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Funding Announced to Safeguard the Ultimate ‘Airfix Model’ Instruction Manual

NMRN Barracuda — *Various parts curated for Barracuda Live Credit NMRN*

• The National Museum of the Royal Navy has been awarded Archives Revealed funding.
• The grant—worth nearly £50,000—will support the cataloguing of the Fairey Aviation Company Archive, helping to unlock the story of British naval aviation.
• This archive will play a vital role in Barracuda Live: The Big Rebuild—a decade-long project to reconstruct a complete Second World War Fairey Barracuda aircraft to original factory specifications.

The National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) announced on Monday 18th August, that it has been awarded nearly £50,000 from the Archives Revealed programme. The Cataloguing Grant supports organisations in improving access to important historical collections, enabling them to make detailed archival material more widely available to researchers and the public.

The funding will support the cataloguing of the Fairey Aviation Company Archive, a crucial resource underpinning Barracuda Live: The Big Rebuild—NMRN’s decade-long project to reconstruct a complete Fairey Barracuda aircraft to original Second World War factory specifications.

Founded in 1915 by Sir Charles Richard Fairey, Fairey Aviation produced several iconic aircraft, including the Barracuda and the Swordfish—both critical to the Royal Navy’s Second World War operations. Later innovations saw the company be the first to break the world air speed record with a speed faster than 1,000mph and design the now-iconic ‘droop snoot’ later used on Concorde.

Led by NMRN with support from the Ministry of Defence, Barracuda Live gathers surviving aircraft parts from crash sites across the British Isles. Each part undergoes a rigorous conservation process to verify authenticity, stabilise condition, and preserve its historical significance. This work is shared through an innovative ‘Live Conservation’ programme at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Somerset.

The grant will allow the team to unlock vital technical drawings, development notes, test reports, and design documents buried deep within the Fairey Aviation archive. Of value are original Barracuda schematics—effectively the aircraft’s instruction manual—which will directly guide the reconstruction effort.

*An example of the historically important documents in the collection Credit NMRN*

Louisa Blight, Head of Collections and Research at NMRN, says: “We are hugely grateful to the Archives Revealed programme for their generous support. For a long time, the Barracuda project has felt like building a life-sized Airfix model—but this funding gives us the instruction manual we’ve been missing. We’re also thankful to our colleagues at the Royal Air Force Museum, whose collaboration has helped us create a unified research collection that honours the pioneers of 20th-century naval aviation.”

Dr Harry?Raffal, Head of Collections and Research at the Royal Air Force Museum who has worked alongside the NMRN team to transfer the archive says: “We are delighted to have worked collaboratively with our fellow service museum to enable this transfer to take place. The successful funding application is such good news. The funds will help to unlock this significant aviation archive so that it can be shared with a wider audience and provide further, vital support for the Barracuda restoration project. Projects like Barracuda Live embody the kind of rigorous scholarship and passionate conservation that define both our museums. Together we’re ensuring that this extraordinary chapter of British naval aviation is not only rebuilt but re-understood and celebrated for generations to come.”

Archives Revealed is a partnership programme between The National Archives, the Pilgrim Trust, the Wolfson Foundation and The National Lottery Heritage Fund which helps unlock collections across the UK and build the skills needed to care for them into the future.

Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, says: “This programme is partnership working at its best. We are delighted to see 16 cataloguing grants awarded across the UK through this latest round of the Archives Revealed partnership programme. These awards open up rich and wide-ranging archival collections from different communities, expand access and deepen understanding of the stories they hold. Congratulations to all new grant holders.”

https://www.nmrn.org.uk

The ultimate day out for the whole family!

Prepare for an unforgettable experience at RIAT26, perfect for visitors of all ages. From the thrill of fast jets soaring overhead to the chance to explore cutting-edge aviation technology up close, there truly is something for everyone to enjoy.

Now is the ideal time to secure your place.

Prices are frozen at 2025 rates for Saturday and Sunday General Admission. Friday and Sunday tickets are currently available at Super Early Bird prices, with Saturday at Early Bird rates. Join us from 17–19 July 2026 for the world’s greatest airshow.

Book Tickets HERE

Watch next year’s arrivals in Park & View

Take in every moment of the excitement from our East and West enclosures, offering fantastic views of all arrivals and departures. Monday 20th July is now SOLD OUT, and tickets for Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th are selling fast – secure yours now to guarantee your spot.

Get your Park & View Tickets HERE

Heritage Open Days at Army Flying Museum

Every September, thousands of volunteers across England organise a wide range of events to celebrate the history and culture of the country, and the volunteer team from the Army Flying Museum at Middle Wallop in Hampshire is no exception.

The Museum is proud to have a number of knowledgeable and experienced volunteer tour guides who regularly take organised groups on tours of the Museum, charting the history of British Army aviation and regaling visitors with stories of intrigue, personal anecdotes and humour.

Established in 1994, Heritage Open Days takes place from the 12-21 September, and brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history. Stories are told, traditions explored, and histories brought to life.

To embrace this, the tour guides at the Army Flying Museum have organised two special tours which will run on the 15^th and 20^th September and are included with the normal Museum entry price and available for any visitor to book.

With their wealth of experience, visitors that have a particular interest in military history won’t fail to be astounded by the breadth of knowledge of the guides, all of which are retired military personnel or military historians. The tours will take visitors on a journey of reconnaissance, communication and combat, whilst highlighting the story of British Army aviation amongst the stunning exhibits and aircraft on display at the Hampshire Museum.

In addition, on 15^th September, tour guide Richard Folkes will introduce a recording of ‘Pegasus Bridge – In Their Own Words’. This very special recording contains precious footage of interviews with key participants of this historic era with the audience invited to participate in a Q&A session following the screening.

On 20^th September, visitors will also have the opportunity to watch a special film by military historian, Paul Beaver – ‘Spitfire Gifts of War’. The film reveals the story behind the Spitfire Fund and of the local people desperate to play their part in beating the Luftwaffe.

In England, Heritage Open Days has expanded and diversified from 701 events at its launch to over 5,000 today, providing countless opportunities for more people to come together and enjoy, often surprising, but always interesting, doorstep discoveries.

For more information and to book, visit www.armyflying.com

Have you entered the RIAT25 photography competition?

With RIAT25 slowly becoming a distant yet fantastic memory, we are already working hard to make RIAT26 another spectacular show, and tickets are already selling faster than this time last year.

General admission tickets are currently on offer, with a further discount for multi-day and weekend tickets. Now is the best time to buy tickets and join us at RAF Fairford from 17-19 July 2026.

Book Tickets HERE

Have you taken the photo that perfectly captures the unforgettable energy of RIAT 2025? Don’t miss your chance to enter our RIAT25 Photo Competition –and you could win an epic prize bundle!

Prize bundle includes:

Up to four general admission tickets to RIAT26
A meal on us at next year’s show
A bundle of exclusive RIAT merchandise

How to enter:

Upload your best RIAT25 photo to social media
Tag @airtattoo on Facebook, Instagram or X (links can be found at the bottom of this email)
use #RIATcompetition25
Enter by Sunday 10 August 2025

So share your favourite moments, and good luck! Click here for competition T&C’s.

Flying Proms Returns to Shuttleworth

Shuttleworth Flying Proms — photo by Daren Harbar

On Saturday 16 August, Shuttleworth’s hugely popular Flying Proms Air Show returns. The event, which has been running for over 20 years at the aerodrome near Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, will feature a full scale orchestra, some one of a kind aircraft and a firework finale.

This fantastically theatrical evening promises audiences all the pomp and circumstance of a Proms themed event. Visitors will have the chance to see the only surviving Avro Lancaster (flown by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight) displaying whilst the ‘Dambusters March’ is played live. But that’s just one of the incredible aircraft and musical pairings of the evening. The display is also set to include the Shuttleworth Collection’s Gloster Gladiator flying to the ‘Theme to Gladiator’, their genuine Supermarine Spitfire flying to the ‘Spitfire Prelude’ and two Edwardian aircraft flying to ‘Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying machines’ – well, it’s only fair seeing as they starred in the film. Later in the display, the Firebirds Display Team will take to the skies with their spectacular routine featuring pyrotechnics in flight.

Shuttleworth are delighted to welcome back the National Symphony Orchestra who will play a full two acts of music live on the night. Classic FM’s Composer in Residence, Debbie Wiseman OBE, will also be appearing to guest conduct her own two pieces, ‘Salute’ and ‘Charles III’. Then, as dusk turns to night, West End performers will take to the stage with some incredible live vocals during various numbers. Olivia Safe has appeared as Christine Daae in ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ and Joel Harper-Jackson has appeared in ‘Kinky Boots’ and ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’. The evening culminates in the traditional pomp and circumstance numbers and a firework finale.

Ahead of the airborne entertainment, guests can enjoy the chance to explore Shuttleworth’s six hangars of Collection aircraft and vehicles, the nine-acre Swiss Garden – complete with resident peacocks – and Shuttleworth House, former home of the Shuttleworth Collection’s founder, Richard Shuttleworth. The House is only open on select event days as it is now an award-winning events venue so this is a great opportunity to take a peek inside. For those wanting to get around in style, you can also catch a vintage bus ride across the site.

James Butt, Air Display Organiser at Shuttleworth, said, “Our Flying Proms Air Show is always a memorable one here at Shuttleworth and this year will be no exception. We’ve mixed up the music and come up with some exciting new formations that we hope will leave our audiences with yet another iconic Proms evening to look back on with fondness.”

The full line up of aircraft and music can be found on Shuttleworth’s website, where you’ll also be able to book your tickets. Tickets to Flying Proms start from £50, which children aged 4-15 at £25 and under 4s going free. There are also discounted group rates available for groups of 15 or more.

https://www.shuttleworth.org

RIAT25 merchandise on sale now!

Are you suffering from post-RIAT25 blues? Who can blame you? We had such a fantastic and awe-inspiring few days at RAF Fairford this year.

With fast jets and old favourites as well as celebrations for 40 years at RAF Fairford, it was one to remember.

If you didn’t manage to make it to any of the official RIAT merchandise stores at the show, why not have a browse and choose something to remember this year’s show. There’s lots of fantastic clothing and souvenirs to celebrate RIAT25 and its themes ‘Eyes in the Skies’, and ’40 Years at RAF Fairford’. To see the whole collection click below.

RIAT25 Merchandise Collection

Join us for RIAT26 when the world’s greatest airshow returns to RAF Fairford from 17th – 19th July. General admission prices for Saturday (Early Bird) and Sunday (Super Early Bird) are currently frozen at RIAT25 prices. Now is the best time to buy your tickets with a further discount offered for multi-day and weekend tickets.

Book Tickets HERE

Army Flying Museum partnership soars to new heights

A company which provides day to day work on defence related projects and military sites across Hampshire and Wiltshire has confirmed its commitment to the British Army aviation museum at Middle Wallop, by extending its corporate partnership for a further twelve months.

UK Power Networks Services, experts in managing electricity infrastructure, began its support of the Army Flying Museum with a successful volunteer day at the Museum in 2022, when fifty volunteers from the company gave the Museum a much-needed boost by undertaking a variety of gardening and maintenance work around the grounds. Teams from the company have since returned to the Museum to aid the team in maintaining the memorial garden for visitors to enjoy, restoring uneven flooring in the main exhibition hall and cleaning the much-loved memorial.

Lucy Johnson, CEO at the museum said: “We are so pleased that UK Power Networks Services are continuing as one of the corporate partners at the Army Flying Museum. The Museum represents a great opportunity to showcase the company’s work to our ever-expanding audience, and we very much look forward to welcoming their staff with their families into the Museum over the coming year. By pledging their support for the Museum for another year, UK Power Networks Services will directly support vital work at the Museum and ensure the charity can continue to develop its role in telling the history of British Army aviation”.

UK Power Networks Services build and maintain electrical infrastructure for high profile businesses and organisations, serving clients in defence, airports, ports, rail operators, public sector developments, utilities, manufacturers, and logistics firms.

The Army Flying Museum is the only Museum in the world that tells the extraordinary story of British Army aviation. As a corporate partner, UK Power Networks Services enjoy a range of fantastic benefits, allowing staff, clients and stakeholders to share a deep connection with the Museum and its community. The Museum offers brand acknowledgement, access and networking as well as discounted venue hire and staff benefits including free access for company team members and their families.

Rodney Booth, client delivery manager at UK Power Networks Services, said: “We are delighted to be continuing its corporate partnership with the Army Flying Museum. It is a privilege to be able to support such a unique local charity and the great work all their staff are engaged with. We look forward to another successful year in association with our friends and partners at the Army Flying Museum.’’

www.armyflying.com

RIAT26 on sale now!

Thank you for joining us at RIAT25 – it was another fantastic event with over 175,000 people visiting us here at RAF Fairford over the weekend.

Visitors enjoyed aircraft from all over the world, with 224 aircraft from 27 different nations touching down over the weekend including Egypt, who were participating in the show for the very first time! We’ll be sharing our top moments over the coming weeks.

RIAT returns in 2026 on 17th, 18th and 19th July. We have frozen 2025 prices for Saturday and Sunday General Admission! Friday and Sunday are also currently at super early bird prices, and Saturday at early bird, so now is the best time to get your tickets at the best price.

Want to experience an enclosure at the next show? Enclosures are currently up to 15% off on Friday and Sunday, and up to 10% off on Saturday. Tickets won’t stay at these prices for long, so book now!

Book Tickets HERE

Make your RIAT26 experience truly unforgettable and stay overnight with us too. With direct access to the showground through a private entrance, along with the comfort of free parking for one vehicle per booking, flushing toilets, proper shower facilities, and evening entertainment. Book your camping spot today. This is what memories are made of!

Find out more HERE

Wallop Wheels and Wings

Aerosuperbatics at Army Flying Museum — *Photo by Derek Reedman*

A spectacular festival of motoring and aviation not only brought a fabulous array of vehicles and aircraft from across the country roaring into the Army Flying Museum at Middle Wallop, Hampshire last Saturday (12 July), but also saw a magnificent air display programme which wowed yet another sell-out crowd.

The Army Flying Museum, and the adjacent Army Air Corps airfield, saw its highest number of aircraft, motorcycles, classic and super cars descend on an extremely hot day for the fifth Wallop, Wheels and Wings event, attracting over 5000 visitors. The event, which was sponsored by GKN Aerospace and Airbus, was undoubtedly the biggest and best it has hosted, and the air displays began in style with a stunning fly-past from the Red Arrows. The afternoon saw a number of displays including the RAF Falcons Parachute Team, Rolls-Royce Heritage Flight’s Spitfire PR.XIX along with a stunning display from the Aerosuperbatics Wing Walkers and culminated with a breathtaking finale from the Army Air Corps Display Team.

On the ground there were over 400 classic and super car clubs in attendance, spanning over one hundred years of motoring including the Morgan Club, Aston Martin Owners’ Club, the MX5 Owners Club and the Austin Healey Club, along with a wide range of superbikes and vintage motorcycles, with a very special display by Andover Norton International.

Visitors were able to view the new Boeing AH-64E Apache AH1 which was especially brought out of the hangar for visitors to see, along with the Army Air Corps recruiting team’s Gazelle helicopter. TV personality Henry Cole also made a very special appearance, bringing along his partially restored Bell Sioux Helicopter for crowds to see.

The event showcased a number of interactive STEM activities in its Discovery Den, with hands on activities from GKN Aerospace, Airbus, Boeing and Leonardos with lots to keep young minds buzzing, including GKN’s very own robot.

A shopping village showcased many local traders and visitors were treated to lots of great delights from local businesses including Saxnot Meadery, New Forest Shortbread, Hornet Chilli and many more.

Lucy Johnson, Army Flying Museum CEO, said: We are so thrilled to have welcomed over 5000 people to our biggest and best-ever Wallop Wheels & Wings – what a finale we gave the crowds this year, huge thanks to the Army Air Corps Display Team. This is the key event in the Museum’s fundraising calendar, and it is so important in helping to raise the profile of the Museum and the work that we do. It was fantastic to see so many happy, smiling faces despite the heat, and to see a record-breaking number of cars, bikes and aircraft join us on the day. Increasing our air display programme was a particular highlight and it was great to see the delight on our visitors faces as they watched the spectacular displays taking place. Roll on 2026!”

Wallop Wheels and Wings 2026 is set to take place on Saturday 11 July, more info at www.armyflying.com

RIAT25 is almost here!

We are back for our final aircraft announcement as we put the finishing touches to this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo.

With less than a week to go until aircraft from all over the world touch down at RAF Fairford, we still have exciting new additions to this year’s line-up.

Starting with the Pakistan Air Force, they will be bringing their JF-17 Thunder to RIAT for the first time! There will be a pair of them on static display alongside a C-130E Hercules, supported by their IL-78 tanker. These rare Pakistani aircraft will be a highlight for many aviation enthusiasts.

Staying with the flying display, we are delighted to confirm a number of unique flypasts courtesy of both the Royal Air Force and United States Air Force, with a number of aircraft participating across the weekend, such as B-1B Lancer, F-35B Lightning II, RC-135W Rivet Joint, P-8A Poseidon and C-17 Globemaster. Check the listings on the website, or our new app, to see which aircraft will be appearing on each day.

Last but not least, we have some more additions to the static aircraft in the shape of an F-15E Strike Eagle and Airbus A400M, plus aircraft from Airtask as part of our ‘Eyes in the Skies’ theme with their Cessna F406 Vigilant.

Bring on RIAT25!

View Confirmed Aircraft

We can guarantee that we’ll be taking calls next week from people who are desperate for tickets to the this summer’s RIAT extravaganza. Buy your tickets today or you’ll be disappointed.

Friday general admission is sold out. Only way in now for Friday is with an enclosure upgrade package.

Saturday general admission is sold out. Only way in now for Saturday is with an Altitude enclosure upgrade package.

Sunday is almost sold out. You will need to buy your tickets NOW to assure your place at the world’s greatest airshow.

If you want to make your day extra special and enjoy the flying display in a relaxed and sophisticated environment, then the First Class Lounge is the perfect spot. But you’ll have to be super quick as there are now less than ten tickets left for Sunday. Whichever option you choose, just make sure you act today!

Book Tickets HERE