17th September 2011

6.00pm – 8.30pm

£10.00 per person

(Open cockpits and aircraft may be subject to change)

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford will be opening up its doors to visitors for a special evening event taking pace on Saturday 17th September 2011. During ‘Open Cockpits Evening’, a selection of historic aircraft and cockpits will be available for close viewing for a limited number of visitors, allowing rare inside access to some of the World’s most historic aircraft.

During ‘Open Cockpits Evening’ members of the public will have the chance to see inside a number of cockpits including; the MH-53 Combat Search and Rescue helicopter, as used by the United States Air Force; the Jaguar ACT Demonstrator a ground attack aircraft modified to demonstrate fly-by-wire /active control technology (ACT) and a Gnat T1 as previously used by the world famous Red Arrows team.

The evening will be a rare treat for visitors to get inside some of the iconic aircraft on display at the Museum and get a feeling of what it was like to fly these much loved aircraft. Major highlights for aviation enthusiasts include the opportunity to see inside the famous TSR2 a twin engined tactical strike reconnaissance prototype and to examine how pilots operated the unique Meteor F8 Prone Position, whilst flying lying down. Other aircraft accessible to the public on this evening will include the York, Hastings and Twin Pioneer.

Museum Events Executive, Nina Mitchell says:
“After the success of the first ‘Open Cockpits Evening’ held in May this year, we hope to make this an annual event. Access inside the aircraft is something we are not able to do all the time. By opening them up to a limited number of visitors for this event, we are able to offer them quality time inside the aircraft, with our team of volunteers available to answer any questions.”

A total of 14 aircraft will be available for close viewing on the night. In addition to this, visitors will have exclusive access to the Museum which contains over 70 aircraft on display and its award winning National Cold War Exhibition.

This evening event will run from 6.00pm to 8.30pm. Numbers onto the Museum site will be limited to 300 people, to allow enthusiasts to spend as much time as possible examining these wondrous aircraft. Admission is by advance ticket only. Tickets costs £10.00 per person and are on sale now at the Museum. Height restrictions of 1.07 metres will apply. Parking charges are included in the ticket price.

For further information on the ‘Open Cockpit Evening’ or to purchase tickets over the phone, please contact the Museum on 01902 376200. Visit www.rafmuseum.org for information on the Museum and other events. Please note: Open cockpits and aircraft available for close viewing may be subject to change.

http://www.rafmuseum.org/

The most iconic aircraft of the Second World War will take to the skies in a moving tribute at the Battle of Britain Air Show and festival, at Cotswold Airport.The Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster of the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) are set to play the starring role at this year’s show, on September 17 and 18.

Unlike previous years, when the event was a pure airshow, the 2011 event will also feature a steam fair, complete with carousel, helter skelter and other rides. Organisers are also inviting local traders to become more involved and use the show to showcase their products and services and create a shopping area featuring the best of local produce.

Event director Suzannah Harvey said: “Last year’s event was a sell out and we want to build on that huge success and create a real festival atmosphere.

“As always, we want to ensure the show is a fitting tribute to all those who fought so gallantly for our freedom in the Second World War.

“But we also want local people to become more involved and really feel like an integral part of the event.”

The BoB Airshow will also commemorate the 75th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire and the BBMF are one again set to thrill the crowds.

The flight, based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, serves as a flying tribute to the many courageous pilots, some still in their teens, who took to the skies against an enemy German air force that had vastly superior numbers of aircraft.

Along with Europe’s only flying Lancaster bomber, the flight operates no less than five Supermarine Spitfires of various marks (one of which actually fought in the Battle of Britain), two Hawker Hurricanes and a Dakota.

Other performers will include the Tiger Nine Tiger Moth display team and the South Cerney-based Renegades parachute team.

An AN2, Dragon Rapide and a Chipmunk, representing the airport-based fly2help charity, will also take to the skies.

Event operations manager Glen Moreman said: “It’s always a delight to see the BBMF return to the skies above the Cotswolds and this year’s show has added significance in that it marks a true milestone for the Spitfire.

“We’ve got a beautiful setting here at Cotswold Airport and, because the BoB Airshow will be based on the north side, around the control tower, it gives the event a very intimate and atmospheric feel.”

Cotswold Airport will continue to support the charities fly2help and the RAF Benevolent Fund during the weekend of the show.

Tickets for the event are priced at £15, with children 16 and under admitted free.

They are available online through the air show website (www.battleofbritainairshow.com); from the following Tourist Information Centres: Cheltenham, Chippenham, Cirencester, Corsham, Malmesbury, Stroud, Swindon, Tetbury, Warminster, Bath, Bourton-on-the-Water, Melksham, Trowbridge, Gloucester, Tewkesbury; from The Crown public house, Cirencester; and via telephone 08712 301 079.

Local traders are also being offered heavily discounted rates for showground pitches.

For more information on trade stand rates, contact Suzannah Harvey at suzannah@cotswoldairport.com.

American Air Day

Friday 19 August

Enjoy an Anglo-American celebration as Imperial War Museum Duxford hosts its fifth American Air Day on Friday 19 August.

This family-friendly, interactive day showcases the work of the United States Air Force in Europe (USAFE), in particular units of the Third Air Force based at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in East Anglia.

Meet and mingle with USAFE personnel and find out more about their missions, aircraft and equipment. Discover what it is like to be serving on an American air base in Britain.

Exciting flying demonstrations will include displays by the F-15 C (x2), a tactical single-seat fighter and the F-15E Strike Eagle (x2) a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. There will also be a flyby from the KC-135 Stratotanker, the aircraft that provides the core refuelling capability for the United States Air Force, having excelled in this role for more than 50 years.

It is also likely that there will be a flypast by the A-10 Thunderbolt II (x 2), a highly-advanced fighter aircraft which has excellent manoeuvrability at low speeds and altitude, with a highly accurate weapons-delivery platform. The A10 Thunderbolt II has not previously flown at Duxford so there is huge excitement around this potential flypast!

A selection of Duxford’s historic American aircraft will also take to the skies, celebrating the United States’ heritage of iconic aeroplanes. These will include the North American F-86 Sabre, Boeing Stearman, AT-16 Harvard (x 2), Beechcraft 17 Staggerwing and the Consolidated PBY Catalina.

See a wide range of displays and demonstrations which show the diversity of operations and roles within USAFE. The popular Security Forces Service (SFS) K9 dog display team will be showcasing the skills of USAFE’s highly trained dogs in three demonstrations throughout the day.

There will also be a display of the Security Forces Humvee vehicles and a display of trucks and firefighting equipment from the USAFE Fire Service, including the chance to meet Sparky the Fire Dog. In addition, there will be a Birds of Prey demonstration, which is always a huge attraction.

The USAFE Operational Support Service will be presenting aircrew flight equipment and demonstrating how they prepare a fighter aircraft for readiness – using Duxford’s own static F15 Eagle exhibit as part of the demonstration for true authenticity.

In a poignant Missing in Action ceremony, the USAFE Honor Guard will be remembering United States personnel who have lost their lives in active service.

This moving act of remembrance directly links with the American Air Museum at IWM Duxford, which stands as a memorial to the 30,000 American airmen who gave their lives flying from UK bases in defence of liberty during the Second WorldWar and also honours those who fought in Korea, Vietnam, Libya, Iraq and other conflicts and battles of the 20th and 21st centuries.

We’re delighted to be welcoming back SR-71 Blackbird pilot Colonel Richard Graham who will be hosting walk-around tours of the Blackbird spy plane that he flew, which is now in pride of place in the American Air Museum.

There will also be a display of stylish American classic cars, complete with fins, chrome and fabulous interiors.

Come along and meet members of the United States Air Force in Europe in a relaxed, family-friendly day and enjoy an Anglo-American celebration at Duxford!

This exciting day also acknowledges the historic link between East Anglia and the United States Army Air Force that dates back to 1918, when the first US airmen arrived at RAF Duxford.

Summer Holiday activities too!

In addition, IWM Duxford’s summer holiday activities will be running during American Air Day.

Try your hand at exciting experiments as Feel the Force brings science and technology to life from 10.30am to 2.30pm under the wings of the iconic Concorde in AirSpace. Get a grip, pulling and pushing gears and levers to see forces and motion at work and then discover how those forces are put to great effect in the huge aircraft that surround you.

Test your knowledge of the flying pioneers who played a significant role in the development of aviation and try a real ejector seat for size.

The Airfix Make and Paint Zone provides an opportunity to make your own Airfix model and paint it in a range of colours. Once complete, the finished model aircraft is placed into a hanger box so that you can take your aviation masterpiece home as a souvenir of your day at Duxford.

Duxford takes a trip back to the 1940s Home Front in Hangar 4: Battle of Britain from 11.00am to 3.00pm with Gooseberries and Gas Masks.

Find out about life during the Second World War; discover what the wartime ration of food looked like, the types of gas masks that were worn and the air raid precautions that were strictly followed. Then put your wartime wisdom to the test with our Home Front quizzes.

Chat to a costumed interpreter enacting a wartime character – you could meet a Forties housewife, a member of the Home Guard, an ARP Warden or a Bomb Disposal Officer. Find out more about their exciting and dangerous war work and day-to-day Home Front life.

Visit the children’s dressing up station and try on mini-wartime outfits and uniforms. Choose from ARP, Home Guard and civilian outfits and see which suits you best!

Get hands-on with thrifty ‘Make Do and Mend’ craft activities and see a recreated ‘Dig for Victory’ allotment, bursting with ‘vegetables’ to keep Britain healthy during wartime.

www.iwm.org.uk/duxford

Visitors to Eastbourne International Airshow can look forward to a real musical showcase of evening entertainment with Bandstand concerts, movie screenings and firework spectaculars extending Airbourne into the night.When the flying comes to an end, visitors can still enjoy the buzz of the airshow excitement into the evening with Bandstand concerts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, including tribute and Big Band.

Friday promises an extended schedule of flying with the Red Arrows headlining an evening programme at 7pm, while Saturday promises a Night at the Movies with Grease being shown on a giant screen, and the dazzling firework finale rounds off the four day extravaganza on Sunday night.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “The evening entertainment at Airbourne creates a real festival feeling in Eastbourne with lots for visitors of all ages to enjoy during the day and on into the evening. The Airbourne Bandstand concerts offer something totally different this year with two brand new tribute nights to JLS and Showaddywaddy, something for all generations! With Saturday Night at the Movies promising a great big screen experience too with a free beachside film showing, I hope we see lots of visitors extend their day out at Airbourne long into the evening!”

Kicking off the evening entertainment on Thursday evening is Big Band Night with Swingshift performing all the hits from this memorable era.

Friday night promises extended flying until 8pm with displays from the Belgian F16, Matadors Team, Hawker Hurricane, Blades and Red Arrows performing a dusk flying display before a JLS tribute act take to the stage at the Bandstand performing some of today’s most popular hits.

Saturday promises a step back in time to the 60s and 70s with one of the world’s best loved musicals Grease being shown on a big screen on the Western Lawns at 6pm, and a Showaddywaddy tribute concert at the Bandstand at 8pm for a rock ‘n’ roll night.

Sunday promises a firework display to take visitors’ breaths away as a fitting end to the thrilling four day event with a colourful display of pyrotechnics launched from Eastbourne Pier at 10pm.

Tickets for all Bandstand concerts are on sale now from the Seafront Office, next to the Bandstand, or by calling 01323 410611. Visitors can also book exclusive seating to watch the firework final for just £2 from the Seafront Office.

For more information on the evening entertainment at Airbourne 2011 visit www.eastbourneairshow.com or call 0871 663 0031.

Thousands of visitors came to Duxford’s first Sally B and Friends Day on Sunday 31 July for a day of great entertainment, 1940s nostalgia and fantastic flying. Many visitors were dressed in fabulous 1940s outfits and really entered into the spirit of the day!The wartime nostalgia could be felt across the Museum, with Rangers Re-enactors bringing the ‘Friendly Invasion’ of the United States Forces to life, while the Pitsford Home Guard perfectly recreated the real ‘Dad’s Army’ with Local Defence drills, demonstrations and interaction with visitors.

Fabulous forties music was provided by Room 21, who had visitors toe-tapping to Swing and Big Band classics, while the D-Day Darlings wowed the crowds with an authentic Andrews Sisters-style show, featuring instantly recognisable wartime songs that had everybody singing along!

The opportunity to meet the B-17 Preservation Team proved incredibly popular, with packed audiences for the talks by Andrew Dixon (Training Captain), Peter Brown (Chief Engineer) and Elly Sallingboe (Sally B operator) and some lively question and answer sessions.

There was some fantastic flying during the afternoon of Sally B and Friends Day. Sally B took to the skies in a solo display and was then joined by her ‘little friends’, the North American P-51 Mustang and the Supermarine Spitfire IXB.

The Italian trainer aircraft Fiat G-46 then performed a solo display, in its first appearance at Imperial War Museum Duxford.

The SWIP Team of Peter Wells and Guy Westgate performed a superb display in their graceful and agile Twister SA1100 aircraft and were followed by a display of the Beechcraft 17 Staggerwing, Douglas Dakota DC-3 and Beech 18 Expediter. Sally B then joined the three aircraft for a very special salute to the Sally B Supporters Club, without whom it would not be possible to keep Sally B flying.

A T28 Trojan aircraft then flew, followed by aerobatics master Mark Jefferies, who performed a jaw-droppingly amazing display in the Extra 330SC, which drew rousing applause from the crowd.

For the grand finale, Sally B flew with the SWIP Team in their Twister SA1100 aircraft before performing a poignant final solo display to the strains of the 1940s recording of Vera Lynn singing ‘We’ll Meet Again.’

This was a fantastic celebration of Sally B in her 66th year and a relaxed, fun and nostalgic day that was enjoyed by all!

http://www.iwm.org.uk/duxford

Recently, Historic Aircraft Collection (HAC) brought a very special historic aircraft to Duxford for reassembly and display.Hawker Fury Mk.I K 5674 serial number 41H/67550 is the only Hawker Fury in existence and has been faithfully restored to flying condition.

The remains of this rare aircraft were discovered on a farm in South Africa and acquired by Historic Aircraft Collection following information received from staff at the RAF Museum.

After an 18-year restoration, the Hawker Fury was recently reassembled at Imperial War Museum Duxford, where visitors could see the talented team of HAC engineers painstakingly assemble this spectacular aircraft.

The Fury is now presented in the scheme it was flown in when it was last operational, as part of the famous ‘Fighting Cocks’, 43 Squadron, RAF Tangmere. It was then the personal aircraft of Flying Officer Rosier, Officer Commanding ‘B’ Flight, later to become Air Chief Marshall Sir Frederick Rosier GCB CBE DSO.

Flying Officer Rosier first flew the Fury during December 1936 but had to relinquish the aircraft in February 1939. It was eventually sent to South Africa in 1940. Taken on charge by 13 Squadron, based at Swartkop, it was damaged in a forced landing and was subsequently struck off charge in March 1941.

The restoration of this beautiful pre-war fighter aircraft was undertaken by Retrotec Limited, who also rebuilt the extremely rare Rolls Royce Kestrel IIS engine.

The restored and reassembled Hawker Fury can currently be seen in all its gleaming glory in the Hangar 3: Air and Sea exhibition at Imperial War Museum Duxford.

http://www.iwm.org.uk/duxford

Eastbourne is getting ready for the biggest event of the year next week with Airbourne flying into town from 11-14 August and airshow fans are being invited to join the final countdown with the official souvenir programme on sale now.Visitors to Eastbourne International Airshow, which gets underway next Thursday, can enjoy an early preview of the thrilling flying displays, arena action, and packed programme of evening entertainment with the official 2011 souvenir programme hitting news shelves around the town.

Hundreds of pre-orders have already been taken online for this year’s programme and now eager fans can get their hands on a copy from businesses and newsagents in and around Eastbourne.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure Cllr Neil Stanley said “I can’t believe that Airbourne is now only a week away and this year’s show certainly promises to be action-packed from start to finish, with new attractions joining old favourites. The souvenir programme is a brilliant way to get an insider’s guide to all the flying displays and to start planning your visit to the event next week. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the many businesses around the town who are helping us to sell the programme this year and spread the Airbourne brand as far and wide as possible!”

This year’s programme promises a double page of discount vouchers for Airbourne visitors to redeem at local attractions as well as two competitions, including the chance to win a season ticket for Eastbourne Town FC. Programme buyers will also be able to receive up to the minute flying times each day.

Available at more outlets across the town than ever before, there is no excuse for airshow fans to miss out on grabbing their copy. Priced at just £3, the programme is available to buy now from the Tourist Information Centre, Seafront Office, online from www.visiteastbourne.com and at a wide range of independent newsagents and outlets in Eastbourne.

Programme sellers will also be located around Eastbourne from Monday 8 August. With official Airbourne radio headsets available to purchase offering the chance for visitors to listen to the official airshow radio station on 87.7FM from Monday, visitors can buy both a programme and radio headset for just £5 and enjoy the ultimate guide to Airbourne on the go.

For more information on Airbourne 2011 or to order a copy of the programme online visit www.visiteastbourne.com or telephone 0871 663 0031.

Visitors to Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow are invited to go ‘Hairbourne’ next week with celebrity hairdresser Jal Clarke cutting hair for donations and attempting to set a new World Record.The owner of Icon Stylists in Eastbourne is extending the attractions and activities on the ground at Airbourne when it returns to the seafront next week from 11-14 August.

Throughout the four days, visitors will be able to have their hair cut in return for donations towards the future of the airshow and the Eastbourne RNLI, as well as watch the celebrity hairdresser try to set a new Guinness World Record for the highest number of haircuts in one hour.

With the Eastbourne Hospitality Association (EHA) already organising a retiring collection of visitor donations towards Airbourne and their chosen charity for 2011, the Eastbourne RNLI, Jal’s Hairbourne initiative comes as a further boost.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “We are very excited to welcome Jal Clarke and his team from Icon Stylists to Airbourne and offer a unique setting for a haircut! With a packed programme of flying displays and arena attractions ready to entertain the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected over the free four day event, Hairbourne, which will be located at the foot of the Wish Tower Slopes, will offer something a little different! I hope that visitors take the opportunity to support Airbourne in this novel way by enjoying a haircut and contributing towards the future of this world famous event all at the same time.”

Jal will attempt the new World Record on the Saturday of Airbourne and visitors are also invited to watch local group The Sea Gypsies modelling new hairstyles before performing their dance act.

The hairdressing fun will continue through to Sunday too with visitors invited to enter a prize draw for the chance to play Jal’s version of The Generation Game. Contestants will watch an Icon stylist create a hair-up style and will then have to try their best to copy it on a volunteer, with the overall winner receiving a full makeover courtesy of Icon Stylists.

Jal Clarke said “It’s a privilege for Icon Stylists to be appearing at such a great show as Airbourne. We are glad to help raise money and awareness to the importance of local events that Eastbourne Borough Council strives to achieve for the future in Eastbourne. Year after year, 24-7, don’t they do it well?”

Other highlights coming up at Airbourne next week include a top flight of flying displays including the iconic Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, The Blades, Breitling Wingwalkers and new for 2011, displays from the Royal Navy Black Cats and Royal Navy Raiders Parachute Display Team.

The Marines Unarmed Combat team are set to make a welcome return to the arena displays, alongside the popular Essex Dog Display Team and RAF College Band, with a special ground visit by the Red Arrows scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

With concerts at the Bandstand on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, a big screen showing of Grease, and a firework finale, the airshow experience will continue through to the evenings on all four days.

For more information on Airbourne 2011 go to www.eastbourneairshow.com or call 0871 663 0031.