MEDIA BRIEFING ~ ACCUSED PLANESPOTTERS TO ATTEND DUXFORD AIR SHOW BEFORE TRIAL

Members of the “Kalamata 14” group of planespotters accused of spying will be special guests at the Autumn Air Show at the Imperial War Museum Duxford on Sunday 13 October.

Paul Coppin, leader of the 14 plane spotters who were arrested in Greece at the end of last year on spying charges, was "tickled pink" to have been invited to the show.

"We thought we should invite them as it is the last major air display of the year and therefore the last chance for all enthusiasts to see some of their favourites in action before the winter. Also, with its theme of spies and spying it was too much of a coincidence to resist!" Comments Tracey Woods, Duxford’s Marketing Manager.

The plane spotters received a great deal of media attention earlier this year when their pleasant, Greek plane-spotting holiday came to an abrupt halt when arrested at the Kalamata Air Base by an air force security officer. The nightmare continued when charges were formally brought against them and they were forced to spend the next month in a cockroach-infested prison prior to their eventual release just before Christmas. For the spotters, however, their ordeal is not over as, at the end of this month, they will have to return to Kalamata in Greece for their trial. If found guilty, the 12 could face more time in jail but are determined to prove their innocence.

The Autumn Air Show will be paying tribute to Britain’s wartime Special Operations Executive (SOE), a highly-secretive organisation of secret agents created by Winston Churchill during the Second World War to co-ordinate resistance activities in German-occupied Europe.

Among the aircraft taking part in the display will be the Westland Lysander, a remarkable aircraft with local links which undertook some of the most hazardous missions of the Second World War. Operating from Newmarket in Suffolk and Tempsford, Bedfordshire, the SOE Lysanders often flew in total darkness over enemy-occupied territory. This exceptional aircraft was able to take off and land within a very short distance and on uneven terrain, making it ideal for covert operations.

Also taking part will be air show favourites such as the P-51 Mustang, Hurricane and Blenheim. Sally B, the UK’s only airworthy B-17 Flying Fortress and four examples of the famous fighter the Spitfire will also take to the sky alongside their more modern counterparts such as the Tornado and the Strikemaster.

The Show represents a great family day out as children under 16 will be granted free entry. In addition, to complement the Museum's exhibits and the wide range of air show trade stands and activities, there will also be a children’s marquee with lots of free fun filled activities for children of all ages to participate in, including face painting, magic shows, puppet shows and paper modelling.

The air show takes place on Sunday 13 October. Gates open at 8.00 am and the main flying programme begins at 2.00 pm.
Tickets – Adults £16, Senior Citizens £11, Concessions £6, Children under 16 – FREE!
Please note that children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information about tickets or the flying programme call the Air Show Hotline on 01223 499353 or visit www.iwm.org.uk.
For further information, please contact Duxford’s Marketing Manager, Tracey Woods, on 01223 499320 or PR Assistant Samantha Kemp on 01223 835155, xtn 263.