BATTLE of Britain veterans gathered at a Stanmore air base for a signing yesterday.

Surviving members of “The Few” spoke to around 300 air force enthusiasts from across the country at RAF Bentley Priory.

The base was home to fighter command during the war, and there are plans to turn some of the most historic rooms in the Grade II* listed mansion into a commemorative museum.

But, as the Harrow Times exclusively revealed last week, they have been shelved for at least a year following the collapse of a housing project at the site.

Squadron Leader Erica Ferguson, of the RAF Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust, said: “The veterans are still fighting to save their Bentley Priory - to save their spiritual home.

“The fact that we had 18, all aged in their 90s, who have spent the whole day signing memorabilia and talking to enthusiasts is quite remarkable.”

Flight Lieutenant William Walker, 95, a former Spitfire pilot, said: “It’s rather sad. I was hoping to still be alive when the museum opened.

“I think it’s absolutely essential. I think one of the biggest tragedies is that the Government sold off what is clearly a site of considerable importance.

“The trouble is that no one who is in government today has any idea what happened in 1940 or has any real regard for the forces at all.”

Alongside the signing, World War Two art was on sale and RAF re-enactors, dressed in uniforms from the period, turned out to add atmosphere to the day.

Members of the Radio Society of Harrow brought along genuine war time radios, used by RAF bombers at the time.

At one point they sent a message to Bletchley Park, in Milton Keynes, the base where British codebreakers worked to crack the German “enigma” encryption system.

Bentley Priory was off limits to the public for almost 80 years, but the trust plans to open the base for the second year running during a series of open days from September 10 to 13.

Thousands of people turned out for tours last year, and Ms Ferguson said there are plans to make the event even bigger this year.