Sergeant ​Jeff ​Brown ​served ​as ​a ​mid-upper ​gunner ​on ​Lancasters ​in ​World ​War ​II ​under ​the ​leadership ​of ​a ​New ​Zealand ​skipper.

​In ​today's ​recording, ​Jeff ​shares ​his ​still-vivid ​memories ​of ​Operation ​Manna, ​a ​humanitarian ​food ​drop ​made ​in ​ Avro Lancasters ​to ​relieve ​the ​starving ​Dutch ​population ​in ​World War II's closing stages. ​

Jeff ​recalls ​seeing ​the ​civilians, ​especially ​the ​children, ​rushing ​to ​open ​the ​boxes ​that ​his ​aircraft ​had ​dropped. ​Jeff ​flew ​on ​these ​kinds ​of ​operations ​right ​up ​to ​the ​last ​day ​of ​the ​war, ​on ​VE ​Day ​itself. ​

He ​recalls ​the ​gratitude ​of ​the ​Dutch ​people ​on ​the ​day ​with ​thank ​you ​messages ​spelt ​out ​in ​flowers ​on ​the ​ground. ​And ​for ​the ​very ​much ​longer ​term, ​and ​moving ​to ​much ​more ​recent ​times, ​we ​hear ​about ​tea ​with ​King ​Charles. ​

We're ​very ​grateful ​to ​the ​Tameside ​Talking ​newspaper ​ ​for ​the ​blind ​and ​visually ​impaired ​for ​permitting us ​to ​use ​their ​recording.

We welcome back Jeff Brown, a Lancaster veteran, as he revisits the museum and shares fascinating insights from his time in the Avro design office.

Join us for an exclusive tour of the CAE building, where Jeff encounters notable exhibits, including the Avro 707 and the Yellow Sun nuclear device trailer.

Discover the intricate details of bomb handling equipment and the memories that these artifacts evoke for Jeff, including his experiences during World War II and the development of the iconic Vulcan bomber.

This episode is a heartfelt tribute to aviation history and the remarkable contributions of those who served.

Roger Newton and Trevor Jackson, two veterans of the aviation industry who share their fascinating experiences from the Woodford and Chadderton sites.

Join us as we uncover tales from the shop floor, the challenges of top-secret projects during the Falklands War, and the camaraderie that defined their careers.

From amusing anecdotes about memorable visitors like the King of Tonga and Prince Philip to insights into the apprenticeship schemes that launched their journeys, this episode is a treasure trove of aviation history and nostalgia.

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.