Cockpit-Fest 2015 proved to be another great event at the Newark Air Museum site in eastern Nottinghamshire, which taking into account the terrible weather on the Saturday was quite well attended by the public.

Last minute changes the layout on Saturday to get some displays inside provided a boost to exhibitors in Hangar 2 and the weather did not seen to dampen everyone’s enthusiasm for this ever popular gathering of cockpit owners from around the UK.

The museum trustees were particularly thankful to a host of people: all of the Cockpiteers and Exhibitors, their friends and families; the Aeroboot stall holders; the museum staff, aircraft openers and volunteers who helped during the build-up, during and after the event. A special thank you goes to everyone who stuck it out in the wet conditions on Saturday

For this year’s event they would also like to extend a big thank you to the following people and organisations:

Ken Ellis (‘Wrecks & Relics – Spirit of Cockpit-Fest’ Awards)

David Gledhill

Pen & Sword

The Museum Shop

Everyone who displayed at the event was a winner and a credit to this wonderfully diverse hobby, with some tremendous exhibits proudly displayed around the site; the 2015 results are as follows:

Grand Champion (Visitors Award) – de Havilland Hornet project – David Collins

Visitors Award Non-Cockpit – Lightning panel display – Darren Swinn

Cockpiteers Cockpit Award (Joint Winners) – Beagle Pup HB-NAV – Bill Fern; and Lightning F6 XR754 – Matt Buddle

Cockpiteers Award Non-Cockpit – Women in World War II – Karen Wilson

Wrecks & Relics Spirit of Cockpit-Fest Award (Ken Ellis) – HS125 G-AVAI – Andy Rawden

Wrecks & Relics Spirit of Cockpit-Fest Award (Ken Ellis) – Harrier AV8B – Robbie Burgess

Peter Green, Wrecks & Relics Spirit of Cockpit-Fest Award (Ken Ellis) – Sopwith Camel project – Tony Dyer

We would like to add a special thank you to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight for persevering with the weather to provide an excellent Spitfire flypast. Also thank you to Vulcan XH558 for the unexpected low level transit flight over Vulcan XM594.

We will be back with the 2016 event, which will take place on 18 & 19 June, 2016

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Newark Air Museum has entered into a loan agreement, which will see the cockpit of former English Electric Lightning F6, XR757 displayed at the museum’s Drove Lane site into summer 2016.

The wonderfully restored cockpit was moved from its former location at RAF Scampton on Thursday 12th June 2015 by its owner Trevor Garrod. It was displayed at the museum’s annual Cockpit-Fest event, where it was exhibited alongside two other Warton veterans the Canberra PR9 cockpit and the TSR2 cockpit.

The arrangement for the loan was finalised during recent weeks and the museum trustees were pleased to be able to provide accommodation for this particular trailer mounted cockpit section. The single Lighting cockpit will help illustrate the differences with the museum’s own two-seat training version.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

The Polish Air Force is the latest act to sign up to this year’s flying programme, meaning that RNAS Culdrose Air Day will have a truly international feel. The Polish display team will be showing off a MiG-29 – a modern fast jet which is sure to be a real crowd pleaser.

Commander Jason Phillips, who is in charge of flying at the Helston based Air Station said: “It is great that the Polish Air Force has signed up to display. Its team adds to an action packed flying programme which will last well over four hours. The public were really excited to see the MiG-29 on the ground at Culdrose Air Day last year, so we are very pleased to have it as part of the flying display for the first time this year. It is quite unusual to see it on the UK air display circuit, it is quite a unique fighter jet. Fast, furious, noisy and very manoeuvrable, I am sure that our visitors are going to love it!”

The MiG-29 will join the Italian Air Force’s ‘Frecce Tricolori’, (Italy’s version of the Red Arrows), and the Swiss Air Force F-18 who will also be flying on Thursday 30th July. They will be part of an all day flying programme which includes displays from the Breitling Wing Walkers, the Royal Navy Black Cats and the Blades. With fast jets and aerobatic display teams, historic aircraft and military helicopters taking part, the flying display for 2015 is sure to thrill visitors.

Display organiser, Lieutenant Commander Steve Gamble explains: “The Polish, Italians and Swiss add to what is already looking to be a very exciting day of flying at Culdrose. We have some fantastic displays lined up; from aerobatic teams, to fast jets, historic war birds and military helicopters – there really is something for every aviation fan. We are also planning plenty to see and do on the ground too. We still have more flying acts to announce, so keep watching our website for details.”

As well as an exciting, action-packed flying display, there will also be lots of things to see, touch and experience on the ground. Visitors can climb onboard aircraft, take a ride in a helicopter, be winched high into the air or jump into the driving seat of a military fire engine. The Culdrose Naval Air Squadrons and units will be on display ready to talk about what they do and explain how their aircraft are deployed and used around the world.

More information about the event, tickets and a list of display aircraft is available at www.culdroseairday.com

Date: 18-19 July 2015

Time: Gates open 8.30am

Cost: £8.00 in advance

Hundreds of scale models of iconic aircraft will be taking to the skies over Shropshire next month for a weekend of flying entertainment. Model enthusiasts from across the country will travel to the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford for this famous air show in miniature.

Taking place on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July, the Large Model Aircraft Rally at Cosford is an absolute must see for any aviation enthusiast. This popular annual event attracts in excess of 10,000 visitors over the two day show and is one of the biggest events in the Museum’s calendar.

This year’s flying theme will be commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, considered the most important event in Royal Air Force history. Visitors to the show will see a spectacular anniversary display of World War Two aircraft with many international teams signed up to take part. The Legendary Fighters from Germany will be flying 1/3 scale fighter aircraft including Messerschmitt 109s and Spitfires in exciting mid-air dogfights, entertaining the crowds throughout the day.

Aircraft from the early days of aviation, through to the modern jets of today will be flying during the model show weekend. Models on show will range in size from small scale aircraft right through to a huge 1/5th Scale Avro Vulcan with 4 jet turbines. Famous for its delta wing shape, the 1/5th scale mighty Vulcan bomber is a spectacular flypast not to be missed. Many of the models have taken years of dedication to build and apart from the obvious difference in size, they look just like the real thing.

Dave Johnson, event organiser and Chairman of the Large Model Association said:

“I feel really excited about the show this year. We have a new layout which is on the opposite side of the airfield to usual, which I feel will benefit not only the pilots but our visitors as well, especially photographers as the sun will be behind the display line. This year we have put together a fantastic flying display of large models, with participants from across Europe and we hope with a little help from the weather it will be the best we have seen at Cosford for several years.”

The Large Model Aircraft Rally promises to be a great day out for modellers and families alike with more than 65 exhibitors signed up to showcase some of the latest model kits and aviation accessories. Families are guaranteed to enjoy the family fun lined up which includes a children’s entertainment area, packed with mini motorbikes, bouncy castles and inflatable slides, all on offer to youngsters. Plus, keeping visitors fuelled for the day, there will be a fantastic range of food and drink on offer and visitors will have access to the RAF Museum where they can see many of the aircraft flown during the show in full size. A free bus service will take visitors from the event to the Museum throughout the day.

Anyone wishing to attend the event can save money by purchasing tickets in advance at a discounted rate. Advance tickets are on sale at the Museum, priced at just £8 for adults, saving £2 per person on the gate price and children under the age of 16 are FREE. Gates open at 8.30am and flying starts a 9.00am.

Exclusively for the Large Model Aircraft Rally, visitors are able to camp on site, meaning you can make the most of the weekend’s flying and activities by being at the centre of all the action. On site camping, including entrance to the show both days is only £45.00 and any visitors interested in camping should email public-camping@largemodelassociation.com or call 07827 675665.

For further information on the event and how to purchase advance tickets visit the Museum website www.rafmuseum.org or call 01902 376200.

The loss of air superiority in the Far East during the Second World War will be the focus of a lecture at the University of Wolverhampton.

The event is part of the RAF Museum’s Trenchard Lectures in Air Power Studies series, organised in partnershipwith the RAF Museum Cosford.

Dr Peter Preston-Hough, from the University of Wolverhampton, will be delivering the next in the series of lectures on Thursday, 25 June 2015.

The lecture, titled “The Royal Air Force and Losing Air Superiority in the Far East” will take place at the University’s city campus in MC001 from 6pm-7.30pm.

It will focus on how air superiority was lost and will provide new insights into why the Far East was left unprotected against Japanese air attack in December 1941.

Dr Preston-Hough, of the University’s Department of War Studies said: “We’re delighted to be part of this prestigious series of lectures, which promises to provide an interesting insight into the fascinating area of history.

“The University has a strong relationship with the RAF Museum and we look forward to working closely with them on the lectures.

“This particular lecture will focus on why command of the air in Malaya and Burma was lost to the Japanese between December 1941 and May 1942.

“Furthermore, it will examine the inter-relationship between aircraft, aircrew, early warning facilities and superior Japanese aircraft and aircrew as the key reason for this situation.”

Ross Mahoney, Aviation Historian from the RAF Museum, said: “This lecture series marks an important step in the development of the RAF Museum’s academic aspirations.

“The series seeks to explore historical and contemporary issues related to the employment of air power.

“The series also seeks to bridge the gap between academic and public history by providing a forum for recognised experts to share and disseminate their research to a wider audience.

“We are pleased to be holding the series in conjunction with the University of Wolverhampton which has a world renowned reputation in the field of War Studies.”

This lecture, organised in conjunction with the RAF’s Centre for Air Power Studies, explores the importance of aerial based reconnaissance and intelligence gathering and its effect on war in all its facets.

It is part of the Trenchard Lectures in Air Power Studies which is a programme of lectures organised by the Royal Air Force Museum in conjunction with the University and the Royal Aeronautical Society.

This lecture is free of charge but people do need to pre-book a free ticket, as seats are limited. For more information visit www.rafmuseum.org.uk/cosford/whats-going-on/events/the-royal-air-force-and-losing-air-superiority/

Those wishing to attend the lecture will need to complete an online booking form which can be found at: www.royalairforcemuseum.digitickets.co.uk/events/3967?catID=3462

With less than a week to go the staff and volunteers at Newark Air Museum have received a last minute boost in relation to the 2015 Cockpit-Fest event, which takes place on Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th June 2015.

The museum trustees are delighted to confirm that the TSR2 cockpit, which is currently on loan at the museum from the Brooklands Museum at Weybridge in Surrey, will now be on display at Cockpit-Fest.

The cockpit, which was originally displayed at the TSR2 anniversary event in autumn 2014 will be uncovered and will be available for external viewing on both Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th June.

This will be a unique opportunity for visitors to see the TSR2 cockpit at Cockpit-Fest and we hope that you will take advantage of it being on display.

In Damien Burke’s excellent TSR2 book, the cockpit is described as follows: “Test forebody T5 …” and that it was “….Rescued from the Farnborough dump in 1992.”

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Wings & Wheels are introducing a *NEW* second Stunt Zone to the Wheels Zone on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th August. Visitors can expect some thrilling and unique entertainment throughout the day from the sensational ‘Savage Skills’ who are headlining the Zone with their Anti Gravity Show four times a day.

With eight World and over 25 British Championship titles between them, the team will be putting on breathtaking displays of balance and agility as the riders manoeuvre their bikes and bodies over custom built ramps and obstacles, demonstrating the skills they have acquired thanks to years of national and international competitive practice.

Savage Skills pride themselves on being the most accomplished and disciplined stunt show team in the UK, and it’s no wonder after they have featured on numerous television programmes, worked alongside some of the world’s most respected celebrities and promoted products for a number of multi million pound companies, such as; Saab, Halfords, Nissan, Tiff Nedell, BBC, Extreme Sports Channel, Adventure sports channel, and the London Cycle Show.

Ben Savage 26, the founder of Savage Skills, has been a stunt trials rider for over 16 years performing in front of thousands of spectators making him a legendary entertainer. He has previously taken part in the British World Championships finishing 3rd, and has spent two weeks in Europe where he took part in the BikeTrial International Union (BIU).

Emily Hooton, Wheels Zone Co-ordinator comments: “We can’t wait to see our visitor’s reaction to the visually stimulating and energetic Savage Skills who will be performing in our second Stunt Zone. It’s really exciting to have two stunt arenas at Wings & Wheels this year, both of which will be packed with adrenaline pumping activities that our visitors won’t want to miss.”

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the world famous Red Arrows, RAF Eurofighter Typhoon, RAF Eurofighter Typhoon & Spitfire (Synchro Pair), Vulcan, Chinook, The Blades and a host of other modern and historic aircraft during the five 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 two hour auto spectacular from Brooklands Museum, and over in our Wheels Zone you can expect an array of interactive and static displays to wander around.

The show also includes over 25 fixed-price catering outlets, 2 bars, hospitality facilities, free on-site parking, public camping, lost children point, disabled access, informative show commentary, opportunities to meet the pilots, official show merchandise and grandstand seating.

Tickets start from £22 for adults, £50 for a family (2 adults and 3 children aged 5 – 15yrs), £7 for children aged between 5 and 15yrs and under 5s are free. Hospitality packages start from £150 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 in 2015 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Help for Heroes and Brooklands Museum Trust.

The United States Air Force is has announced it will be sending an array of aircraft to next month’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in the Cotswolds.

It will send aircraft from both of its British bases, RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, as well as some on deployment from further afield.

Appearing for the first time in a UK flying display will be a Bell Boeing CV-22B Osprey, now operated from Mildenhall by the 7th Special Operations Squadron, part of the 352nd Special Operations Wing. Previous demonstrations of the tilt-rotor machine at the Air Tattoo have involved US Marine Corps MV-22B models. A second CV-22B is due to be exhibited in the static park.

Another new special operations aircraft from Mildenhall making its debut on static display is an MC-130J Commando II version of the Hercules transport, from the 7th Special Operations Squadron. Stationed at the same base are the KC-135R Stratotanker air-to-air refuelling aircraft of the 351st Air Refueling Squadron, one of which will also attend the airshow on July 17-19.

The 493rd Fighter Squadron from nearby Lakenheath, known as the ‘Grim Reapers’, is due to send a pair of F-15C Eagle fighters to the show. These will be joined in the static line-up by two examples of a type once very familiar in British skies, the A-10 Thunderbolt II ‘tank-buster’. While no A-10s are now permanently based in Europe, the two A-10Cs taking part next month will be provided by a unit permanently stationed in the continental United States but on deployment to Europe.

Air Tattoo Chief Executive Andy Armstrong said: “The Air Tattoo has always enjoyed an excellent relationship with the US military. The support the US Air Force gives us in allowing our show to be staged at RAF Fairford, a USAF stand-by base, is invaluable and gratefully appreciated. I am very pleased that visitors to the Air Tattoo will have the opportunity to view this superb range of USAF aircraft next month.”

The Air Tattoo is staged annually in support of the RAF Charitable Trust. Tickets for the event on July 17-19 are only available in advance. Tickets priced from £36 are available from www.airtattoo.com or by calling 0800 107 1940. All accompanied under-16s go free. Free parking.

Prepare yourselves for some high energy action packed performances in this years Stunt Zone at Wings & Wheels on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th August. Adrenaline pumping pro drifting displays will be brought to you by Scrape’N’Skid and Team 1340 who’ll be collaborating to headline the main arena.

The teams will perform spectacular feats of speed throughout the weekend demonstrating dramatic showmanship with smoke and squeals from every corner of the arena. Visitors can expect to see drifting basics all the way through to advance tandem drifting.

The drifting display teams boast four extreme technical drivers and some of the fastest time attack machines in the country. Dean Newport-Hall, 28 representing Scrape’N’Skid has been drifting for over three years honing his skills at Santa Pod Raceway DWYB (drift what ya brung). He has competed in many Barrel Sprint events, finishing 2nd at DriftCup, and 4th at the Gymkhana Grid European finals in Madrid.

Arron Stevens, 25 representing Scrape’N’Skid has been driving rear wheel drive Japanese cars since he was 17. He is best known for his super smooth calm style, and made his competition debut at the end of the Drift Cup series in 2014, wining the round.

Andy Stroud, 28 representing Team 1340 started drifting in 2007 at the Santa Pod Raceway DWYB days, cutting his teeth and learning the basics he went on to compete in top level UK drifting in the British Drift Championship. Expect to see Andy in the Drift Outlaws series Japanese powered ford sierra.

Adam Elder, 27 representing Team 1340 in the Drift Outlaws series Nissan S14 has been drifting for a number of years, and is known for his regularity on the podium at the Fueltopia Barrel Sprint. In 2014 he finished 2nd after a close cut final run at the Gymkhana Grid European finals in Madrid.

The teams wouldn’t be at Wings & Wheels without their supporters and special thanks going to Nispro Performance Ltd, Attitude Autos, Lock and Key, Bourne End Garage, STA Automatic Transmissions and Signum Signs.

Emily Hooton, Wheels Zone Co-ordinator comments: “We are really excited to welcome two drifting teams to Wings & Wheels this year. Drifting is a really popular Stunt Zone attraction and is the perfect setting for Scrape’N’Skid and Team 1340 to showcase their skills. The drifting teams will be supported by other displays throughout the weekend making it one Zone our visitors won’t want to miss.”

www.wingsandwheels.net

World-leading combat aircraft from four nations will showcase the sharp end of NATO air power at RNAS Yeovilton Air Day on 11 July. Both the flying and static displays will feature frontline assets which, combined with other attending types, will make this year’s Air Day a thoroughly international affair.

One of Air Day’s most significant international contributions comes from the French Navy, showcasing their carrier based fast jet aircraft. Never before seen in this country, its four-ship role demo, comprising pairs of Super Etendard strike fighters and Rafale M multirole fighters, will be an intense and thrilling spectacle for the show’s anticipated 35,000-plus visitors. Due for retirement in 2016, the Super Etendard will likely have its last UK showing. Its replacement, the supremely agile Rafale, was among the three key European jet fighter projects developed during the 1980s and 1990s. An example of another, the RAF’s Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 multirole fighter, will spear through the sky in its special colour scheme applied to mark the Battle of Britain’s 75th anniversary.

The F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole fighter is of a previous generation but, through various upgrades, remains at the leading edge of modern-day air power. The Royal Norwegian Air Force was among the F-16’s original European operators and two of the air arm’s F-16s will make a rare UK appearance in Air Day’s static display.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II close air-support aircraft is of the same era but remains a similarly potent part of NATO’s inventory. The United States Air Force, which now rarely participates in overseas airshows, is sending two A-10s for the static display, along with a supporting C-17 Globemaster III strategic transport aircraft.

A full list of participants, further information and discounted advance tickets are available from www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday