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General Aircraft Monospar project update

Newark Air Museum Monospar project

Work on the on-going re-build of General Aircraft Monospar VH-UTH at Newark Air Museum continues to extend the knowledge of the volunteers undertaking the work on this rare airframe. Still working without any detailed plans for the ST-12 Monospar much of the most recent work has involved detailed structural items in and around the cockpit / fuselage.

Wherever possible the restoration team has been incorporating original items back into the airframe. In the cockpit the instrument panel has been reinstalled, along with most of the original instruments. Whilst the project was at Innsworth, some of the instruments were ‘quarantined’ and a decision is currently pending to decide whether or not these are refitted. If suitable replacements can be found these may be replaced, if not the originals will be incorporated and access to the cockpit area monitored.

Just aft of the cockpit the fuselage luggage hatch is being carefully rebuilt and this work is incorporating all of the original framework and hinges, which are contoured to the fuselage profile. However it seems likely that a new door will need to be fabricated as the original was damaged beyond repair.

A setback to the project has recently occurred with the enforced retirement of one of the team members, due to family health issues. His dedication and engineering skills will be missed, but his enforced departure will no doubt spur on the team members to continue with this project during the coming months.

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org

Dornier 17 Interpretation Zone

Creation of £75,000 Wargaming.net Interpretation Zone for Dornier 17 at RAF Museum’s West Midlands site.

In June the world witnessed the successful project to raise the only known German Dornier Do-17 bomber, from the waters of the Goodwin Sands, three miles off the coast of England.

From October 16th the general public will be able to experience a dynamic new exhibition at its Cosford site which will explore the background of this legendary aircraft and its recovery. The creation of the ‘Wargaming.net Interpretation Zone’ has been funded by Wargaming, an award winning global game publisher and developer.

The grant of £75,000 has allowed the Museum to work with redLoop: the Middlesex University Design and Innovation Centre, to develop new approaches to the display and interpretation of the Dornier as it is conserved. A number of interventions will tell the story of the Dornier, its recovery and conservation – in both the Museum’s physical and digital spaces.

At both sites the public will also be able to see an augmented reality Dornier flying above the Museum, showing the aircraft as it would have been seen in 1940. Visitors will be able to view this through their smart phones via a newly developed app. Additionally exhibits at both sites will display multi-media content – from footage of the Dornier in action in 1940, to film of the recovery operation and the chance to witness the Dornier in action in the Wargaming release World of Warplanes.

The Museum has also tied in with organisations across the globe including the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, The Air Force Museum of New Zealand Museum plus the Pima Air & Space Museum/Arizona Aerospace Foundation to celebrate the launch of the exhibition. Visitors to those Museums will also be able to see the augmented reality Dorniers through their smart phones, hovering in situ.

The exhibition will allow the Museum to develop new education offers focussing on the STEM subjects as well as creating a space where community groups and adult education partners can take part in the Dornier experience. A new dedicated website will also be launched which will the story of the Dornier and its recovery and conservation. The website will showcase the social history behind the Dornier, the forensic science behind its discovery and recovery, archive footage from the Museum as well as user generated content. The website will develop with the Dornier project and function as an innovative hyper textual documentary for the project.

Victor Kislyi Wargaming CEO: “Wargaming is passionate about military history,” said Victor Kislyi, CEO of Wargaming. “When we heard about the effort to recover the Dornier 17, we jumped in to help conserve and exhibit the plane. The new ‘Wargaming.net Dornier 17 Interpretation Zone’ at the RAF Museum opens up new vistas for the display and understanding of military history. Visitors of all ages will be able to interact with history in a way that has not been done before. Through augmented reality and multi-media experiences, the exhibition brings the past alive to tell the story of the Dornier 17, the pilots of 264 Squadron who shot it down, and epic struggle of the Battle of Britain. We are honored to be a part of this ground-breaking exhibition.”

Royal Air Force Museum Director General, Peter Dye: “I am delighted that Wargaming are supporting Museum’s Dornier project by funding the Interpretation Zone. This is innovative project and the support of Wargaming will allow us to tell the story of the aircrafts’ recovery and conservation in an innovative way. Augmented reality, mobile applications and the use user generate content are new developments for the Museum and we are very excited about exploring their possibilities.”

redLoop Director, Dr. Andy Bardill: “Working in partnership with the RAF Museum we have developed a ‘bleeding edge’ approach to interpretation in museum spaces, blending physical and digital experiences throughout the exhibition scheme. This innovative approach will provide new visitor and educational experiences and enable the museum to engage with their audiences both on their museum sites and across the world.”

About Wargaming

Wargaming is an award-winning online game developer and publisher and one of the leaders in the free-to-play MMO market. Founded as a privately held company in 1998, Wargaming has shipped more than 15 titles. Currently, Wargaming is focused on its team-based MMO war series dedicated to the mid-20th century warfare that will include the armored World of Tanks, the flight combat World of Warplanes, and the naval World of Warships. The three intertwined titles will form a common gaming universe integrated within the portal www.wargaming.net

Official website: www.wargaming.com

About redLoop

redLoop is a research-led, innovation and design collaboration centre based within the School of Science and Technology at Middlesex University London.

redLoop brings together research expertise, social and ethical philosophies and commercial experience from across the University and its collaborative networks. This enables us to develop innovative interdisciplinary work areas across a broad range of applied research and commercial scenarios in the product, service, interaction, user-experience and technology sectors.

We have recently completed, and are actively working, on a number of projects that bring together physical objects and spaces, digital systems and applications, and media content to deliver new user experiences and value exchanges between institutions, corporate clients, artists and end-users [visitors, customers, audiences, etc]

Official website: www.redloopdesign.co.uk

www.rafmuseum.org

“Queen of the Skies” lands with a roar at Dunsfold Park

VC10 Arrives at Dunsfold Park

Dunsfold Park Ltd and Brooklands Museum were delighted to welcome the last Vickers VC10 to its new permanent home today (Tuesday 24 September 2013) at the famous Surrey airfield. The VC10, which carries the RAF serial number ZA150, was the very last VC10 of 54 built at Brooklands in the 1960s and was one of the last two flying with the RAF from Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and retired this week after completing a total of 43,400 flying hours.

The aircraft landed on the airfield at 13:43, flown by Sqn Ldr Tim Kemp with his aircrew, co-pilot Fl Lt Shane Stiger, engineer Fl Flt Kevin Booth and Navigator Flt Lt Bruce Thompson. Over 160 visiting public joined members of the aviation teams from Dunsfold Park and Brooklands Museum to witness the final flight. Also in attendance were Lord Trefgarne, Chairman of Brooklands Museum Trust, Trustee Penelope Keith and Angela Newton, daughter of Sir George Edwards, the Managing Director of BAC while the VC10 was developed and built.

Much to the delight of the watching crowds, the VC10 did an impressive full throttle flypast down the runway ensuring everyone felt the power and enjoyed the noise of its engines one last time. Banking around the aerodrome she faultlessly landed before being towed to her final resting place.

Jim McAllister, Chief Executive of Dunsfold Park Ltd, comments, “We are absolutely delighted to have worked with Brooklands Museum to provide a new home for the Vickers ‘Queen of the Skies’ VC10. The Aerodrome has an illustrious aviation history which we are keen to remember and celebrate so this is a welcome addition to the Hunter, Sea Hawk and 747 which currently reside here.”

ZA150 was originally built as 5H-MOG for East African Airways as a “Combi”, based on the Super VC10 but with a large forward freight door – which, incidentally, greatly eased the conversion of this variant into a tanker aircraft, allowing five huge fuel tanks to be installed on the main deck. After its airline service was completed, this aircraft was stored at Filton for several years before making its first flight as a tanker in 1984.

Allan Winn, Director of Brooklands Museum, says, “It is hugely important for us to have saved this aircraft as the last heavy airliner ever to be completely built at Brooklands – and indeed in the UK. But it is also significant as its retirement marks the end of an unbroken century of front-line service by Brooklands-built aircraft with the British armed forces. That is a unique record, unchallenged by any other factory-customer relationship anywhere in the world. We are delighted that Dunsfold Park has made it possible for us to house this symbolic aircraft back in Surrey.”

Longer-term arrangements for public access to the VC10 at Dunsfold Park and Wings & Wheels will be confirmed in due course.

The RAF bought 14 new VC10s in the 1960s for strategic transport and later went on to purchase aircraft retired from the commercial market, converting a further 14 into air-to-air refuelling tankers during the 1980s and ‘90s. In total, the RAF has operated 28 VC10s of differing variants, and the aircraft conducted a range of tasks from troop and VIP transport, aero-medical missions and air sampling after nuclear tests. In recent years the VC10s have been used solely for air-to-air refuelling, with their last missions in this role having been completed on Friday 20th September. The VC10 becomes the second longest serving type in the RAF’s inventory with 47 years of service just narrowly eclipsed by the English Electric Canberra which was withdrawn in 2006.

http://www.dunsfoldpark.com

“Queen of the Skies” retires to Dunsfold Park

Dunsfold Park and Brooklands Museum are pleased to announce that the last Vickers VC10 will arrive tomorrow (Tuesday 24th September) at its new permanent home, the famous Surrey airfield. The VC10, which carries the RAF serial number ZA150, was the very last VC10 of 54 built at Brooklands in the 1960s and is one of the last two flying with the RAF from Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and being retired this week.

The aircraft will be landing on the airfield at 12:30* with its six-strong aircrew and will be greeted by members of the aviation teams from Dunsfold Park and Brooklands Museum.

Jim McAllister, Chief Executive of Dunsfold Park Ltd, comments, “We are absolutely delighted to be working with Brooklands Museum to provide a new home for the Vickers ‘Queen of the Skies’ VC10. The Aerodrome has an illustrious aviation history which we are keen to remember and celebrate so this is a welcome addition to the Hunter, Sea Hawk and 747 which currently reside here.”

Dunsfold Park will be open for visitors wishing to witness this important arrival, with access via the North Gate off Stovolds Hill. If you would like to witness the VC10’s final flight please email nancy.edwards@rutland.co.uk with your contact details. Longer-term arrangements for public access to the VC10 at Dunsfold Park will be confirmed in due course.

* The arrival of the VC10 at Dunsfold is subject to weather and operational constraints: please monitor www.brooklandsmuseum.com or www.dunsfoldpark.com.

Experience the virtual skies at Cosford

Saturday 19th October

10.00am to 5.00pm

£10 per person

Experience the virtual skies at the flight simulation event taking place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, Shropshire on Saturday 19th October 2013.

Just Flight and Flight 1, two leading flight simulation software publishers, will be hosting this major gathering in association with PC Pilot magazine to show visitors the very best in desktop flying.

Visitors to the show will be able to fly the latest aircraft, check out the latest flight simulation hardware and chat with leading developers, publishers and other enthusiasts in addition to the many exhibitors at the show.

Home to an impressive collection of aircraft and exhibitions, come along to Flight Sim 2013 at the RAF Museum Cosford this autumn and you’ll be able to experience the best of both the virtual world and the real world of aviation!

Just Flight and Flight 1 guarantee a very warm welcome to all aviation enthusiasts, whether they are veteran desktop pilots, flight simulation novices, or anyone thinking of getting airborne in the virtual skies for the first time.

Entrance to Flight Sim 2013 costs just £10 per person on the day, with free admittance for under 16s accompanied by an adult. For further information on the event visit the show’s website www.flightsimulatorshow.com.

Note from Airscene: For a limited time you can pre-order your tickets for just £6.50 each 😉

Auster Project Progressing

Auster Newark Air Museum

Work on the Auster AOP.9 in Display Hangar 1 at Newark Air Museum is progressing. The nose cowlings and panels have been de-corroded and primed and fitted to the main fuselage frames; as has the cockpit glazing. At the rear of the fuselage similar work has been completed on the fin.

The internal restoration has also progressed, with the main instrument panels now refitted and installed. Work on the project is due to continue into the late autumn / winter months.

The Auster AOP.9 was originally moved out of deep storage at the museum and into Display Hangar 1 on 31st January 2012. A survey of the fuselage framework was then undertaken with a view to allowing the long-term restoration of the airframe. A set of wings for the project remain in storage at the museum.

The precise identity of the airframe has not been fully resolved. Examination of the manufactures plate on the aircraft gave a slightly confused picture about the military serials that it may have worn.

The main plate carries the following inscriptions:

B5-10-1185 issue 72 10-9-62

Elsewhere, a modification plate on the fuselage carries the following inscription:

AUS/R -10/74 or possibly AUS/R -10/174

The various suggested identities for the airframe still have not been fully resolved. XK381 or XS238 are believed to remain possibilities, while TA200 and XR238 have also been in the frame.

Any assistance in helping to resolve this particular AOP.9’s ‘identity crisis’ would be greatly appreciated; details can be sent in via the museum website at www.newarkairmuseum.org

Calendar competition receives stamp of approval

Airscene bumped into the proprietor of Covent Garden’s based Icon Stamp Art whilst doing the rounds at Dunsfold Wings & Wheels. After going to extradordinary lengths (buying a couple of framed pictures) Simon Coleman has kindly agreed to offer one of the Concorde 3D stamp pictures (as seen above) towards this years competition.

All of Simon’s work is genuine, hand-made and 100% original – and uses real stamps. Following on in similar style (front, profile, plan), Simon has created a variety of artwork which includes the Spitfire and a beautiful bi-plane in profile only. Due to the hand-made nature of the pieces, the items available in the shop will tend to vary at times, however do contact Simon to let him know what you may be interested in, and if he doesnt have it, he wil let you know if it can be done.

The Concorde piece retails for £30 (framed) and will be added to the first prize pot in this years competition.

For further information about Icon Stamp Art, and to see the available collection please visit http://www.iconstampart.co.uk or leave a personal message at https://www.facebook.com/iconstampart.

Canberra PR7 to receive some TLC

Newark Air Museum Canberra PR7

Earlier in the summer Newark Air Museum was approached by Canberra cockpit owner Darren Green about the possibility of forming a restoration team to work on Canberra PR.7 WH791.

This particular airframe is on loan to the museum, so the museum trustees put Darren in contact with Terry O’Halloran a member of the 31 Squadron Association. Several years ago Terry worked on behalf of the aircraft owner to co-ordinate work on the airframe, which was undertaken by members of 31 Squadron Association and cadets from 1237 (North Hykeham) Squadron, Air Training Corps (ATC).

It has now been agreed that Darren Green and Terry O’Halloran will combine their resources and they are leading a group of Canberra enthusiasts who now plan to refurbish and repaint the airframe.

The museum trustees have recently agreed to fund the cost of paint and materials for the project. As part of this agreement it is understood that the Canberra PR7 will retain its distinctive 31 Squadron markings, but it will revert to displaying its correct serial number of WH791.

The recent spell of good weather has allowed some de-corrosion work and paint removal on the nose section of the fuselage to commence in preparation for the application of primer and paint. A detailed structural survey will be undertaken on the airframe in consultation with the museum’s Restoration Manager.

Canberra PR.7 WH79, which arrived at Newark fifteen (15) years ago in autumn 1998, is one of six Canberra airframes and cockpit sections displayed at Newark Air Museum’s site on the former RAF Winthorpe airfield in eastern Nottinghamshire.

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/

Battle of the aerobatics at The Duxford Air Show this weekend

Patrouille De France

There’s an array of amazing aerobatic spectaculars in store at The Duxford Air Show this weekend (Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September)!

Opening Saturday’s flying display in gallic style is the Patrouille de France, the precision aerobatic display team of the French Air Force, who are one of the world’s most skilled demonstration teams. They’ll perform in the flying programme on Sunday, too.

On Saturday, Pete Kynsey flies the Levier Cosmic Wind, the only aircraft of its type flying anywhere in the world. This aerobatic air racer is called Ballerina II and is as nimble in the air as its name suggests.

There is no greater exponent of the Bucker Jungmann acrobatic aircraft than Anna Walker. Performing classic and competition-style aerobatics, including a challenging inverted low-level pass over the IWM Duxford airfield, Anna will be wowing the crowd on Saturday 7 September.

Also flying on Saturday, and not to be confused with the famous aerobatic act which will be closing the weekend’s flying display, are The Red Sparrows, four de Havilland Chipmunk trainer aircraft which will be flying in close formation displays.

Mark Jeffries controls the skies from all angles in his Extra 330SC aircraft. Mark is nine-time British aerobatic champion and his dizzy aerobatics will have a jaw-dropping effect on air show audiences on Saturday and Sunday.

The Aerostars have been thrilling air show visitors with their tightly choreographed aerobatics, roaring radial engines and striking smoke effects for 17 years. They are a perennial favourite at IWM Duxford air shows and their imaginative displays will no doubt be a hit on the Saturday of The Duxford Air Show.

Sunday’s flying programme concludes in grand style with The Red Arrows, the world-renowned and instantly-recognisable aerobatic team of the Royal Air Force.

Alongside the eye-popping, head-swivelling aerobatic thrills and spills is a range of diverse and exciting flying displays.

One of the highlights of Saturday’s flying display will be the arrival of the Boeing 747-8F, operated by Stansted Airport-based Global Supply Systems Limited and leased to British Airways World Cargo, in its debut UK air show appearance.

On both Saturday and Sunday, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Avro Lancaster, Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire pay tribute to the 70th anniversary of the Dambusters Raid.

The historic jet-powered pairing of the North American F-86 Sabre and the CT-133 Shooting Star will contrast with the thunderous contemporary engines of the Eurofighter Typhoon, which can be seen later in the flying programme on Saturday and which opens the show in ferocious style on Sunday.

The daredevil Piper Cub truck-top landing is an amazing feat of skill and precision that will entrance audiences on Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday’s flying programme sees a demonstration of Royal Air Force capability with a search and rescue demonstration by the Westland Sea King operated by 22 Squadron at Wattisham Airfield and a display by the Shorts Tucano, operated by the Central Flying School at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.

Visitors to The Duxford Air Show will also enjoy the piston-engined power of the Grumman Bearcat and Wildcat duo; the elegance of the B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B; the powerful B-25 Mitchell, two de Havilland Vampires and a range of Supermarine Spitfires in a classic Battle of Britain tail chase with a Hispano Buchon (Messerschmitt Bf 109).

Entertainment continues across the museum throughout the day, with 1940s living history groups, children’s rides, the chance to clamber aboard Duxford Aviation Society’s retro airliners, fun history activities and the chance to explore the whole museum.

You can also meet Colonel Richard Graham, who flew the SR-71 Blackbird which is now on display in the American Air Museum. Colonel Graham will be hosting fascinating walk-around tours of the SR-71 Blackbird in the American Air Museum at 10.30am and noon on both days of the air show. He will also be signing copies of his new book, SR-71: The Complete Illustrated History of the Blackbird.

Join us for The Duxford Air Show, a fantastically fun flying weekend for all the family!

Advance booking has now closed but you can pay on the gate as you join us this weekend.

www.iwm.org.uk

Record-breaking Bournemouth Air Festival draws to a close

Bringing the biggest ever number of people Bournemouth has ever seen in one day, the sixth Bournemouth Air Festival scaled new heights, with an incredible 1.3 million festival-goers visiting the UK’s leading seaside resort.

The Festival got off to a great start on Thursday with more than 200,000 visitors enjoying glorious sunshine and seeing displays from the Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and Royal Navy Black Cat helicopter.

Friday saw the return of the RAF Typhoon display to the Bournemouth Air Festival; its first appearance in four years. Crowds of up to 235,000 watched with mouths open and ears covered as the ear splitting jet roared over the shore in an astonishing display. More than 55,000 people attended the Night Air programme on Friday, with fantastic live music at the two pier stages and a sparkling dusk air display featuring the Red Devils, complete with glow sticks and incredible pyrotechnics.

The glorious weather continued on Saturday, and with the Red Arrows opening the flying with their third display in Bournemouth, huge numbers of people packed the beaches and cliff tops before noon.

By the time the Typhoon had closed the flying displays, a record-setting 400,000 people had visited the Festival site. The people just kept on coming, with a further 42,000 witnessing the final evening of Night Air, making it the busiest day in the history of the town. And it wasn’t just the beaches and cliff tops that saw record crowd levels; out to sea almost 1,000 boats were anchored amongst the Royal Navy vessels.

The Festival drew to a close on Sunday with another impressive crowd. Joining the 275,000 people ashore were more than 500 boats taking in the fantastic displays and unbroken sunshine. Whilst the Vulcan didn’t display due to technical issues, the crowds enjoyed a fantastic variety of entertainment including powerhouse helicopter performances from the Royal Navy Black Cat, the hulking Royal Navy Merlin and a stunning Chinook display.

Also impressing were Festival newcomers Patrouille Reva, with their tight display packed with Gallic flair, British heritage jets the Vampire and Meteor, aerobatic aces The Blades and, drawing the flying to a close, an absolutely screaming performance by Bournemouth favourite Jonathon Whaley in the elegant Miss Demeanour.

This was followed by the Royal Navy delivering a booming eight-gun salute from HMS Northumberland, before all six of their vessels departed in a coordinated formation. Accompanied by a Merlin helicopter hovering overhead, the ships moved west in unison, sounding their horns while HMS Northumberland fired off more shots from her gun before an enchanted crowd.

Hundreds of thousands lined the East Overcliff and seafront across the four days, keen to score pole position for views and images. Aviation action came from the Red Arrows, RAF Typhoon, Chinook, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Royal Navy Black Cats, The Blades and European Freestyle Champion Gerald Cooper to name but a few.

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines joined forces with the Army to create a must-see interactive military village area, with a 20-foot climbing wall, weapons display dome and Challenger tank among the highlights.

Out to sea was the Royal Navy’s largest ever presence at the event, with six vessels appearing including the Type-23 frigate HMS Northumberland, which was open to visits for members of the public.

The stunning Dusk and Night Air displays on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights saw combined crowds of 136,000 treated to fantastic aviation action by the SWIP Team Twister Duo, fearless Red Devils, O’Brien’s Flying Circus and the Rolls Royce Spitfire.

Some of the UK’s favourite tribute acts wowed crowds at the Corona stage at Bournemouth Pier, including the Beach Buoys and Elvis Presley act Ben Portsmouth. At Boscombe, Wave105FM presented headline acts including Blue, Stooshe, The Feeling, Lisa Stansfield, Kodaline and Newton Faulkner who performed to crowds of more than 12,000 people.

Two magnificent firework displays on Friday and Saturday brought Night Air to a close with style.

Jon Weaver, Air Festival Director, said: “It has been an amazing event this year, the sun shined, the entertainment was superb and more than a million people came to enjoy some of the world’s best aviation teams perform spectacular displays.

“It was fantastic to see the Reds flying in their classic nine ship formation across Bournemouth’s skyline, the magnificent Typhoon roaring through the skies and seeing the Royal Navy’s eight-gun salute ending the Festival on a high. Like many Festival-goers we were disappointed that the Vulcan was unable to fly due to technical difficulties but people didn’t let it dampen their spirits – there is always next year!

“It’s been brilliant to have had such appreciative crowds, helping to make it one of our biggest and best ever Festivals so far.”

The Royal Navy and Army Village gave prime vantage points for an incredible amphibious demonstration by the Royal Marines.

Commodore Jamie Miller CBE of the Royal Navy said; “The best show yet with so many people seeing their Royal Navy and Royal Marines, our ships and aircraft, meeting the men and women who serve and being enthused.

Thank you Bournemouth. More of the same next year – that is an order not a request! See you next year if you invite us!

The RAF Village was buzzing with Festival-goers delighted to meet members of the display teams including the Red Arrows pilots and members of the iconic Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF).

Flight Lieutenant Leon Creese, pilot of the BBMF Lancaster said; “It is always an honour to fly the wonderful aircraft of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Our aims are to remember the past and inspire future generations and I take great pride in playing my part in achieving both of these aims at the spectacular Bournemouth Air Festival.”

The dates for the 2014 Air Festival have been confirmed Thursday 28th August – Sunday 31st August.

http://bournemouthair.co.uk