“Zeppelin Terror Attack”

Thursday 13th November 2014

Lecture Starts at 6.00 pm

By Dr Hugh Hunt, Cambridge University

Location: Lecture Theatre ‘0’, Cambridge University Engineering Department, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1PZ.

Lecture Synopsis
“Zeppelin Terror Attack” (Channel Four) revisits the little-known story of the First World War’s Blitz, when the Zeppelin waged an 18-month terror campaign on the people of London. Dr Hugh Hunt and his colleagues attempt to find out why it was so difficult for British guns to bring down Zeppelins: a surprising problem given that the airships were filled with flammable hydrogen gas. The material that held the gas in a Zeppelin was made of cow gut, and there follows a series of grisly experiments to find out how the Germans managed to turn narrow tubes of cow intestines into enormous balloons. “Zeppelin Terror Attack” is an explosive mix of investigative engineering and vivid action from the past.

The film will be shown, followed by a Q&A session with the cast and crew.

Lecture to be followed by Buffet Supper at 7.45 pm (admission by advance ticket).

“The CV-22 Osprey”

Thursday 30th October 2014

Light Refreshments at 7.00 pm
Lecture Starts at 7:30 pm

Speaker: Lieutenant Colonel James S. Peterson USAF

Location: Lecture Theatre ‘0’, Cambridge University Engineering Department, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1PZ.

Lecture Synopsis

Lieutenant Colonel James S. Peterson is a CV-22 Operations Officer, Evaluator Pilot, and Aircraft Commander at the 7th Special Operations Squadron, Air Force Special Operations Command, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom.  This unit supports the 352nd Special Operations Group in support of  EUCOM objectives.

The V22 is a unique tilt rotor aircraft that combines the utility of a helicopter with the speed of a fixed wing aircraft.  It has been in development for a long time prior to making its operational debut in Iraq.

Colonel Peterson will be discussing the program’s history and describing its operational capabilities.  He will then go on to describe its flight control systems and conclude with some examples of real world experience which will include some combat footage.

This will be a great opportunity to learn more about thisunique aircraft that is becoming an increasingly common sight in the skies of East Anglia.