Archive for December, 2007

Conservation Centre Open Week

Monday, December 17th, 2007

Next year, the Michael Beetham Conservation Centre (MBCC) at Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is opening its doors to the public for the first time.The MBCC is one of the finest aircraft conservation centres in the world. To enable greater public access and an understanding of the centre’s work, it will be opening its doors to visitors for two exclusive periods in 2008.

Visitors to the Museum will gain exclusive behind-the-scenes access to aircraft conservation work and have a rare opportunity to view current projects, including work being undertaken on the Handley Page Hampden bomber, Lindbergh’s Miles Mohawk and the Sopwith Dolphin.

The first open week will run from Monday 28th January to Friday 1st February 2008. The second will be from 24th to 28th November 2008. The Conservation centre will be open each day from 11.00am – 3.00pm.

Manager of the Conservation Centre, Tim Wallis says:

“The conservation team at the MBCC are justifiably proud of the work they do towards preserving our aviation heritage. We welcome this opportunity to allow the public a degree of access towards finding out more about the painstaking and skilled work that aircraft conservation entails. The MBCC is a very busy place however and it will remain a working domain throughout. Come along and experience this fascinating work with us, I’m sure you’ll not be disappointed.”

The main Museum is open daily from 10am – 6pm (last admission 4pm). Admission and parking are both free of charge.

For further information, please contact the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on 01902 376200 or visit www.rafmuseum.org

Spectacular Air Dynamics Return in 2008

Sunday, December 16th, 2007

The biggest seafront airshow in the world will return to Eastbourne seafront next year from 14-17 August with four days of action packed flying to entertain visitors.Airbourne has just celebrated its 15th year and regularly attracts a vibrant mix of fast jets, aerobatics, helicopters, freefall parachutists and old warbirds, with the world famous Red Arrows always a hot favourite.

Eastbourne Borough Council Spokesperson for Tourism, Cllr Steve Wallis said “I’m very excited to announce the dates for next year’s Airbourne. It’s the highlight of Eastbourne’s summer with such a variety of displays that get everybody involved. Kids love the activities and chance to speak to real-life pilots on the ground, while visitors return every year to find themselves bedazzled by even more daring air dynamics.”

Organisers Eastbourne Borough Council and the RAF are joining forces to put on an entertaining and exciting show for 2008, which sees the RAF celebrate its 90th anniversary so watch out for some special displays, in addition to the spectacular aerobatics which are a tradition at the show. Airbourne also features exciting ground demonstrations with full size aircraft, cockpits and displays from the RAF careers team. Visitors can speak to crew members, experience flight simulators and watch arena demonstrations all from the open landscape of the Western Lawns.

The show has a wide range of trade stands to suit all pockets from children’s attractions to a diverse catering village with Eastbourne beaches providing a magnificent setting to watch all the action.

The entertainment at Airbourne continues through to the evenings too. Visitors can enjoy a packed programme of events, including the Big Band night and concerts at the Bandstand and a spectacular and breathtaking firework finale on the Sunday night.

Join Friends of Airbourne free to receive newsletters and special offers as well as priority information on all of Eastbourne’s other events. For more information visit www.eastbourneairshow.com or telephone 0871 663 0031.