The Avro Heritage Museum Podcast

Stephen Barron reflects on his extensive career in aerospace that began with his apprenticeship at Woodford in 1979. Stephen shares insightful anecdotes about his time working on iconic aircraft such as the Buccaneer and Nimrod, revealing the intricate details of aircraft assembly and the importance of mentorship in shaping his career. He also discusses the emotional impact of Woodford's closure, the relationships between workforce and management, and the evolution of the aerospace industry. Join us for a nostalgic journey through the skies of aviation history!

Ray Reeder shares his remarkable journey from a successful plumbing career to becoming an integral part of the Vulkan XM603 restoration team. With a passion for aviation and a strong family connection to the RAF, Ray discusses the challenges faced during the restoration process, including the daunting task of finding missing instrumentation. He also reveals how innovative solutions, like Wi-Fi remote control for the bomb bay doors, were implemented to enhance the visitor experience. Join us as Ray takes us through the fascinating world of aircraft restoration and the camaraderie of the dedicated team behind the Vulcan XM603's revival.

Frank Pleszak delves into the early life of Roy Clark, a man whose childhood was profoundly shaped by the events of World War II. From his memories of living on a farm near Ringway Airport during the 1940s invasion scare to his first lessons in aeronautics from soldiers, Roy shares his fascinating experiences during a tumultuous time. Join us for a nostalgic journey filled with anecdotes and insights.

In this poignant episode, we bring together two remarkable veterans of the Second World War: 99-year-old Avro Lancaster mid upper gunner Sergeant Jeff Brown and 100-year-old Avro Lancaster wireless operator and gunner Sergeant John Monaghan.As they reminisce about their time as crew members on the legendary Lancaster bomber, they share heartfelt memories of Operation Manna, where they delivered humanitarian aid to the starving Dutch, and Operation Exodus, which saw the return of British prisoners of war. Their stories, filled with camaraderie and bravery, highlight the sacrifices made during the war, as well as the everyday experiences that shaped their lives.

In this episode of the Avro Heritage Museum podcast, Ian Peat delves into the fascinating history of the Vickers VC10 RAF fleet and its significant role in air-to-air refuelling and transport. Join us as we explore the journey of the VC10, from its inception in the 1950s to its eventual disposal, highlighting the aircraft's legacy and its connection to the Avro Heritage Museum. Discover unique insights about the aircraft on display, its operational history, and the environmental considerations involved in its decommissioning.

Our host today is again Chris Beswick from the Talking Newspaper. In this final episode of the AVRO Story, Chris is joined by Brian Frakes and Roger Yates, two dedicated volunteers from the Avo Heritage Museum. They share their experiences and insights about the museum's mission to educate visitors about aviation heritage, the importance of accessibility, and how they cater to diverse groups, including schools and community organizations. Brian discusses the museum's outreach efforts, including a social responsibility fund to assist less affluent schools with transportation costs, while Roger highlights the importance of tailored experiences for different visitor groups. Join us as we celebrate the incredible work being done at the museum and the passion of its volunteers!

Our host today is again Chris Beswick from the Talking Newspaper. In this episode of the AVRO Story, we go back in time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Woodford airfield and factory. Through heartfelt conversations with former employees, we explore their rich memories of working in a bustling aviation hub filled with engineering shops and assembly lines. From the golden age of apprenticeships to the challenges faced by the UK aviation industry, these stories paint a vivid picture of life at Woodford, showcasing the camaraderie and pride that defined an era. Join us as we listen to these voices from the past and reflect on the legacy of this iconic site.

Our host today is again Chris Beswick from the Talking Newspaper. In this episode of the Woodford Story, we take a fascinating journey into the cockpit of the iconic Avro Vulcan with former pilot Trevor Jackson. He shares his unique experiences and insights from his distinguished flying career during the Cold War era. Discover the intricacies of piloting this remarkable aircraft, its roles, and the technology that made it a formidable presence in the skies. Join us for an engaging discussion filled with nostalgia and the realities of military aviation!

Our host today is again Chris Beswick from the Talking Newspaper. In this episode, we take an insightful journey through the Avro Heritage Museum with Terry Barnes, the Chair of the Trustees. Discover how this remarkable museum came to be on the site of the former Woodford airfield and factory, from the airfield's closure in 2011 to the museum's grand reopening in 2015. Terry shares fascinating stories about the museum's highlights, including a complete Vulcan bomber and a Lancaster cockpit replica, as well as the unique artefacts that tell the story of aviation history. Join us as we explore the legacy of AVRO and the incredible innovations that emerged from this historic site.

Our host today is Chris Beswick from the Talking Newspaper. In this captivating episode of the AVRO Story, he takes us on a journey back to World War II with the legendary Avro Lancaster. We hear the remarkable tales of Sergeant John Monaghan, who recounts his experiences as a radio operator and gunner during harrowing missions over Berlin and beyond. As he revisits the cockpit of a Lancaster at the AVRO Heritage Museum, John shares poignant memories of dropping supplies to starving Dutch civilians and repatriating British prisoners of war. Joined by his son Andy, historian Ian Sanders, and aviation blogger Frank Pleszak, this episode is a heartfelt tribute to bravery and resilience in the face of war.

In this first episode of the Avro Story, host Chris Beswick from the Talking Newspaper takes us on a captivating journey through the early days of aviation in the Northwest. Joined by aviation expert Frank Plezak, we explore the significant milestones in the development of aircraft manufacturing, particularly focusing on the establishment of the Avro Company and the Woodford airfield. From the pioneering works of fluid dynamics at Manchester University to the rise of iconic aircraft like the Lancaster Bomber, this episode is packed with historical insights and fascinating anecdotes. Don't miss this enlightening exploration of aviation history!

On 13th December 2023 Wing Commander Martine Verhulst, Air Force Attaché at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in London awarded John Monaghan the  "Thank you Liberators" medal. John joined 166 Sqn at RAF Kirmington in Feb 1945 as a wireless operator on the Lancaster. He flew on 18 operations from March to May and participated in several Operation Manna missions, and humanitarian food drops to relieve a famine in the German-occupied Netherlands. This is a recording of that moving ceremony honouring John's service held at the Avro Heritage Museum attended by his family, many friends, and the museum staff. If you want to hear more about John's service listen to our interview with him here. https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/e0lD4ivcvFb

John Monaghan joined 166 Sqn at RAF Kirmington in Feb 1945 as a wireless operator on the Lancaster. He flew on 18 operations from March to May including Heligoland, Berchtesgaden, and Berlin. He also participated in several Operation Manna missions, humanitarian food drops to relieve a famine in the German-occupied Netherlands, as well as several Operation Exodus missions to repatriate Allied prisoners of war (POW)s from Europe to Britain. The voices you hear are of author and blogger Frank Pleszak, John's son Andy, and myself Ian Sanders. We start the chat with John looking through his log book and photos.

Welcome to the Avro Heritage Museum podcast. The museum is located at Woodford near Manchester in the UK and you can find more details at https://www.avroheritagemuseum.co.uk/ The English Electric Canberra was designed as a direct replacement for the wartime de Havilland Mosquito and entered service with the RAF in 1951. In total, Avro built 75 Canberras at Woodford during the 1950s We speak with Squadron Leader John Robinson AFC (retd) was an RAF pilot who was tasked to fly Canberras into the mushroom clouds of nuclear bomb tests to capture samples at Operation Buffalo at Maralinga in 1956, and Operation Grapple, at Christmas Island in 1957. He tells of his recruitment into RAF, initial training and his cloud sampling missions his experiences as well as watching the tests from as little as five miles away. I was honoured that the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association (BNVTA) invited me to their annual reunion and enabled me to capture John's story. I'm delighted to welcome Squadron Leader John Robinson AFC to the Avro Heritage Museum Podcast…

Welcome to the Avro Heritage Museum podcast. The museum is located near Manchester in the UK and you can find more details at https://www.avroheritagemuseum.co.uk/ We continue our chat with Trevor Jackson, a former Vulcan pilot who recalls his career after flying the Vulcan. Trevor went on to train the members of the Manchester University Air Squadron on the De Havilland Chipmunk and the Scottish Aviation Bulldog. From there Trevor is transferred to the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm flying the Fairey Gannet, the largest aircraft operated by the Royal Navy off an aircraft carrier. We hear details of some very perilous deck landings... In 1981 Trevor retires from the RAF and we continue his story into civil aviation and the incredible story of how he became connected with the Avro Heritage Museum. I'm delighted to welcome back Trevor Jackson to the Avro Heritage Museum Podcast…

Welcome to the Avro Heritage Museum podcast. The museum is located near Manchester in the UK and you can find more details at avroheritagemuseum.co.uk This episode is with Trevor Jackson, a former Vulcan pilot who recalls his path into the RAF from school cadet in the 1950s to flying the nuclear armed Avro Vulcan. Trevor shares the story of his RAF career via the BAC Jet Provost, Folland Gnat and onto the Avro Vulcan. We talk in detail about his Vulcan career including being part of the nuclear quick reaction alert and how he and his crew handled their huge responsibility. Make sure you follow us in your podcast app to make sure you do not miss out on future episodes. I'm delighted to welcome Trevor Jackson to the Avro Heritage Museum Podcast…

Richard Jones is a former VC10 pilot who recalls his path into the RAF in the 1960s, via a pleasure flight company at Manchester's Ringway Airport. Richard shares the story of his RAF career via the de Havilland Chipmunk, BAC Jet Provost, and onto transport aircraft such as the Vickers Valetta, Blackburn Beverley, de Havilland Comet and onto the Vickers VC10, his favourite aircraft. Make sure you follow us in your podcast app to make sure you do not miss out on future episodes. I'm delighted to welcome Richard Jones… The Avro Heritage Museum is located near Manchester in the UK and you can find more details at avroheritagemuseum.co.uk

Welcome to the Avro Heritage Museum podcast featuring interviews with those that flew the iconic Avro aircraft and the people who worked on them. The museum preserves the legacy of Alliott Verdon-Roe and his company A.V. Roe & Co (Avro). Located on the former Woodford Aerodrome near Stockport in Cheshire, the site saw the production of famous aircraft including the Lancaster, Vulcan, Nimrod and BAe 146. Visit our web site here https://www.avroheritagemuseum.co.uk/ Make sure you follow us in your podcast app to make sure you do not miss out on future episodes.