Archive for January, 2009

Anniversary of Formation of RAF Regiment

Friday, January 30th, 2009

The new TV documentary War Zone, being screened weekly on Channel 5, has sparked public interest in the Royal Air Force Regiment at Yorkshire Air Museum. The exhibition at Elvington is the only RAF Regiment display open to the public in Britain and shows details of the famous regiment, which was formed at Butlin’s Holiday Camp, Filey in 1942. During the war years, the camp operated partly as a holiday camp and also as RAF Hunmanby, with the Air Ministry overseeing the construction of the camp.The exhibition is open every day and amongst many unique exhibits is the Japanese flag from Singapore which was presented to the RAF Regiment who took the Japanese surrender in 1945.

The TV documentary follows the daily lives of RAF Regiment Squadrons in operations in Afghanistan, based at Kandahar airbase, and certainly seems to have captured public interest.

Ian Reed, Museum Director, said: “It is interesting to note that, under Royal Warrant, the RAF Regiment came into being at Filey, North Yorkshire, on 1st February 1942. The HQ later moved to Lincolnshire until 1946 and then back to Catterick, North Yorkshire. Sunday February 1st marks the 67th Anniversary of the formation of the RAF Regiment and it is appropriate that the Yorkshire Air Museum houses this fascinating display, containing some unique memorabilia, on the history and development of the force, not far from its spiritual home.”

Since its formation, the Regiment has served the Royal Air Force with distinction, throughout WWII, seeing active service in North Africa, Middle and Far East, the Mediterranean, Italy and central Europe. This has continued to the present day and the regiment has seen service all over the world, wherever there are airfields, installations or other elements of the RAF to defend. This has included Palestine, Suez, Malaya, Borneo, Aden, Northern Ireland, Cyprus, notably the Falklands, the Gulf and now Iraq and Afghanistan, as seen on our TV screens.

We would like to take this opportunity to appeal for any items of memorabilia that members of the public may wish to donate to us, to enable us to update and refresh the exhibition. In particular, we would welcome pictures from the days of the formation of the RAF Regiment at Filey, as we have not as yet been able to trace an image of this and the site has been demolished (2006).

To highlight the forthcoming anniversary and the existence of this unique RAF Regiment display, Frank Wright, Yorkshire Air Museum volunteer and former RAF Regiment soldier (1952 – 56) and some current serving personnel from 609 (West Riding) Royal Auxiliary Air Force Squadron, RAF Leeming, who have just completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan, gathered at the Yorkshire Air Museum. 609 Squadron is an Air Defence Support Squadron, comprising of two specialist trades – RAF Regiment Gunnery and Force Protection. (Frank lives in Roberttown, Liversedge, West Yorkshire).

www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk

Key Publishing come up with the goods

Thursday, January 29th, 2009

The Airscene 2010 Airshow Calendar Competition prize pot is beginning to grow as Key Publishing Ltd sponsor the competition for the fourth year in succession.

In order to make more prizes available to overseas entrants Key Publishing have agreed an increase in their offering this year to include p&p in the prize offers.

The prize table is currently as follows:

1st prize          £150 to spend on books/dvd’s/magazines/software etc on Key Publishing (incl p&p)

2nd prize         £100 to spend on books/dvd’s/magazines/software etc on Key Publishing (incl p&p)

3rd prize          £50 to spend on books/dvd’s/magazines/software etc on Key Publishing (incl p&p)

To see what Key Publishing have to offer check out www.keypublishing.com

We still have the two book offers from aviation author Anne Millbrooke, but have not decided where these will go in the prize list yet. As usual the prize list is expected to change and grow over the coming months, and announcements will be made as prizes are confirmed.

I look forward to receiving your entries.

Ian

www.airscene.co.uk

Worlds Biggest FREE Seafront Airshow Zooms Back

Saturday, January 10th, 2009

The dates of the World’s biggest FREE seafront airshow have been confirmed as Airbourne is set to return to Eastbourne seafront for four days from 13-16 August 2009.

Taking place for its 17th year in 2009, the seafront airshow regularly attracts a fast and furious mix of fast jets, aerobatics, helicopters, freefall parachutists, and old warbirds plus crowd-pleasing arena attractions.

From visitors meeting and speaking to pilots from across the world to watching adrenaline-fuelled arena displays ranging from the Royal Marines Unarmed Combat to a Jet Pack Man fuelled only by his engine-powered rucksack, Airbourne is renowned for putting on the biggest action-packed show on the south coast.

The Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, Councillor David Tutt said “I am extremely pleased to announce the dates for this year’s Airbourne. It’s a highlight of Eastbourne’s summer and a favourite with visitors from across the world. Kids love watching the dynamic aerobatics in the skies while visitors return year on year to admire a glorious display from the beautiful setting of Eastbourne seafront.”

Every year, Eastbourne Borough Council work alongside the RAF to put on a dazzling show, which features top flying displays, flight simulators, full size replica aircraft and ground exhibits from the RAF careers team.

The seafront airshow based on the open landscape of the Western Lawns also features 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.

With evening entertainment also scheduled to take place, Airbourne makes the perfect day out for those long summer days; from Bandstand concerts to a breathtaking firework finale on the Sunday night.

The Council are currently working with the local Business Community on Airbourne so that it becomes a self-funding event.

For more information and the latest news airshow enthusiasts can sign up online to become a Friend of Airbourne and receive regular updates to their inbox. Visit www.eastbourneairshow.co.uk or telephone 0871 663 0031.

Airscene 2010 Calendar Competition

Sunday, January 4th, 2009

The previous Airscene calendar competition was a success again, with the number of shortlisted entries rising to 87 (from around 200 received). This year I am hoping to achieve more than 100 shortlisted entries, and for this reason the competition is starting early.

So, the Airscene 2010 Calendar Competition is now open, and our first sponsor is on board already. Anne Millbrooke has kindly offered another copy of Aviation History, and Abbreviations, Acronyms and Alpabets of Aviation to this years competition.

I am already in talks with several other sponsors and expect to make more prize announcements over the coming months. I am working hard this year on making prizes available to all 12 winning entries, with more availabilty to non UK winners too, and I am hopeful of pulling it off.

The rules are the same as in previous years, with the addition of a “too similar” rule (rule 2). I would like to wish you all the very best of luck and look forward to receiving your entries.

For more details, visit www.airscene.co.uk/competitions.php