Archive for December, 2013

Airscene Awards 2013

Friday, December 20th, 2013

Bournemouth Air Festival 2013

Each year Airscene asks its visitors to choose their favourites from the UK airshow scene. The top 3 nominations in each category are then shortlisted for a further round of voting in order to determine the best in each category.

This years votes have now been counted and counted again and the winners can now be announced…

Yeovilton Air Day won Best Airshow this year, closely followed by RAF Cosford Airshow in 2nd place and Royal International Air Tattoo in 3rd place. RIAT has now appeared in the top 3 for the 3rd consecutive year.

The Best FREE Airshow category has in previous years seen a bit of southcoast rivalry going on between Bournemouth and Eastbourne with Eastbourne taking the crown every time (last year receiving 65% of the votes). This year see’s Eastbourne remain in the top 3 but rather robustly put in its place by Bournemouth Air Festival who have been voted Best FREE Airshow this year.

The feedback from voters praising Bournemouth’s efforts show that they have raised their game, as Amanda Lawrence from Bournemouth states “We have been to every show since it began & it just improves year after year! (Weather permitting!)

Laura Edwards says

Bournemouth air show is the best free air show I have ever been to.

Bournemouth organises this event and promotes it well too. They ensure everyone is safe and having fun.

The traffic is well organised, sign posted etc and the council even make sure there is not a spot of litter the morning after each day on the beach. Bournemouth free air show deserves to win!”

And it did Laura! Whilst the weather clearly has a big part to play, these comments serve to show it is the dedication and hardwork of the teams behind these events which keep them in the top 3.

Sunderland Air Show came 2nd whilst Eastbourne held on in 3rd place.

No Contest in the Best Display Team category with the Red Arrows scooping the majority of the votes for the 3rd year running. The Blades made a bit of a dent in the Red’s popularity and placed 2nd but there can be no doubts that the Red Arrows are firmly rooted in the public’s affections.

Runner Up last year, the RAF Chinook had a close run battle this year with Vulcan XH558, and secured 1st place as Best Solo Display by a margin of only 21 votes. Airscene loves the Vulcan but is not surprised by the Chinook taking first place – the display just keeps on evolving with pirhouettes, pedal turns and nose down quick stops… All that is left to say is Wokka Wokka Wokka…

Finally… RAF Museum Cosford have beaten IWM Duxford to be crowned Best Aviation Museum 2013 by just 9 votes! Cosford also won this category in 2011, however were the only museum nominated that year. 3rd place went to the Fleet Air Arm Museum who scooped 30% of the votes – all in all a very tight category this year.

A full breakdown of the voting can be seen at: www.airscene.co.uk/airscene-awards-2013.php

Thankyou to the teams behind the Airshows, Museums and Displays Teams for educating and entertaining us over the last 12 months.

And Thankyou to all who voted this year, and for giving a little something back in recognition of the hard work and dedication of all those shortlisted.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Great 2014!

Ian

Airscene

(Photo credit: BBC News)

Christmas opening hours at Newark Air Museum

Wednesday, December 11th, 2013

Newark Air Museum Hangar

The Newark Air Museum is open up to and over the Christmas holiday period, however here are a few key dates and times to help ensure that you don’t make a wasted journey.

As per normal the museum closes at 4pm on Monday, December 23rd and then reopens again at 10am on Friday, December 27th. On all other days the museum is open from 10am until 4pm, with last admissions at 3pm.

Visitors are reminded that there’s lots to see inside so don’t let any poor weather forecasts stop you from visiting. It is also worthwhile remembering that in the period after Christmas the café may be operating on ‘reduced rations’ for a few days due to the inability to buy fresh stock because of the Bank Holidays.

Before Christmas we hope that some of you might call in for those last minute presents, whilst after Christmas you’ll be desperate to spend that money you’ve been given. Don’t forget that we’ll also be closed on January 1st, but open again on Thursday January 2nd.

2013 has been a good year for visitors and income, which has enabled us to be able to hold our admission prices at the same level for 2014. As ever for those of you who can consider the Gift Aided admission it makes a huge impact on our income from the tax that we are able to claim back from HMRC.

Next year we have some important and exciting development plans in the pipeline so every visit that is made to the museum helps contribute towards those costs.

If by any chance the weather turns wintery and there are no visitors in the museum after 3pm, the museum may close early to allow the staff to get home during daylight. So as not to be disappointed by the museum being closed, please don’t leave your shopping trip until late afternoon!

Finally we would like to send out a big Happy Christmas on behalf of all the volunteers, staff and trustees to all those people who have supported us throughout 2013; whether you are visitors, shoppers or event participants many thanks for your custom, good will and kind comments. It really is appreciated!

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Hire an aircraft scheme for Folkestone Airshow

Wednesday, December 11th, 2013

FIVE popular restaurants and bars – four in Folkestone, one in Sandgate – are inviting patrons to put their ‘own’ aircraft in the sky at next year’s Folkestone Airshow. Designated as an Official Supporter, each has signed up to raise an amount of money which will enable Open Air Promotions Ltd, organiser of the two-day event, to hire a named type of aircraft or aerobatic team.

The fund-raising scheme was launched this week and will run until the flying programme is complete.

Folkestone Airshow pr and marketing manager Maddison Broom said that each Official Supporter had chosen the particular military or stunt aircraft they would ask their customers to fund. “They have their own ideas about how to hit necessary targets – by organising events and activities, for example – and we will help by promoting them through our social media websites. Their efforts will be invaluable in lining up the fly-pasts and thrilling high-speed aerobatics performances we are programming”.

Folkestone Airshow 2014 Official Supporters, the amount they have set out to raise and their chosen aircraft are:The Chambers (£3,000, Tornado); The View (£2,500, Trig Aerobatic Team); Fresh & Easy(£2,000, Grob Tutor); The Frenchman (£2,000, King Air); The Royal Norfolk (£2,000, Sea King search-and-rescue helicopter).

Chris Smith, owner-manager of The Chambers said: “We are thrilled to be fund-raising to bring the Tornado to Folkestone Airshow. It will be one of the loudest aircraft in the flying display and we aim to make as much noise with our fund-raising”.

Folkestone Airshow 2014 will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8. For latest information log on to www.folkestoneairshow.com

Newark Air Museum events for 2014

Tuesday, December 10th, 2013

Newark Air Museum Vulcan Bomber

Here at Newark Air Museum, a registered charity, we’re already starting to make plans for our 2014 special events…

1 March 2014– Indoor Aeroboot / Aerojumble Table Top Sale 48 sellers tables all hosted inside Display Hangar 2 amongst the aircraft at the museum site in eastern Nottinghamshire. {Special discount admission rates apply}

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17 & 18 May 2014 – Tribute to the V-Force event dedicated to the aircraft and personnel that flew Valiants, Victors and Vulcans. This event includes a major reunion of former V-Force personnel. Based around the museum’s Vulcan aircraft and newly acquired Victor cockpit it will also feature many visiting displays and is open to the public. {Normal admission rates apply}

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14 & 15 June 2014 – Cockpit-Fest 2014 & Aeroboot / Aerojumble aviation and avionics sale; this regular two day event provides the perfect opportunity for the public to view a diverse range of visiting aircraft cockpits. {Normal admission rates apply}

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Full details about these and other museum activities can be found at www.newarkairmuseum.org

Festive opening dates at Cosford

Saturday, December 7th, 2013

RAF Museum Cosford Britannia

FREE admission

If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle this Christmas, why not visit the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford during the festive period? The Museum will be open daily throughout December from 10am apart from Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Not only will you be able to view the award winning National Cold War Exhibition, containing Britain’s three V Bombers Vulcan, Victor and Valiant and other aircraft suspended in flying attitudes, the Museum is also home to the world’s oldest Spitfire and the unique experimental jet TSR2. Plus, now on display is the last surviving Dornier Do 17, recently salvaged from the bottom of the English Channel. Best of all, if your credit cards are maxed out after Christmas, a visit to the Museum won’t cost you a penny as admission is FREE!

So if you’re looking to entertain the children in the run up to Christmas, or your nearest and dearest in the lull before New Year, the RAF Museum has something to occupy visitors of all ages. The fun filled area of Fun ‘n’ Flight will keep the youngsters fascinated, packed with hands on excitement; it’s the easy way to answer all those questions about how aircraft stay up in the air.

Reminisce in the Warplanes Hangar, where you will find a nostalgic wartime living room and garden setting, plus a wide range of historic aircraft including a Hurricane and a Lincoln bomber. If you need a break from all the cooking, why not treat yourself to a warming meal and freshly made cup of Costa Coffee followed by a festive mince pie in our Refuel Restaurant overlooking the Museum grounds.

The Museum will close again on New Year’s Day and will reopen on Thursday 2nd January 2014 from 10am. The Museum’s annual closure week for maintenance, training and cleaning will run from Monday 6th to Friday 10th January 2014. For further information, please call the Royal Air Force Museum on 01902 376200 or visit the Museum website www.rafmuseum.org. The Museum is open daily from 10am and admission is FREE of charge.

Exhibitors travel from Scotland to attend the Fleet Air Arm Museums Model Show

Saturday, December 7th, 2013

Fleet Air Arm Museum Model Show

15 Feb 2014

The Fleet Air Arm Museum’s February Model Show has attracted quite a following. In addition to exhibitors travelling from London and the Home Counties, Cornwall and Wales, the event has also attracted two intrepid exhibitors from Scotland. David Jack and Dougie Salmon represent Edinburgh Model Boat Club and travel from Edinburgh with their display of WW2 warships.

Says David Jack “I attend shows all over the country but this one is the biggest and best and the natives are quite friendly”.

The show attracts model makers of all persuasion – Over 110 traders and clubs will be exhibiting radio controlled and plastic aeroplanes, tanks, ships figures and more.

Says event organiser Jon Jefferies “The event has been running for eighteen years and has attracted a loyal following of enthusiasts”.

The highlight of the show will be a flying display by the British Model Flying Association whose model making and piloting skills are admired around the world. The flying line-up for this year has yet to be confirmed but previous shows have seen a 20ft wingspan B52 bomber and jet powered model Concorde taking to the skies.

Whether your interest is in kits or ‘scratch built’ model aircraft the Fleet Air Arm Museum’s Feb Model Show undoubtedly will have something for everyone.

There will be competitions for plastic modellers with generous prizes sponsored by Airfix, so bring along your best models and you could walk away with a prize.

Standard museum entry prices apply and there is no additional fee for the Model Show. In addition to the show, visitors can have the opportunity of going on board the first British Concorde and on the award winning aircraft carrier experience.

Doors open at 10.00am. Normal admission prices apply and there’s no extra cost for attending the show. Tickets can be bought in advance on the Museum’s website www.fleetairarm.com