UK & Ireland exclusive: Chapter News

All the latest H.O.G. Chapter news from the UK & Ireland

Spitfires at Biggin Hill
In the year the RAF celebrate their 100-year anniversary and in the 78th year since the Battle of Britain, 1066 Chapter managed to get up close and personal to one of the most iconic planes ever created – a Spitfire! And not just one but nearly a whole squadron!

One of our chapter members, Malcolm Duffield, actually makes some of the replacement parts for these machines and we were able to gain access to the Heritage Hanger situated within Biggin Hill airfield. For those of you who are unaware, Biggin Hill was at the forefront of the fighter defense of Great Britain in those dark days. So it was with a very special sense of occasion we entered the perimeter trackway riding towards the hangers. Evidence of bunkers and other wartime structures sat alongside the new state-of-the-art passenger terminal. Talk about chalk and cheese.

The heritage staff couldn’t have been more helpful. Upon arrival our group of 20 was split in two to allow us to get really personal with the machinery on display. The work here is incredible. Planes arrive from all over the world where they have been forgotten for years. Or - collectors pass them on to those who can afford the rebuild to get them up where they belong. Every single rivet, bolt and nut is removed, all parts x-rayed and scanned before deciding which bits can be used and repaired or if replacement parts need to be made. Then the rebuild can commence. We were lucky enough to see a wing section being riveted. You cannot believe how many rivets alone are in one small piece of wing. This process is repeated every 1,000 hours to maintain the airworthiness certificate.

But the real deal is standing next to one of the rejuvenated planes. They are just like new, but with history. Each plane on display has a record of its travels and exploits, and the RAF have one that is the last remaining flying example from the actual Battle of Britain. These machines are truly beautiful, with slender wing sections and nearly half of the fuselage taken up with the Rolls Royce Merlin engine. There are a number of examples complete. It’s interesting to see the development from 1940 until the last versions were made. The most obvious were the changes to the armaments.

During our visit we were able to witness a number of take-off and landings as well as engine testing. The sound of a Merlin is incredible even today. As the planes take off in front of you, you could be transported back to another era. Some would say our finest hour.

Our private tour took approximately 2 hours and we were free to talk to the technicians and take as many photos as we wanted (apart from the RAF Battle of Britain plane and the Mescherschmidt). In addition to the planes there were a few 1940s cars and motorcycles around, although the main attraction of course has an elliptical wing silhouette. As a real privilege we were allowed to ride our motorcycles airside and line up in front of the hanger.

If you are feeling flush you can book a flight for an hour to sweep in over the White Cliffs of Dover completing a Victory Roll for a cool £5,000. Incidentally there is an opportunity to buy one fully airworthy for only £4m…

Many thanks to all the Heritage Hanger staff who made our visit so special, Sally, John and David and all the technicians who answered our many questions with a smile. It has to be said that they were all as interested in our Harley-Davidson’s as we were in the planes.

Tally Ho!

Richard Beal
1066 Chapter

Bridgwater’s wedding surprise!
A mother of a bride contacted the Bridgwater Chapter to ask if we could attend her daughter’s wedding. We managed to do this but what made it even more special was that Bridgwater had attended her 21st birthday 20 years ago! Here is the mum’s write-up of a memorable day. The bride is visually impaired so only knew the bikes were coming when she heard them roaring down the road!

‘In 1998 I wrote to the Bridgwater H.O.G. Chpater to see if there was a chance for my daughter, Viv Walker, to have a ride on a Harley-Davidson to celebrate her 21^stbirthday. The result was immediate – yes, of course!

A date was set as close to her birthday as possible and on the Sunday 20 or so bikes roared up to our house. They kitted out Viv, myself and three of her friends and got us all mounted. Away we went through the streets of Exeter to what was then the West of England College in Topsham Road. They had booked the whole of the grounds and invited the students to join us! It was a wonderful day! Viv and her friends each had a Harley t-shirt to remember the day and there was a lovely article in the Bridgwater H.O.G. Chapter magazine.

Viv has always loved Harleys so when, at the age of 41, she and her fiancé, Jason, decided to get married, I thought I would ask if it would be possible for a few of the Bridgwater riders to come to Buckerell Lodge in Exeter sometime during the afternoon reception. The only people who knew that the bikes would be coming were the hotel staff, our photographer and me.

One of the rider’s, Graham, texted me to say that they would be arriving about 3.45pm so I told those who needed to know but neither Viv, Jason or our guests knew anything until I heard ‘that’ sound. I asked everyone if they would make their way outside as some very special guests were arriving.

My daughter was so excited as she heard the first sound of the bikes that she went to rush outside and was only saved from falling by her new husband and his best man! As Viv got outside and saw all the bikes arriving and parking up she was literally speechless – something I have never known to happen before!

The riders were so friendly and soon had Viv and Jason having photos taken on the splendid white Trike. When the Ladies of Harley riders removed their helmets they were all wearing fascinators – such a lovely thoughtful thing to do.

We all stayed talking and taking photos for some time, then, when the staff told me, I spoke to the leader and said that there were refreshments set out in the gardens for them and we went back into the reception. Everyone was talking about the beautiful bikes and the lovely people riding them.

When the time came for the bikes to leave a member of staff came to let us know and we all went out to thank everyone for coming. There were lots of hugs and laughter and even a few tears. Then the bikes formed up and slowly rode down the drive and away with everyone waving them goodbye.

We have some amazing photos of the afternoon and we won’t ever forget the day of Viv and Jason’s wedding and our very special guests from Bridgwater H.O.G. Chapter. Thank you all so very much.

I can’t thank everyone enough for what you have done. You are all lovely people... and the bikes are pretty gorgeous too!

Kind regards
Shirley Davies

Submitted by:
Gill “Moggy” Mogg
Director, Bridgwater Chapter

Land’s End to John O’Groats in a day!

You may remember back in July we reported that Peter Vinicombe from Rolling Hills Chapter Cheltenham was planning on riding a bum-numbing 900 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats in one day and then heading to Thunder in the Glens. How did Peter do? We’ll let the man himself explain…

“What a grueling trip! The weather was appalling, unlike 2015 when I last did this event for charity. We had sunshine all the way in England. I don’t think I could have chosen a worse day weather-wise for my solo challenge - not to mention the road works on the M6 motorway!”

“The funny thing is that not once did I feel tired. When you are wet and cold, it’s amazing how the adrenaline kicks in to keep you going.”

“I set off from Land’s End on my Softail Deluxe after 4am and arrived, 900 miles and 19 hours later, in John O'Groats at 11.30pm. I can now join the end to enders club that was set up for this type of event and can truly say I have visited both Land’s End and John O'Groats in the same day.”

“On a lighter note I must thank the inventor of cable ties when my SatNav decided to part company from the bike. Not only that - but my zip went on my waterproof jacket, which made it as much use as blotting paper, and my waterproof leggings let water in in a most uncomfortable region! Suffice to say the waterproofs were not H-D.”

“Enough of my ramblings - I want to say a big thank you to all my well-wishers and to those who donated to a much needed charity. There is still plenty of time for those who have not yet donated. The Virgin giving page set up for me will stay open for a few weeks."

Massive congratulations to Peter and well done on a truly epic ride!

Greetings From…
Have you followed HOG UK & Ireland over on Facebook? If not, why not? You are missing out on a whole host of fascinating stories and some fantastic pictures that have been submitted by members for our Greetings From… gallery.

Whether your travels take you a few or many miles away, we want your pics! All you have to do is submit a picture ‘postcard’ for our gallery on Facebook for your opportunity to receive a handy new H.O.G. passport holder. Submit via direct message on Facebook or email HOGukandireland@harley-davidson.com. And remember to include your H.O.G. membership #.