Date: 16 March 2018
Time: 12.30pm
Cost: FREE
Location: National Cold War Exhibition lecture theatre at RAF Museum Cosford

On 16 March, the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford will be hosting the next Cold War Lunchtime Lecture with a talk entitled ‘Air Marshal Sir John Slessor: An Unsung Cold War Strategist and His Role as the Architect of British Airborne Nuclear Deterrence’. In this talk, Mr Bill Pyke, an independent Cold War researcher with an MA in Air Power Studies will look at the influence of senior military leaders and the pivotal role they played in making British nuclear deterrence a physical reality during the Cold War.

Within this lecture, Mr Bill Pyke will look at how a declared policy of strategic nuclear deterrence has been at the heart of British defence thinking since the early 1950s. Prior to this time, Clement Attlee’s post-war government had sanctioned the development of Britain’s atomic bomb programme in January 1947.

The lecture will discuss how the means of nuclear weapons delivery: the development of the revolutionary four-engine jet bomber, did not proceed at the same pace. In any event, at a time of continuing post-war austerity, some senior politicians from both sides of the political spectrum were not in favour of an independent British nuclear deterrent, preferring to leave it all to the Americans.

This talk will focus on Air Marshal Sir John Slessor as a Cold War strategist and his role as the architect of Britain’s airborne nuclear deterrent. Slessor was Chief of the Air Staff between January 1950 and December 1952 at a time of heightened Cold War confrontation. Many Cold War historians have focused primarily on the key politicians, international crises, and the threat of nuclear weapons. However, little attention has been paid to the influence of senior military leaders, of whom Slessor was a notable example. Slessor played a pivotal role in making British nuclear deterrence a physical reality. His involvement through strategic vision, leadership, courage, and dogged persistence ensured the implementation and build-up of the RAF’s complement of strategic jet bombers (the V-force) designed to deliver Britain’s nuclear weapons. That policy of defence through nuclear deterrence established the bedrock of British strategic defence thinking that continues to the present day.

This FREE lecture will be held in the Museum’s National Cold War Exhibition lecture theatre at 12.30pm on Friday 16 March 2018, lasting approximately one hour. As spaces are limited, organisers advise visitors to book their tickets in advance via the Museum’s website www.rafmuseum.org/cosford to avoid disappointment.

The Cold War Lunchtime Lectures are delivered by emerging and established researchers. They explore key events and air power developments from the Cold War period. ‘Air Marshal Sir John Slessor: An Unsung Cold War Strategist and His Role as the Architect of British Airborne Nuclear Deterrence’ is the first lecture taking place at Cosford this year, with more planned throughout 2018. The series forms a part of the RAF Museum’s Research Programme for 2018 which also consists of the Trenchard Lectures in Air Power Studies, First World War lunchtime lectures at the Museum’s London site and conferences.

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.

Brooklands Museum, 10th March 2018.

Byron Davies, recently appointed as the first ever “Champion for General Aviation” by the Government and the first chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for General Aviation, will be the keynote speaker at the Light Aircraft Association’s (LAA) Youth and Education Strut Aviation Education Conference at Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, Surrey on March 10.

Mr. Davies has been tasked by the Government to gather evidence of the GA sector’s value to the economy and the need for a protected network of airfields.
The Conference brings together the key players in Aviation Education to discuss current initiatives and enable a better understanding of what opportunities are available for young people in General Aviation as a career or recreational activity. Organisations represented at the event include the Trailblazer and the Heritage Apprenticeship Programmes, Aerobility, the LAA, Air Cadets, the Royal Institute of Navigation, the Scouts and The Shuttleworth Trust.

Brooklands is the birthplace of British aviation as it was the site of the first UK flight trials in 1908 so it is apt that the conference takes place there. Perhaps more fittingly however, is the thinking behind their recently completed Aircraft Factory and Flight Shed complex as part of an overall £8.2m Heritage Lottery Funded project to revitalise and re-interpret the site and its unique 80-year legacy of aviation testing, manufacture and flight. As well as the collections of aircraft, the Museum has embarked on a number of learning initiatives that range from STEM-led activities for students through to aviation heritage skills and preservation programmes both on the ‘factory floor’ and in the purpose-built workshops in the new facilities. This is a pivotal role in providing a gateway to some of the learning as an introduction to a career path within the aviation industry and for other aviation heritage organisations to use as a hub for learning. Allan Winn, Director of Brooklands Museum and Andrew Cornish, Aviation Heritage Skills Officer will be speaking on this subject.

Aviator and adventurer Tracey Curtis-Taylor will also be part of the line-up and will be addressing the delegates drawing on her experience and passion for flying that has inspired many people throughout the world.

Attendees will also get the chance to look around the Museum’s exhibition areas and explore the incredible collections of classic cars, motorcycles and aircraft, including the only Concorde open to the public in the south east, 4D Theatre with simulator and Museum Shop.

Pre-registration is required so to book your place at the Conference which runs from 10am – 4pm please contact Virginia Smith at: virginiasmith@brooklandsmuseum.com or by call 01932 857381 ext 248. Tickets are £12.50 each and include a lunch.

For directions to the Museum please visit http://www.brooklandsmuseum.com or telephone 01932 857381. Simulator rides in the 4D Theatre rides are approximately 8 minutes long each and are priced at £4 Adults, £2 Children. The half-hour Concorde Experience is £5 Adults, £3 Children.

Date: 1-2 April 2018
Time: 10am-5pm
Cost: FREE

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford will be celebrating 100 years of the Royal Air Force (RAF) with a nostalgic Bank Holiday Weekend event on 1-2 April 2018, packed with displays and activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Founded on the 1 April 1918, the centenary year provides a unique opportunity to commemorate the world’s first and most famous independent Air Force and the extraordinary success, achievement and sacrifice of the RAF.

The ‘100 Years of the RAF Festival’ will see re-enactors, living historians, interpreters and a variety of entertainers bring the Museum to life with authentic experiences for visitors to enjoy. A walk-through history, exploring the 100 years of the Royal Air Force, vintage vehicles and children’s activities will be nestled amongst the historical, pioneering aircraft on display and will engage visitors throughout their tour of the Museum site.

WHAT’S ON over the festival weekend:
• Chat amongst Second World War pilots, have a go at plotting maps, or relax in the Officer’s Mess.
• Take aim and fire with a have-a-go anti-aircraft area. For the young and the young at heart, take a seat behind replica anti-aircraft guns and see whether you can catch the enemy (charges apply).
• Join family friendly interactive talks; get involved in tactical mapping, learn how to scramble to all manner of aircraft and explore RAF missions in the wider world.
• Wonder at the skills of pilots in the new Jet Age and practice your own Scramble to the Vulcan.
• Watch Rolls-Royce Merlin Mk500 and Bristol Hercules Mk216 demonstrations (2 April only).
• Meet the originators of the Royal Flying Corps and see up close what these young pilots undertook to defend our skies 100 years ago.
• Meet serving personnel from the RAF today and hear more about their roles.
• Marvel at some of the earliest technologies in flying machines, from bi-planes to airships, and hear how integral their roles were in making the Royal Air Force what it is today.
• Hear the stories of peacetime operations throughout history, the Royal Air Force’s wider community involvement, and its continuing spirit.
• Dress up in RAF attire and grab some props from the Museum’s handling collection and take photos as a memento of your day.

The ‘100 Years of the RAF Festival’ will run from 10am to 5pm on Sunday 1 and Monday 2 April 2018. On arrival, make sure to pick up your free handy festival map to help guide you round the site and ensure you don’t miss out on any of the displays! The Museum will also be operating a free shuttle bus service from Cosford train station for any visitors travelling by train or using the park and ride and will run continuously throughout the day. For more information about the event visit www.rafmuseum.org/cosford.

Plus, a new display which celebrates the first 100 years of the RAF will be open to visitors in time for the festival weekend. Highlighting the principle roles of the RAF; Attack, Defence, Support and Prepare, the display also incorporates a snapshot timeline and artefacts spanning 100 years including uniforms, equipment, tools, personal possessions and commemorative items. In addition, a collection of life size silhouettes will be positioned around the Museum site, sharing the personal stories of RAF personnel throughout the years, spanning a variety of roles within the service. The new display is supported by National Lottery Players through the Heritage Lottery Fund and with support from BAE Systems and is part of the RAF Museum’s RAF Centenary Programme across its two sites in London and Cosford. For more information about the RAF Museum’s RAF Centenary Programme visit www.rafmuseum.org

Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum commemorates RAF 100 with its exhibition honouring the heroism of RAF aircrew during World War II.

2018 is set to be an important year for aviation as the Royal Air Force celebrates its centenary. To mark this occasion, Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum will open their next exhibition on Sunday 1 April 2018 entitled ‘Gallantry in the Air’ honouring Royal Air Force aircrew who were decorated for their bravery during World War II.

Gallantry is defined as bravery shown by someone who is in danger. This exhibition will feature RAF personnel who were awarded UK gallantry medals including Guy Gibson who was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC), Distinguished Service Order & Bar (DSO) and Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar (DFC). Gibson was most famous for leading No. 617 Squadron during the Dam Busters raid in 1943 and was awarded the VC, the highest award of the UK’s honours system. Two of the others that will feature are Leonard Cheshire who was awarded the VC, DSO & 2 Bars, DFC; and ‘Ginger ‘Lacey, one of the RAF’s highest scoring fighter pilots during World War II, who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal & Bar.

Heritage Assistant, Angela Riley who has been working on the exhibition said:

“This exhibition has been the most challenging to date in many ways, not least the subject matter. To try to pick a limited number of men to cover in depth from the many, who did enormously brave acts has been difficult, but I hope our selection shows just how utterly brave and in some cases selfless the men of the air are.“

To hopefully make ‘Gallantry in the Air’ particularly relevant to Lincolnshire, many of the aircrew that will be featured were based in the County at some point during their Service careers. Regardless of origin or background, these heroic individuals were determined to serve their country in a time of war and some had to apply to do so on more than one occasion before they succeeded in becoming aircrew.

Leader for North Kesteven District Council, Councillor Richard Wright said:

“We’re very proud that North Kesteven is right at the heart of ‘Bomber County’ and it is important that exhibitions like this allow everyone the opportunity to learn about the bravery of the RAF airmen who have fought in World War II. Their heroism needs to be remembered and respected for generations to come. The RAF 100 anniversary makes this even more poignant.
“It shouldn’t be forgotten, in this year that we celebrate the anniversary of women’s suffrage and the fight for equal voting rights that 168 women flew all types of military aircraft for the Air Transport Auxillary, during WWII, delivering them to forward bases and sadly 15 of them didn’t make it through the war.
“I’d encourage everyone to go and see the display at Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum.”

Many of the airmen, featured in the exhibition, gained the highest award for their valour with some of them paying the ultimate price. Regardless of their individual circumstances, they all shared at least one thing in common – their incredible acts of ‘Gallantry in the Air’.

This exhibition is open to the public from Sunday 1 April until Sunday 30 September, 10am to 4.30pm. Admission is free.

www.cranwellaviation.co.uk