Cambridge Airport to Host Canadian Air Force Aurora Maritime Patrol Aircraft
An Aurora Maritime Patrol Aircraft of No. 405 Squadron of the Canadian Air Force will be spending the weekend at Cambridge Airport. The aircraft which is normally based in Manitoba is visiting the United Kingdom so that it can take part in the Little Gransden Children in Need Day on Sunday 28 August 2011.
No. 405 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force celebrated its 70th Anniversary this year, having been formed in 1941 as a Lancaster Squadron operating at what was then RAF Gransden Lodge. The Squadron became the only Commonwealth Nation to be part of the elite Pathfinder Force.
Little Gransden Air Show organiser Dave Poile MBE said: ‘We are very pleased that this aeroplane is flying all the way from Canada to take part in our Children in Need Day on Sunday 28 August. As well as flying in our Air Display, the aeroplane will be undertaking a number of local flights and renewing its links with the site of its foundation.’
Archie Garden, the Airport Director, will be meeting the aircraft and its crew on their arrival at Cambridge at 5.45pm on Saturday 27 August and will be presenting the crew with a cheque for £500 towards Children in Needs funds as a thank you to them for choosing to use Cambridge Airport.
Archie Garden said: ‘We are delighted to welcome this aeroplane from Canada to Cambridge Airport. Cambridge Airport regularly welcomes a large number of aircraft from North America, although these are normally executive jet aircraft rather than military aircraft.’
Photo caption: The cheque is handed over to (Front Left to Right) Major Derrick Hotte from Archie Garden Director of Cambridge and Robert Marshall Chief Operating Officer The Marshall Group of Companies - (Background) 405 Squadron of the Canadian Air Force
This story was published on Tuesday 30th August 2011
