Archive for February, 2014

Calling all past employees of the Fleet Air Arm Museum PR

Thursday, February 27th, 2014

Fleet Air Arm Museum 1960's

It’s 50 years since the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton first opened its doors to the general public.

The Museum was formally opened on May 28th 1964 by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Naval Air Service, the predecessor of the Fleet Air Arm.

Over the ensuing years, the Museum has expanded to become the largest Naval Aviation Museum in Europe and the second largest worldwide.

In 1964 when the Museum was first opened, its single hangar contained eight aircraft. Four years later there were ten and by 1973, there were 18.

Today, the Fleet Air Arm Museum is one of the Museums which comprise the National Museum of the Royal Navy. It houses over ninety aircraft, 2 million documents, 800,000 photographs and 30,000 artefacts and is one of the leading tourist attractions in the South West, welcoming over 100,000 visitors every year from around the world and attracting the highest approval ratings from Visit England.

The Museum has seen many milestone events during the last half century, from visits from the Royal Family, Prime Ministers and politicians to the flying-in of Britain’s first Concorde and the opening of the award winning Aircraft Carrier Experience which replicates life on board HMS Ark Royal. The Museum’s aircraft conservation work has been recognised around the world as leading the way in conservation techniques.

As part of the Museum’s 50th birthday celebrations all staff and previous employees are invited to reunite at a celebratory gathering which will take place on Wednesday 28th May commencing 3pm.

If you worked at the Fleet Air Arm Museum and would like to attend, please contact Sue Wilson 01935 842624 suew@fleetairarm.com.

Says Sue Wilson, “We’d love to see as many past employees as possible but I’d like to know they are coming before they arrive or there might not be enough cake to go around!”

IWM Duxford commemorates the 70th anniversary of D-Day

Thursday, February 27th, 2014

William Bray by Robin Savage

IWM Duxford commemorates the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Landings with a range of events, family activities, exhibitions and digital resources which explore the preparations for the invasion of Normandy and the final decisive D-Day mission.

Personal stories come to the fore as we look at the many individual contributions that combined tomake the D-Day invasion a success. Complementing those personal experiences are hands-on family activities which bring the science and history of D-Day to life, alongside events which show the aircraft and vehicles in dynamic action.

Events

D-Day Landings Tour

Saturday 5 April, Wednesday 30 April, Saturday 3 May, Wednesday 21 May, Friday 6 June

Our Land Warfare exhibition features one of the best collections of military vehicles in the country, including types that were used in the D-Day Landings.

In the D-Day Landings Tour, our guide will discuss the strategic planning for D-Day, the work of the resistance, how deceit and misinformation played a vital role in preparing for the D-Day Landings, the challenge of themission itself and the specialist armoured vehicles that were used.

The tour will look at some of the vehicles in the collection and will explain how they would have been used in the D-Day Landings. We’ll also look at some of the unique archive film that is on show in the Land Warfare exhibition.

The D-Day Landings Tour commences at 11amin the entrance of AirSpace. It runs for approximately 90 minutes. Groups will not exceed 25 people and there will be plenty of opportunity for questions, debate and personal interaction. The tour is suitable for all ages but is primarily aimed at adults. Places must be booked in advance and can be booked online at www.iwm.org.uk

Ticket prices (including admission to all IWM Duxford exhibitions):
Adult (16-59 years) £20.75
Child (under 16 years) £3.25
Senior (60 years and over) £16.60
Student (in possession of a valid student card) £16.60
Unemployed (with proof of entitlement) £16.60
Disabled Adult (proof of disability allowance required) £16.60
Disabled Senior (proof of disability allowance required) £14.50
Disabled Student (proof of disability allowance required) £14.50
Disabled Child (proof of disability allowance required) £3.25
Carer (one per disabled visitor) £3.25
Supporter (Duxford Aviation Society Member, Friend of Duxford, IWM Friend, IWM Volunteer) £3.25

Easter Holiday activities

Saturday 5 to Monday 21 April

The Science of D-Day
Sponsored by Lockheed Martin
10.30amto 2.30pm
Conservation Hall, AirSpace

Our Easter holiday activities look at the ingenious inventions created by scientific boffins to ensure victory on D-Day. We’ll explain how tanks were made to float, how they carried their own bridges and how they destroyed mines.

There will be plenty of opportunities to try your hand at using these inventive pieces of equipment. Have a go at firing a petard and then take a look at the real petard that can be seen on the Churchill tank in our

Land Warfare exhibition. Build your own Bailey bridge and see two real Bailey bridges that are still in use on a daily basis at IWM Duxford. Learn how to drive a tank, try on somemini-uniforms, make an Airfix model of an aircraft that would have been used in the preparation for the D-Day Landings and enter our creative competition to design your own specially-modified D-Day tank.

Easter holiday activities are included in general admission to IWMDuxford. Visitors aged 15 or under enjoy free admission to the museum and to our Easter holiday activities.

The D-Day Anniversary Air Show
Saturday 24 and Sunday 25May

The D-Day Anniversary Air Show commemorates the 70th anniversary of this decisive military campaign, demonstrating the vital role that aerial warfare played in the invasion of Normandy.

The air show will feature fighter, bomber and transport aircraft types that would have been seen over the beaches of France, together with thrilling ground content. This special D-Day Anniversary Air Show is not to be missed.

Air Show tickets and hospitality passes are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.iwm.org.uk

The recommended last booking date for overseas postal delivery is Friday 9 May.
The off-sale date (and last date for UK postal delivery) is Tuesday 13 May.
Purchase your tickets in advance and receive one free child ticket with every adult ticket purchased.

You’ll also enjoy 10% off ‘on the day’ ticket prices.
Advance ticket prices:
Adult (16 or over) £24.75
Child (5 to 15 years) £16.30
Disabled £16.30

Spring Half Term

Monday 26 May to Sunday 1 June
10.30am to 3.30pm

Activities take place across the museum

During Spring half term, follow our trail around themuseumand encounter some of the aircraft and vehicles that would have been used on D-Day.

Follow the story of this huge and complex operation, and find out how Allied air, sea and land forces combined to liberate Europe. We’ll take you through the build-up to D-Day: from the Allies’massive aerial bombardments and clever tricks to fool the enemy, through the role of naval forces, to the arrival of thousands of troops in France by air and by sea. Find out the impact of tanks, trucks, vehicles and weapons on the fierce fighting that followed.

You’ll find outmore about each historic object you encounter on the trail, including how it was used on D-Day and the experiences of themen relying on it for a successful mission.

At the end of our trail, in Land Warfare, you’llmeet our costumed character representing a D-Day soldier, who will tell you about his experiences and will show you the equipment that would have been used by soldiers and airmen during the D-Day Landings.

There will be hands-on craft activities and dynamic games to enjoy which will bring D-Day history to life for all the family.

Spring half term activities are included in general admission to IWM Duxford. Visitors aged 15 or under enjoy free admission to themuseumn and to Spring half term activities.

Military Vehicle Show
Sunday 15 June

Enjoy a special day out for Father’s Day at the Military Vehicle Show. Exploremilitary vehicles large and small, from motorcycles to jeeps, ambulances to huge trucks and tanks. Some of the vehicles on display will be of the type used during the D-Day Landings. See the vehicles up close and then watch themcome to life as they parade around the airfield during the cavalcade.

A wide range of living history groups will bring Second WorldWar history to life, chatting to visitors and encouraging families to try onmilitary equipment and clamber aboard military vehicles.

Join us for the Military Vehicle Show – an unforgettable experience for Father’s Day.

Ticket prices:
Adult (16 to 59 years) £18.50
Senior (60 years and over) £14.80
Child (under 16 years) Free
Concessionary prices available – see iwm.org.uk for details.
New exhibitions

D-Day-The Last of the Liberators photographic exhibition
By Robin Savage

Produced by the Airborne ForcesMuseum(Airborne Assault) and Helion Books
April to December

Mezzanine Gallery, AirSpace

D-Day -The Last of the Liberators is a collection of photographic portraits of some of the last surviving British Normandy veterans. It records, in a unique way, the stories of these remarkable individuals and their emotional but dignified return to the locations, in many cases the exact spot, which are tied to their most profound personal memories of the campaign; places where they saw action or were wounded, where they experienced instances of miraculous chance or where they witnessed their friends being taken away from them through the horror of battle.

The photographs in the exhibition are 15 of those from a new book of the same name. Taken during the 68th and 69th anniversaries by photographer Robin Savage, they are a record of some of the final visits these brave and dignified men and women wil lmake to the places that imprinted themselves indelibly on their lives.

D-Day -The Last of the Liberators is included in general admission to IWM Duxford. Visitors aged 15 and under enjoy free admission to the museum.

The Padre’s Trail in the Land Warfare exhibition
From May 2014

Our Land Warfare exhibition houses one of the finest collections of tanks, military vehicles and artillery in the country. It charts the technological advances that have changed the face of ground warfare.

The Normandy Experience in Land Warfare vividly tells the story of the D-Day Landings through sound, film and military vehicles set in evocative dioramas.

As part of our commemoration of the 70th anniversary of D-Day, we are adding a layer of interpretation to The Normandy Experience which gives a very personal view of the D-Day Landings and how it felt to be in the thick of the action.

Captain Leslie Skinner was an army chaplain who landed on the coast of Normandy on themorning of 6 June 1944 with the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry tank regiment.

Apart from29 days spent at home recovering fromhis wounds, he spent the rest of the war with the Sherwood Rangers as they fought through France and into Germany. It is Captain Skinner’s story that is told in his own voice via extracts from the diary he meticulously kept throughout his time with the Sherwood Rangers.

He saw it as his duty to find the bodies ofmen who were killed as the Regiment’s tanks advanced. On many occasions, he risked his life to ensure that his comrades’ bodies were recovered or buried. The work could be harrowing and he refused to allow the other tank crews to help. Padre Skinner travelled all over the front line and the battlefield, talking to the troops and listening to their worries. As this extract from his diary shows, he experienced at first-hand the stark realities of warfare.

25 June 1944: “In burst of machine gun fire I dived into slit trench on top of young soldier… it was his first show and he was all alone. I assured him that the machine gun fire was way up in the air…he picked up a ration box lid and held it above ground. Burst [of fire] cut it in two. It shook me. When firing stopped I moved out. He, poor devil, had to stay. About 11:30…Shrapnel got me across forehead and knocked me out. Lots of blood but soon conscious.”

The Padre’s Trail is included in general admission to IWM Duxford.

D-Day collections on display at IWM Duxford

Land Warfare exhibition

Land Warfare is home to the Normandy Experience and the Monty exhibition. Together they tell the story of the finalmonths of the war in Europe, fromD-Day, through the fierce battles in France to VE Day.

The Normandy Experience features many of the types of tanks and vehicles that took part in the liberation of Europe. These include the GMC Amphibian DUKW and the Sherman Grizzly tank. Nearby are examples of German tanks and vehicles thatmade up some of the fierce defences encountered in the battles of 1944 and 1945.

Field Marshal Montgomery – Monty to the troops – commanded the Allied land forces on D-Day. At the nerve centre of his operation was his Tactical HQ, which is on display in the Monty exhibition. Visitors are able to peer through the windows of Monty’s headquarters and imagine this dynamic leader at work.

In addition to the tanks and vehicles displayed in realistic dioramas, Land Warfare also contains powerful personal stories from the men who took part in Operation Overlord.

American Air Museum

The Douglas C-47 Skytrain, which is suspended majestically fromthe ceiling in the American Air Museum, was delivered to the United States Army Air Forces in April 1944 and served with the 316th Troop Carrier Group of the 9th Air Force. It was assigned to the 37th Troop Carrier Squadron and operated from Cottesmore in Lincolnshire for a year.

It is believed to have participated in the airborne drops over Normandy in 1944, the airborne assault on Holland in September 1944 and the crossing of the Rhine in March 1945.

The P-47 Thunderbolt that can be seen in the American Air Museum is the type of aircraft flown by pilots of the 78th Fighter Group, from RAF Duxford, in support of the D-Day Landings.

The B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator also flew in support of D-Day operations. Examples of these aircraft can also be seen in the American Air Museum.

AirSpace

The Avro Lancaster bomber flew bombing missions in support of D-Day operations. You can get up close to a Lancaster bomber in our AirSpace exhibition.

Airborne Assault Museum in AirSpace
Airborne Assault is the Regimental Museumof The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces. It tells the stories of the soldiers who go to war from the air, including the significant contribution made to the D-Day Landings by the Airborne Forces and Parachute Regiments.

Of particular interest in this 70th anniversary year is the originalmap used to plan the D-Day operation, which would have been viewed by Field Marshal Montgomery and General Eisenhower. Also on display is the accompanying planning model which was used to strategically plot the mission to capture Pegasus Bridge.

There is also a model of Bing, one of the paradogs who were trained to parachute alongside the troops and to undertake guard,mine-detecting and patrol duties.

RAF Duxford’s D-Day history

D-Day and the 78th Fighter Group
May to June

In June 1944, RAF Duxford was home to the 78th Fighter Group of the United States Army Air Forces.

Equipped with P-47 Thunderbolts, its pilots flew severalmissions on D-Day andmanymore in the days, weeks andmonths that followed.

The fighters of the 78th Fighter Group encountered very little resistance from the German Air Force on 6 June 1944. Their aircraft flew equipped with bombs and were sent to attack targets such as railway bridges and enemy airfields.

During May and June, we’ll be tweeting summaries which show how the 78th Fighter Group built towards D-Day operations, what they did on 6 June 1944 and how they supported the fighting in France.

Follow@historicduxford to read these summaries fromthe 78th Fighter Group diaries and look out for related posts on our Historic Duxford blog at www.iwm.org.uk/exhibitions/iwm-duxford/historicduxford

In our Historic Duxford exhibition, you can find out what life was like for the American servicemen who were based at RAF Duxford during the latter stages of the Second World War. See interviews with American pilots who took part in D-Day and see the A2 flying jacket which belonged to Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence ‘Larry’ Casey.

Casey was an American fighter pilot who flew fromRAF Duxford. On 11 June 1944, he was shot down over France. With the help of the French resistance, he was able to avoid capture andmake it back to Britain. Casey later flew missions in the Pacific and he stayed in the United States Air Force after the Second World War.

2015 Airshow Calendar Competition gets Key Prizes

Friday, February 21st, 2014

The UK’s largest aviation publisher Key Publishing Ltd have today confirmed their prize offering for this years competition.

With this the prize board now begins to take shape, and looks like this:

1st Prize: £150 Key Publishing voucher

2nd Prize: £100 Key Publishing voucher

3rd Prize: £50 Key Publishing voucher

Your prize can be used to purchase magazine subscriptions such as Air Forces Monthly and Flypast, books, models, flight sims and even DVD’s.

You don’t have to limit yourself to aviation prizes either as Key also produce railway, modelling, sport, and military publications.

To see the Key Publishing’s full product range, why not browse their online shop at: http://shop.keypublishing.com/home

Airscene is in discussions with several sponsors, and hopes to make further prize announcements soon.

To enter the Airscene 2015 Airshow Calendar Competition: http://www.airscene.co.uk/competitions/2015calendar.php

BAE Systems support Museum transformation

Wednesday, February 19th, 2014

EAP

The Royal Air Force Museum has officially announced a major partnership with BAE Systems who have pledged to support the transformation of the Museum at both its Cosford and London sites, in advance of the Centenary of the Royal Air Force in 2018.

The announcement was made at the official unveiling of the Experimental Aircraft Programme (EAP) technology demonstrator exhibition at RAF Museum Cosford. The event was attended by The Chairman and Trustees of the RAF Museum and Directors of BAE Systems with key partners, contributors and invited guests. The new exhibition celebrates the ground-breaking achievements of this unique aircraft through the use of previously unseen video footage, interactive kiosks and images.

Peter Dye, RAF Museum Director General said:

“The Trustees of the RAF Museum would like to take this opportunity to thank BAE Systems for their generous support. The international success of the Eurofighter Typhoon, and its contribution to the Royal Air Force’s frontline, underscore the importance of the EAP in safeguarding our nation. The EAP can now take its proper place in the history of British scientific and engineering achievements, alongside other famous and iconic test aircraft that form the Royal Air Force Museum collection. We are privileged to be able to exhibit the EAP, to tell its story and hopefully, to inspire a new generation of scientists, engineers and pilots.”

Chris Boardman, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Military Air & Information business said: “EAP has played an important role in the recent history of BAE Systems. It paved the way for Eurofighter Typhoon, widely regarded as the world’s best swing-role combat aircraft. Today we continue our work on technology demonstrators in the shape of Taranis – the most advanced aircraft ever built in the UK. I am delighted that we are able to announce our partnership with the RAF Museum on their RAF Centenary Programme to mark it with the formal unveiling of EAP in its new exhibition area.

BAE Systems has been a partner in the Museum’s success for more than forty years and the unveiling of the EAP is the start of a joint transformation of the Museum. By developing new exhibitions and activities it will ensure that the Royal Air Force story endures and enriches future generations.

Phase one of the transformation will mark the Centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. Supported by BAE Systems, a major new exhibition, exploring the birth of air power through the stories of men and women who took part in the war, will open at RAF Museum London in Autumn 2014. An accompanying exhibition will also be unveiled at RAF Museum Cosford by the end of 2014. BAE Systems funding will also support the Museum’s conservation and award winning apprentice programmes.

Members of the public are now able to view the new EAP exhibition at the Museum’s Cosford site, located in the Test Flight Hangar. The creation of this new exhibition area has been funded by BAE Systems who deliver a wide range of advanced defence, aerospace, and security solutions globally.

The Museum is open daily from 10am and admission is free of charge. For more information on the Museum, visit www.rafmuseum.org or call 01902 376200.

Grahame White Factory to close 3rd March

Wednesday, February 19th, 2014

Visitors to the Royal Air Force Museum London have until March 3rd to view the Museum’s replica Vickers Vimy before it leaves the site and goes into storage in the Museum’s Reserve Collection in Stafford. This is part of an overall project to refurbish the Grahame – White Factory Hangar at the Museum’s Colindale site during which this area of the Museum will be closed to the public.

In May 1967 the Vintage Aircraft and Flying Association decided to build a flying Vimy replica to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Alcock and Brown’s 1919 trans-Atlantic flight in what became known as ‘the Triple First’.

When told of the project Rolls-Royce began a world-wide search for engines. Eventually they recovered three Eagle engines from Dutch canal barges two of which they stripped down and rebuilt; putting the first on bench test in August 1968. The aircraft was completed on Friday 30 May 1969 by and on Tuesday 3 June at 6.40pm the replica aircraft took off on its first flight. On 6th June the aircraft crossed the Channel to appear at the Paris Air Show. On 9 June it returned to the United Kingdom and two days later, after being repainted in service markings, flew to Ringway Airport, Manchester to become the centre of an Alcock and Brown exhibition at that site.

The exhibition lasted a month and on 14 July it was being prepared to fly to the Rolls-Royce test airfield at Hucknall when it caught fire. The fire, which is thought to have been caused by concentrated sunlight on the fabric of the wing, resulted in extensive damage. However, the replica was successfully rebuilt as a static exhibit, never to fly again, and has been on view to the public at the Museum’s London site since 1972.

This aircraft together with the Museum’s Sopwith Tabloid is to be stored in the Museum’s Reserve Collection in Stafford, for the foreseeable future. The building work on the Grahame-White Factory will necessitate that this area of the Museum is closed to the public. It is anticipated that these works will run until the end of November, when the Grahame -White Factory will open again to the public.

www.rafmuseum.org

Red Arrows Confirmed For All Four Days Of The 2014 Bournemouth Air Festival

Tuesday, February 18th, 2014

18th February 2014: It’s officially a first for the Bournemouth Air Festival, but the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows have confirmed today they will be displaying at on all 4-days of the much anticipated summer event.

Jon Weaver, Air Festival Director said; “We’ve only found out today and can’t believe we have been allocated the Red Arrows for all 4days of the Air Festival, its incredible news. For us as a Festival, the organisers, teams of people behind the event and the hundreds of thousands of people who attend, it really shows how far we have come to have such superb RAF support. We have great plans to develop this year’s festival and with news like this – it can only get better!”

It’s a momentous year for the Reds as they celebrate their 50th display season and with this a recently unveiled new tailfin design. The makeover is the most significant change to the look of the Team’s famous aircraft in its history. In the shape of a Union flag, the striking new tail design reflects the Best of British and emphasises the Red Arrows’ role as ambassadors for the United Kingdom and as the public face of the Royal Air Force.

Timings are yet to be confirmed, more information will be released at the Air Festival launch event at the end of March – www.bournemouthair.co.uk

Open Cockpit Night at London RAF Museum

Tuesday, February 18th, 2014

For the first time in its history, the RAF Museum London opens a selection of its cockpitsDate: 11th March 2014

Time: 18:00 to 21:00

Tickets: £15.50 adult ticket (including a 50p booking fee)

£20.50 Vulcan ticket (including a 50p booking fee)

£12.50 Members (including a 50p booking fee)

Join us in March for an exclusive evening at the Royal Air Force Museum. For one night only the Museum will open its doors and allow access to some historic aircraft. Get up close and personal with these beautiful machines and experience the collection in a new light.

 

Helicopters open for viewing

· Whirlwind Har 10 – cabin viewing only

· Sycamore HR12

· Wessex HCC4 – cabin access only

· Merlin – cockpit access

· Westland Gazelle – cockpit access

 Aircraft open for viewing

· Avro Vulcan- cockpit access

· Spitfire MK VB – observation only

· Chipmunk T.10- cockpit access

· Canberra PR3 – observation only

· Jet Provost T.5A- cockpit acces

Please note:

1. A Vulcan access ticket is for the Vulcan only. It does not allow you access into the event – you will need to purchase an event ticket (Adult or member) to access the Museum

Access to the Vulcan Aircraft is challenging and only for the physically able. The Museum reserves the right to refuse access to the Vulcan if you are not physically fit enough. If you have any questions please call the event organiser on 0208 358 4997 for more information.

Doors open at 6pm until 9pm

Royal Air Force Museum, Grahame Park Way, NW9 5LL (please use NW9 5QW if travelling using a SAT NAV)

For more information please email whatson@rafmuseum.org or telephone the event organiser on 0208 358 4997.

Tickets are on sale now. To register your interest and to receive an email notifying you when tickets are available please email london@rafmuseum.org

Public Service Broadcasting to play 3 nights at the Royal Air Force Museum

Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

Public Service Broadcasting

London based musical duo, Public Service Broadcasting (www.publicservicebroadcasting.net), are to play three exclusive gigs in a secret location at the RAF Museum in Hendon as part of Museums at Night 2014, on May 15, 16 and 17, 2014.

In what will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the Museums at Night festival, the RAF Museum in North London will provide a fitting and atmospheric backdrop for the band as they perform their debut release – The War Room EP – in its entirety. Granted unique access to propaganda films from WWII-era Britain by the BFI, the band perform in front of breathtaking visuals to a soundtrack of atmospheric synths, pounding drums, Krautrock guitars and poignant piano – beaming the past back at us through vintage TV sets and state of the art modern video projections.

In addition to Public Service Broadcasting’s set you can expect a night of 40s, 50s and 60s themed entertainment: the chance to take part in a mission to knit a life sized plane in a recreation 1940s living room, whilst being serenaded by a live cabaret singer; a 50s and 60s Silent Disco, and traditional games of giant snakes and ladders – all taking place within the shadow of an RAF Lancaster Bomber. Tickets go on sale 10th February, priced £28 plus booking fee, and will be available at https://royalairforcemuseum.digitickets.co.uk/tickets

Museums at Night is the UK wide annual late night festival of arts, heritage and culture. Over the weekend of Thursday 15 – Saturday 17 May, 2014, hundreds of museums, galleries and historic spaces all over UK will be opening their doors at night-time for a whole host of unique and exciting events; from participatory events with leading contemporary artists Grayson Perry, Rankin and Spencer Tunick to bands playing in museums; whole city art take overs to museum sleepovers; poetry readings and author talks to star gazing at historic houses. Full listings can be found at www.museumsatnight.org.uk.

Public Service Broadcasting’s debut album Inform – Educate – Entertain was released in May 2013 and entered the UK album charts at #21. It received widespread critical acclaim, including 5* Album of the Month from Artrocker Magazine plus 4* reviews from Mojo, The Guardian, The Independent and many more. It was also picked by BBC 6Music DJs & staff as the 9th best album of the year and appeared in many best of the year lists.

2014 looks set to be another stellar year for the band, with a debut US Tour in February & March, which finishes with a stop-off at SXSW in Austin, Texas, followed by a whole host of European dates before another busy festival season. New material – the subject of which is a closely guarded secret! – will follow later in the year.

Museums unveiling of the EAP marks new partnership with BAE Systems

Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

RAF Museum Cosford EAP

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is to officially unveil a brand new exhibition area celebrating the ground-breaking achievements of the Experimental Aircraft Programme (EAP) technology demonstrator. The occasion also marks the official launch of a major partnership between the Royal Air Force Museum and BAE Systems.

The event will take place on Friday 14th February in the presence of the Chairman and Trustees of the Royal Air Force Museum and Directors from BAE Systems with key partners, contributors and invited guests. BAE Systems has been a partner in the Museum’s success for more than forty years and the unveiling of the EAP is the start of a joint transformation of the Museum at both its Cosford and London sites, in advance of the Centenary of the Royal Air Force in 2018.

Peter Dye, RAF Museum Director General said:

“BAE Systems and its predecessor companies have played a key role in the success of the Royal Air Force and we are delighted that BAE Systems will champion our transformation as the Museum develops new exhibitions and activities to ensure that the Royal Air Force story endures and enriches future generations.”

Chris Boardman, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Military Air & Information business said:

“We are delighted to donate EAP to the RAF Museum and it is fitting that this remarkable aircraft should be at the centre of the Test Flight exhibition at RAF Museum Cosford. We look forward to working in partnership with the RAF Museum and support them in conserving our aerospace heritage for future generations.”

From Saturday 15th February, members of the public will be able to view the EAP demonstrator aircraft and a new exhibition which tells the story of its pioneering accomplishments. This experimental jet helped pave the way for the renowned Eurofighter Typhoon which has many of the same characteristics and capabilities and is in operation with the RAF and five other Air Forces, today. The brand new display showcases this unique aircraft using previously unseen video footage, interactive kiosks and images. The creation of this new exhibition area has been funded by BAE Systems who deliver a wide range of advanced defence, aerospace, and security solutions globally.

The British Aerospace ACT (fly-by-wire) Jaguar will now reside alongside the EAP as its forerunner. The ACT Jaguar was essential to the subsequent success of the EAP and the Eurofighter Typhoon. After having all of its original flying controls removed and replaced by computerised systems, it proved that the digital fly-by-wire system did work and could control an unstable aircraft that could not be controlled by a human alone. Both of these aircraft helped keep Britain at the forefront of military aviation and it is fitting that they are displayed side by side.

The Museum is open daily from 10am and admission is free of charge. For more information on the Museum, visit www.rafmuseum.org or call 01902 376200.

Air Show Ticket Sales Flying High

Tuesday, February 11th, 2014

Cosford ticket advert

Tickets for this year’s RAF Cosford Air Show have only been on sale for a few days but are already selling fast; this year with ticket numbers capped you will need to get in early to guarantee your tickets.

Air Show spokesman Amanda Butcher said “Last year saw our biggest ever crowd which put unacceptable pressure on the local roads causing delays. To prevent this happening again we will be putting a cap on ticket sales, this could mean that we will not have any available on the day if advance sales continue at the present rate.”

Visitors to the website will also be able to view details of the hospitality enclosures, offering a range of packages to suit all budgets. This also has information on the “The Cosford Club” a dedicated crowd line enclosure designed to keep guests close to the action with an unrestricted view and providing private toilet facilities and refreshment outlets.

Other attractions include something for the whole family with over five hours of flying displays, craft fair, interactive indoor exhibitions and an arena as well as plenty of rides and other activities for children.

Standard air show tickets can be purchased online at www.cosfordairshow.co.uk or by calling the 24-hour ticket line on 0871 230 1083 (calls cost 10p per minute plus network charges). Advance tickets are priced from £20, representing a 20 per cent discount on tickets bought on the day (£25 subject to availability). There’s FREE car parking and FREE admission for all under-16s accompanied by an adult.

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