RAF Benson hangar fun with a Chinook accompaniment!

RAF Benson became the focus for The Beaujolais Run® 2019 launch this morning. The station itself was celebrating it's 80th year and the 'Run had arrived to pay tribute in it's own inimitable way.

Having been home to the reconnaissance Spitfires, that had photographed the breached dams of 'Dambusters' fame, the thoughts of those present from the 2018 'Run turned to their amazing experiences on the 2018 event paying tribute to 617 squadron.

RAF Benson also had it's own part to play in 'The Great Escape', with no fewer than 18 airmen from the station becoming Prisoners Of War in Stalag Luft III. Two of RAF Benson's aircrew, Flying Officer's Gunn and Dowse were involved in the escape itself, but with very different stories that 'Runners would learn during their own week of escape.

A traditional mug of 'RAF tea and a wedge' went down well will crews from the station and 'Runners as they mingled awaiting RAF Benson's Commanding Officer to start the proceedings.

In amongst those present, was Tony Foulds, accepting a 'Spirit Of The Event' award from The Beaujolais Run®. Tony had tended the memorial to the crew of, WW2 US bomber, 'Mi Amigo' in a park in Sheffiled; having seen it crash when he was only 8 years old. After being brought to the attention of the nation on BBC Breakfast TV he brought the nation to a standstill, with his Sheffield flypast in memory of 'his boys' courtesy of the USAF and RAF. 

In amongst the invited guests and the 'Runs own fabulous display of metal in the hangar sat a CH-47 Chinook helicopter ready for them to board, along with two mystery figures from RAF Northolt... And it was off to their next destination.