Archive for May, 2020

Newark Air Museum Shop – New Order & Collect system introduced

Friday, May 29th, 2020

Newark Air Museum Shop

Throughout the Covid-19 lockdown Newark Air Museum (NAM) has been trying to work out ways of selling aviation kits and books, with the aim of getting the Museum Shop back towards some sort of normal operation. We had hoped to be opening the Museum Shop by early June, but that has now been delayed until mid -June.

However, we will be operating an Order & Collect system from Tuesday 2nd June 2020.

NAM’s initial thought was to release copies of our stock lists, but without a proper interlinked database and an online shopping platform we realised that this would be too difficult, to ensure items were in stock.

So as an alternative photographs have been taken of the key sections of the Museum Shop to try and provide an idea of what is in stock. People can request copies of these by going to this page of the NAM website http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/NAM_Shop_Order-Collect

There people will find various product areas listed e.g. Italeri Aircraft Kits; Tamiya Aircraft Kits etc. If you decide to make a purchase NAM would then reserve the kit for you to come and collect at a convenient time on the days that we are open – your purchase will need to be made by card payment over the telephone, or by cash when you come to collect the item(s).

NAM has completed a set of Covid-Secure Risk Assessments for the Collection Area in front part of the site and the method of operation is explained on the website along with opening times and days

NAM appreciates that this is not a perfect solution, but it does act as a step towards normal opening and also it gives us a chance to fully evaluate how social distancing measures might need to be implemented in the Museum Shop when we try to open normally.

All profits from the Museum Shop are covenanted to the museum to help fund its on-going development; so rather than shopping online or elsewhere please pay us a visit soon and help support your aviation heritage!

Summer Cockpit-Fest & Aeroboot Cancelled

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020

Newark Cockpit Fest

We have taken the sad decision to cancel the Cockpit-Fest & Aeroboot Sale event that had been provisionally rescheduled for Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th August, 2020. A time that will be only five weeks after when we currently anticipate the museum being allowed to reopen.

This decision has been reached following a review of the latest the Covid-19 guidelines. It is felt that the events would have presented unworkable self-distancing arrangements around visiting cockpits, displays and also the stalls at the Aeroboot.

These combined events are typically our busiest events and we felt that it would be too difficult to cope with any large number of visitors in a safe and secure manner.

Another factor influencing the in-house discussions, was that theses provisional event dates now coincide with a new arrival ‘window’ for the Eurofighter Typhoon DA4, that was advised to us on Monday 11th May, 2020.

In order to give people as much notice as possible of our intentions it is felt that this is the best time to make this decision.

Our current thinking is to re-establish the event in 2021. We will be notifying people via email later today and tomorrow. Some people already have Aeroboot payment held over from the cancelled spring Indoor Sale and the current plan is to hold these over again for an Indoor event in October. Should that not prove possible we will endeavour to arrange for refunds to be made!

We are sorry for any inconvenience these changes may cause, especially to those people and groups who have been working on preparations on their displays for this event for many months. This includes external participants and our own museum members but we are convinced that it is the right decision.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Bournemouth Air Festival Cancelled

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020

Chinook at Bournemouth Air Festival

Joint media release by BCP Council and Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch Destination Management Board

‘Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole take difficult decision to extend the cancellation of outdoor events until end of August 2020.

Major events and festivals including Bournemouth Air Festival that were due to go ahead this summer have been cancelled due to the continued impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

Responding to the government’s guidance on the outbreak, BCP Council – with support of the Destination Management Board – has taken the decision not to permit outdoor events on council public open space until the end of August 2020.

This includes, the cancellation of BCP Council organised events – the Bournemouth Air Festival, Summer Fireworks and summer events programme on Poole Quay. Other events that have had to be cancelled include BSO Concerts in Meyrick Park and Christchurch Food Festival.

Councillor Vikki Slade, Leader of BCP Council, said; “Our immensely popular summer events programme, including the Bournemouth Air Festival, attracts millions of visitors to the area bringing over £32 million income to our local businesses and supports the council’s services through our seafront offering.

“In response to the recent government guidance around the easing of lockdown, it will no longer be possible that events planned to take place this summer in public outdoor open space can go ahead.

“Cancelling major events and festivals is a decision we don’t take lightly. The most important consideration is the health of our residents, and the safety of everyone involved including visitors, festival-goers, exhibitors, traders, staff, contractors, and the many more who contribute and play a part in delivering those much-loved events.

 “Our NHS and emergency services have coped incredibly well during the Covid-19 pandemic and we would not want to risk this changing, or to try to manage events whilst adhering to government measures and advice including on social distancing.

“The government’s guidance indicated that hospitality businesses are not likely to open before July. We know there are many hotels, restaurants, bars and local contractors serving this industry whose livelihoods rely on the summer events programme and we want to assure those businesses – including the 17,000 plus people employed in this sector – that BCP Council will do everything we can to support you and work together with you to come through this.

“We’re looking at every feasible option to help to sustain this industry, and with this we have already committed to deliver a refreshed Air Festival in 2021.”
BCP Council and Destination Management Board for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will continue to work together in lobbying central government to ensure this vital sector is fully supported through the national recovery plan.

David Bailey, Chairman of the Destination Management Board, said; “The Board fully understands the decision taken by BCP Council. It is very important that as the Destination of Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole we show we are taking the sensible measures and demonstrate that in the future we want to offer visitors and residents the safest environment to enjoy the unique tourism and hospitality offer. We thank BCP Council for its continued support and the confirmation of next year’s Bournemouth Air Festival.”

A Bournemouth Air Festival for next year has been confirmed for Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th September 2021.

Dougie Scarfe, Chief Executive, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, “Our Proms in the Park concerts hosted in partnership with BCP Council are always a highlight of the summer season in Bournemouth; with audiences dancing away to our live music, the series is always a celebratory moment in the BSO year. We know that loyal audiences will be sorry to miss the party this year, and we’ll miss you all too, but we look forward to seeing you next year for a spectacular celebration”.

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

RAF Museum Spitfire marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day

Thursday, May 7th, 2020

RAF Museum Spitfire VE75

The world’s oldest Supermarine Spitfire Mk1 on display at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is illuminated red, white and blue to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

The Spitfire is the most famous British fighter aircraft in history and a symbol of victory. Its groundbreaking design and superior specifications gave the British a decisive advantage over their rivals. The Spitfire was produced in greater numbers than any other British combat aircraft before or since the War.

The Royal Air Force Museum, the National Army Museum and the National Museum of the Royal Navy are joining forces to host their first tri-service celebration with a Virtual VE Day 75 Festival taking place online from 7-9 May 2020, bringing to life the stories of those who helped deliver Victory in Europe.

Find out more about the Virtual VE Day 75 Festival at www.rafmuseum.org.

Newark F-100 Super Sabre Repaint Update

Tuesday, May 5th, 2020

F-100 Repaint

Just before the Covid-19 Lockdown Newark Air Museum (NAM) volunteers started work on the restoration and repainting of the North American F-100D Super Sabre. This particular aircraft is on long term loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force Collection Management Division (NMUSAF/MUC); located at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, USA.

This work has been featured widely in the aviation press and this has led to lots of questions being asked about the new markings that will be applied to the aircraft once the repainting work is complete. It had been thought this may replicate the previous Ohio Air National Guard markings, but this is not the case.

NAM is now pleased to confirm that the aircraft will be painted in the markings of the 494th TFS (Tactical Fighter Squadron). This unit was the last USAFE Squadron to operate the F-100 Super Sabre in Europe, operating with the 48th TFW (Tactical Fighter Wing) at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.

Despite the limitations of the lockdown, work is already underway to prepare the specific markings for the aircraft, which will carry the distinctive LT code letters and the aircraft serial number 063008. As a special honour to the 494th TFS personnel that operated the type a special nose art is also being prepared that will carry the motto “Last Huns in USAFE”.

Some final measurements need to be taken to finalise the size of the markings on the aircraft. It is hoped that this can be incorporated into one of the essential site maintenance/security check visits that have continued by NAM volunteers during the recent weeks.

In the fullness of time the museum volunteers hope to have some involvement with the 494th TFS, which still flies out of RAF Lakenheath; and the also hope to establish contact with former personnel who operated the type from the Suffolk base.

www.newarkairmuseum.org