Children and team members from Partou Woodlands Halton Day Nursery and Pre-School in Wendover were given a rare opportunity to inspect a military aircraft during a visit to nearby RAF Halton.
They were met by Station Warrant Officer Jerry McGuire who showed them the 70-year-old restored and re-painted gate guardian aircraft and told them all about the year it was made.
Normally the public are unable to access a British military aircraft at such close quarters.
However, this rare opportunity allowed the children to get up close and understand its mechanics by spinning the wheels and touching the wings.
Jerry explained to the children that the wings help the plane to stay in the air, with the wheels essential for it to take-off and land.
Following the inspection, RAF Community Support Officer Tammy Stoker treated the children to a fun session in the station’s soft play facilities.
Located near the village of Halton in Buckinghamshire, RAF Halton is one of the largest RAF stations in the UK and home to approximately 2,100 people incorporating regular and reserve personnel, RAF basic training recruits, civil servants and contractors.
Its primary role is Phase 1 Royal Air Force training ‘new recruits’ and both regular and reserve, including re-joiners, to perform to the highest standard of leadership in UK defence.
Emily Brown, Partou Woodlands Halton Nursery Manager, said: “This was such a lovely opportunity for us to be a part of.
“The children were able to learn and understand about their community and people who keep them safe.
“It gave us an insight to some of our families’ lives, as a number of them work within the RAF.
“We are so grateful to Jerry and Tammy for inviting us to see beyond the gates.”
RAF Halton Station Warrant Officer Jerry McGuire said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for these children to get up close with the RAF Halton gate guardian aircraft in its 70th year.
“They were all very interested in the stories and getting their hands on and spinning the front wheel seemed to top this off for all.
“We at RAF Halton value the community and Partou Woodlands Day Nursery are an integral part of this with many of our service children attending.
“Thank you all for everything you do.”
Laura Clay, Partou Regional Childcare Director, said: “Children attending Partou Woodlands Halton benefit from regular trips into the local community which provide real life experiences to build their understanding of the world around them.
“The visit to RAF Halton was particularly special and gave them a memory to think and talk about together, supporting their growing independence.”
