Jim Barnes will be speaking about what it was like to fly as an Air Electronics Officer on-board the Vulcan. Buffet included.

Find out what it was like to fly in the iconic Vulcan delta-winged bomber at our Christmas Event and Buffet on Saturday 5 December.

The event takes place at Hawkwell Village Hall, Essex SS5 4EH and is open to both VRT Members and non-members.

We are delighted to welcome as our guest speaker former Air Electronics Officer (AEO) Jim Barnes who will be talking about his time in the Royal Air Force and the British Army!

Jim joined the RAF in September 1961 and undertook a three-year electronic apprenticeship which earned him a recommendation to be commissioned as an AEO. He served in that role on Vulcans with 617 Squadron at RAF Scampton and on the Handley Page Victor at RAF Marham with 55 Squadron, which was tasked with in-flight refuelling.

During his time with 617 Squadron, Jim had the honour of meeting many of the aircrew who had taken part in the Dambusters raid in 1943. This was at a special event to mark the raid’s 25th Anniversary. Also present were Sir Barnes Wallis, designer of the bouncing bomb, with his daughter Mary, and Sir Arthur ‘Bomber’ Harris, the commander-in-chief of Bomber Command at the time of the raid.

Following his time with 617 Squadron, Jim applied for an overseas posting but was somewhat surprised to find himself on secondment to the British Army in West Germany! He served with two of the Army’s most prestigious regiments; the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and the 14th/20th Hussars. Jim’s time with the two regiments was spent as a Primary Forward Air Controller, directing NATO aircraft, in particular the Harrier.

Following his Army secondment, Jim returned to the UK and was posted to 55 Squadron at RAF Marham, serving once again as an AEO. Jim then moved on to what was to be his final role in the RAF, acting as a Staff Officer at No 1 Group Headquarters specialising in electronic warfare.

Jim is an accomplished speaker and often gives talks to passengers onboard cruise ships. His first presentation will focus on the Vulcan and its role with nuclear weapons in the Cold War. He will look at the part played by the AEO in this, something which is often overlooked. For his second presentation, Jim will move forward in time to the Falklands conflict of 1982 and the essential role played by the Victor tanker in Operation Black Buck.

As well as Jim's talk, the event includes our renowned Christmas Buffet included in the ticket price.

Timetable for the day

11.30: Doors open

12.00: Licensed Pay Bar opens

12.30: Christmas Buffet Lunch

13:30: Jim Barnes presentation (part 1)

14:15: Break for Coffee and Mince Pies

14:45: Jim Barnes presentation (part 2))

15:15: Vulcan XL426 Annual Prize Draw

16:00: Annual General Meeting and A Look Back at 2026

17:00: Close

Admittance to our Christmas Event & Buffet is by ticket only; there will be no ‘on the door’ sales.

The price includes our renowned Christmas Buffet which includes dessert and free tea and coffee.

Description supplied by the event organiser.