Talk: The Hunt for Red October by Kevin Hart

Join Kevin Hart for an evocative talk on 'Hunting for Red October', the search for the final resting place of his great uncle, Flight Lieutenant Reginald Samuel Sailes. Beginning in 1987 with an unexpected photograph, Kevin's quest honours his great uncle's memory—a man nicknamed 'Red' during his RAF service, inspired by the 1935 song 'Red Sails in the Sunset'. Reg was born in New Cross, London, on 3 October 1915, hence the poignant link to October. He served in the RAF from 29 April 1941 to 27 June 1951, whilst Kevin's own RAF career spanned 5 February 1998 to 4 February 2016. The talk recounts the tragic events of 27 June 1951, when Reg and his navigator departed RAF Hemswell at 0810 hours for a routine cross-country low-level navigation and bombing exercise carrying HE ordnance—a sortie Reg had successfully completed many times before. As the aircraft approached Lincoln Cathedral, eyewitnesses observed grey smoke from the starboard engine. Three farm workers from Warren Farm, Cold Harbour, Lincolnshire, watched the stricken aircraft trail black smoke over Warren Wood. Reg was attempting an emergency landing at RAF Spitalgate, Grantham, where a passing-out parade was scheduled. The aircraft caught fire and cartwheeled into the ground at Warren Farm, Cold Harbour, at 0825 hours. This compelling historical account combines personal family history with wartime aviation heritage. The talk will be held in the NAAFI function room at 13:30, followed by tea and cake at 15:00. Please note that admission to the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre is not included in the ticket price.