Our Guides

Jim Shortland

Jim is a renowned local Aviation enthusiast and historian with extensive knowledge of 617 Squadron. Co author of “Dam busters in Focus”, Jim is a hugely respected authority in Lincolnshire on many areas of WW2 and in particular the history of Bomber County. With his wealth of contacts he also brings unique facets to the tour which could not necessarily be achieved ‘going it alone’. In addition to unrivalled knowledge, gained through meeting and talking extensively with key individuals of the period, Jim also brings infectious enthusiasm to enhance the tour experience.

Geoff Simpson

Geoff has spent his career in journalism and public relations.He has a long-standing interest in the history of the RAF, particularly in the Second World War. Over the past 25 years he has talked to and corresponded with around 400 of the Allied airmen who flew in the Battle of Britain, as well as many relatives.Geoff has written for a wide range of publications including the Daily Telegraph, RAF News, Spirit of the Air, This England, Best of British, Evergreen, Heritage, Cheshire Life and the Jersey Evening Post. He is a regular contributor to Britain at War magazine.Venues at which Geoff has spoken on RAF topics include the St George’s RAF Chapel of Remembrance at Biggin Hill, the Imperial War Museum, the Oxford Union and La Societe Jersiaise in Jersey. In September 2011 he was the guest speaker at the annual officers’ mess Battle of Britain dinner at RAF Valley.Geoff appears on radio and television. He recently took part in a programme devoted to the Battle of Britain in the Find My Past series on the Yesterday Channel. He is regularly interviewed on BBC Radio Jersey on RAF topics.Geoff is a Trustee of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, which maintains the National Memorial to The Few at Capel-le-Ferne, Kent. He was, for five years, a Council member of the Friends of the Imperial War Museum.

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David Lee

Following some 16 years of experience as ‘ Deputy to the Keeper of Duxford Airfield’, David brings a wealth of knowledge having been intimately involved with the development of IWM Duxford and specifically with controlling the implementation Project to prepare, conserve and install the aircraft into the American Museum. David now acts as an independent Consultant on Aeronautical History and in addition to publishing specific reference books, guiding and lecturing to Groups across the UK, Europe, New Zealand and Australia he also commentates at various Air shows across the UK.