Headcorn - Press Release

New Military Show takes off at Headcorn Aerodrome.

Combined Ops

Jamie Freeman, the owner of Headcorn Aerodrome said: “I am delighted to be able to host the IMPS show at Headcorn Aerodrome. They have an excellent reputation for managing professional historic military spectaculars, and their undoubted expertise in bringing together a wide variety of military vehicle and living history displays will lead to a fantastic show on the ground. We will compliment this with a week-end of vintage aircraft flying. As the IMPS military show will be taking place right alongside the runway, visitors will be able to enjoy both the air and ground shows simultaneously. This is, as they used to say in the war, a Combined Op.”

Andy Mitchell, IMPS Chairman said “Headcorn Airfield is the perfect venue for an exciting weekend of military vehicles and displays alongside vintage warbirds and classic aircraft – giving a nostalgic atmosphere on such a historic part of Kent’s history. When you get a wartime Mustang fighter plane roaring over Sherman tanks and hundreds other military vehicles, it really becomes living history. We think this event is a great opportunity and within just days of the show being announced, several leading military vehicle and re-enactment groups contacted us to commit to taking part in the weekend.”

Notes for Editors
Headorn Aerodrome has a strong connection with military aviation, having been an Advanced Landing Ground prior to D-Day, during World War 2. It was first used for general aviation in 1927 when Jamie’s Grandfather, the local land owner, flew from here with a group of friends. Following the outbreak of World War II the airfield was requisitioned, and prepared for operational service. On the 15th April 1944, the airfield was taken over by the 100th Fighter Wing 19th Tactical Air Command 9th Air Force. They called Headcorn aerodrome Lashenden and the aerodrome at Egerton, Headcorn which has led to much confusion for historians ever since. On the 17th April the operational aircraft arrived in the form of the 354th Fighter Group comprising of the 353rd, 355th and 356th Fighter Squadrons flying North American P51B Mustangs. The 354th Fighter Group flew bomber escort missions as far as the Polish border from Headcorn during their stay. The 354th Fighter Group left Headcorn on 18th June when they moved to Criqueville on the French coast.

At the end of the war the airfield was closed and handed back to the owners being initially used for agriculture. With the resurgence of interest in civil aviation in the 1950's the airfield was re-opened as a base for private aviation, and has been thriving ever since. Today the Aerodrome is a base for private flying, flying instruction, and parachuting. Its wartime past can still be seen in a number of original wartime buildings, a specially designed retractable airfield defense turret, and the fascinating Air Warfare Museum with many unique exhibits. Web Site: www.headcornaerodrome.co.uk

Invicta Military Vehicle Preservation Society

The Kent based club, but internationally reknowned, for Military Vehicle enthusiasts, founded in 1980, the society has over 1200 members, mainly based in the South East of England, but with other members spread around the world. The purpose of the club is to support the restoration and preservation of Military Vehicles of all ages and types. Members own everything from folding bicycles to main battle tanks, but vehicle ownership is not a necessity for membership, just an enthusiastic interest. Members are called upon more and more to support fund raising and charitable events, as well as providing vehicles in support of military charities such as the British Legion, Help for Heroes, Royal Air Force Association, etc, etc. Today the club produces a high quality glossy quarterly magazine called IMPRINT, along with a monthly newsletter. They are proud of what they have achieved over the years, in particular their responsibility for arranging the World War Two military vehicle parade in front of H.M the Queen for the Tribute and Promise event to mark the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War, and they were the original organizers of what is now the worlds largest military vehicle spectacular, the War & Peace Military Show at the Hop Farm, near Paddock Wood in Kent.

The show will be held at Headcorn Aerodrome on the 15th and 16th August 2009. As well as military and flying displays the show will include a host of trade stands selling everything from Jerry cans to Jeeps, and more besides, along with a variety of refreshment outlets. Tickets are £7.00 per adult per day, with concessions for families, children, and senior citizens.
Web Site www.imps.org.uk