Archive for September, 2018

Brooklands’ Contribution in the First World War is Recognised at Centenary Event

Wednesday, September 19th, 2018

Great War Day at Brooklands

Sunday 30th September

Brooklands Museum’s Great War Day on Sunday 30th September commemorates the centenary of the end of the First World War and Brooklands’ role in that conflict. It will highlight the historic site’s rapidly expanding aircraft production in 1916 and showcase the Museum’s mighty Vickers Vimy – a replica of the long range bomber built in 1918 which made the first non-stop trans-Atlantic flight in 1919. Visitors will be able to see the engines of this aircraft demonstrated on part of the original Brooklands Race Track alongside two WWI bi-planes from the collection: the SE5a and Sopwith Camel which has its original 1917 Clerget engine.

In and around the Paddock, in front of the Clubhouse, re-enactors and living history groups will be setting up displays showing different aspects of wartime life adding to the period flavour of the day. These include:

• The 10th Essex Group – a military display and living history group accurately depicting the British Soldier in the Great War and will be running scouting and weapon demonstrations
• The Royal Army Medical Corps and Red Cross who will be displaying their Field Hospital & Convalescence unit
• Ladies from the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (affectionately known as FANYs)
• Edwardian re-enactors in costume
Although the Track had closed to the public in 1914, the site was still very active in manufacture, record-breaking and testing. At the Kingston-based Sopwith Aviation Company factories, Camels, Snipes, Pups and Triplanes all came off the production line and were all assembled, test flown and delivered from Brooklands. In 1915, the Military Services staged some hill climb and sprint events for the personnel and officers based in the nearby Aldershot and Bisley garrisons. The Brooklands Motorcycle Team and visiting groups with war-time-era motorcycles, including examples of Triumph and Douglas which were used by the military in Belgium, will take part in a re-enactment of the ‘serpentine’ slalom course.

The event will also feature pre-1919 civilian and military vehicles which include an original 1915 Pierce-Arrow military truck, Edwardian cars and the usual array of ambulances, motorcycles and bicycles. Making a very welcome return will be the Matchless with Vickers machine gun carrier Motorcycle Combination from 1917. This is only one of three surviving motorcycle combinations from WWI left in the UK and is being kindly loaned by the Tank Museum for the event. At lunchtime, visitors will be able to see a cavalcade of period vehicles on the circuit at neighbouring Mercedes-Benz World.

All the Museum’s motoring displays and Aircraft Park will be open as usual including the Award-Winning Aircraft Factory and Flight Shed, motoring exhibitions, Concorde Experience and London Bus Museum. The gates open to the public at 10am and the event finishes at 5pm.

Normal admission charges apply: Adults £13.50, Seniors/Students £11.50, Children (5 – 16yrs) £7. Children under 5 are FREE and a Family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) is £35. The Concorde Experience is £5 for Adults, £3 for Children. The 4D Theatre is £4 for Adults, £2 for Children.

For directions, videos, all event information and latest news, go to www.brooklandsmuseum.com, call 01932 857381

Coming Soon….Flight Sim 2018!

Thursday, September 6th, 2018

Flight Sim at Cosford

Date: 6 October 2018
Time: 9.30am to 5:00pm
Cost: £8 in advance (includes goody bag) / £10 on the day. Free entry for under-16s when accompanied by a paying adult

Aviation fans can experience the best that virtual flight has to offer this autumn when the Flight Sim 2018 event, hosted by Just Flight, takes place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on Saturday 6 October.

The Museum will be hosting this major one-day event for the sixth consecutive year and once again will be giving flight simulation enthusiasts a chance to try some of the very latest aircraft and other software. Visitors can view new technology from specialist flight sim PC and cockpit equipment builders, have a chat with developers, publishers and fellow virtual aviators – and no doubt pick up a bargain or two!

More than 30 exhibitors have already confirmed their attendance, with more expected to follow, and a full day of presentations is scheduled in the adjoining auditorium. Leading companies in flight simulation, including Laminar Research, Orbx, Aerosoft and Infinite Flight are all confirmed to attend the popular show.

Flight Sim ticket holders will enjoy the very best of both the virtual and the real worlds of aviation in the same venue, as entrance to the RAF Museum is free. Suitable for new and veteran desktop pilots alike, the show will run from 9.30am until 5.00pm, giving aviation enthusiasts plenty of time to find out more about life in the virtual skies.

Tickets for Flight Sim 2018 are now on sale, save money by booking in advance for just £8 via the shows website. Entry for children under 16 is free of charge when accompanied by a paying adult. Visit www.flightsimshow.com for all the show details.