Following a weekend of mixed weather conditions, the ninth Bournemouth Air Festivalcame to a spectacular close on Sunday witha show-stopping finale from a trio ofRAF aircraft–the Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and Typhoon. Taking place over four days from 18 – 21 August, festival-goers enjoyedhighlights including the Swiss Super Puma Display Team, Red Arrows on all four days, demonstrations from the armed forces on the ground and at sea, Otto the Helicopter and Bournemouth’s first ever Typhoon dusk display.

With the opening and closing dayshailed as the busiest ever for the internationally renowned festival, total visitor numbers were estimatedat702,300 over the course of the weekend. In spite of inclement weather, Friday still saw a packed programme of air displays in the afternoon and a busy evening of Night Air entertainment. Although worsening conditions forced the cancellation of earlier daytime displays on Saturday, the valiant pilots rewarded dedicated Air Festival fans with a special early evening display that included the Red Arrows and Royal Navy Black Cats, Hawks and Merlin before clouds and rain closed in to halt the scheduled ‘Sunsets on the Beach’ live music event. By Sunday, the festival was well and truly back on track and once more record crowds turned out for an impressive climax to the weekend.

This year’s festival featured more than 15 display teams and 40 aircraft supported by more than 55 ground crew. Among a variety of RAF assets, including the Black Cats and Typhoon, theever-popular Red Arrows – sponsored by Morgan Sindall – appeared on all four days and attracted unprecedented numbers of admirers at the pilots’ meet and greet.

Alongside the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight sponsored by Spitfire Lager, the B-25N Mitchell sponsored by the Highcliff Marriott and Sally B sponsored by BH Live flew in tribute to the historic aircraft of bygone days.

Aerobatics came courtesy of The Blades sponsored by the Daily Echo, Gerald Cooper in his Xtreme Air XA41 sponsored by the Hotel Miramar,StrikemasterMk82A sponsored by the Littledown Centre and the daring Breitling Wingwalkers. Returning for another year, the Tigers Freefall Parachute Display Team, sponsored by Bournemouth Airport, jumped from eye-watering heights onto the sand in front of adoring crowds.

A relatively new and extremely popular addition to the festival programme, this year’sNight Air dusk displays – sponsored by the Air Festival Patrons Club – starred the Fireflies Aerobatic Display Team, Otto the helicopter, Aerosparx, the Red Devils Parachute Regiment Freefall Team and, for the first time, the Typhoon – lighting up the night skies with its impressive after burn. Fireworks on Friday and Saturday evening provided the perfect end to the evening displays. The patrons also support the 2016 Forces nominated charities – the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity, ABF – The Soldiers Charity and the Jon Egging Trust.

As well as the Royal Netherlands Air Force Historical Flight operating the B-25N Mitchell, this year’s international guests included Swiss Air Force Super Puma sponsored by The Cumberland.Captain MatthieuGhiringhellisaid:”On behalf of the Swiss Air  Force and Super Puma Display Team, a big thank you to everyone who has helped to make our first display at Bournemouth Air Festival so fantastic – from the Festival Makers and Events Team to everyone who has come to watch us. It has been a brilliant show – we have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and we hope to be back next year.”

Once again, the Air Festival was honoured to welcome back the armed forces – now a major contributor to the event. As well as a variety of stalls in their beachfront village area, the Royal Navy brought a spectacular flotilla of ships to Bournemouth Bay. The Royal Marine reservists conducted another series of crowd-pleasing amphibious assaults on the beaches and the Band of HM RM Collingwood performed a musical spectacular on the Wave 105 live stage at Boscombe Beach.This year also saw a new mini tattoo on the clifftop featuring the beat retreat sunset ceremony, Queen’s Colour Squadron (63 Squadron RAF Regiment) and unarmed combat demonstrations from the Royal Marine reservists.

Commodore Jamie Miller said: “It has been a delight and a privilege for the naval service to once again support the UK’s premier Air Festival here in Bournemouth. It has been a hugely successful event and a perfect showcase for the Royal Navy. BZ BAF!!”

The success of the Air Festival’s ninth consecutive year reinforces its status as Europe’s largest public aviation event and its unique reputation as the UK’s biggest free family air show.

Councillor Lawrence Williams, portfolio holder for tourism, said: “Naturally, I love the Air Festival and this year’s exhibition from aviation artist, David Bent, at the Russell-Cotes added another dimension for me and many other art lovers. After Saturday’s hiccup with the weather, I am delighted that Sunday’s display programme was able to take place against the backdrop of Bournemouth’s trademark blue skies. We owe much of the success of this year’s festival to the Royal Navy and armed forces for their commitment and resilience in the face of adversity.”

Mark Smith, Director of Tourism for Bournemouth, said: “The weather presented a particular challenge this year but the event still goes from strength to strength with records broken on both the Thursday and Sunday. We managed to beat the weather with flying displays on every day thanks to the enthusiasm and expertise of our experienced flying director and his team, all of the magnificent pilots and crew, as well as event and safety staff including our partners in the emergency services. We are grateful to the public for their patience, cooperation and keenness over the course of the weekend and we are proud to have closed Bournemouth’s ninth Air Festival with such an impressiveprogramme of displays.”

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

The Blades are back at this year’s Wings & Wheels with their thrilling high speed aerobatics. A leading display team of former Red Arrow pilots, The Blades are renowned for their cutting-edge display and breath-taking manoeuvres.

Displaying on Saturday 27^th and Sunday 28^th August, The Blades will perform over 30 exhilarating manoeuvres containing a variety of mind-blowing aerobatic stunts flown just feet apart. With combined speeds of 400mph, extreme gravity defying solo ‘gyroscopic’ acrobatics, synchronised rolls, twists, double-tumbles and knife edge spins, this is a display not to be missed.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director, comments: “The Blades are a firm favourite with visitors to Wings & Wheels and we are delighted to be welcoming them back to Dunsfold.”

Since The Team began in 2006, The Blades have flown over 600 displays throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle-East and with over 30,000 flying hours and more than 3,900 displays between them, The Blades are amongst the most experienced display pilots in the country.

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the full complement from the RAF as they display with the Red Arrows, Eurofighter and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Spitfire, Hurricane, Dakota) as well as the Royal Navy Black Cats, Brietling Wingwalkers and B-25 Mitchell bomber.  Supercars, classics and race cars put on an awe inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a two-hour auto spectacular from Brooklands Museum. Over in our Wheels Zone is an array of interactive and static displays as well as two and four wheeled shows in the Stunt Zone with Steve ‘Showtime’ Colley and Mission Motorsport and a new Monster Truck arena offering demonstrations and passenger rides.

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.  

The 12^th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 27^th & Sunday 28^th August 2016, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 21:00.

Advanced rate tickets from £22 for adults or £50 for a family. Single child tickets (for children aged 5 – 15) will be £7. Children under 5 go free. Hospitality packages start from £155 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 2016 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Wowing audiences around the world with their quarter-scale BA Hawk replicas, the Reds Duo remote controlled display team are returning to Wings & Wheels on Saturday 27^th and Sunday 28^th August 2016.

By far the most popular remote controlled display team on the circuit, father and son duo Steve and Matt Bishop are returning to Wings & Wheels with their 1/4 scale Red Arrows Hawk models. Built by themselves at Bishop Aviation from a German kit, each model is powered by a Jetcat P200 Jet Turbine, weighs 24 kg, has a wing span of 100 inches and is controlled by radio controls with 15 servos in each.

The models are copies of the real Red Arrows and they even use the famous red white and blue smoke during their display.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director comments: “The control that Steve and Matt exhibit with their model Hawks is phenomenal. They are one of the best radio controlled formation flying teams in the world and we are excited to be welcoming them back to Wings & Wheels.”

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the full complement from the RAF as they display with the Red Arrows, Eurofighter and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Spitfire, Hurricane, Dakota) as well as the Royal Navy Black Cats, Blades, Brietling Wingwalkers and B-25 Mitchell bomber.  Supercars, classics and race cars put on an awe inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a two-hour auto spectacular from Brooklands Museum. Over in our Wheels Zone is an array of interactive and static displays as well as two and four wheeled shows in the Stunt Zone with Steve ‘Showtime’ Colley and Mission Motorsport and a new Monster Truck arena offering demonstrations and passenger rides.

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.  

The 12^th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 27^th & Sunday 28^th August 2016, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 21:00.

Advanced rate tickets from £22 for adults or £50 for a family. Single child tickets (for children aged 5 – 15) will be £7. Children under 5 go free. Hospitality packages start from £155 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 2016 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Date: 16-17 September 2016

Time: 6.00pm to 9.00pm

Cost: £12.50 per person

The doors to military aircraft spanning a history of more than eight decades will be opened up to visitors at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford next month during a special two night event.  Aviation fans will be able to view inside a total of fifteen aircraft, with everything from Cold War mainstays to unique prototype jets that pioneered the way for many of the world’s most iconic defence aircraft.  Taking place on 16-17 September, just 300 tickets per evening are available for those who want to make their visit to the museum extra special.

 Visitors can marvel at the advanced technologies on unique airframes including the TSR2, one of the most exciting and controversial British combat aircraft designs of the 1960s.  Despite its outstanding technical success, political opposition led to the project being cancelled in April 1965 and the TSR2 is still a subject of great debate to this day.  Arguably the most popular and advanced aircraft of its time, the TSR2 is still a popular favourite with aviation fans and is sure to be a highlight on the night.

The Fairey Delta 2 (FD2), one of only two ever built will also be opened up to ticket holders. Designed during the late 1940s in a bid to retrieve Britain from trailing in supersonic aircraft design, the FD2 later went on to break the World Air Speed Record in 1956 reaching 1132mph, breaking the record set only the year before by over 300mph.  One of its unique features was the aircrafts ability to tilt the cockpit and nose section down by ten degrees in order to improve the pilot’s forward view during landing, taxiing and take-off.  Visitors can learn more about its capabilities by speaking with staff and volunteers on the night, ensuring they get the most out of their visit.

Over in the museum’s National Cold War Exhibition a collection of aircraft that were the backbone to the west’s successes during the Cold War period will also be available.  Aviation fans will be able to take a seat inside the cockpit of the sturdily built nuclear-capable Blackburn Buccaneer S1 nose section flown by the Royal Navy and the United States Air Force’s General Dynamics F-111, a combat aircraft capable of altering its wing configuration in flight to adjust the aerodynamic properties. Plus, the giant Short Brothers Belfast used by the RAF for almost twenty years, capable of carrying 150 fully-equipped troops or two Wessex helicopters will be opened exclusively for ‘Open Cockpits Evening’.

During the event, ticket holders will also have exclusive after-hours access to the museum which displays a collection of over 75 aircraft, military vehicles, engines and aviation artefacts within three wartime hangars and the National Cold War Exhibition.  Other aircraft available on the night include: Hawker Siddeley Andover, Avro Anson C.19, Scottish Aviation Bulldog T Mk1, Hunting Percival Pembroke C1, SEPECAT Jaguar ACT Demonstrator, Saunders-Roe SR53, Hunting H126, McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1, Hawker Hunter F.4 and the Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer.  This mix of aircraft means there is something to suit the interests of all enthusiasts and young aviators alike.

Tickets are now available to purchase through the museum’s website www.rafmuseum.org/cosford and cost £12.50 per person which includes parking (minimum height restrictions of 1.07 metres will apply).  A full list of aircraft available on the night is also available online. The Museum will close at 5.00pm both days, however the Visitor Centre and Refuel Restaurant will remain open prior to the event which commences at 6.00pm and finishes at 9.00pm.

Fleet & Foreign Aircraft Days

Newark Air Museum

3^rd & 4^th September 2016

Preparations for the new Fleet & Foreign Aircraft Days are now well underway at Newark Air Museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire; close to the border with Lincolnshire. Newark Air Museum is a registered charity that is located on part of the former site of RAF Winthorpe.

The Fleet & Foreign Aircraft Days event takes place on Saturday 3^rd and Sunday 4^th September 2016 and will focus on the museum’s diverse collection of Fleet Air Arm (Royal Navy) and international aircraft / helicopters. Visitors will get the opportunity to view the cockpits and interiors of more than twenty (20) of the museum’s collection of aircraft, cockpits and CIMs.

We also have flypasts on both days by aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight; 3^rd September, Hurricane & Spitfire and 4^th September, Spitfire – times to be confirmed.

The event is open to everyone and normal museum admission rates will apply:

Adults £8.50, Over 60s £7.50, Children £4.50 and Family ticket [2 adults & 3 children] £23.00. Please telephone 01636 707170 if you require any further information.

{A small additional fee / donation will be applicable when going inside the museum aircraft – this will go into the Project Panini Fund; to build a new Café & Toilet facility.}

N.B. The cockpits and aircraft may not be open at all times during the day and access will depend on the availability of our team of volunteer cockpit openers.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

French Ambassador to the UK, Her Excellency, Mdme Sylvie Bermann, said:

 “I am delighted to add my congratulations to the Allied Air Forces Memorial at Elvington upon the announcement that our Minister of Defence has agreed to the gift of one of France’s most iconic aircraft, the Mirage lV, in recognition of the close ties between our two nations.’

Museum Director, Ian Reed, who began negotiations for the transfer of the jet with the French Government in 2007, said today:

“I would like to thank the French Government, diplomatic staff from the French Embassy and the French Air Force based both in Britain and Paris and aviation associates as far away as Dubai for their efforts in helping us over the last 9 years, to make this unique and historic project happen“.

Note: Last year the Museum was formally acknowledged by the European Union as  “The Allied Air Forces Memorial”, which undertakes significant memorial events across UK and Europe. On behalf of DCMS (the UK Dept of Culture Media & Sport), the Museum represented the British & French air services last month at the international centenary commemorations for the Battle of the Somme at Thiepval, France by exhibiting a full sized WWl British fighter biplane.

Images attached show examples of Mirage !V aircraft. Two of these show the actual aircraft in the Citée des Sciences Museum that will shortly be transferred to Elvington.

www.yorkshireairmuseum.org

In what turned out to be a very special and moving occasion here at the Allied Air Forces Memorial & Yorkshire Air Museum, the Women’s Section Royal British Legion held their annual Memorial Day on Sunday 14^th August. Members of RBL Women’s Section Branches from across the Yorkshire and North East regions gathered during the morning in readiness for the Parade of Standards, which led into the unique Memorial Garden to the Women’s Air Services for the colourful Wreath Laying Ceremony. In a strong turnout, 19 Standards were presented, including support from York Royal Air Forces Association.

Both the Museum and RBLWS organisers were delighted that HM The Queen’s representative the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Mr. Barry Dodd CBE and Lady Feversham, President North Yorkshire RBLWS; attended the event to take the Salute from the Parade and lead the wreath laying ceremony. Wreaths were also laid by Mrs. Wendy Bromwich JP Life Vice President;(who followed the Lord Lieutenant to lay the wreath); Mrs. A. J. Murray MBE, Vice President Durham RBLWS; Mrs. D. Ingham OBE, President East Riding RBLWS; Mrs. H. Crosby, South & West Yorkshire RBLWS and Mr. Ian Reed ONM FRAeS, Director of the Allied Air Forces Memorial & Yorkshire Air Museum.

Following this, the Parade reformed to march to the Chapel for the Memorial Service. What made the ceremony so significant and poignant this year was the official Laying Up of the three Regional Women’s Section Standards of North Yorkshire County, East Riding of Yorkshire and South & West Yorkshire County. Additionally, following a last minute decision by Branch Members, the Crofton, Walton & Warmfield cum Heath Branch (South West Yorkshire) also presented their Standard to be Laid Up. The Laying Up of these Standards followed the recent decision by the Royal British Legion to amalgamate the Women’s Section into the core body, to no longer be a distinct group.

Emotions were welling, but stoically kept in check, as the Standards were taken into our care by our Honorary Chaplain, the Revd. (Squadron Leader) Charles “Taff” Morgan MBE, with each Standard Marched forward in turn. In his typically eloquent sermon, “Taff” paid tribute to the dedication of women in Service from WWI and the Battle of the Somme, which saw women tending to the horrendous wounds suffered by infantry and indeed airmen, engaged in the bloody battles on the fields and, for the first time in history, in the skies above. He reflected also on those women at home, who were left to deal with the consequences of menfolk away from home, and the damage to mind, body and soul of those returning from the front. This dedication has continued to today, where women are now serving on the frontline and piloting the latest aircraft in service, with no distinction between them and their male counterparts. Perhaps it is this modern ethos that has led the decision to streamline the Royal British Legion.

Not surprisingly, after the ceremony was complete, the tears flowed as the significance of the occasion sank in.

Ian Reed, Museum Director comments: “We are very proud and indeed humbled to take these treasured Regional Standards into our care here at Elvington. Our Station Chapel is indeed a fitting place for these symbols of friendship and Remembrance to rest. They mean so much to those that have carried and marched with them at many Memorial Ceremonies, and are honoured that this Memorial & Museum was the past place they were Paraded to the public.”

www.yorkshireairmuseum.org

• The longest serving Mk4 Sea King helicopter – the ZA298, known as ‘King of the Junglies’, has landed at the Fleet Air Arm Museum
• Helicopter’s rich history to be told to thousands of visitors at the museum from August 4th
• The ZA298 survived four wars and will be preserved in the museum
• Pilots who flew Sea King over its history of nearly four decades will be in attendance

The much loved and longest serving Mk4 Sea King ZA298 has arrived at The National Museum of the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm Museum (FAAM), where her memory will inspire many generations to come.

The ‘King of the Junglies’, as she is popularly known, has survived four wars and has been a real stalwart in supporting soldiers on various missions including at the Falklands, Bosnia, Iraq and more recently in Afghanistan.

Aircraft Curator at the museum, Dave Morris, is excited to be welcoming the Sea King into the museum’s collection, which will go on display from August 4.

“It’s always exciting to get a new aircraft into the collection and none more-so than Sea King ZA298,” he said.

“From its first combat action in 1982 (Falklands) it was still in active combat service some 30 years later in Afghanistan, and in the years in between it has been active in just about every other major combat or humanitarian aid task that the Royal Navy and Fleet Air Arm has been involved with.

“It was also the helicopter that famously delivered the Olympic Flame to Tower Bridge during the London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony.

“A real ‘war horse’, 298 has taken heavy fire on several occasions and is still standing, and has some amazing stories to tell.

“This helicopter is also an important addition to the line-up of Westland aircraft that we have in the collection. The Fleet Air Arm Museum holds a collection of Westland built aircraft of world significance that dates back to The Short 184 aircraft that flew at the Battle of Jutland 100 years ago.

“ZA298 will add yet more naval aviation history to this very important collection of aircraft, built only seven miles away from the museum itself in the town of Yeovil.”

Four Sea Kings landed at RNAS Yeovilton, before a handing-over ceremony in the museum earlier this year, where around 300 servicemen from the Royal Navy, RAF and Royal Marines celebrated her career which has spanned more than three decades.

Representatives from the helicopter’s manufacturer AugustaWestland, who, with the Royal Navy, handed over ZA298 to the museum, were also there to speak about the helicopter’s illustrious career.

www.fleetairarm.com

Date: 19 August 2016

Time: 12.30pm

Cost: FREE

For more than two decades a series of counterinsurgency operations were fought in the Sultanate of Oman on the South-eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. The military action taken against the activities of guerrillas in these regions will be the focus of the next Cold War Lunchtime Lecture held at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford later this month. The lecture entitled ‘The RAF and Counterinsurgency Warfare in Oman during the Cold War’ will be presented by Dr Ross Mahoney, Aviation Historian at the RAF Museum on Friday 19 August at 12.30pm.

This forthcoming lecture is the third in the new series of lectures launched earlier this year, which each cover a different topic related to the Cold War. During this next lecture, Ross will discuss two major counterinsurgency campaigns fought in the Sultanate of Oman from the early 1950s through to the mid-1970s and how air power played a vital role in defeating the revolutionaries. Up for discussion will be the campaign fought against an uprising in the Jebel Akhdar during the 1950s and the campaign conducted in the Dhofar region against insurgents supported by Yemen which ran for just over a decade.

The role of air power during this period ranged from strike operations, such as the role played by BAC Strikemasters at the Battle of Mirbat in 1972, through to the support of ‘hearts and minds’ operations using helicopters and light aircraft. Based on research undertaken for the RAF Museum’s exhibition on the relationship between the Royal Air Force and Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) at its London site, this lecture will explore the origins of these campaigns, the role of air power in supporting their conduct and the formation of the Sultan of Oman’s Air Force. Finally, the lecture will consider the development of relations between the RAF and RAFO, after the end of the Dhofar War through to the present day.

RAF Museum Aviation Historian, Ross Mahoney said:

“It gives me great pleasure to be delivering one of the Museum’s Cold War lunchtime lectures at Cosford. The lectures, which form part of our research programme, are a significant activity for the Museum. Additionally, the opportunity to lecture on research undertaken for one of our exhibitions is important as it allows us to examine further the RAF’s role in this region of the world and the impact the Service has had on the development of air forces around the globe.”

The Cold War lunchtime lectures form part of the RAF Museum’s Research Programme for 2016.  ‘The RAF and Counterinsurgency Warfare in Oman during the Cold War’, is the third of four lectures taking place at Cosford this year.  The programme also consists of the Trenchard Lectures in Air Power Studies and the First World War in the Air Lunchtime Lectures, which are held at the University of Wolverhampton, the Royal Aeronautical Society in London and the RAF Museum in London respectively.

This FREE lecture will be held in the RAF Museum’s National Cold War Exhibition lecture theatre at 12.30pm on Friday 19 August.  As spaces are limited, organisers advise visitors to book their tickets in advance via the museum’s website to avoid disappointment.

For further information about the museum’s research programme or to book your FREE ticket to the lecture, please visit the museum website www.rafmuseum.org/cosford.  The museum is open daily from 10am and entry to the museum is FREE of charge.

The October Model Show is the largest event of its kind in the South West and is a must for all model enthusiasts.

Visitors will be able to see a broad array of scaled-down models of real aircraft, see club and trade exhibitors from across the UK and meet the enthusiasts who live and breathe model making.

Advance Tickets will be withdrawn from sale on the 14th October 2016. For any queries please contact the ticket box on 01935 842617. SAVE 20% and buy online!

Tickets for the event can be found by clicking here (after 1st July 2016).

www.fleetairarm.com