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Last Sea Voyage for RAF Boat

Lawrence of Arabia’s launch is the last RAF boat to set sail on historic final voyage.

Date: April 30th – May 4th

A Seaplane Tender from the 1930s is to sail around the south coast and up the Thames to complete a display at the Royal Air Force Museum. It will be the last RAF boat to fly the RAF Ensign on the water.

Docking at: Newhaven; Dover; Ramsgate; Sheerness & St Katherine’s Dock

The small launch, ST206, was used by the RAF to ferry passengers and crew to and from the giant flying boats of the 1930s and was used as a fire tender and rescue launch during the Second World War.

The launch was developed by TE Lawrence – Lawrence of Arabia – in his little-know career after his famous desert exploits in World War One. He entered the Royal Air Force’s Marine Section in 1925 under the pseudonym TE Shaw and worked with the British Power Boat Company to develop faster and more effective rescue boats after witnessing a fatal seaplane crash in 1931. The project made a vital contribution to speed boat design and ensured that the new generation of boats specially designed to rescue pilots during the Second World War were faster and more effective.

The 1930s was the golden age of the flying boat and enormous craft flew around the world offering luxury conditions for international travellers. The RAF used them as transport and long-range escort bomber aircraft in Coastal Command. ST206 was built to service the Short Sunderland and will join the RAF Museum’s Sunderland on display at Hendon, North London.

Nearly every major port in England was used as a rescue base and ST206 will visit many former seaplane bases on her journey where the RNLI have kindly offered their facilities. The launch will set sail at Lymington on a four day journey by sea to St Katherine’s Dock in East London and then on to Shepperton Marina. En route it will be docking at Shoreham; Newhaven; and Dover. At Shepperton it will be lifted out of the water and placed on a lorry for the final leg of its journey as it travels by road to the Royal Air Force Museum London.

The boat will be skippered by its previous owner Phil Clabburn with a crew that includes veteran members of the RAF Marine Branch. The voyage and subsequent restoration for display of the launch has been organised by the RAF Museum’s Marine Craft Team Volunteers. As part of the voyage, they will also be recreating the speed trails conducted by T.E. Shaw on ST206.

The RAF formed its Marine Section in 1918 to service the needs of its extensive and expanding fleet of seaplanes. Its motto was ‘The Sea Shall Not Have Them’ and the service saved 13,000 lives during World War Two. The branch was disbanded and its remaining role was privatised in 1986.

www.rafmuseum.org

Book Now for Top Flight of Food at Aviator Club

Visitors to the world’s biggest free seafront airshow can enjoy a first class day out being wined and dined from the UK’s sunniest seafront as Eastbourne Airbourne launches its 2010 Aviator Club hospitality packages. 

Set in an arena-side marquee offering front row seats next to all of the action on the ground with spectacular views of the flying line above, the Aviator Club offers a supreme experience for anyone looking to enjoy an extra special day out at Airbourne.

Whether visitors are looking to celebrate a special occasion to companies looking to wine and dine business clients, the Aviator Club offering a champagne welcome, three-course summer lunch and dedicated Aviator Club Bar, presents the ultimate VIP experience.

An Eastbourne Borough Council spokesperson said “We’re very excited to launch the Aviator Club hospitality packages for Airbourne 2010 and offer visitors an opportunity to upgrade their airshow experience and enjoy being wined and dined while watching dazzling flying displays. With seats directly next to the action-packed arena displays, Aviator Club guests can look forward to putting their feet up and soaking in the airshow atmosphere in a prime position on Eastbourne seafront, directly alongside the display teams.

“With extended packages available on Friday for the return of our evening Come Fly With Me event, visitors can opt for an Aviator experience on any day of Airbourne with a packed line up of flying already confirmed for the fabulous four day event.”

Come Fly With Me, the extended display of flying to live music on the ground from the Swing Street Band on the Friday evening of Airbourne, is back for a second year in 2010 and offers all airshow visitors the chance to enjoy an extra dose of spectacular flying action.

With the flying line up already looking set to be bumper-filled when Eastbourne International Airshow returns from 12-15 August, visitors can look forward to crowd favourite the Red Arrows, the impressive Eurofighter Typhoon, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight marking 70 years since the Battle, and a daredevil performance from the Breitling Wingwalkers.

Aviator Club hospitality starts from £55+VAT, with the extended Friday evening display promising extra refreshments and treats from just £60+VAT.

For more information or to book a place in the Aviator Club at Eastbourne’s spectacular free seafront airshow this August visit www.eastbourneairshow.com or telephone 01323 415442.

Airscene Twitters

Airscene News is now available as a twitter feed. 

Whilst Airscene News is readily viewable on mobiles and PDA’s using device recognition scripts, some people will prefer the ability to view Airscene News direct from their twitter apps.

As part of an automated process bit.ly is used to shorten the URL’s for the Twitter feed – do not worry about these as they DO link back to Airscene news items.

Updated within the hour direct from Airscene News, this new twitter feed offers another method of keeping up to date with Airshow and Aviation Museum News.

www.twitter.com/Airscene

Sponsor the South Coasts Biggest Summer Spectacle

Airbourne, the world’s biggest free seafront airshow, is getting ready to zoom back to the UK’s sunniest place this summer promising dynamic flying displays, thrilling arena attractions, evening concerts and its very own radio station – and offering an array of opportunities for companies to jump on board and raise their profile to hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Eastbourne International Airshow has already got off to a fantastic start with the official launch party last month securing a sponsor for the popular Red Arrow display, as well as several other exciting leads.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight has confirmed to display on every day of Airbourne 2010 from 12-15 August as it commemorates its 70th anniversary, and with other displays including the impressive Eurofighter Typhoon and new Breitling sponsored Wingwalkers also set to entertain visitors this summer, the airshow promises plenty of exposure for companies interested in sponsoring the event.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Susan Morris said “Airbourne 2009 was bigger and better than ever before being the most visibly busy in the event’s history, but this year we already have a cracking line-up confirmed and are looking forward to building on last year’s success.

“From the fantastic assets confirmed to fly at Airbourne through to the Aviator Club hospitality marquee, Friends of Airbourne membership scheme and record-breaking souvenir programme; the event offers a wide range of sponsorship opportunities, big and small, and we would like to hear from anybody interested in supporting this major Eastbourne event while raising their company’s profile at the same time.”

This year airshow organisers Eastbourne Borough Council are again looking to work with the local business community to raise funds to continue staging this spectacular event.

Several local businesses from across the south east attended the launch party at Towner in February and have already promised repeat sponsorship deals for the 2010 event.

With sponsorship packages ranging from as little as £250 right up to the headline sponsor at £75k, with the chance for businesses to tailor make packages specific to their needs, Airbourne is renowned as a major international event with significant footfall and offers the platform for businesses to reach mass crowds, both visitors and residents, over the four day event.

Securing a record 25 sponsors in 2009 including TravelInsured.co.uk, Eastbourne Borough Council are looking to attract even more sponsors in 2010 and would be interested to speak to companies about the best ways for their business to benefit from the event.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, trade space, programme advertising and corporate hospitality available at Airbourne visit www.eastbourneairshow.com or telephone 01323 415436.

Nimrod MR2 for Yorkshire Air Museum

The Royal Air Force announced today that the Yorkshire Air Museum & Allied Air Forces Memorial at Elvington, York is to receive an iconic Nimrod MR2.

Yorkshire Air Museum will soon be the only Museum in the world to display a LIVE example of the remarkable Nimrod military reconnaissance aircraft.

Nimrod MR2, XV250 will be flown from RAF Kinloss into Elvington on Tuesday April 13th where it will be maintained in full ground operational capacity as a ‘live’ aircraft.

From now XV250 will be part of the Museum’s world class collection, alongside the huge Victor V-Bomber and Buccaneer Strike aircraft and will stand as a permanent tribute to the 14 British servicemen killed in Afghanistan when Nimrod XV 230 crashed at Kandahar on 2nd September 2006.

The multi million pound Nimrod was developed from the Comet, itself a revolutionary design which was the world’s first jet airliner. Much of the development for the Nimrod was undertaken at BAe Systems at Brough, East Yorkshire, giving the aircraft a special local connection.

Nimrod, the ‘mighty hunter’ is found in the Book of Genesis, and for over 30 years the aircraft has continued to play an exceptional role in the defence of the British Isles and support in other operational theatres. The ‘submarine hunting’ role has developed into strategic military intelligence gathering, utilising state of the art equipment. The Nimrod MR2 has been described as the world’s largest fighter, with the capability to carry Sidewinder air to air missiles!

Museum Director, Ian Reed said, “We have been working closely with our colleagues in the RAF for over a year on this project and are delighted at the confirmation announced today. Yorkshire Air Museum is probably the only major Museum in Europe capable of operating large jets of this type and in this way. It is also very appropriate that, as the Allied Air Forces Memorial, we are able to make a significant contribution to the memory of those servicemen in Afghanistan and Iraq who have lost their lives and those who daily risk their lives in the service of our country”.

Details of arrival timings on Tuesday 13th April will be issued as soon as they are known.

www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk

Bryan Adams Vists RAF Museum

The rocker swapped the Summer of ’69, for the Summer of 1940 as he popped in for a visit to the Museum’s Battle of Britain Hall.

Legendary rocker Bryan Adams was spotted over the weekend at the RAF Museum in Colindale. He was there to take pictures of aircraft in the Battle of Britain Hall, which includes iconic classics such as the Spitfire and Hurricane.

Well known for filling stadiums with hits such as Summer of ’69, Everything I Do and Run To You, whilst at the Museum he also took the time out to sign autographs and have his picture taken with fans.

This year marks the 70th Anniversary of The Battle of Britain and the Museum will be celebrating it with a number of exhibitions and events.

In the past few years celebrity visitors to the Museum have included Angelina Jolie, Tom Conti, Matt Lucas and David Walliams and Dame Judy Dench.

 http://www.rafmuseum.org/

Spitfire Flypast to Honour Veterans

A Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire will be making a special flypast over the Royal Air Force Museum to honour the Veterans in attendance at the Museum’s annual Joint Service Veterans Day.

Date: Wednesday 5th May

Time: 1320

Each year this exclusive day gives Veterans the chance to catch up with each other, reminisce over shared experiences and enjoy themselves in the authentic atmosphere and sensations of the Royal Air Force Museum. With Service men and women joining in from across the country, it is set to be a truly memorable and sentimental gathering.

On the 5th of May the Royal Air Force Museum is inviting Veterans of all three Services to join as one to celebrate Veterans’ Day. During this special reunion, hosted by the Museum staff, the veterans will be treated to a full day of events and activities including talks, special films screenings and tours.

Also as a special treat, there is a FREE programme of music by The Jive Aces swing band from underneath the Lancaster (at 1130am and 2pm).

The Bomber Command Association will be supporting the event and will be holding a special raffle. There will also be exhibition stands by The RAF Benevolent Fund Enterprises and The Royal British Legion.

 http://www.rafmuseum.org/

Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary

2010 marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The historic conflict over the skies of England determined the outcome of WWII and is seen as the nation’s ‘finest hour’.

The Royal Air Force Museum stands on the site of RAF Hendon, which was an active Battle of Britain station. Where better to begin the voyage of discovery into this important chapter in history?

THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN HALL:

The largest and most wide-ranging exhibition dedicated to the Battle. It contains a unique and exclusive collection of relevant RAF aircraft and the most comprehensive collection of Luftwaffe aircraft in the world: the iconic Spitfire and Hurricane set against the Messerschmitt Bf 109; Junkers Ju88 and Ju 87 Stuka; Heinkel He 111 and more.

Step into the Battle of Britain Hall and step back into London in the year 1940. The Royal Air Force Museum invites visitors to experience first hand the sights and sounds of London during the Blitz.

Follow the exhibits and walk through history, as every step takes you through the events that led to the Battle. From a seemingly peaceful picnic on a village green, to a war torn London street and even a face to face meeting with Winston Churchill.

The climax of the exhibition comes with the emotionally charged multi-media show “Our Finest Hour.” Set across a backdrop of a London Skyline it uses film, image projection, sound and lighting together with the static exhibits to tell the story of the Battle of Britain. A truly awe inspiring experience; The Battle of Britain Hall is FREE to enter.

EVENTS

This year the Museum will be running a series of special events to mark the anniversary. These include a living history weekend (11-12th Sept), with re-enactments of a scramble scene, Ops Room, Home Guard and more. Visitors will be able to speak to the re-enactors and learn more about life during the Battle.

ARCHIVE DEPT:

The Museum holds a vast resource of information including historical documents, pictures, letters, log-books, personal items, fine art, medals, uniforms and published books. These are all accessible with prior booking.

EXPERTS & ACADEMICS:

A number of the Museum’s researchers and historians are experts in the Battle and are available for advice and interviews. They include published authors who have written articles for specialist magazines and books.

EDUCATION:

The Museum runs a number of related educational initiatives tied in with the national schools syllabus. These include reflections on life during the Battle of Britain.

http://www.rafmuseum.org/

 

Car Parking charges at Royal Air Force Museum London

From 1st April 2010, a small car parking charge will be payable by visitors to the Royal Air Force Museum’s London site. The income generated will be used to assist in meeting the costs of maintaining the Museum’s national collection and of operating its sites.Free admission to the museum will continue as normal.

The fees for vehicles will be introduced on the 1st April 2010 and will be £2.50 for up to 3 hours parking and £3.50 for 3-6 hours.

The RAF Museum London houses a collection of 100 aircraft in 5 hangars and is home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of Battle of Britain aircraft, which is housed in the site’s Battle of Britain Hall. The museum also offers an interactive gallery for children, Aeronauts as well as an hourly sound and light show ‘Our Finest Hour’ plus 3D cinema.

The museum is located just off Junction 4 on the M1 and also enjoys good public transport links with the 303 bus providing a regular direct service to the Museum from Colindale Underground Station (take the bus from directly outside the station to Edgware) or from Mill Hill East Thames Link Station (take the bus directly to Colindale).

For more information on the Royal Air Force Museum, please visit the Museum website www.rafmuseum.org or call 020 8205 2266. Alternatively, if you require assistance during the course of your journey, please visit our mobile phone website www.rafmuseum.mobi. The Museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm (last admission 5.30pm). Entry to the Museum is FREE of charge.