Old warbird at Metheringham airfield museum features in new war movie

The makers of a major new war movie set around a pivotal operation to the D-Day landings visited an airfield museum at the weekend.
Chairman of the Friends of Metheringham Airfield Andy Marson and the Dakota - almost back in once piece. EMN-160315-135355001Chairman of the Friends of Metheringham Airfield Andy Marson and the Dakota - almost back in once piece. EMN-160315-135355001
Chairman of the Friends of Metheringham Airfield Andy Marson and the Dakota - almost back in once piece. EMN-160315-135355001

A crew from Eagles Dare Films visited Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre on Saturday to use the interior of the museum’s Dakota aircraft to shoot a promotional film to take to Cannes Film Festival.

The new film, called Pegasus Bridge, tells the story of the British paratroopers who swooped in on gliders ahead of the D-Day landings in the Second World War to capture vital bridges on the Orne River and canal, codenamed Operation Deadstick. Part of the 6th Airborne Division landed within yards of their target - later to be known as Pegasus Bridge - holding on until reinforcements arrived.

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Among the strong cast is actor and executive producer Jason Flemyng of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

Andy Marson, chairman of the airfield’s visitor centre, said they were using the Dakota for night time shots having already filmed at East Kirkby.

He said: “They did a quick interview with myself and Rod Sanders, the curator, about the Dakota. They thought our gymnasium could be used as a briefing room for the main film, so we hope they will return in September or April.

“Lincolnshire was part of the airborne invasion of France and we have a photo of a Lancaster with a Horsa glider in the background at Metheringham which they would have used for training.”

He said: “If they want some elderly extras we are up for it.”