Society of Friends of the Fleet Air Arm Museum Evening Talk - From the Kremlin to Fairford: A Military Diplomat in Yeltsin's Russia
- View events filtered by: Yeovilton
- View events filtered by: Naval History
- View events filtered by: Fleet Air Arm Museum
Join us for an engaging and informative evening talk with Air Cdre (Retd) Phil Wilkinson as he shares his personal stories and experience.
Phil Wilkinson's RAF career spanned some of aviation's most dramatic decades. Starting with National Service in the 1950s, he flew with both the US and French Air Forces on exchange postings before taking command of RAF Gatow in Berlin, arriving just as the Wall came down and the Iron Curtain fell. His final posting placed him at the heart of history: Defence and Air Attaché in Moscow during the turbulent early years of Yeltsin's Russia.
In 1993, something extraordinary happened at RIAT Fairford. A Soviet Tu-95MS Bear, one of the most iconic and feared aircraft of the Cold War, landed on British soil for the very first time for a static display. The presence of Russian officers meeting royalty on the UK airbase was a sight to behold.
Phil reveals how it happened, the connections that made it possible, and the remarkable moment when East and West met on a Gloucestershire runway.
Don’t miss this rare and first-hand account of history.
Entry is just £6 in person or £4 on Zoom and is open to everyone.
Tickets can be ordered online by visiting our website, or they can be purchased on the door by cash or contactless.
To join Online (via zoom) an E-ticket must be obtained in advance and the ticket link will go live in March.
All monies go towards supporting the museum.
Tickets can be purchased at https://www.fleetairarmfriends.org.uk/talks/
