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Vulcan to Headline Airbourne Super Saturday

Airbourne fans have a Super Saturday in store at this year’s air show in Eastbourne, as organisers announced this week that the Vulcan bomber will be topping the bill that day, in a 12 hour extravaganza of flying, ground displays, live music, twilight pyro-aerobatics and fireworks.

The free four day event which runs from 13 – 16 August will also feature the world famous RAF Red Arrows on Saturday, along with displays throughout the afternoon from the Eurofighter Typhoon, Tutor, a new Hawk T2 duo display and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which features a four-ship formation from the Lancaster, Spitfire, Hurricane and Dakota.

Featuring live music and entertainment on the Airbourne Live beach stage throughout the day, the festival fever continues into the evening with live bands, a twilight aircraft pyrotechnic display and finishes with a fantastic fireworks display across the seafront at 10pm.

Eastbourne Borough Council Senior Head of Tourism & Enterprise, Philip Evans said “We’re really upping the festival factor this year, bringing the Airbourne atmosphere into the evening. It’s not only great for air show and music fans but it’s great for our local economy too, encouraging more people to stay longer and dine into the evening, while experiencing Eastbourne’s seafront at its most vibrant.”

The four day show also features plenty of fun on the ground, including a military exhibition, children’s entertainment areas, helicopter pleasure flights and evening concerts at the Bandstand, including Big Band Night on Thursday and the legendary pop-punk princess Toyah, on Friday.

The flying display is part funded from public donations each year at Airbourne, thanks to local resident David Dickens and collections organised by Marco and Cathy Giorgi along with the Rotary Clubs of Sovereign Harbour and Hailsham, with 30% of the proceeds also passed onto local charities.

The Airbourne Live stage on the beach will feature music throughout each day and into the early evening, with a wide variety of acts to be announced over the coming weeks.

Airbourne: Eastbourne International Air Show returns from 13 – 16 August 2015 and entry is free. The RAF Red Arrows are confirmed to display over three days, with more flying displays to be announced over the coming weeks. All flying is subject to RAF operational commitments, weather and serviceability.

The flying display is part funded from public donations each year at Airbourne, thanks to contributions by Sussex residents David Dickens and Brian Bunce and the collections organised by Marco and Cathy Giorgi and the Rotary Clubs of Sovereign Harbour and Hailsham, with 30% of the proceeds also passed onto local charities.

To beat the crowds, there are exclusive seating areas available at the Bandstand and exclusive hospitality available on the Western Lawns with tickets on sale now.

For more information or to book online visit www.eastbourneairshow.com.

Wings & Wheels to Return Bigger and Better

Dunsfold Wings & Wheels

The sensational summer event for the whole family, Wings & Wheels, returns on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th August 2015 at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey to celebrate its 11th show. Famous favourites in the air and on the ground will blow your mind, whilst the attractions and Zones in the Arena will keep you entertained and buzzing with delight the WHOLE weekend.

Eyes to the sky as the ‘Wings’ of the event treats visitors to outstanding and diverse 5 hour air displays which include show favourites the Red Arrows, Eurofighter Typhoon, Vulcan, Hawk T2 Role Demo, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Spitfire, Lancaster, Hurricane), Tutor and Reds Duo (Remote Controlled) accompanied by witty and knowledgeable commentary from aviation experts and display pilots. More airshow displays will be announced throughout the summer.

The ‘Wings’ of the event would not be complete without a close-up inspection of all the weekend’s visiting aircraft including the RAF Sea King, SAR Helicopter, RAF Hawk T1, RN Merlin Helicopter and RAF King Air as well as Dunsfold’s resident Boeing 747 in the ‘Wings Park’ (open for tours) and Brooklands VC10.

Supercars and classic and vintage icons put on an awe-inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a 2 hour auto spectacular from Brooklands Museum. The ‘Wheels’ of the show has previously included displays from Porsche 911, Dodge Monaco, TVR Tasmin 280i, Ducati Multistrada 1200s, Ferrari F355 Berlinetta, Ford GT40 and Lotus Elise.

Visit the reinvented Wheels Zone for 2015, with its very own retail Village, bigger and better crowd line parade and interactive displays from car and motorbike clubs including Aslans Extreme Holds, the UKG Stig and Transformer Cars as well as the return of our 2014 display winners; All Wheel Drive Enthusiasts, DS3’s British tea party, and Jaguar Enthusiasts Club. The Stunt Zone will be exploding into 2015 with two and four wheeled hair-raising performances.

The Military Zone & Parade is interactive and explosive bringing re-enactors, a living history zone, live battles and our popular military vehicle parade. The Zone has over 80 military vehicles, five re-enactment groups, the history of Dunsfold Aerodrome, Army, Navy and RAF recruitment stands and musical entertainers and dancers for everyone’s enjoyment.

The excitement and anticipation doesn’t stop at the main displays as the 32 acre public arena is bursting with a huge variety of interactive attractions containing all you need for a great family day out. The show arena boasts laser quest, kit-plane demonstrations, aviation and motoring simulators, military outlets and displays, static aircraft, fairground, emergency services demonstration and over 80 retail outlets selling a wide variety of products and gifts.

As the last plane touches down the party starts across the arena with a mix of musical evening entertainment.

Taking the hassle out of your day the show includes added extras to make your experience even more enjoyable; over 25 fixed-price catering outlets, two 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 11th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th August 2015, 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 £150 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 2015 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Battle Of Britain Warbirds Gather At RIAT

Blenheim by Jarrod Cotter

A mass flypast of warbirds will form the centrepiece of official commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain at this summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo.

Featuring around 20 vintage aircraft, including some of the most exceptional historic aircraft flying in the UK today, the tribute forms part the Air Tattoo’s broader theme Securing the Skies – Past, Present & Future.

Confirmed at present as taking part are: a Bristol Blenheim, five Hawker Hurricanes, 12 Supermarine Spitfires (including a naval Seafire) and a Hispano Buchón to depict the Messerschmitt Bf 109. A number of other aircraft are still to be confirmed.

The Blenheim, operated by the Aircraft Restoration Company at Duxford, is the world’s sole airworthy example of this significant World War Two type. It returned to flight last November after repairs and reconfiguration lasting 11 years, the aircraft now appearing as a short-nosed Blenheim IF fighter variant. Blenheims made the first RAF bombing raid against Germany during World War Two, and in 1940 were active extensively in both the fighter and bomber roles. The example attending the Air Tattoo on July 17-19 pays tribute to the notable heroism of Blenheim crews who flew the type on so many fronts.

Among the other aircraft involved will be four that were actually operational during 1940. Peter Vacher’s Hurricane I flew 49 sorties and shot down five enemy aircraft during its time on No 605 Squadron; the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Spitfire IIa was with No 266 Squadron; Aircraft Restoration Company-operated Spitfire Ia P9374 force-landed on a northern French beach while flying with No 92 Squadron in May 1940; and, also from the ARC stable, Spitfire Ia N3200 – then of No 19 Squadron – did likewise just a few days later while covering the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk.

Accompanying these will be a range of other Hurricanes and Spitfires from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and civilian operators, several of them combat veterans from later in the war.

Air Tattoo Chief Executive Andy Armstrong said: “The sight of so many historic Battle of Britain-era aircraft in formation is sure to be a highlight of this year’s Air Tattoo, and a memorable contribution to this year’s commemorations. Our thanks go to all the operators who have agreed to take part in what we intend to be a fitting, as well as a spectacular, salute.”

www.airtattoo.com

Museum launches Spitfire 10K Run

RAF Museum London 10k Run

To commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the Royal Air Force Museum London has launched the Spitfire 10K Run

Date: Sunday 6th September 2015

Time: 9.00 am

Location: RAF Museum London

Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain with this brand new event starting and finishing in the magnificent surroundings of the RAF Museum in Hendon. The race begins in the shadow of one of the RAF Spitfires and takes you on a special journey, including a section through the bomber hangar and around the iconic Lancaster, before leaving the museum for two loops of a flat road course. Your finish will be commemorated with an exclusive Spitfire medal.

Entry form: www.nice-work.org.uk/assets/Spitfire%2010k%202015%20Entry%20Form.pdf

Air Day’s Triple Team Line-Up

Royal Jordanian Falcons

World-class display teams from three nations will headline RNAS Yeovilton Air Day’s flying display on 11 July. Joining the RAF Red Arrows are the Spanish Air Force’s Patrulla Águila and the Royal Jordanian Falcons – just part of the international line-up planned to wow visitors to the show.

Patrulla Águila were formed in 1985, so are this year marking their 30th anniversary. The team’s last UK performance was at RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2010, at which it won the best overall flying display award. Equipped with seven Spanish-built CASA 101 Aviojet training aircraft, Águila’s very smooth routine includes several manoeuvres performed by no other team including an impressive formation landing.

The spectacular Royal Jordanian Falcons were formed in 1976 and perform with four Extra EA300L unlimited aerobatic aircraft. Their mixture of slick precision formation flying and dazzling solo aerobatics has made them an enduring and highly popular airshow act and they have been great supporters of Air Day in recent years.

Having completed their 50th display season last year the Royal Air Force Red Arrows will be sporting a very striking tail design on their nine BAe Hawk T1 jet trainers. The globally-renowned Red Arrows will once more demonstrate their supreme flying skills in the Somerset skies when they perform at Air Day 2015.

Advance tickets priced at £20 (adults) and £6 (children 5-15 yrs) are available to order from www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday.

2015 Bournemouth Air Festival Takes OFF

Red Arrows over Bournemouth

UK’s leading seaside resort gets ready for an incredible 4-day summer extravaganza of land, sea and air display entertainment… it’s more than just an airshow!

26th March 2015: The 2015 Bournemouth Air Festival, supported by Mouchel, returns for its 8th year this August with a staggering amount of support from the Armed Forces and three exciting new Night Air music evenings.

As the only summer destination for the UK’s best aviation Bournemouth will be hosting 4-days of Red Arrows displays, alongside the mighty Typhoon and Hawk Role Demo – a first for the event. Supported with a multitude of Royal Navy assets, Pier to Pier county show trading stalls and Wave105 staging three nights of music, including Proms on the Beach, the best chart acts and a celebration of dance music, the festival is more than an airshow!

If last year was big, the presence of Admiral Sir George Michael Zambellas, First Sea Lord & Chief of the Naval Staff of the Royal Navy has confirmed the Navy’s ongoing commitment to the event with land, sea and air assets. Hugely taken by what he saw the Royal Navy are planning to bring four warships, a large amphibious command ship complete with helicopters, Royal Marines and landing craft, Royal Navy Black Cats helicopter display team and Commando helicopters. With the famous amphibious beach assault demonstrations and beachfront Royal Navy Village, all bolstered tremendously by the world class music from the Royal Marines Band.

The Naval Regional Commander, Commodore Jamie Miller said; “2015 will be the greatest ever concentration of Naval force yet seen off Bournemouth, needless to say I am keeping some surprises back – but rest assured this will be our best year yet!”

With a full allocation of RAF display aircraft, the resort will be is set to welcome back the Red Arrows on ALL 4 days of the Festival with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Tutor and Hawk T2 Role Demo Team and the Typhoon displaying Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
RAF Wing Commander Alf Garnett said; “The Air Festival is a high priority event for the RAF, in terms of audience numbers it’s perfect for showcasing our aircraft and offers a first class arena for engaging with the public and showing them what we do for them on a daily basis.”

The onshore interactive Forces village areas, the Royal Navy with the Army and Royal Marines, and the RAF located in the Waterfront at Pier Approach area, will give Festival goers a chance to find out more about each Force as well as talk to those with first-hand experience, check out displays, speak to the Careers teams, charities and have a chance to try out military equipment.

Councillor Lawrence Williams, Tourism Portfolio Holder said; “For us as a Festival – the organisers, teams of people behind the event and the hundreds of thousands of people who attend – it really shows how far we have come to have such incredible continued Royal Navy and RAF support. This is our eighth Air Festival and with some great confirmations including the Red Arrows, the Typhoon, Hawk T2 Role Demo Team, superb Naval contingency and amazing Night Air entertainment, we hope this will keep us on top and reinforce us as the UK’s leading aviation event!”

Setting Bournemouth Air Festival apart from the other air events is the stunning Night Air programme. Supported by the Patrons 100 Club members, and their Ambassador local hotelier David Bailey, they will again be funding three nights of evening air displays as well as supporting this year’s Air Festival charities, The Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity, (ABF) The Soldiers Charity and the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Jon Weaver, Air Festival Director added; “Entertainment doesn’t stop with the last aircraft, Wave105 will be staging an impressive Night Air music line-up featuring three different music nights with three very different musical genres – Thursday ‘Proms on the Beach’ with HM Band Collingwood, Friday welcomes the best chart acts and Saturday night’s celebration of dance music – something for everyone!”

Along with fantastic displays and themed music nights, the official brochure will be taking on a new challenge with the mission of raising £45,000 for the 2015 Air festival charities. Available from early August the Air Festival brochure will have a £8 cover price and include a double-sided souvenir aircraft poster with wristband and £2 donation to Air Festival charities. To help achieve this organisers are asking local hoteliers to include an Air Festival brochure and its cost in every room or hospitality booking. Added David Bailey, “It really couldn’t be easier or more effective – it’s something every hotelier can do to help and support the Air Festival and its future!”

With announcements of civilian aircraft participation still to come, which already includes SallyB, The Tigers Parachute Display Team, The Blades and Twister Duo as well as the Wave105 line up 2015 Air Festival is certainly set to be the event of the summer!

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

Big Changes Planned For 2015 Air Show

RAF Cosford Air Show

At today’s RAF Cosford Air Show Media Launch, the event organisers announced a number of major changes to the show which will be held on Sunday 14th June 2015.

A major change for this year is the move to become an advance ticket only event, which Air Show Director Clive Elliott explained; “In order to speed up entry and shorten queues there will be no tickets available on the gate this year. The change puts us in line with many other large public events and means we know how many visitors are coming and can deal with traffic and parking more effectively.” Tickets for the show are already on sale, both online and from various outlets across the West Midlands.

With the show increasing in popularity each year, the car parking areas have been reviewed for 2015, with the introduction of off-base parking. These new car parking arrangements combined with enhanced traffic routes around the airfield mean that organisers are expecting minimal disruption to visitors.

With access to the show being such a key issue, the organisers have again teamed up with Arriva Trains Wales, London Midland, and for the first time Virgin Trains, to bring an increased rail service on Sunday 14th June. Combined rail & air show tickets are available from all manned UK railway stations, with air show admission discounted to £18.00 for those travelling by rail.

Inside the showground, regulars to the show will notice an increased number of static aircraft on display, as well as subtle changes to the site layout. Peter Reoch, part of the Air Show Operations Team said, “We are working hard to get a really eclectic mix of aircraft into RAF Cosford for the show this year. We’re expanding our award winning ground displays to give visitors the chance to interact with a variety of modern and historic aircraft.”

For the first time, tickets for the RAF Cosford Air Show 2015 are advance sale only. Adult tickets are priced £22.00 with accompanied under-16s coming free! For more details on the event, hospitality packages and to purchase tickets, visit www.cosfordairshow.co.uk

The RAF Museum unveils its RAF Centenary celebration and commemoration plans

RAF Museum Hendon

The RAF Museum in Hendon today outlined its plans to celebrate and commemorate the Centenary of the RAF in 2018, after the Chancellor announced in his Budget last week that the museum is to receive a £2.5 million grant to support the programme.

The museum revealed its ambitious programme of activities for the summer of 2018, as the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Priti Patel, visited the museum to learn how the funding will be used.

The museum’s plans include re-landscaping the site to create a sense of the original London Aerodrome that stood on the ground nearly 100 years ago. The museum will also build a new visitor centre with a café, shop and soft play area.

A series of new permanent exhibitions will open in the summer of 2018. ‘The First 100 Years of the RAF’ and ‘Now and the Future’ exhibitions will enable visitors to understand the story of the RAF from its earliest years in the First World War to its global role today. The “Air Power in an Age of Uncertainty” exhibition will focus on the roles of the RAF since the early 1980s.

The museum is also rolling out a new digital programme, “My RAF Story”, which will collect and share personal stories of the men and women of the Service to ensure they are preserved for future generations. Additionally, a new learning programme will aim to inspire young people in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.

Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Priti Patel said:

“The RAF Museum in Hendon is a great cause and I’m delighted that the LIBOR funding will provide a necessary cash injection towards their plans to celebrate this important landmark in the RAF’s history.

“So far, through LIBOR fines on banks, we’ve taken around £450m from those who broke the rules and demonstrated terrible values, and used the funds to support our brave forces across the UK, and other good causes.?

“This donation is a fitting way to mark the extraordinary contribution the RAF has made and continues to make in service to our country.”

Chief Executive of the RAF Museum Maggie Appleton said:

“The Museum’s RAF Centenary Programme is incredibly important as it commemorates 100 years of the Royal Air Force. The story we tell reflects the bravery, ingenuity and dedication of our people. It is a story that belongs to every one of us. We are therefore very grateful for the support and acknowledgement we received.”

www.rafmuseum.org

RAF Displays Added To Air Tattoo Line-Up

RAF Typhoon Fairford

A two-ship role demo featuring BAE Systems’ Hawk T2s, a Spitfire/Typhoon ‘synchro’ display and the Red Arrows are among the list of RAF aircraft that will be on display in the air and on the ground at this summer’s Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford on July 17-19.

Following on from its 50th display season celebrations at the Air Tattoo last year, the Red Arrows will be displaying throughout the three-day event sporting a patriotic new design on their tail fins.

A newer model of Hawk will be featured in a routine making its public airshow debut at the Air Tattoo. This is the Hawk T2, BAE Systems’ latest version of the enduring design. No IV (Reserve) Squadron, stationed at RAF Valley on Anglesey, is putting together a new two-aircraft ‘role demo’ to showcase the type’s capabilities on the airshow circuit for the first time. The Hawks will demonstrate something of the training performed at Valley, being flown by two instructors on the unit, Flt Lts Ben Polwin and Toby Keeley. RIAT 2015 will be the role demo’s inaugural appearance in front of a public air display crowd.

Representing the ‘cutting edge’ of the RAF’s front line at the Air Tattoo, very appropriately given the event’s operational theme of Securing the Skies – Past Present Future, will be the solo Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 display from No 29 (Reserve) Squadron at RAF Coningsby. This year’s pilot is Flt Lt Jonny Dowen. Representing the old and the new of UK air defence, a Typhoon will also team up with a Spitfire from the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight for an evocative and spectacular ‘synchro pair’ routine, this part of the service’s contribution to the Battle of Britain 75th anniversary commemorations taking place this year. Aside from the two Hurricanes and four Spitfires already confirmed as coming to RIAT 2015, the BBMF is also sending its majestic Avro Lancaster bomber.

In addition to those aircraft taking part in the flying displays, the RAF is also committing a number of assets to the RIAT 2015 static park. Especially notable among these are a Sea King rescue helicopter from ‘A’ Flight of No 22 Squadron, probably making its final Air Tattoo appearance before retirement, and a Tornado GR4 operated by No XV (Reserve) Squadron, a unit celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2015 with a specially-painted aircraft.

Other RAF support for the show is still in discussion.

Visitors will also be able to find out more about the RAF in the RAF Village, where there is the opportunity to experience first-hand what happens when the RAF responds to a humanitarian crisis. From pilot to chef, you’ll discover the vital role each unit plays to fulfill the mission. A wide variety of units will be represented there, including the Red Arrows and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

The Air Tattoo is staged annually in support of the RAF Charitable Trust. Tickets for the event on July 17-19 are only available in advance. Special Earlybird tickets priced from £31 are available until May 31 from www.airtattoo.com or by calling 0800 107 1940. All accompanied under-16s go free. Free parking.

£2.5 million to Museum from budget

Financial penalties levied on banks involved in the LIBOR lending rate-fixing scandal will benefit the RAF Museum in North West London, the Chancellor announced in the last Budget before the General Election. George Osborne said the government will help renovate the RAF Museum in Hendon.The announcement came after Hendon MP Matthew Offord held discussions with the new Chief Executive of the RAF Museum, Maggie Appleton at the end of February. During these talks Ms Appleton outlined the plans of the Museum to commemorate the centenary of the Royal Air Force in 2018 and asked Matthew what assistance he could provide in securing the support from the Treasury.

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said “The RAF Museum in Hendon (North West London) is a great cause that Matthew Offord has campaigned strongly in support of. I’m delighted that they will get millions of pounds in LIBOR fines – a fitting way to mark the extraordinary contribution the RAF has made and continues to make in service to our country.”

Chief Executive of the RAF Museum Maggie Appleton said “The Museum’s Centenary Project is incredibly important as it commemorates 100 years of the Royal Air Force. The story we tell reflects the bravery, ingenuity and dedication of our people. It is a story that belongs to every one of us. We are therefore very grateful for the support and acknowledgement we received today. We are a happy museum!”

www.rafmuseum.org