Red Star & Roundel

9th July 2025

Spitfire & Hurricane Museum

Join retired Air Commodore Phil Wilkinson for a unique insight into the relationship between the RAF and their Russian counterparts at the Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum in Manston

2pm - 4pm

The Red Star and the Roundel are the symbols of organisations that share a century of existence, a century with a full quota of conflict as well as harmony. The Russian red star has maintained its impact in the hundred years since the Revolution. The Royal Air Force's red white and blue roundel has seen action in the air world-wide for the same period.

Phil Wilkinson had forty years of Royal Air Force service--the final three and a half were in Russia. With this unusual double qualification, he examines the dynamics of the Russia-RAF relationship, sometimes as allies, sometimes as adversaries. Drawing on personal reminiscences, and on the recollections of surviving veterans of RAF service in Russia during the Second World War, as well as on official records from throughout this shared century, the narrative is sometimes light-hearted, sometimes sombre. It goes from brutal combat in the early years, to language difficulties later on; from innocent misunderstandings to deliberate deception; from cultural contrasts to aesthetic links.

Perhaps the narrative's most worthwhile effect will be to draw the reader's comment: "Well, I didn't know that before." There is still a lot to learn--a century's worth.

Click here for other events taking place at the Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum

Tickets and Pricing

£5pp

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Location

Open Map

Address

Red Star & Roundel Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum, Manston Road, Manston, Ramsgate
CT12 5DF

Contact

enquiries@spitfiremuseum.org.uk 01843 821940

Links

Website

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Accessible parking

Accessible toilets

Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs and Registered Assistance Dogs welcome

Step-free access