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Tin Hats and Football Boots

On January 22nd the Royal Air Force Museum London will be unveiling its latest temporary display ‘Tin Hats and Football Boots’. This display explores the contribution made by various members of Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal Football Clubs to the Royal Air Force and Air Raid Precautions during the Second World War whilst examining how important regular competitive football was to the upkeep of the capital’s morale.

With the outbreak of the Second World War, the world of football changed. Hostilities affected clubs in every league all over the country. The Football League was suspended and then re-instated in a new guise with many professional players joining the armed services and being called upon as ‘guest’ players by clubs near their billets.

North London rivals, and RAF Hendon’s major local clubs, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur found themselves sharing Spur’s ground at White Hart Lane; Arsenal’s Highbury ground having been requisitioned by the government as an ARP centre.

Not only did these two neighbouring giants have to work together to ensure that both teams catered for their fans but also that they did so through the provision of nail-biting and stimulating games, quite often without the key players or support staff who had been so central to each team’s success before the War.

Ellen Soall, football fan and Curator of the display said:

‘ It was only whilst conducting research into local history for a Museum project that I realized how integral both Clubs were to London’s war effort. For 90 minutes both players and spectators could escape the horror of war and life would, for a brief period, assume an air of normality – all important for maintaining morale and a reminder of more peaceful times.

The aim of this display is to highlight the hidden history of both clubs. Success should not only be measured by the amount of silverware in trophy cabinets but also by the contribution made by football to the war effort.

My thanks go to the following people for their assistance: Samir Singh (Arsenal Football Club), Andy Porter (Tottenham Hotspur Football Club), Peter Cooper and the RAF FA and finally the Abelheim family for use of family photographs. ‘

Entry to ‘Tin Hats and Football Boots’ is free of charge to visitors; as is entry to the Museum. It will be shown daily from 10am to 6pm until Monday 4th July in the Museum’s Historic Hangars. For further details please visit www.rafmuseum.org/whatson or dial 020 8205 2266.

St George Handover Historic Watchtower to RAF Museum

St George, London’s leading mixed-use developer, has refurbished and relocated the historic Grahame-White Watchtower building to the adjacent RAF Museum site.

The redundant Watchtower building built in 1911 was once the centre piece of aviation pioneer Claude Grahame-White’s aircraft factory in Hendon, home to the British aircraft industry and the birthplace of British aviation. Flying from Hendon ceased in the late 1960’s and since then the Watchtower had fallen into disrepair.

To celebrate completion of the relocation and renovation, St George and the RAF Museum are commemorated this further milestone in the buildings history by handing over the watchtower to Air Marshal R F Garwood on Monday
13 December.

Now relocated and renovated, the building sits next to the Grahame-White Factory on the main Museum site. The Watchtower will exhibit displays on the life of Claude-Grahame White, the history of the Hendon Aerodrome and the pioneering years of flights. The upper floor will also feature a recreation of Claude Grahame-White’s original office.

Ross Faragher, Managing Director, St George Central London: “We are delighted to celebrate completion of the works to relocate the redundant Grahame-White Watchtower. The historic building which was once the central part of the former Claude Grahame-White aircraft factory in Hendon, has been rejoined to the Grahame-White factory here at the Royal Air Force Museum and is set to become an important learning resource reflecting the achievements of this early aviation pioneer and the history of the local area, for the benefit of the nation.

Air Chief Marshal Sir John Day, Chairman of Trustees, Royal Air Force Museum: “This building provides a fitting tribute to Claude Grahame-White and the history of aviation in the local area. We hope the building will provide a new focal point for the local community and reinforce its importance in the history of British aviation.”

Airscene 2011 Photobook is now available

89 entries from the 2011 Calendar Competition now grace the 80 pages of the Airscene 2011 Photobook.

Not everyone who entered could appear in the book, some appear twice and I have even included a few of my favourite entries from those that didnt make the shortlist for one reason or another.

The book is now available for sale at £24.95 (p&p costs £4) and delivery is a fairly reliable 14 days.

 

High Flying Christmas Gifts

If you’re searching for that elusive gift which will make their spirits soar once they have ripped open the wrapping paper on Christmas Day morning, why not visit the Royal Air Force Museum’s online shop – www.rafmuseumshop.com?

Here you will find a range of affordable, yet charming, gifts suitable for any member of the family at a price that won’t send your Christmas budget into a tailspin. Any young Amy Johnson will immediately fall in love with our RAF Pilot Teddy Bear. At approximately 8″ (seated), this cute RAF Mascot wears a World War 2 Officer’s uniform with life-jacket and retails at a very reasonable £12.00.

Alternatively, a Red Arrows Replica Flying suit will guarantee a month’s worth of good behaviour from your young dare-devils, in the run up to Christmas, for only £29.99. Money well spent. Suitable for both boys and girls, sizes are available for ages 1 to 13. So why not indulge their fantasies of flight and help them realise their dreams of one day becoming a Red Arrow?

Mothers and Grandmothers will be charmed by our exquisite RAF wings “sweetheart” brooch, which retails at £29.99. Manufactured in Great Britain in solid sterling silver, this charming adornment will perfectly complement any evening ensemble. Alternatively, if either lady is particularly health conscious, then our “Wartime Recipe” cookbook, retailing at £4.99, will provide them with a host of 40 healthy, mouth-watering meals that the entire family will love.

Based on the Ministry of Food’s advice on eating during WWII, dishes such as Scotch Broth, Dumplings, Savoury Onions and Coconut Orange Pudding recall the ingenuity and camaraderie of those wartime days.

Fathers will adore our Leather Flying Jacket which is modelled on the iconic RAF Flying Jackets of the 1940s but with a 21st Century twist. Retailing at £150 and available in sizes up to XXL this classic jacket is stylishly furnished in dark brown leather, with a detachable collar and emblazoned with RAF Wings above the chest pocket.

Our pack of Aircraft Spotter Cards, as used by the Observer Corps during WW2, will enliven any Poker night enabling the players to effectively spot Allied and Axis aircraft from the ground or the air. Retailing at £5.99, this affordable gift is ideal for children to give to their Fathers on Christmas Day – trust us he’ll love them more than a pair of socks or slippers!

If money is no object, the Royal Air Force Museum has available a unique item furniture specially commissioned for the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain – The Pilot’s Chair. Handmade by British craftsmen to your requirements from either maple, sycamore, oak or beech this limited edition chair boasts a host of refinements and details including a secret compartment containing a verified fragment from a WW2 Hurricane Engine destroyed in the Battle; propeller style under-frame; RAF Brevet and Spitfire carved into the chair; flying jacket leather upholstered seats with hand stitching; a carving of Winston Churchill’s, ‘ Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. ‘; plus a second secret compartment containing a silk flying scarf embroidered with your choice of Squadron Badge or Fighter Command emblem Retailing at £4,950 the Pilot’s Chair is the must have Christmas Gift for the aviation enthusiast that has everything and is delivered with a certificate of authentication signed by a Battle of Britain Veteran.

By purchasing any of the items above you will be helping the Museum maintain its unique collection of aircraft, medals, films and documents – preserving a vital part of our nation’s heritage for future generations. So this Christmas why not give your personal high-flyer a gift that will make their spirits soar and at the same time be confident that you are preserving our nation’s aviation heritage?

www.rafmuseum.org

IWM Duxford Enjoys Soaring Summer Air Show Success

Imperial War Museum Duxford is delighted to announce that a record number of visitors – over 96,000 – attended the museum’s air shows in 2010. This compares favourably with total air show visitors of 76,444 in 2009.

In a superb year that commemorated not only the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain but also the 65th anniversary of B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B, visitors flocked to IWM Duxford to celebrate the iconic aircraft of the Second World War and to honour the bravery of the men that flew them.

Over 11,000 visitors saw IWM Duxford’s Battle of Britain commemorations get off to a flying start at the Spring Air Show on Sunday 16 May. Demonstrating the breadth and range of aircraft flown
by the Royal Air Force, the Spring Air Show presented aircraft from the RAF’s inception to the present day.

On a hot and sunny Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 July, Flying Legends welcomed over 27,000 visitors who experienced the glorious sight of more than 50 classic warbirds, from across the globe, performing a number of stunning displays.

The Battle of Britain Air Show on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 September was the highlight of a remarkable year of 70th anniversary commemorative events. 44,000 visitors attended to pay their respects to the ‘few’ and the aircraft they flew.

In an unforgettable flying display that included appearances by the Red Arrows and the Patrouille de France, the highlight was undoubtedly the rare sight of 16 Spitfires in formation over their spiritual home.

This recreation of the summer of 1940 at RAF Duxford, combined with a minute’s silence to honour those who gave their lives in combat, produced an awe-inspiring moment which will remain a talking point of the Duxford air show season for years to come.

IWM Duxford’s 2010 air show season concluded with the Autumn Air Show, which saw 12,668 visitors celebrate the 65th birthday of B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B. A celebratory programme of American aviation saw visitors enjoy the sight of a number of iconic US aircraft.

Richard Ashton, Director, Imperial War Museum Duxford, said, “I am delighted that this year’s air show season enticed so many visitors to IWM Duxford. I’m particularly proud of this year’s programme of events commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and I’m delighted that so many visitors joined with us in those commemorations. We now look forward to next year’s air show season and hope that visitors will return to enjoy another fantastic programme of events in 2011.”

While the air show season has now concluded for 2010, plans are already in place for the 2011 events programme.

Imperial War Museum Duxford is pleased to announce dates for the 2011
air show season:

* Spring Air Show – Sunday 22 May 2011
* Flying Legends – Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 July 2011
* The Duxford Air Show – Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 September 2011
* Autumn Air Show – Sunday 16 October 2011

Further information regarding themes and content for each air show
will be released in due course.

http://duxford.iwm.org.uk

IWM Duxford National Aviation Skills Initiative Honoured

The National Aviation Heritage Skills Initiative (NAHSI), based at Imperial War Museum Duxford, has been honoured with a prestigious National Training Award in recognition of its outstanding contribution and commitment to training, learning and development in the workplace. NAHSI was presented with a Regional National Training Award and a UK National Training Award at the East of England Regional Ceremony held at Chilford Hall on 7 October 2010.

NAHSI was recognised in the Providers of Learning and Training category for its programme of training for volunteers in the aviation heritage sector.

Representatives of NAHSI will now be invited to the national ceremony of the National Training Awards 2010, held in London on 1 December 2010, where the organisation will compete for the Winner of the Year Award in its category.

The National Heritage Skills Initiative, working for the British Aviation Preservation Council, aims to provide training which will help and encourage volunteers to learn new skills and in so doing enhance the
standards of conservation, preservation and restoration with the UK aviation heritage sector.

Run on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) by UK Skills, the National Training Awards inspire and encourage UK industry to invest in training and development as a route to achieving outstanding organisational and individual success. Winning an award is recognition of best practice and provides a benchmark for standards of excellence in training in the UK. City and Guilds is the premier sponsor of the National Training Awards 2010.

Brian Barker, Project Manager, National Aviation Heritage Skills Initiative, said “The team are delighted to have received a UK National Training Award. To have been independently judged, against some very daunting competition and come out top, is fantastic.”

Simon Bartley, Chief Executive of UK Skills, said “I would like to offer congratulations to all regional and UK winners for the National Training Awards 2010. Achieving an award is a fantastic achievement and one that all winners should be really proud of.

Now more than ever, it is essential for organisations to continue to invest in the development of their staff. The UK’s future, after all, can only be strengthened and sustained by people who have the skills needed to meet the demands of today’s globalised economy.”

http://duxford.iwm.org.uk

Bournemouth Air Festival 2010

Despite the challenging weather conditions, Bournemouth Air Festival was still a superb event still delivered an incredible event and the Festival proved to be a huge draw for the resort. 2010 successes include Air Festival TV, a bigger and better Night Air programme, Thursday evening dusk display, more ground trading, iphone app, new look brochure and dedicated social networking team. Footfall estimates are similar to year one figure of approx. 750,000 over 4-days.

Feedback from the Forces and participating display teams has been superb, including:

“The third Bournemouth Air Festival has again lived up to expectations despite some challenging weather conditions. We have been treated to some spectacular displays from, across the services with the Royal Marine’s amphibious beach assaults supported by the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, whilst in the air we have witnessed a range of outstanding air displays. This has been a fantastic event and an opportunity for the services to conduct essential training over the Festival, including the Royal Marines working throughout the night on an exercise.” – Commodore Jamie Miller, RN.

“It was out first time to Bournemouth, incredibly impressed with the event, the organisers and despite the weather, the crowds on the beach, we hope to be back next year!” – Tobias ‘Hitec’ Schutte, pilot F16.

“Once again Bournemouth Air Festival has proved to be a wonderful venue and attraction, despite the weather and reduced display programme. Crowds at the RAF Village were huge and we have engaged with Festival goers and guests. We’re looking forward to 2011” – Wing Commander Williams, RAF.

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

Visitors to view Wellington Restoration

The award winning Michael Beetham Conservation Centre (MBCC) at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford will be opening its doors to visitors in November for one special week. From Monday 15th to Saturday 20th November 2010 a range of aircraft and other artefacts in various states of restoration will be on display, including the Centre’s latest arrival, the Wellington Bomber. 

The Vickers Wellington was widely used as a night bomber in the early years of WWII. It is famous for its geodetic fuselage structure designed by Barnes Wallis. The fabric covering to this structure is in desperate need of replacement and following extensive conservation work on the structure, this will take place at the Museum’s Conservation Centre over the next four to five years.

Other conservation projects on view will include on-going refurbishments such as the Handley Page Hampden TB1, Farman F.141 and Range Safety Launch. This may also be the last opportunity to view the conservation efforts on the Mk1 Sopwith Dolphin which is progressing well. 

Manager of the Conservation Centre, Tim Wallis says:

“The Open Weeks have become a mutually beneficial event for aircraft enthusiasts and interested members of the public alike and we are always delighted at the interest shown. Most are surprised by our work when they enter the hangar and hopefully all are delighted by the experience. We look forward to the exchange of information and hope that many accept our invitation to this brief, but rare insight into the preservation of aviation heritage. We are also ready to show-off the new MBCC Training Centre to our supportive public”.

Opened in May 2002 by Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Michael Beetham, the MBCC is regarded as one of the world’s foremost centres of excellence in aircraft conservation and restoration. Its skilled technicians undertake careful, extensive work to prepare aircraft and other projects for display at both of the Museum’s sites in Cosford and London with the MBCC team responsible for the conservation and routine maintenance of some 300 aircraft. Earlier this year the Museum won ‘Small Employer of the Year Award 2010′ at The National Apprenticeship Awards 2010, which recognised the success of the forward thinking apprentice initiative and wider conservation training programme offered by the Museum’s Conservation Centre, which now successfully employs seven apprentices.

Admission to the Conservation Centre is FREE and from 10.15am to 1.00pm each day during Open Week. Cosford’s main Museum will open daily from 10am – 6pm (last admission 5pm). Admission is FREE of charge. For further information, please contact the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on 01902 376200 or visit www.rafmuseum.org