Individual of the Year

RICHARD WOODS

Richard has masterminded and steered the mammoth undertaking of dismantling Avro Shackleton WR963 at Coventry airport and moving her to her new home at Elvington between September 2023 and January 2025, a monumental achievement.

It was a complex task attended to by a team of skilled volunteers, but it was Richard’s impetus that started the whole project, when the aircraft lost its home at Coventry, and drove it along.

His drive and commitment, against an unrelenting timeframe which saw the final dismantling and transport happening in midwinter, have ensured that WR963 has a bright future as a live exhibit at the Yorkshire Air Museum.

Museum/Group of the Year

AVIATION PRESERVATION SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND

The Aviation Preservation Society of Scotland (APSS) wins the 2025 AHUK Group Award for its outstanding achievement in constructing a flying Sopwith 1½ Strutter from original drawings and a working Supermarine Spitfire simulator, and for currently constructing a World War One Sopwith Pup.

This remarkable, volunteer-led project demonstrates world-class craftsmanship, authenticity, and dedication to preserving aviation history.

Beyond this achievement, North Berwick-based APSS engages the public through talks, education, and skills training, inspiring future generations while safeguarding Scotland’s aviation legacy.

The Robert Pleming Memorial Award for Innovation

MEDWAY AIRCRAFT PRESERVATION SOCIETY LIMITED (MAPSL)

The restoration of the Short Scion Floatplane (G-AEZF) by the Medway Aircraft Preservation Society under the leadership of Robin Heaps, is a model of innovation in heritage engineering.

The restoration of this 1937 aircraft, built by Short Brothers at Rochester, has presented extraordinary challenges: incomplete documentation, severe structural degradation, and the scarcity of original parts. Overcoming these obstacles required both traditional craftsmanship and pioneering new methods.

The team developed creative restoration solutions such as:

· Reverse-engineering missing elements using a blend of surviving technical drawings, digital modelling, and engineering expertise.

· Employing advanced conservation techniques to stabilise fragile original materials while integrating modern replacements that remain visually and structurally faithful.

· Innovative project management, led by Robin Heaps, which combined skilled volunteers, professional support, and funding partners to deliver the restoration to time and budget.

Perhaps the most innovative outcome was not only the aircraft’s restoration but its placement inside Rochester Cathedral on completion in August 2025.

As an exhibition centrepiece, it transformed an historic place of worship into an immersive exhibition space. This reimagined how heritage aircraft can be displayed, making aviation history accessible to audiences far beyond traditional aviation museum visitors.

The project demonstrates that innovation in aviation heritage is not only about engineering solutions but also about rethinking how restored aircraft can engage communities.

Lifetime Achievement Awards

AHUK Lifetime Achievement Awards for 2025 have been made to:

RAY BURROWS

The Ulster Aviation Society was established in 1968 and counted Ray Burrows among its founders. He has remained a pivotal member, serving on the committee much of the Society’s lifetime, becoming chairman in 2012. The Society attained The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2018. In 2019 Ray was awarded an MBE for services to aviation heritage.

Ray pioneered the Society’s growth into a hub for heritage, education & preservation, focused on Northern Ireland’s significant contribution to global aviation. Thanks largely to Ray, the Society boasts the largest collection of aircraft on the island, 850+ members, and remains 100% volunteer driven.

MARTIN CLARKE

Martin for 62 years has provided a lead and inspiration to the Cotswold Aircraft Restoration Group and others. His determination and passion to preserve historic aircraft have seen him applying his Dowty Propellors Service Engineer skills, balancing a professional career with a focus on Heritage Aviation. He contributed much innovative early support to the nationally strategic airframe preservation of a Sea Hurricane and Gloster Gladiator during the 1970s. In the years 1963-1978 as a Cadet, he supported Peter Thomas’s private Skyfame UK Museum at Staverton Airport.

Amongst his projects have been Project Lead on the restoration of the Gloster-built Hawker Typhoon cockpit at the Jet Age Museum (a tribute to his wife Michele) and saving the ex-RAF Innsworth Gloster Meteor Gate Guardian. He has played a key role liaising on Auster and Piston Provost spares and was one of 125 people who completed Training Modules under the BAPC National Aviation Heritage Skills Initialtive.

PETER COOPER

Well-known aviation photographer Peter Cooper has a special interest in Farnborough and, as well as photographing for his Airclaims work, he maintained a photographic record of R&D at Farnborough as well as many of the changes in buildings. This he carried on during the demolition of the Main Factory site, and his collections are held as historical records at FAST.

Not content with just Farnborough he kept a detailed photographic archive of aircraft on test at AAEE Boscombe Down which has culminated in a serious collection of the aircraft history of that important test airfield.

PAUL FRANCIS

Paul has spent most of his adult life researching, recording and publishing material relating to Britain’s airfield development, architecture and associated infrastructure. He has published several definitive books on the subject such as British Military Airfield Architecture, Control Towers, and Airfield Defences. He is a founding member of the Airfield Research Group and has held several management positions within ARG.

He is a trained archaeologist and continues to provide heritage consultancy support to many companies and organisations. His research and contribution have led to countless Second World War and Cold War aviation structures being listed and preserved for the nation.

GERRY HITCH

Gerry is an exceptional person and has been a vital cog at Brooklands Museum almost since it was established. He has volunteered at the Museum since 1994 and last year celebrated his 30th year with Brooklands.

Gerry has been instrumental in many aviation projects across the museum, most notably his work on the restorations of the Museum’s Vickers VC10s where he has led the team who worked on redisplaying the cockpit sections and refurbished the interiors to create the best possible visitor experience, enhancing Brooklands’ story with the VC10. Gerry is an inspiration to everybody at the museum and has been a vital source of knowledge and support to those within the VC10 team as well as staff, sharing his knowledge for future generations to use and learn from.

JOHN PHILLIPS

John is a lifetime helicopter enthusiast and a long-serving member of the Helicopter Museum. In 2002 he was able to acquire the remaining incomplete airframe of Saunders-Roe Skeeter AOP12 XL765 and began his search for sufficient components to complete a rebuild to static display condition.

With his nephew, Adrian Brimson, this was finally achieved by 2023 and by then, owing to failing health, John and Adrian reached the reluctant conclusion that a new home must be found for their helicopter. This early Skeeter had been built at the SARO factory at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight, and John had long felt that he would eventually return it to its place of origin. He offered it to the Wight Aviation Museum, which gladly accepted it and it now enjoys pride of place and is a major attraction for visitors.

GRAHAM ROOD

Many have lauded the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust’s contribution to aviation heritage. Single-handedly it has safeguarded and championed the work of the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) and, without FAST’s determined efforts, vast amounts of aeronautical research produced in Farnborough would be not be easily available, or even lost.

Though the founders of FAST have been rightly lauded (notably with AHUK Lifetime Achievement Awards in 2024), perhaps the outstanding contribution has been made by Dr Graham Rood FRAeS. As FAST’s official and unofficial curator for around 25 years, he has led the collecting, conserving and research of the Museum’s ever-growing collections, written the RAE’s histories and, most importantly, welcomed and enthused countless researchers to mine their collections.

KELVIN SLOPER

Kelvin Sloper has given remarkable 35 years of service as Treasurer of the City of Norwich Aviation Museum. Kelvin’s commitment, integrity, and attention to detail ensured the museum’s finances were managed with transparency and care, laying the foundation for its continuing growth and success.

Beyond his financial stewardship, Kelvin has been a trusted colleague, always ready to support projects and share his passion for aviation heritage. His dedication over more than three decades exemplifies outstanding voluntary service and makes him a truly deserving recipient of this honour.