The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight returns in full force to Wings & Wheels on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August with a new Officer at the helm and a face-lift for one of BBMF’s most iconic aircraft, the Lancaster.

With a new Officer in Charge, SQN LDR Duncan Mason who begins his 3 year tour with BBMF, the Flight has also welcomed “Thumper” the new nose art on the Lancaster, which has replaced the “Phantom of the Ruhr”. Thumper MK111 is depicted from the 1942 Walt Disney cartoon “Bambi” and features Thumper the rabbit holding a frothing pint of beer. The nose art has been changed to commemorate the 70th anniversary of 617 Squadron’s “Operation Chastise”, better known as the Dambusters raid which famously breached the Mohne and Edersee Dams with the “bouncing bomb” and also flooded the Ruhr Valley.

Joining the Lancaster at Wings & Wheels will be the Flights Hurricane and iconic Spitfire which celebrated its 77th anniversary in March.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director comments: “The home of Wings & Wheels is a Second World War Aerodrome with an illustrious history, so it’s only fitting that we commemorate this history with the return of the iconic aircraft which make up the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. It’s an honour to have the Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane displaying at the Show and we are delighted to confirm their participation.”

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the world famous Red Arrows, Wildcat Helicopter, Typhoon, Vulcan, Team Breitling Wingwalkers and a host of other modern and historic aircraft during the 5 hour flying displays. For four and two wheeled fans, supercars and classic and vintage icons put on an awe inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a 2 hour auto spectacular from Brooklands Museum.

The 9th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th August 2013, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 18:00.

Tickets start from £20 for adults, £45 for a family (2 adults and 3 children aged 5 – 15yrs), £6 for children aged between 5 and 15yrs and under 5s are free. Hospitality packages start from £65 per person, weekend passes, grandstand tickets and camping are also available. For more information visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book standard tickets call 08712 305 572.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and is in support of nominated charities: Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

As the dust finally starts to settle back over the RAF Cosford airfield, spectators are still talking about the surprise Royal visitor who showed off his flying skills to a record crowd at the Air Show on Sunday 9th June.

Captain Wales, better known as Prince Harry, smiled and waved to the public as he completed the pre-flight checks on his Apache attack helicopter before demonstrating the incredible abilities of the Army Air Corps aircraft.

In his first Air Show performance, Captain Wales flew alongside an RAF Chinook helicopter in the humbling Medical Emergency Response Team demonstration, highlighting how the two aircraft work together out on operations in the life-saving role. He then went on to take part in the individual Apache display, showing off the agility and grace of his deadly attack helicopter.

The Prince couldn’t have picked a better day for his debut on the Air Show circuit, as the record crowds enjoyed glorious summer weather with initial estimates indicating an attendance in excess of 50,000.

The 28 year old Royal co-pilot gunner has been drawn from a pool of suitably qualified and experienced, operationally ready, Apache aircrew and ground crew and therefore may be selected to display at other Air Shows throughout the summer.

Other highlights of the 2013 event included a special formation display between the RV8tors and Vulcan XH558 as well as inspiring performances from the RAF Red Arrows and Typhoon jets.

All profits made from the RAF Cosford Air Show are donated to service and local charities.

For more information or to book tickets please visit www.cosfordairshow.co.uk or call 24-hour ticket line on 0871 230 1083 (10p/min).

The RAF Cosford Air Show saw record attendance on Sunday 9th June. The highlights of the show included an appearance by the Vulcan XH558 accompanied by the two Rv8s, the RAF Red Arrows, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the RAF Typhoon display. On the ground a whole range of new exhibits and interactive displays provided entertainment for all the family.

An appearance by Captain Wales (Prince Harry) flying the Apache took the crowd by surprise and was a first for the Air Show circuit. On the ground a visit from Carol Vorderman helped launch the Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics area and her visit and the programme signing session by the Red Arrows both proved popular with the public.

Unfortunately the large crowd numbers led to congestion on the roads and many people were delayed getting to the show. On the day organisers introduced contingency parking spaces and everybody who arrived at the show was able to get in. Air Show Spokesman Amanda Butcher said “We worked hard with the Civilian Police and the Highways Agency to try to manage the huge volume of traffic trying to get to the show and we thank the vast majority of the members of the public for their patience. We did ask those without tickets not to come but many did still travel and that added to the volume of traffic.”

Anybody who was unable to get to RAF Cosford and wishes to apply for a refund should visit the Air Show website for further information on how to do so. Applications will be addressed on an individual basis.

www.cosfordairshow.co.uk

This year’s Cockpit-Fest ‘migration’ has started with the first cockpit already on site at Newark Air Museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire; close to the border with Lincolnshire

Newark Air Museum is a registered charity located on part of the former site of RAF Winthorpe and its two day Cockpit-Fest event attracts exhibitors from across the UK and Europe, to sample what one aviation magazine editor calls “grass roots aircraft preservation”.

From its humble beginnings, when a few like-minded enthusiasts first displayed the cockpit sections at the museum; Cockpit-Fest now regularly attracts, many more visiting cockpits and associated displays. This year twenty-five (25) visiting cockpits are already booked to attend. It has also developed a word to describe the participants – ‘Cockpiteer’; many of whom have lovingly rebuilt and restored these projects at home, Cockpit-Fest giving them the chance to display them in public.

The event is supported by a range of organisations and individuals; with the public being encouraged to have a say in deciding, which is the best cockpit by voting on their favourite display and from these results prizes are awarded.

Cockpit-Fest also attracts other visiting displays like the Raptor Foundation with its owls; local history / archaeological groups; book launches; and even more aviation related displays such as clothing and historical artefacts. As an added bonus this year’s event has flypasts by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on both days.

Running alongside Cockpit-Fest is an Aeroboot aviation and avionics sale, which allows Cockpiteers and the public to search out those aviation artefacts, books and models.

This year’s event takes place on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16thth June; and full details can be found on the News & Information page of the museum website at www.newarkairmuseum.org 

On Sunday 2nd June the Royal Air Force Museum attempted to lift the world’s last surviving Dornier 17 from the bottom of the English Channel, just off Goodwin Sands, following three weeks of intensive engineering and archaeological work. After three years of planning, the Museum came within 40 minutes of success when a sudden increase in winds around the Goodwin Sands area made the sea too choppy to complete the lift. Regrettably, and with the safety of the crew and the aircraft in mind, the lift was called off.

With success within grasp, the Royal Air Force Museum has been hugely encouraged by the support received from across the globe. Not only has this taken the form of messages of goodwill, but the Museum has received substantial additional funding from private individuals and organisations in Europe and America determined to see this historic project brought to a successful conclusion.

The forecast now suggests two weather windows this week when we can return to the wreck site and complete the lift. These are Monday 10th June between 1530 – 1800hrs and early Tuesday morning between 03.30 – 06.30hrs.

If this proves to be the case, and we know how erratic the weather has been this year, we will raise the Dornier early this week for transfer to our conservation facility at Cosford.

Despite the exceptionally poor weather over the past month, which has required the salvage team to return to port on at least four occasions, everything is now set for the aircraft to be successfully lifted from the seabed where it has lain for over seventy years.

Because of the weather difficulties and strict deadline to save the aircraft, the Museum has instructed the dive company SeaTech to alter their methodology of assembling a lifting frame around aircraft to ensure the operation is complete within the given boundaries.

The new method which is more delicate in nature, involves attaching lifting equipment to specific points on the aircraft that the Museum have identified as the strongest parts of the airframe. An attempt will still be made to raise it complete, and in a single lift.

Once the aircraft has been laid on onto the support barge it will be transported directly to Ramsgate Harbour where it will be dismantled for travel to the Museum’s Conservation Centre at Cosford.

Peter Dye Director General, Royal Air Force Museum “We have adapted the lifting frame design to minimise the loads on the airframe during the lift while allowing the recovery to occur within the limited time remaining. The RAF Museum has worked extremely closely with SeaTech throughout this process and both organisations remain determined to complete this challenging task and see the Dornier safely recovered as planned and delivered to the Museum’s Conservation Centre for preservation and public exhibition.”

Dornier Project – A recap

The Royal Air Force Museum is undertaking an exciting, challenging and historically fascinating project to remove a German bomber, the last remaining Dornier 17, from the sea-bed off Kent right now. The project was made possible with funding by The National Heritage Memorial Fund.

The complex project has not been entered into lightly and has used a number of ground-breaking techniques for underwater recovery and conservation. It has been undertaken with an impressive group of experts ranging from chemists and physicists from Imperial College London who advised on the conservation and structural integrity of the aircraft, to SeaTech who are managing the actual lift.

The project has stimulated a huge amount of interest across the world and events are being followed closely by millions around the world.

This is not the first time the Museum salvaged an aircraft wreck, as a visit shows, other examples have been found and reassembled before. Should the weather provide additional challenges to the actual integrity of the aircraft, the Museum is committed to salvaging the parts it can in order to treat, examine and exhibit this incredible part of aviation history.

www.rafmuseum.org

Charity launches Operation 2015, an exciting engineering programme designed to keep the world’s last flying Avro Vulcan airworthy to the end of 2015.

The world’s last flying Avro Vulcan, one of the UK’s most popular heritage aircraft, is to receive a vital airframe modification that will help to keep her airworthy until the end of 2015. It had been feared that Vulcan XH558 might have to stop flying at the end of this year but, following extensive research by the charity that operates the aircraft, the Vulcan to the Sky Trust engineering team now believes they can solve the series of complex technical challenges that could have grounded her.

“If everything goes to plan, we should be able to release sufficient additional flying hours for XH558 to complete full display seasons in both 2014 and 2015, in addition to this year’s spectacular season which is just about to start,” says Trust chief executive, Dr Robert Pleming. “There are still many gateways to pass through, but we are sufficiently confident to begin the vital fundraising that will make this exciting extension to XH558’s flying life possible.”

There are three elements to the engineering programme, which the charity has called Operation 2015. “The most technically challenging is a vital modification to the leading edges of the wings required to increase the fatigue life of the airframe,” explains engineering director Andrew Edmondson. “The second element, which is less technically complex but in some ways even more difficult to solve, is to ensure that we have sufficient stocks of all the system components needed for the additional two flying years.” The final item is to complete the 2013-14 Winter Service, including the rectification of any technical issues resulting from the 2013 flying season.

Wing Modification to proceed

The wing strengthening will be carried out to Modification 2221, which was developed by Avro while the Vulcans were in service. It’s a high-precision operation made more difficult by none of the original manufacturing tools and key drawings surviving. Phase 1 of the Modification therefore called on heritage aircraft specialists at Cranfield Aerospace (who also support the UK’s last flying Avro Lancaster) to “reverse engineer” the critical components.

Using data from a precision three dimensional scanning system, combined with research into the original wing design, the Cranfield team created a detailed computer model of the relevant wing sections. Following rigorous stress analysis, this was used to study the feasibility of the complex operation, which requires panels approximately two metres square to be precisely shaped in three dimensions so they fit each wing leading edge perfectly. “The success of Phase 1 has shown that Modification 2221, one of the most important elements of Operation 2015, is feasible,” says Edmondson.

In parallel with this research, Edmondson and his team discussed component availability with key suppliers. “This is the real limiting factor,” he says. “We concluded that by the end of the 2015 flying season, we will have almost exhausted the available engine life and will be critically short of other components, several of which are either prohibitively expensive to remanufacture or simply can never be made again because the drawings no longer exist.”

The next step in Operation 2015 is to design and construct the manufacturing former for the wing modification. This should be completed during the summer. As soon as the aircraft lands following her final display of the year, the engineering team will begin the Winter Service while the high-precision panels are manufactured. The final phase of the Wing Modification will be to fit the new panels early in 2014. Following further testing, XH558 will be ready to take off for another spectacular season of displays across the country.

All flying life targets beaten

Dr Pleming says that by the end of 2015, the aircraft will have flown for around 80 hours more than was anticipated during the award winning restoration in 2007. “We will have beaten all our targets by a significant margin,” he says proudly. “XH558 is now enjoyed by around three million people every year – 50% more than two years ago – including children and young people who are inspired to learn more about engineering and aviation, hopefully to help fill the UK’s desperate technology skills gaps. We have packed tours of adults and young people at the hangar at Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport and also support engineering training for local businesses.”

“When XH558 does finally touch-down for the last time,” he concludes, “it is hoped that she will form the heart of a new type of engineering, education and experience centre so that she can continue to inspire new generations.”

Rewards for supporting Operation 2015

“We cannot start the engineering work without reasonable confidence that we will be able to finish and return her to the air,” highlights commercial director Michael Trotter. “At the end of October, we will decide whether we have enough funding to continue Operation 2015 or if, sadly, XH558 should be prepared for her final flight.”

To help make that decision, XH558’s supporters are being asked to pledge donations to Operation 2015 now. If the target of £400,000 is met, the charity will collect the pledged amounts early in November. To thank those making two additional flying years possible, redeemed pledges will be rewarded with a wide range of incentives, from badges and collector’s certificates to names on a wall of honour and special VIP events at XH558’s hangar. More details are available at www.vulcantothesky.org where readers can also find out where to see XH558 fly this year and sign-up for the latest Vulcan news. There is also a popular Facebook community, Vulcan XH558 and a Twitter feed @XH558.

Wings & Wheels is thrilled to announce that visitors to the airshow will get an exclusive look at the Royal Navy’s new helicopter, the Maritime Wildcat Attack Helicopter, as it performs a flypast on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.

The new £26million Wildcat combat helicopter was unveiled in July 2012 and will be deployed to fight the Taliban, pirates, drug-smugglers and terrorists. The state-of-the-art multi-role chopper – so powerful it can blow a submarine out of the water – will play a vital role in military operations for the Royal Navy and Army from 2014.

The sophisticated aircraft’s primary task will be to protect soldiers on the battlefield and the Royal Navy’s fleet around the world. It is also designed to carry out a raft of other missions including cargo transport, casualty evacuation, troop carrying, surveillance and search and rescue.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director comments: “As one of the only UK airshows debuting the new Wildcat helicopter it’s a real coup for Wings & Wheels and our visitors. We have the strongest aviation line-up on the events calendar with more to announce over the coming months.”

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the world famous Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Typhoon, Team Breitling Wingwalkers and a host of other modern and historic aircraft during the 5 hour flying displays. For four and two wheeled fans, supercars and classic and vintage icons put on an awe inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a 2 hour auto spectacular from Brooklands Museum.

The 9th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th August 2013, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 18:00.

Tickets start from £20 for adults, £45 for a family (2 adults and 3 children aged 5 – 15yrs), £6 for children aged between 5 and 15yrs and under 5s are free. Hospitality packages start from £65 per person, weekend passes, grandstand tickets and camping are also available. For more information visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book standard tickets call 08712 305 572.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited with proceeds going to nominated charities: Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

With pre-show ticket sales already breaking records, the RAF Cosford 75th Anniversary Air Show looks ready to provide an excellent day out this Sunday 9th June.

The advance ticket sales from the website, the 24 hour telephone hotline and the various outlets across the West Midlands are already more than double the figure sold in 2012 with still 4 days to go until the event.

Organisers are therefore expecting a mammoth turnout and car parks could reach capacity. People that have purchased tickets in advance are advised to make their way to RAF Cosford early to minimise the possibility of disappointment later in the day.

Members of the public are reminded that rail travel is extremely convenient to the Shropshire base with Cosford railway station situated right next to the airfield, dropping passengers off just a short walk to the pedestrian entrance. Those travelling on Arriva Trains Wales can also benefit from the discounted ‘advance’ ticket price, even on tickets purchased on the day, when purchased alongside their rail ticket. Arriva Trains Wales have also placed more services in their timetable for the 9th June to cater for the expected increase in numbers.

The RAF Cosford Air Show team have implemented a robust traffic management plan which aims to ease any congestion and have also put together contingency plans should more car parking space be required.

Air Show spokesman Amanda Butcher says “With the great British weather finally emerging this week, we are preparing for potentially the largest Air Show we’ve held over recent years and therefore encourage members of the public to exploit the extra services on offer from Arriva Trains Wales. We hope that the weather forecast stays in our favour and that everybody attending this year has a truly splendid family day out.”

All profits made from the RAF Cosford Air Show are donated to service and local charities.

Anybody with a query relating to the Air Show are prompted to check out the FAQ on the website before contacting the Air Show Office due to the incredibly high volume of calls currently being received.

For more information or to book tickets please visit www.cosfordairshow.co.uk or call 24-hour ticket line on 0871 230 1083 (10p/min).

The Flying Legends Air Show (Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July) sees a welcome return by The Bremont Horsemen Flight Team, best known for their masterful handling of P-51 Mustangs which they flew at Flying Legends in 2009 and 2011.

At this year’s Flying Legends Air Show, The Bremont Horsemen Flight Team presents the worldwide debut of their thrilling new display in a trio of Supermarine Spitfires.

The Bremont Horsemen are Steve Hinton, Dan Friedkin and Ed Shipley, highly-skilled warbird pilots who share a passion for showcasing historic aircraft.

Following the success of the Vintage Village at the Flying Legends Air Show 2012, it makes a welcome return this year in all its bygone charm!

Situated on the historic hangar base next to Wing Co Joe’s Café, the Vintage Village offers a nostalgic destination for rest and relaxation. Enjoy a glass of fizz or two from the stylish Prosecco Bar and watch the world go by in our traditional deckchair seating area.

Enjoy authentic thirties and forties songs, sung in true Andrews Sisters style by The Manhattan Dolls, direct from New York. The Manhattan Dolls have wowed the crowds at Flying Legends over the past two years with their stylish and glamorous performances. Sing along with them as they perform instantly recognisable wartime hits or cut a rug with a jitterbug on the hangar base.

Accompanying The Manhattan Dolls, and playing musical interludes, will be the Wilmslow Concert Band. They will perform swing and big band hits of the thirties and forties for your listening pleasure.

Enjoy a unique living history experience aboard the Home Front Bus. This classic double-decker bus contains detailed reconstructions of a 1940s living room, a wartime shop, a bombed-out street and an air raid shelter. Containing period features and artefacts, the Home Front Bus replicates the sights, sounds and smells of the Home Front, creating an authentic trip back in time.

Also on display in the Vintage Village will be a replica Supermarine Spitfire. Why not complete your day of nostalgia by having your photograph taken next to this iconic British aircraft?

Enhance your vintage experience by pre-ordering an IWM Duxford Picnic Hamper. Soak up the atmosphere in the Vintage Village and sink back into a traditional deckchair as you enjoy a perfect ration-free picnic lunch for two, including a scrumptious red onion and goats cheese tart, homemade bloomer sandwiches, hand-cut crisps, a seasonal salad, mixed olives, a refreshing Pimms summer berry jelly and traditional lemonade, all served in a disposable hamper which includes cutlery, plates and glasses. Forties food never tasted so good!

The IWM Duxford picnic hamper for two costs £26.50. To order, please email duxfordevents@elior.com or call 01223 497 501. Please give a minimum of three days notice for your picnic order. Picnics are then collected from Wing Co Joe’s Café on the day.

Join us for some forties fun in the Vintage Village!

Flying Legends

Over 50 historic aircraft are already booked to appear at the Flying Legends Air Show 2013. In addition to the first ever performance by The Bremont Horsemen Spitfire display, there will also a rare chance to see two iconic British Gloster Gladiator aircraft display over IWM Duxford’s historic airfield.

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 them and 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.

Buy now and save!

Purchase your tickets for the Flying Legends Air Show by Monday 1 July at our advance booking rate and enjoy 10% off our ‘on the day’ ticket prices.

To purchase your tickets go to www.iwm.org.uk

Saturday 29th June 2013

11.00am – 2.40pm

Veterans and their guests must pre-register

Dakota flypast 2:35pm (weather permitting)

On Saturday 29th June, events across the country will celebrate the contributions made by those who serve and have served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. The annual Armed Forces Day is an opportunity to reflect and pay tribute to our heroes past and present, including current serving personnel, service families, veterans and cadets.

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford will once again participate in this annual event by hosting veterans young and old from all three services. During this special reunion, hosted by Museum staff, all Veterans will be treated to a full day’s programme. There will be free refreshments for guests on arrival at 11.00am followed by guided tours around the Museum’s Conservation Centre. For lunch, veterans will have the unique opportunity to dine with other guests amongst the aircraft and artefacts on display in the Museum’s Hangar 1. During the afternoon, guests will then be treated to a 1940’s Home Front Cabaret Show performed by Rebecca Grace lasting approximately one hour.

A highlight for Armed Forces Day guests and visitors to the Museum will be a spectacular flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota, scheduled for 2:35pm (weather permitting). All-in-all this promises to be an exciting day which will enable Veterans to meet up with old friends, reminisce over shared experiences, and enjoy themselves in the authentic atmosphere and setting of the Royal Air Force Museum.

Event organiser, Nina Mitchell says:

“With former Service Men and Women joining in from across Shropshire and the West Midlands, Armed Forces Day is set to be a truly memorable and sentimental gathering for Veterans and their guests to enjoy. We look forward to welcoming new faces as well as regular attendees to the event”

Attendance to the event is free of charge and by advance registration only. Any Veterans who would like to attend the event, are asked to book their place now by calling 01902 376 252 or for more information visit www.rafmuseum.org/cosford. Parking for Armed Forces Day guests is also free.