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The Evolution Of Naval Airpower Represented At Air Day

Rn Wildcat

From fabric and wires to fly-by-wire, almost 100 years of Carrier Aviation will be represented at RNAS Yeovilton Air Day on Saturday 26 July. With the Royal Navy’s next generation aircraft carrier being named on 4 July and edging closer into service, types as diverse as the WW1-era Sopwith Triplane, the cutting-edge Dassault Rafale and the Wildcat HM2 will highlight naval airpower, past, present and future, at the show.

100 years on from WW1’s start, in company with the Great War Display Team’s other replicas, the Sopwith Triplane will take Air Day’s visitors back to where Carrier Aviation really began. Come WW2’s advent, sleek and speedy monoplane fighters had largely replaced the biplane generation but, with its heroic attacks on the German battleship Bismarck and the Italian fleet at Taranto Harbour, the Fairey Swordfish proved an exception. Part of the locally-based Royal Navy Historic Flight’s fleet, the Swordfish will participate in the show, joined by the Flight’s Hawker Sea Fury and a Supermarine Seafire – just one of the D-Day anniversary themed aircraft involved this year.

Post WW2 jet fighter technology thrust the Royal Navy into a new era of capability, power and purpose. The world’s only airworthy de Havilland Sea Vixen fleet air defence fighter; the biggest and heaviest British designed aircraft to have operated from aircraft carriers will be a flying display highlight. Static examples of the mighty Phantom and the game changing Sea Harrier bring the Royal Navy’s fixed-wing Carrier Aviation story to its last updated point.

The F/A-18C Hornet, extensively used by the US Navy for carrier operations but presented by the Swiss Air Force at Air Day, will put on a powerful display of speed and agility. The French Navy’s very welcome involvement brings two state of the art Rafale M multirole combat aircraft for static display in their only UK airshow appearance in 2014 so far confirmed. As ever, based assets will participate en masse with the Lynx Maritime Demo and the traditional show-closing Commando Assault showcasing present day Royal Navy operational tactics. Finally, the Royal Navy Black Cats’ newly-revised display sequence, with its Wildcat HM2 element, will offer a taste of Carrier Aviation yet to come.

Tickets for Air Day can be booked online at www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday at the discounted advance rates (until 21 July) or by calling 08445 781 781.

Bournemouth Air Festival Takes Flight

Midair Canberra

The 2014 Bournemouth Air Festival, supported by Mouchel and City Fibre, has confirmed the line up of this summer’s magnificent aircraft – from historic flying machines, jets and display teams to sparkling dusk displays and parachute teams, there’s something for everyone. This year organisers have developed Night Air, sponsored by Corona, and are welcoming a number of new aircraft to the Festival including the much anticipated Canadian Lancaster, displaying at the weekend with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and the Mid Air Squadron Canberra XH134.
In 1951 the Canberra joined the RAF as the first jet powered bomber. Believed to be the world’s longest serving bomber, the aircraft retired from active duty in 2006, now fully restored it is the only air-worthy Canberra of its type in the world.

Owner Mike Davis commented; Owner Mike Davis commented; “The Midair Squadron is an expertly managed passion and we’re really looking forward to bringing an aura of classic elegance to the skies of Bournemouth!”
Headlining the aviation action are the Red Arrows – representing the incredible speed, agility and precision of the Royal Air Force they will be displaying on all 4-days, Thursday at 1515, Friday 1500, Saturday 1635 and Sunday 1210. The RAF will also be displaying the Eurofighter Typhoon (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and Tutor and Tucano training aircraft. The much anticipated weekend display will undoubtedly be when the world’s last two airworthy Lancaster bombers take centre stage the breathtaking Canadian Lancaster with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight – in a meeting unlikely to happen ever again this is a must see for everyone.

There will be a host of Armed Forces helicopters taking to the skies with performances from The Royal Navy Merlin and for the first time a Lynx and Wildcat pairing; watch out for the Army Lynx and RAF Chinook, both flying every day.

Bournemouth favourite the Miss Demeanour soars to the Festival on Friday and Saturday and back to impress with magnificent grace Friday, Saturday and Sunday is the Flying Fortress SallyB. The recently announced Avro Vulcan displays Saturday.

This year the fantastic daytime air display program is complemented by a longer dusk display starting at 7.15pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. New for this year’s Night Air line-up are the Blades performing a sunset display Friday and Saturday night (and Sunday daytime). Sponsored by the Miramar Hotel O’Briens Flying Circus and the Twister Duo will set the skies alight and The Red Devils Parachute Team, sponsored by the Patrons 100 Club, finishes the evening line up.

Jon Weaver, Air Festival Director added; “This year’s line-up is really ambitious, it’s got Festival favourites, Force and civilian teams, fast jets, loud aircraft, display teams and a sprinkle of dusk pyrotechnics. That’s not forgetting everything that’s happening on the ground, at sea and in the evening!”
For more information visit www.bournemouthair.co.uk

World Famous White Helmets Headline Wings & Wheels Stunt Zone

Royal Signals White Helmets

World famous, record-holding display team the Royal Signals White Helmets will headline the Wings & Wheels Stunt Zone this August Bank holiday at Dunsfold Aerodrome near Guildford in Surrey.

The team of 30 volunteer soldiers from the Corps will perform spectacular feats of balance, death defying crossover rides and outstanding acrobatics in thrilling arena displays on handbuilt British Millennium Triumph 750cc motorcycles.

The White Helmets demonstrate all the qualities needed in the modern Army – teamwork, courage, trust, strength and agility. This team has existed as a recognised organisation since the first public displays of joint precision horsemanship and motorcycle riding were given by instructors and students from the Signal Training Centre in Yorkshire in 1927.

Recognised by many as the best in the world the Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team has been performing for over 80 years.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director comments: “The wheels of the Show continues to get better each year and the Stunt Zone is the perfect setting for the White Helmets to showcase their skill. The White Helmets will be supported by other motoring displays throughout the day making it one Zone our visitors won’t want to miss.”

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the world famous Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Lancaster, Spitfire & Hurricane), Vulcan, Chinook, the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s (CWHM) prized Avro Lancaster, B25 Mitchell and a host of other modern and historic aircraft during the five hour flying displays. For four and two wheeled fans, supercars and classic and vintage icons put on an awe inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a two hour auto spectacular from Brooklands Museum.

The show also includes over 25 fixed-price catering outlets, 2 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.

Tickets start from £20 for adults, £45 for a family (2 adults and 3 children aged 5 – 15yrs), £6 for children aged between 5 and 15yrs and under 5s are 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 2014 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Goodwood Festival of Speed Hillclimb achieved in under 10 seconds

The Goodwood Festival of Speed air display took a new turn on Sunday, as the Midair Squadron Hawker Hunter XL577 set a flown time of 9.98 seconds across the notorious Goodwood Hillclimb in front of Goodwood House.As the first and only attempt of this kind, the Hunter, piloted by Squadron Leader Dave Piper (retired) reached a top speed 361 knots (415 mph), as he weaved his way to the top of the course.

The driven record is held by Nick Heidfeld in a time of 41.6 seconds set in 1999 in a McLaren MP4-13-Mercedes Benz with an average speed of 104 mph, meaning the Midair Squadron’s time shaved 32 seconds off Heidfeld’s time – admittedly in a jet!

Midair Squadron leader Mike Davis said: “It was an opportunity we couldn’t resist. After setting the world air speed record in 1953, the Hunter has continued to be acknowledged as one of the fastest and most agile fighter jets ever built. This new way of timing the Goodwood Hill Climb brings a whole new dimension to the Festival of Speed and we look forward to a challenge in 2015; regardless of any future outcome, this is a wonderful tribute to British engineering and the piloting skill of the Midair Squadron.”

www.goodwood.com

New exhibition to explore the History of Friendship between the Royal Air Force and the Royal Air Force of Oman

RAF in Oman

Dates: 16th July 2014 – 14th July 2015

Entrance: FREE

Great Britain and Oman have enjoyed an enduring relationship for over 200 years that stretches back to a Treaty of Friendship in 1798. This broader relationship has been replicated in the close professional co-operation that has developed between the Royal Air Force and the Royal Air Force of Oman. It is a relationship that continues to develop into the 21st Century with the Royal Air Force of Oman’s purchase of the Eurofighter Typhoon and the latest Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer from BAE Systems.

Formed in 1959 from a nucleus of Scottish Aviation Pioneers and Hunting Percival Provosts, and manned by Royal Air Force loan officers, the Royal Air Force of Oman (originally named the Sultan of Muscat and Oman’s Air Force) has grown into one of the most capable air forces in the Middle East. This achievement has been supported throughout by mutual respect, friendship and encouragement between the Royal Air Force and the Royal Air Force of Oman.

In a brand new exhibition, curated with the support of the Archives Division of the Royal Air Force of Oman, the Royal Air Force Museum tells the story of this enduring relationship through the experiences of officers and men, from the Royal Air Force, the Royal Air Force of Oman and British industry who have played an important part in creating a modern, professional and highly effective air force.

The story will range from the Royal Air Force’s involvement in the Middle East from its formation in 1918 and includes highlights such as the visit of Sultan Taimur bin Faisal to Royal Air Force Hendon in 1928 as the guest of the British government to watch an Air Pageant as well as the vital support offered by Oman to Great Britain during the Second World War through the purchase of Spitfires flown by the Royal Air Force.

Aviation Historian and exhibition curator Ross Mahoney: “Throughout its history, the Royal Air Force has supported the development of a family of air forces that share a common set of values. The RAF’s relationship with RAFO is proof of the enduring importance of this shared set of values based on respect and friendship, which began with the latter’s formation in 1959 and continues to this day and into the future.”

Air Commodore Musallam Al-Zeidi, Royal Air Force of Oman: The outstanding and deep-rooted relations between the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) signify the close cooperation and mutual understanding between the two services in various fields in general and the field of defence in particular. Under the umbrella of this distinguished relations, the Royal Air Force has contributed greatly to Oman through providing expertise and technical knowhow to our personnel and we are sure that Royal Air Force will spare no effort in providing the requisite training which will put our fledgling Air Force in a good stead and enable it to keep abreast with the latest technological advancements. The close cooperation has carved a worldwide niche as unique relation and will continue to be so for years to come.

BAE Systems’ Vice President in Oman, Sir Simon Bryant, commented: “It is a great honour for BAE Systems to be supporting this exhibition. We, along with our predecessor companies, have taken delight in working with the Omani armed forces for decades. Through our current Hawk and Typhoon programmes we are looking forward to continuing with this relationship. The exhibition will provide the many people that visit it with a wealth of information of how the Royal Air Force of Oman has developed into the great Air Force that it is today.”

www.rafmuseum.org

French Navy Join Air Day Celebrations

Rafale

Rafale multirole fighters from the French Navy will represent the sharp end of ‘Carrier Aviation’ at RNAS Yeovilton International Air Day on 26 July. Two Rafale Ms will be part of the event’s static display, joined by a Falcon 10 transport and communications aircraft in the French Navy’s only UK airshow appearance of this year so far confirmed.

Following the naming ceremony for the Royal Navy’s first Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier, which takes place on 4 July, Air Day 2014 has taken ‘Carrier Aviation’ as this year’s theme. Celebrating the triumphs of airborne assets deployed at sea since aviation’s earliest days, Air Day will host a large gathering of carrier-launched aircraft types. They include the Dassault Rafale M which has been in French Navy service since 2000. Equipped with a hardened airframe and toughened undercarriage, it is fast, extremely agile and able to simultaneously carry out air supremacy, interdiction and reconnaissance missions. The Rafale M is a definitive modern-day naval multirole combat aircraft.

The Dassault Falcon 10MER is based on the 1970s-era Falcon 10 business jet. Operational taskings for this aircraft, seven of which joined the French Navy between 1973 and 1983, include training, electronic countermeasures, communications and transport.

Other foreign air arms’ involvement in Air Day 2014 includes Belgium’s, Denmark’s and Jordan’s national display teams, the Belgian Air Component F-16 Solo Display and the Swiss Air Force F/A-18C Hornet Solo Display.

Tickets for Air Day can be booked online at www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday at the discounted advance rates (until 21 July) or by calling 08445 781 781.

Aviation Memorials in Nottinghamshire

After months of research and preparation a new 36 page A5 colour booklet entitled, “Aviation Memorials in Nottinghamshire” has now been printed and free copies can be obtained from the Newark Air Museum.

The booklet has been co-produced by the museum and the Nottinghamshire County Council, as part of the council’s Local Improvement Scheme grant programme. It provides an insight into the county’s diverse aviation heritage as represented by 40 aviation memorial sites in the county.

Copies have been distributed to most Tourist / Visitor Information Centres and Libraries across the county; and work is underway to widen those distribution outlets.

People can call in at the museum now to pick up a copy and as part of its commitment to the project the museum is willing to send off copies by post to people who request them. Such requests can be sent in via email to admin@newarkairmuseum.org or telephoned through on 01636 707170 (10.30am to 4.30pm daily).

Enquirers are asked to provide postal addresses if they are requesting the printed version or a valid email addresses if they would like the PDF version.

The museum trustees hope that many people will obtain copies of the booklet and that it helps them to see how in Nottinghamshire “We love to commemorate our aviation heritage.”

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Apaches Explosive Display Confirmed at Wings & Wheels

Apache

The Apache Attack Helicopter Display Team will be exploding onto the aerodrome this August Bank Holiday when they join the Wings & Wheels line-up on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th August at Dunsfold Aerodrome in, Guildford, Surrey.

Whilst treating visitors to heart stopping acrobatic manoeuvres, the team will also be demonstrating the might of the helicopter’s fire power. In a series of simulated air to ground missile attacks using the aptly named Hellfire missiles, rockets and a 30mm chain gun, this display is not for the faint hearted as it culminates in fire balls and explosions!

Jamie McAllister, Event Director comments: “The skill of the pilots in demonstrating the agility of these helicopters is just one of the Show’s many highlights. The added excitement of explosions and fire to the Apache team’s display not only provides a fantastic insight into the work that the British Army do while out on operations but showcases the astonishing capabilities of the aircraft which are in service.”

The Apache team performs manoeuvres in the helicopter, including high hovers, twists, pedal turns, wingovers and flypasts. Drawn from a pool of suitably qualified and experienced, operationally ready, Apache aircrew and ground crew, the team is not on permanent assignment like other display teams and uses aircraft drawn from the operational Apache Squadrons.

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the world famous Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Lancaster, Spitfire & Hurricane), Vulcan, Chinook, the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s (CWHM) prized Avro Lancaster and a host of other modern and historic aircraft during the five hour flying displays. For four and two wheeled fans, supercars and classic and vintage icons put on an awe inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a two hour auto spectacular from Brooklands Museum.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2014 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Flypast planned for Armed Forces Day guests

Armed Forces Day

Saturday 28th June 2014

11.00am – 2.30pm

Veterans and their guests must pre-register

Dakota flypast 1:25pm (weather permitting)

On Saturday 28th June, events across the country will celebrate the contributions made by those who serve and have served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. The annual Armed Forces Day is an opportunity to reflect and pay tribute to our heroes past and present, including current serving personnel, service families, veterans and cadets.

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford will once again participate in this annual event by hosting veterans young and old from all three services. During this special reunion, hosted by Museum Staff, all Veterans will be treated to a full day’s programme. There will be free refreshments for guests, on arrival at 11.00am, followed by behind the scenes access to the Museum’s Conservation Centre and a talk from Darren Priday our Conservation Centre Manager about the Dornier Do17 Project. For lunch, veterans will have the rare opportunity of dining with other guests amongst the aircraft and artefacts on display in the Museum’s Hangar 1.

During the afternoon, guests will be treated to musical performances from The Jays, a 1940s Singing Quintet who love nothing more than resurrecting the wonderful hits of the Second World War made famous by The Andrews Sisters and The Glenn Miller Orchestra. Their toe tapping, memory jogging 1940s vocal harmonies will have Armed Forces Day Guests singing along to every song.

A highlight for Armed Forces Day guests and visitors to the Museum will be a spectacular flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota, scheduled for 1:25pm (weather permitting). All-in-all this promises to be an exciting day which will enable Veterans to meet up with old friends, reminisce over shared experiences, and enjoy themselves in the authentic atmosphere and setting of the Royal Air Force Museum. The day will conclude at 2.30pm where guests are free to wander round the Museum.

Event organiser, Louise Hammond says:

“It is an honour for the RAF Museum to be able to host so many Veterans and Serving Personnel for the annual Armed Forces Day. We have a fantastic day planned for guests and we look forward to welcoming new faces, as well as regular attendees to the event”

Attendance to the event is free of charge and by advance registration only. Any Veterans who would like to attend the event, are asked to book their place now by calling 01902 376 200 or for more information visit www.rafmuseum.org/cosford.

Hunter T7 goes on loan to Newark Air Museum

Hawker Hunter T7

In early May 2014 news emerged in the aviation world about the possible scrapping of Hawker Hunter T7, XL618, which was displayed at Caernarfon airfield in North Wales.

Heather Graham of Lakes Lightnings made strenuous efforts to ensure that the airframe was not scrapped and then set about finding a suitable location to display the airframe. Following an approach to the trustees of the Newark Air Museum, an agreement was secured for Hawker Hunter T7, XL618 to be placed on long-term loan at the museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire, close to the border with Lincolnshire.

Hawker Hunter T7, XL618 was dismantled by a team provided by Lakes Lightnings and then moved to Newark Air Museum on the evening of Thursday 19th June, where it was reassembled the following day in an area on the museum’s Southfield Site.

The Hunter T7 fits a gap in the museum’s themed display of RAF training airframes and will help tell the story of RAF fast jet training. Following a detailed condition survey, which will be completed jointly by Lakes Lightnings and Newark Air Museum, the airframe will be restored back to its former glory in as yet to be confirmed colour scheme.

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org