime weekend. Steve Peberday, member of C Troop 1st Airbourne Reconnaissance Squadron group. EMN-160605-133925001Metheringham Airfield wartime weekend. Steve Peberday, member of C Troop 1st Airbourne Reconnaissance Squadron group. EMN-160605-133925001
Metheringham Airfield wartime weekend. Steve Peberday, member of C Troop 1st Airbourne Reconnaissance Squadron group. EMN-160605-133925001

There was a packed dance, with the arrival of the 101st Airborne re-enactment group adding to the atmosphere.

The re-enactors camped next to the wartime airfield museum’s Dakota which is undergoing restoration. Staged battles took place for spectators, while a restored Jet Provost wound up its engines for the public to experience.

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There were classic cars and motorbikes and a stunning flypast by a Hurricane.

Metheringham Airfield wartime weekend. Steve Peberday, member of C Troop 1st Airbourne Reconnaissance Squadron group. EMN-160605-133925001Metheringham Airfield wartime weekend. Steve Peberday, member of C Troop 1st Airbourne Reconnaissance Squadron group. EMN-160605-133925001
Metheringham Airfield wartime weekend. Steve Peberday, member of C Troop 1st Airbourne Reconnaissance Squadron group. EMN-160605-133925001

The airfield will celebrate 75 years of jet flight this Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4.30pm. There will be more at RAF Cranwell and Cranwell Aviation Visitor Centre.

There will be a talk on Saturday at 10.30am by Ian Whittle, son of Sir Frank Whittle and a talk by Nigel Macknight, world water speed record challenger, at 10.30am on Sunday. Visitors can see taxy runs, jet cars and helicopters.