Ken Ellis, Editor of UK Aviation Magazine FLYPAST Speaks at RAF Molesworth

  • Published
  • By Peter G. Park, Commander's Action Group
  • JACLink Staff
ROYAL AIR FORCE MOLESWORTH, England --  Ken Ellis, Editor of FLYPAST magazine, pilot, and author of thirteen aviation books including "Wrecks and Relics" now in its 22nd biennial edition, spoke at RAF Molesworth December 7th as the base commemorated Pearl Harbor Day.

As JAC Deputy Commander, Navy Capt. Henry J "Harry" Babin noted in his introduction of the FLYPAST Editor, the tragedy of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 brought America into the Second World War - a conflict which Britain had already been engaged in for two years commencing in September 1939.

The U.S. had already contributed ships, aircraft equipment and arms to the U.K. though the Lend Lease program, and the island was secure from Nazi invasion after the Battle of Britain ended in October, 1040. The declaration of war by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on December 8th brought the U.S. Eighth Air Force to the U.K. to fight in the skies over Nazi occupied Europe, the U.S. Navy to the Battle of the Atlantic, and later the U.S. Army enabling the retaking of the European continent after D-Day in 1944.

Mr. Ellis, who was accompanied by his wife, Pam -- also associated with aviation in her own right as a former barnstorming wing walker -- spoke on aviation heritage and the role of FLYPAST magazine in supporting the restoration to flight of warbirds and reporting on airshows and other heritage aviation events.

Mr. Ellis toured the base with a focus on its WWII role as the home of the B-17 Flying Fortresses of the303rd Bomb Group (Heavy) and the JAC's committment to preserving the heritage of the group with the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and civilians who serve at RAF Molesworth today.