This week we have more additions to the flying display with the Royal Navy Black Cats.
Returning after wowing the crowd last year, where they picked up the Steedman Display Sword for the British participant with the most notable contribution, we can’t wait to see what they have in store for you this summer.
Elsewhere and part of our Eyes in the Skies theme, we’ve got a Boeing E-3F Sentry on static courtesy of the French Air & Space Force as well as Royal Navy Merlin and privately owned Piper Super Cub – which has only been seen at RIAT once before – as well as a Defender from the Finnish Army. We are aware of incidents involving aircraft which are due to display at RIAT25. We await news from their respective national authorities on any impact to their appearance at the show and will update in due course.
Tickets for this year’s show are flying and with aviation in the news this week following the RAF’s incredible flypast to commemorate 80 years since VE Day.
In total there were over 20 different types of aircraft taking part and if you’d like to catch a glimpse of some of them again, you can at this year’s RIAT!
Less than 2000 Saturday and 1000 Friday Tickets left… don’t miss out!
LLA recreates archive photo to celebrate 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day
London Luton Airport (LLA) and Cadets from the 10F Luton Squadron Air Training Corps (ATC) have celebrated VE Day by welcoming a classic Miles Magister aircraft to the airport.
The two-seat Miles Magister, a key training aircraft for the Royal Air Force during the 1930s and 1940s, flew into LLA from nearby Shuttleworth Aerodrome.
The arrival of the Miles Magister, affectionally known as the ‘Maggie’, provided an opportunity to recreate a memorable photograph from the airport’s past*, depicting local ATC Cadets alongside the aircraft at LLA, a Royal Air Force base during the Second World War.
Neil Thompson, Chief Operations Officer at London Luton Airport, commented: “The original image of the Miles Magister at LLA captured an important period in the airport’s rich history and it was a pleasure to welcome the Cadets from 10F Luton Squadron to recreate such a magical moment. LLA has been on quite a journey since the photo was taken, from opening as a small airfield in 1938 to its position as a thriving airport, welcoming millions of passengers each year. We are extremely proud of the airport’s past and it was an honour to have this opportunity to pay tribute to the Second World War generation in this way.”
The plane was flown to the airport by Scott Butler, an easyJet pilot based at LLA, and a volunteer pilot at Shuttleworth. Scott commented: “The opportunity to fly the Miles Magister from Shuttleworth to London Luton Airport was simply too good to miss. I started my flying as an Air Cadet before serving in the Royal Air Force, so flying the Maggie has many links for me. The Cadets were a pleasure to meet and we were thrilled that they were all as enthusiastic about the aircraft as their predecessors from all those years ago.”
Charlemagne Kirk, one of the visiting Cadets, added: “We all feel immensely privileged to have been invited to get a close look at a working Miles Magister and for the opportunity to come together with London Luton Airport and Shuttleworth to recreate such an important moment from 10F Luton Squadron history.”
VE Day will also see 1940s vocal harmony trio, The Femmes, entertaining passengers at LLA with their vintage repertoire that includes songs from artists such as Vera Lynn and The Andrews Sisters.
The Miles Magister will be on display at the Shuttleworth Military Air Show on 31 May.
On the 80th anniversary of VE Day, The National Lottery Heritage Fund announces major funding to celebrate the heritage of the Royal Air Force and the Royal Marines and safeguard it for future generations
20 million people in the UK have direct connections with the RAF – RAF Museum Midlands in Cosford awarded £9.3m for a wide-ranging Engagement Programme, national exhibition, learning centre, collections hub and enhanced public realm
The Royal Marines have a history spanning 360 years – National Museum of the Royal Navy in Portsmouth awarded £4.4m to transform historic boathouse and create a dedicated Royal Marines Experience
Today, Thursday 8 May, The National Lottery Heritage Fund announces funding of £13.7m for plans to transform the RAF Museum Midlands in Cosford and to transform a historic boathouse and create a Royal Marines Experience at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
The news comes on the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, which will see events take place across the UK to commemorate those who served in the Second World War and remember how the UK marked the moment in 1945.
Royal Air Force and Royal Marines personnel played essential roles during the Second World War demonstrating extreme bravery and sacrifice as they helped deliver Allied victory. Objects and stories from the period form a key part of the two museums’ collections and displays.
The RAF Museum Midlands is home to the world’s oldest Spitfire and exhibitions exploring the Battle of Britain and Bomber Command. The National Museum of the Royal Navy’ D-Day Museum is the guardian of LCT 7074, the last surviving landing craft tank from D-Day, just one of the many sea-based operations the Royal Marines were involved in during the Second World War.
Today’s National Lottery investment will support plans to transform how the RAF’s 100+ year story is shared and to create a display telling the 360-year story of the Royal Marines.
Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:
“As people across the UK mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, it is evident that the legacy of the Second World War and our armed forces are a key part of our historical narrative.
“Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, we are delighted to help safeguard and share the heritage of the Royal Air Force and Royal Marines for people to learn from for generations to come.
“The funding will unlock the doors to hidden collections, explore new perspectives on the history and future of the RAF and Royal Marines and create fantastic opportunities for people and tourism in Cosford, Gosport and beyond.
“Crucially, these projects will help new audiences to discover, draw inspiration from and forge connections with the stories of the RAF and Royal Marines, helping to ensure the heritage is valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.”
The Royal Air Force Museum Midlands has been awarded £9,286,778 by the Heritage Fund for its Inspiring Everyone: RAF Museum Midlands Development Programme.
The RAF Museum is the guardian of a national collection that spans over a century of RAF history, capturing every aspect of RAF life. Yet, today, less than 1% of this inspiring heritage is accessible to the public. A new Collections Hub at the Museum’s Midlands site will unlock the doors to stored objects for the first time, enabling public access to artefacts of regional, national and international importance.
During the Second World War, RAF Cosford played a vital role in training engineers and delivering Spitfires built in the Midlands. The National Lottery supported programme will redevelop a 1930s hangar as a new exhibition and Learning Centre,
continuing this legacy of skills building, with a focus on STEM, geography, art and design.
A new exhibition will explore the critical role of the Royal Air Force since 1980.
Visitors will discover how the RAF’s mission continues today and imagine how the service will adapt in the future as it delivers 24/7 Air, Land, Maritime, Space and Cyber defence.
The transformation extends beyond the buildings. A new public realm will provide spaces for outdoor events, learning, rest and relaxation. A three-year multi-strand Engagement Programme will offer activities onsite, offsite and online.
It is estimated that 20 million people in the UK have direct connections with the RAF. This project will protect that heritage and enable future generations to explore and draw inspiration from the remarkable RAF story.
Maggie Appleton, CEO of the Royal Air Force Museum, said:
“Warm thanks on behalf of all our team to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and to all National Lottery players. This very generous support will enable us to engage with our communities and wider partners to care for and share our collections and their fascinating stories in new, ambitious and creative ways.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors to the RAF Museum Midlands on Saturday 31 May to celebrate the project launch and find out how to get involved in a packed day of activity with a special Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast.
“To find out more about the Inspiring Everyone: RAF Museum Midlands Development Programme and how you can get involved, visit rafmuseum.org/midlands.”
Sir Richard Knighton KCB ADC FREng, Chief of the Air Staff, said:
“Development of the Museum’s Midlands site is strategically important to the Royal Air Force. The opportunities to improve our STEM outreach together, improve our exposure in a very diverse community, and improve how we tell the compelling story of our recent history are vitally important. The Royal Air Force is therefore delighted to support this development.”
The National Museum of the Royal Navy has been awarded £4.4m to for its plans to establish The Royal Marines Experience Museum in Portsmouth.
The Royal Marines are the nation’s elite amphibious force who deploy at sea and on land, around the globe, in peace and in war. The new display will take visitors on a compelling journey through four centuries of Royal Marines history – from the creation of its forerunner in 1664 to today.
The amazing objects, exhibitions, galleries and hands-on experiences will inspire by showcasing remarkable personal stories, immense teamwork and qualities of resilience that can help us all navigate today’s complex and often demanding world.
Visitors will be able to follow the story across the ground floor of Boathouse 6, choosing to explore through an active immersive route and / or through an object rich multi-media exploration of the history of the Corps. The intention is that the story of the Royal Marines will be told in a truly active and engaging way, enabling visitors not only to learn about who the Royal Marines are (past and present), but also inviting them to partake in a number of tasks designed to give a taste of the level of physical and mental fitness required to do the job. Displays and their content will draw on examples past and present and will put the Royal Marines ethos at the heart of the story.
The Boathouse 6 project, which will cost c£15million in total, will also house a new dedicated Special Exhibition Gallery and Royal Marines themed Laser Quest. This new extraordinary, compelling and flexible space inside the historic former boathouse and overlooking the Scheduled Monument and Grade II* Listed Mast Pond will measure 400m2 and will be one of the biggest temporary exhibition spaces in the South of England. This will enable the Museum to stage temporary exhibitions that refresh the offer at the Historic Dockyard and can attract new and different audiences, create opportunities for wider partnership working and explore a wide range of arts, culture and heritage narratives.
Admiral Sir Ben Key KCB CBE ADC First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff said in his letter of support for the project:
“The Royal Navy places great value on the importance of tradition and preserving our heritage for future generations. The Royal Marines story of daring, duty and sacrifice deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The new museum will showcase what makes a Royal Marine, illustrating their prestigious history from their origins in 1664 to the Commando Force of the next generation. It will also be a place for celebration, commemoration, and reflection in the city of Portsmouth, a place steeped in rich naval history. I am certain that funds allocated to this project will be utilised most effectively to make a positive and lasting contribution to our local community.”
Matthew Sheldon CEO of the National Museum of the Royal Navy, said: “This generous support from the National Lottery and its players marks a major milestone in the delivery of an innovative approach to sharing the incredible stories of our service community. It is apt that we make this announcement on VE Day – as we reflect on the contribution of our veteran community 80 years ago. The idea of the ‘Commando’ was born in the dark days of 1940, and has been shaped and re-shaped by the Royal Marines Commandos in the last 80 years. Our project will have a particular focus on this recent history and seek to bring the endeavour, courage and conflict inherent in those stories to life through modern interpretative and digital techniques that enable us to speak to diverse and wide-ranging audiences.”
The RAF Museum Midlands is delighted to announce a very special weekend of celebrations on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
VE Day signifies the historic end of the Second World War in Europe, and the Museum warmly invites visitors of all ages to join a vibrant programme of music, interactive workshops, and heartfelt remembrance.
A highlight of the weekend will be a flypast by the iconic Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster bomber, taking place on Saturday 10 May between 1.30pm and 1.40pm (weather permitting). This stirring tribute will honour the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of those who served during the conflict.
Visitors can soak up the spirit of the occasion with an uplifting afternoon VE Day Concert, featuring live performances from 1.00pm to 3.30pm. Proceedings will open with a welcome and commemorative poem from veterans of the National Service (RAF) Association. The RAF Voluntary Band Cosford will fill the air with rousing tunes, while The Bluebird Belles, a beloved 1940s vocal trio, will revive the joyful sounds of the wartime era with their popular swing classics.
Throughout the weekend, a host of free, family-friendly activities will be on offer. Get creative at the VE Day Bunting Workshop and help craft a Union Jack-themed display for the hangar. Step into the shoes of an RAF pilot by trying on period uniforms and capturing a memorable selfie, or relax in the Museum’s Lecture Theatre to watch original VE Day footage that captures the euphoric celebrations of 1945.
Families are encouraged to dress the part! Come along in your favourite 1940s outfit — civilian or Allied uniforms only — for the chance to win the Best Dressed Family Prize.
Mike Groves, RAF Museum Midlands Public Events Manager said:
‘We’re thrilled to welcome visitors for a weekend packed with fun, music, and shared memories as we mark 80 years since Victory in Europe Day. With flying displays, vintage tunes, hands-on workshops, and more, it’s a wonderful chance to come together, reflect, and celebrate the resilience, sacrifice, and community spirit that defined this momentous chapter in history. Bring a picnic and chair, settle in, and join us for a truly unforgettable occasion.’
Entry to the Museum and all VE Day activities is free. For a full event schedule, visit rafmuseum.org/midlands. The Museum is open daily from 10.00am, with free admission.
This week we have another F-16 added to the flying display, this time from the Polish Air Force! They will bring their ‘Tiger Demo Team’ to perform in the flying display.
In addition, four additions to the static line! The Irish Air Corps will bring their Pilatus PC-12NG and AW139 helicopter. The Commemorative Air Force will be extending their ‘Navy to Victory’ Tour with their Douglas R4D-6S “Ready for Duty” aircraft to include an appearance at RIAT25. This will be part of our theme celebrating 40 years since the first Air Tattoo was held at RAF Fairford in 1985, as the aircraft was here at IAT85. Finally, we add another classic jet to the lineup with a Fouga Magister, privately operated in France.
Time is running out to secure your place at RIAT25. We now have less than 5000 general admission tickets left for Saturday. And Friday is hot on its heels.
We only have one enclosure left for Saturday now which is Altitude. If you want to upgrade your experience then you need to act now! We don’t want you to miss out on all the incredible aircraft we have lined up for this year’s show. So book your ticket today while you still can! We can’t wait to see you all there.
On Thursday 31 July and Friday 1 August, the de Havilland Moth Club present their DH.60 Centenary Fly In event at Shuttleworth Aerodrome (Old Warden).
2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the first flight of the prototype DH.60 Moth, the aeroplane conceived and developed by Captain Geoffrey de Havilland which, together with its Cirrus and later Gipsy engine, revolutionised the concept of the light aeroplane around the world, as well as establishing the practicalities for Club flying and private ownership.
Across two days, visitors can enjoy seeing what is anticipated to be the largest gathering of DH.60 Moths since the Second World War, including several flying in from bases overseas. Marvelling at a fantastic array of de Havilland Moths flying into the iconic home of Richard Shuttleworth, a well-known de Havilland enthusiast, visitors can also take in a short bespoke flying display, featuring de Havilland aircraft from Shuttleworth’s Collection, including the oldest flying DH.60 Moth in the world, the Tiger 9 Display Team and more to be announced on Friday 1 August.
Outside of the airborne action, guests can enjoy an open airfield area, allowing them to get as close as possible to these stunning aircraft. Then there are all six of Shuttleworth’s Collection hangars to explore, and the calm idyl of the nine-acre Regency Garden to relax in before refuelling at the popular on-site Runway Café.
Stuart McKay, Secretary of the de Havilland Moth Club, said, “We have waited 100 years for this unique opportunity to salute the inspiration of Captain Geoffrey de Havilland who, against all the accepted beliefs of the day independently proceeded with the design and construction of a suitable engine and airframe which, in 1925, were agreed to be the most practical solution to providing standard equipment for the emerging light aeroplane clubs being promoted, encouraged and subsidised by the British Government under a scheme soon to be copied by the governments of Australia and Canada.”
Jean Munn, Head of Engineering at Shuttleworth said, “We are delighted to be hosting the de Havilland Moth Club for their DH.60 centenary celebration, an aircraft that our founder Richard Shuttleworth was so very fond of. We hope to see the aviation community turn out to support this fantastic occasion.”
Tickets for the DH.60 Centenary Fly In event, presented by the de Havilland Moth Club, start from £18 and children attend for free. Tickets can be purchased via www.shuttleworth.org
