Archive for December, 2012

RAF Delivers Air Tattoo Xmas Gift

Monday, December 24th, 2012

Organisers of the Royal International Air Tattoo have described news of the Royal Air Force’s plans for next summer’s airshow as an exciting, early Christmas present.

In a letter to the organisers this week, the RAF outlined an ambitious programme of involvement at the Air Tattoo, which takes place at RAF Fairford, in the heart of the Cotswolds, on July 20 & 21, 2013.

The RAF’s Air Command said it hoped to send a flying VC-10 transport aircraft and TriStar air-to-air tanker plus a C-17, A330 ‘Voyager’ and C-130J/K Hercules for either the flying display or static park.

Other RAF aircraft earmarked for the airshow include a Tornado, Search & Rescue Sea King helicopter, the Red Arrows and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

The RAF said it also supported plans by the airshow organisers to bring together all the Typhoon operators of the world in line with its operational theme SkyGuardian.

A number of potential, exciting set pieces for the flying display were also suggested by the Royal Air Force, but airshow organisers said they were keeping these under wraps until next year.

Air Tattoo Chief Executive Tim Prince said: “Though we shall have to wait until spring to receive official confirmation of exactly which RAF aircraft will be attending, it’s great to receive such positive news so early.

“It is important for us to make sure that the Air Tattoo provides the most effective engagement opportunity for the Royal Air Force because of the incredible support they give us each year. Having knowledge of their plans so early on is fantastic and gives us a great head start with our planning. It was like receiving an early Christmas present!”

People planning to visit the Air Tattoo next summer have until Sunday, January 6 to take advantage of a specially-priced Super Earlybird ticket, which offers a saving of 33 per cent on the price of admission. For full details, visit www.airtattoo.com

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Duxford Special Events 2013

Monday, December 17th, 2012

Our exciting special events for 2013 are now on sale. From stunning cars to monster military vehicles; Second World War Spitfire nostalgia to our furry friends in the armed forces, there are some superb spectacles to look forward to next year.

Spring Car Show

Sunday 5 May

The Spring Car Show is the place to be for all car enthusiasts as we play host to hundreds of stunning contemporary and classic cars.

Car owners travel from across the UK to attend the Spring Car Show and will be delighted to talk to you about their four-wheeled pride and joys.

With a wide range of spectacular cars on display, the Spring Car Show is a fantastic day out for all the family.

The Spring Car Show is included in standard admission to IWM Duxford. Visitors aged 15 and under enjoy free admission.

Military Vehicle Show

Sunday 16 June

Celebrate Father’s Day on a grand scale with Military Vehicle Show. See displays of contemporary and historic military vehicles – there are even some that you can get into and onto for a closer look!

See and try on military equipment used by current serving personnel. Meet and chat to a variety of living history groups who will demonstrate equipment, uniforms and vehicles from a wide range of military campaigns.

Enjoy the power, thrill and excitement of Military Vehicle Show – the perfect way to celebrate Father’s Day!

Ticket Prices:
Adult (16-59 years) £18.50
Senior/Student £14.80
Child (under 16) Free
Unemployed £14.80
Disabled Adult, Senior, Student £13.85
Carer (one per disabled visitor) Free
Friends of Duxford Adult, Senior Free

Spitfires, Merlins and Motors

Sunday 28 July

Join us for a nostalgic celebration of the legendary Supermarine Spitfire and the unmistakable Merlin engine.

We’ll have a number of Spitfires on static display so that you can have a closer look at these iconic aircraft before seeing them take to the skies to perform short displays.

Adding to the vintage feel will be living history groups, bringing the 1940s to life. Hear the instantly recognisable Merlin engine roar into life and see a number of classic and contemporary cars on display.

Enjoy a fun and nostalgic day at IWM Duxford, the spiritual home of the Spitfire.

Ticket Prices:
Adult (16-59 years) £18.50
Senior/Student £14.80
Child (under 16) Free
Unemployed £14.80
Disabled Adult, Senior, Student £13.85
Carer (one per disabled visitor) Free
Friends of Duxford Adult, Senior Free

Animals in War

Sunday 11 August

Find out more about the surprising and courageous roles played by animals during war and conflict.

Hear about members of the animal kingdom who helped to win the war. Meet some four-legged military mascots and working animals. Learn how animals have always played their part in military campaigns and continue to serve within the Armed Forces today.

Animals at War is a great family day out for all animal lovers!

Ticket Prices:
Adult (16-59 years) £18.50
Senior/Student £14.80
Child (under 16) Free
Unemployed £14.80
Disabled Adult, Senior, Student £13.85
Carer (one per disabled visitor) Free
Friends of Duxford Adult, Senior Free

Remembrance Sunday

Sunday 10 November

Free admission

Remembrance Sunday has a special significance in the IWM Duxford calendar. On this day, we offer free admission to the museum for all and we very much hope that people will take the opportunity to visit us as we remember members of the Armed Forces who gave their lives in active service.

In addition to the traditional two-minute silence and Service of Remembrance, we’ll be hosting hands-on activities across the museum, where visitors of all ages can learn more about commemorating remembrance.

There may also be the opportunity to meet veterans and serving members of the Armed Forces.

We hope that you can join us at IWM Duxford to remember those who gave their lives in conflicts past and present and to actively commemorate those serving men and women who are no longer with us.

www.iwm.org.uk

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Duxford 2013 Air Shows

Monday, December 17th, 2012

We are delighted to announce our air show season for 2013.

Tickets for all air shows are now on sale, in good time to solve all your Christmas present dilemmas!
 
Plus, we’ve got a fantastic Early Bird offer running until Thursday 28 February 2013 – receive a 15%discount plus a free child ticket with every adult or senior ticket purchased in advance.

If you’re purchasing tickets for Christmas presents, we recommend that you make your purchases byTuesday 18 December for UK delivery.

Spring Air Show

Remembering the Mighty Eighth

Sunday 26May

Starting the air show season in spectacular style, the Spring Air Show brings together contemporary and historic aircraft for a fabulous day of flying.

This year, the Spring Air Show commemorates the 70th anniversary of the United States Army Air Force arriving at RAF Duxford in April 1943. We’ll look at the impact of the American Forces on the course of the Second World War in Europe and their cultural influence on the East Anglian community.

Historic US warbirds will take to the skies as we remember the time when the stars and stripes flew at RAF Duxford.

Flying Legends Air Show

Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July

A worldwide following has ensured that the Flying Legends Air Show is the heritage air show event in the aviation calendar. Each of the historic aircraft on display at the Flying Legends Air Show is a living tribute to the outstanding skills of the people who built,maintained and flew themand to the dedication of those who have brought these stunning aircraft back to life.

The Flying Legends Air Show presents these iconic aircraft in a spectacular display that honours their history and aerial achievements. The flying display promises an unmissable fusion of power, sound, excitement and nostalgia as a series of rare and unique piston-engined aircraft perform their breathtaking flights over the historic airfield at IWM Duxford.

The Early Bird offer does not apply to the Flying Legends Air Show.

The Duxford Air Show

Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September

The Duxford Air Show is the highlight of our programme of flying events, featuring an amazing array of aerial displays. We showcase contemporary jet aircraft, historic warbirds, aerobatics and much more!

With rare combinations of aircraft and show-stopping performances, The Duxford Air Show is a truly entertaining aerial spectacle.

Autumn Air Show

Sunday 13 October

The Autumn Air Show closes the flying season in relaxed and informal style.

We’ll be throwing the spotlight on the historic aeroplanes that are operated by flying partners based at the museum, with displays by some of the iconic aircraft that call IWM Duxford home.

Join us for a celebration of IWM Duxford’s flying heritage, which continues to thrive today.

Early Bird Offer

We’re offering a marvellous Early Bird discount of 15%on IWM Duxford 2013 air show tickets. The Early Bird offer is available until Thursday 28 February 2013. After this date, the normal advance purchase discount of 10% applies.

Tickets can be purchased online at iwm.org.uk or by calling the Box Office on 01223 499 353. The Box Office is open from Monday to Friday from9.30amto 4.30pm.

There is no booking fee but a postage and packing fee applies per transaction.
Please note that the Early Bird offer does not apply to the Flying Legends Air Show (Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July 2013).

Air show tickets will be on sale in advance until:

Spring Air Show

Recommended booking date for overseas postal delivery is Thursday 2 May

Closing date for UK postal delivery is Monday 13 May

Flying Legends Air Show

Recommended booking date for overseas postal delivery is Thursday 20 June

Closing date for UK postal delivery is Monday 1 July

The Duxford Air Show

Recommended booking date for overseas postal delivery is Thursday 15 August

Closing date for UK postal delivery is Monday 26 August

Autumn Air Show

Recommended booking date for overseas postal delivery is Thursday 19 September

Closing date for UK postal delivery is Monday 30 September

VIP Packages for the Flying Legends Air Show

Enjoy a choice of two very special air show experiences with our unique range of hospitality passes which offer the best seats in the house at the Flying Legends Air Show (Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July 2013).

The Bremont Flight Lounge, only available at the Flying Legends Air Show, provides guests with an elegant and luxurious location at the heart of the flying action. Join your guests in the tastefully themed luxury marquee where you can enjoy the very best of hospitality, commencing with a champagne and canapé reception, followed by a gourmet delicatessen-style buffet and concluding with a traditional English afternoon cream tea.

Sit back in the comfort and style of the Bremont Flight Lounge garden andmarvel at our world-famous flying display.

Gold Pass offers relaxed entertaining at its best. Enjoy a fine view of the flying action and access to a fully equipped hospitality marquee. Choose a delicious dish fromour in-house Gourmet Deli Bar or bring your own picnic lunch and relax in comfort as you watch the flying display from the heart of the flight line.

Gold Pass can be purchased online at iwm.org.uk.

Flying Legends – two words which instantly evoke the very best of classic aircraft displaying atIWM Duxford in one of the world’s most celebrated air shows.

For further details on the Bremont Flight Lounge, please email: flyvip@fighter-collection.com

VIP Packages for The Duxford Air Show

Enjoy a very special air show experience with our range of hospitality passes which offer the best seats in the house at The Duxford Air Show (Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September 2013).

Our PlatinumPass offers seats at the heart of the flying action, together with access to a sumptuous hospitality marquee where you can enjoy a delectable two-course lunch before enjoying a thrilling flying display from the comfort of a private garden enclosure. Platinum Pass is perfect for corporate entertaining or a special family celebration.

Gold Pass offers relaxed entertaining at its best. Enjoy a fine view of the flying action and access to a fully equipped hospitality marquee. Choose a delicious dish fromour in-house Gourmet Deli Bar or bring your own picnic lunch and relax in comfort as you watch the flying display from the heart of the flight line.

Following its successful debut last year, the Silver Pass enclosure is available at The Duxford Air Show 2013. Enjoy all the atmosphere and activities that the air show has to offer from the convenience of the Silver Pass marquee, specifically created with families inmind. There will be activities to entertain all the family and a refreshment point selling drinks and snacks.

Book your Gold or Silver Pass before Thursday 28 February 2013 and enjoy up to £20 off the standard ticket price.

Tickets for Silver, Gold and PlatinumPass can be purchased online at www.iwm.org.uk.

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Airscene Awards 2012 results

Tuesday, December 4th, 2012

Eastbourne “Airbourne” Airshow supporters have voted en masse in this years awards, pipping Bournemouth to the title of Best Free Airshow by a ratio of almost 2 to 1.

Both airshows are always very well received, and are two of the biggest draws each airshow season – to be fair the airshow itself is pretty much the same throughout at each venue. Airscene wouldnt like to pick a favourite – the beaches are similar, as is the weather, and once you have had one hot dog, then you have had them all. Perhaps the secret is in the hospitality, and very likely in the organisation – Eastbourne is certainly very good at rallying its support, calling on the following to tick their box a full 3 weeks before Bournemouth did.

For the second year running the Red Arrows have won Best Display Team, and by a whopping margin – receiving 77% of the votes, beating airshow newcomers “The Korean Black Eagles” into 2nd place.

The iconic Vulcan Bomber achieved the same number of votes in the Best Solo Display category – and Yes, it would appear these were mostly the same people who voted for the Reds.

In the Best Aviation Museum category Duxford Imperial War Museum storms ahead with 69% of the vote against just 31% for RAF Museum Hendon.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, last years winners of Best Airshow (RIAT) were just squeezed out by Duxford Flying Legends. All three airshow nominated in this category are regarded by many (well Airscene anyway) as the Big Three, so the result is no surprise – just 14 votes difference (from a total of 454 cast in this category). Waddington Airshow did not fare as well, receiving just 60 votes – Airscene thinks it should have been a 3-way tie with each scoring 33% – but then who will cast the deciding vote?

Thankyou to everyone who took part, and to see the full results from this years awards please visit: http://www.airscene.co.uk/airscene-awards-2012.php.

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Airscene 2014 Airshow Calendar Competition

Saturday, December 1st, 2012

Next years competition will officially open on 1st May 2014, there are a few changes from previous years, and it starts with the early entry phase, which opens today.

2013cc winning entry <<< The 2013cc winning entry.

The early entry phase is for photos which were taken during the 2012 airshow season, max 1 entry per person/household in the early entry phase. Shortlisting for this phase will take place in April and there are only 25 places on the shortlist for early entries.

Other changes to nexts years competition include a maximum number of available shortlist places (150 in total including the early entry phase) – each of the 5 months from May to September will have an allocation of 25 places, however unused places will be carried over to the next month.

As usual sponsors will be contacted in the new year, so there are no prizes currently listed, but rest assured there will be a whole pot of goodies up for grabs again.

For further information and to enter please visit http://www.airscene.co.uk/competitions/2014calendar.php.

Good Luck!


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