May 2023

That Medway is flying high as a renowned specialist hub of vintage aircraft restoration was underlined by a fascinating talk at the MMF Museum Friends’ Shop on May 4, 2023. An audience of more than 20 heard Robin Heaps, an electronics engineer and director of Medway Aircraft Preservation Society – founded in 1988 and based at Rochester Airport – speak about its amazing work across nearly five decades. Skilled volunteers with years of aviation and engineering experience work painstakingly on old Spitfires, Hurricanes and a host of classic aircraft such as the Douglas Dakota, Gloster Meteor, Harvard and the Short Scion floatplane. 

RAF Museum Hendon commissioned several projects. A restored Spitfire and Hurricane are now the star attractions at RAF Manston History Museum. A Spitfire XVI was restored for the City of Stoke, birthplace of R J Mitchell, designer of the iconic Battle of Britain fighter.  The Society now has a large hangar for its projects and campaigns for a Kent Aviation Heritage Centre. The Society received the Queens Award for Voluntary Service in 2010. As Robin said: “This has been a success story for 45 years – we hope to carry on as long as we can.”