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Cold War Classic Jet at Wings & Wheels

Mig-15

For the first time since the late 1990s the MiG-15, a Cold War classic jet fighter belonging to the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron, will be displaying in the UK and will be thrilling visitors to Dunsfold Wings & Wheels on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th August.

The Mikoyan-Gurevich, MiG-15, was one of the first successful swept-wing jet fighters, and achieved fame in the skies over Korea, where, early in the war, it outclassed all straight-winged enemy fighters in most applications.

The MiG-15 is believed to have been one of the most widely produced jet aircraft ever made. In excess of 12,000 were manufactured and licensed foreign production may have raised the production total to over 18,000. Some among them were Polish-built variants of which the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron’s example is one. The MiG-15 is often mentioned, along with the North American F-86 Sabre, as the best fighter aircraft of the Korean War, and among the best fighter aircraft of all time. The MiG-15 remains in service with the North Korean Air Force as an advanced trainer.

The MiG-15 which will be displaying at Wings & Wheels wears the markings of the aircraft flown by famed Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin before he became the first man to visit outer space in 1961.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director comments: “The sight of the MiG in the UK skies is a rare one so we are thrilled to be able to bring this display to our visitors at Wing & Wheels. We have a host of fast jets at the Show and equally fast supercars on the ground. 2015 is definitely shaping up to be our most spectacular show yet.”

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the world famous Red Arrows, RAF Eurofighter Typhoon, RAF Eurofighter Typhoon & Spitfire (Synchro Pair), Vulcan, Chinook, The Blades 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, and over in our Wheels Zone you can expect an array of interactive and static displays.

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.

The 11th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th August 2015, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 21:00.

Advanced rate tickets from £22 for adults or £50 for a family. Single child tickets (for children aged 5 – 15) will be £7. Children under 5 go 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 2015 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Spitfire soars into action at Wings & Wheels for worthy cause

Spitfire Ale

Wings & Wheels has more cause for celebration this week as the air and motoring Show renewed its partnership with Spitfire Premium Kentish Ale. For its eleventh consecutive year, Spitfire ale will be at the 2015 Show supporting the team through ale supplies and sponsorship of key air displays and facilities for veterans.

That’s not all though, Spitfire is also offering visitors the chance to win a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience: flying an historic Spitfire aeroplane.

The exclusive prize is up for grabs as part of a year-long campaign by Spitfire to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, Limited edition bottles of Spitfire Ale featuring the heart roundel of the RAF Benevolent Fund on their crown instead of the traditional RAF roundel, will have promotional bottle collars inviting drinkers to enter the special anniversary competition.

The Aerolegends Spitfire that the winner will fly will be at Wings & Wheels where visitors will get the chance to check out the plane and enter the competition.

The winner will join a pilot for a tandem flight in the iconic British fighter aircraft, with an opportunity to actually take the controls. And their memorable day will also include flying two other historic Second World War planes – a Tiger Moth and a Harvard.

Consumers simply have to enter their details at www.spitfireale.co.uk/win to be included in the competition, which runs from July 1 to September 30.

The back label of every bottle will also encourage drinkers to donate £3 to the RAF Benevolent Fund by texting the word SPITFIRE to 70660.

Spitfire is also producing limited edition RAF Benevolent Fund Spitfire t-shirts priced £10, which will be available at selected airshows and events throughout the year, and online at www.shepherdneame.co.uk/shop. There will also be 75th anniversary wristbands, priced £2, available from selected Shepherd Neame pubs in London and the South East.

Spitfire Ale brand manager William Upfield said: “The chance to fly a Spitfire is an experience that money can’t buy, and we are delighted to be able to offer such a special prize to our customers. Spitfire Ale is a proud partner of the RAF Benevolent Fund, and an official partner of the RAF, and we hope that as many people as possible will support us in our year of fundraising to mark this significant anniversary and support those helped by the charity.”

Jamie McAllister, Wings & Wheels Event Director comments: “As the airshow has evolved and continues to grow in strength and reputation, Spitfire has been with us every step of the way. We’re delighted they are joining us again and offering our visitors the chance to win such a fantastic prize.”

www.wingsandwheels.net

Explosive Hawk demo will set Wings & Wheels on fire!

Hawk Role Demo

We have not one but two Hawk T2s in the line-up at Wings & Wheels on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th August. And, as if two Hawks weren’t enough, the team will delight crowds with an explosive demonstration of fire power.

One of only a handful of shows to have the Hawks’ full display, pilots Flight Lieutenant Ben Polwin and Flight Lieutenant Toby Keeley will be flying Ninja 1 and Ninja 2 respectively.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director, comments: “With the Hawk’s historical links to the aerodrome, it’s always a pleasure to see the team back in the skies over Dunsfold. The display they are planning is not only loud and visually impressive, but the skill with which the pilots handle their jets will ensure it’s a display our visitors won’t want to miss!”

The role demonstration aims to present the dynamic capability of the Hawk T2 and provide an insight into UK Military Flying Training System, giving the public and future generations of pilots an idea of what to expect during RAF fast jet flying training.

The display will showcase a variety of manoeuvres, from close formation to simulated attacks and basic air combat; exactly the type of flying students practice to set them up for their future careers in the Typhoon, Tornado GR4 and eventually F-35.

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the world famous Red Arrows, RAF Eurofighter Typhoon, RAF Eurofighter Typhoon & Spitfire (Synchro Pair), Vulcan, Chinook, The Blades 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, and over in our Wheels Zone you can expect an array of interactive and static displays.

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.

The 11th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th August 2015, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 21:00.

Advanced rate tickets from £22 for adults or £50 for a family. Single child tickets (for children aged 5 – 15) will be £7. Children under 5 go free. 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 2015 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Eastbourne Gears Up for Final Vulcan Display

Eastbourne gears up for its final Vulcan display next week as the world’s only flying Vulcan bomber makes its last trip to Airbourne, the town’s four day free seafront airshow from Thursday 13 – Sunday 16 August.

Thousands will bid a fond farewell to the cold war jet at 2.32pm on Saturday 15 August which retires at the end of the season, before welcoming the world’s only flying Bristol Blenheim, in its first ever free display.

Along with Eastbourne’s first ever Norwegian MiG-15 jet fighter display, the Belgian NH90 helicopter, Typhoon, Chinook and the RAF Red Arrows, Airbourne crowds will be in for a treat.

Eastbourne Borough Council Lead Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Enterprise, Cllr Margaret Bannister said “This is an astounding year for historic jets and international teams. The Vulcan is adored by many and Airbourne is one of just a handful of opportunities left to ever see this aircraft in the sky.”

The Blenheim joins an impressive historic line up which also features a Norwegian Vampire duo, Kittyhawk, Jet Provost, Bulldog, Spitfire, Mustang and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Local Heroes to Close Day One

Local men Flt Lt Ben Polwin and Flt Lt Toby Keeley, will be returning to home ground after their Hawk duo display on Thursday, as both pilots hail from Sussex. Former Park College student Toby, began his flying career at Hailsham Air Training Corps and has since flown the Tucano, Hawk and Tornado GR4.

Known under the call signs of Ninja 1 and Ninja 2, Ben and Toby will close the show on Thursday with their brand new Hawk duo display and will be meeting fans on the ground during the show.

The Blades Celebrate 10 Years

Celebrating 10 years in the sky, former Red Arrows pilots The Blades, return with a very special display and a chance to win a flight with the team in the Airbourne £1 lottery, with all proceeds supporting the future of Airbourne.

French team Patrouille Reva also bring a highly technical display in their purpose built aerobatic aircraft, along with a packed line-up featuring the Tutor, Royal Navy Sea King, Rv8tors, Breitling Wingwalkers and The Tigers parachute team.

Super Saturday

The Airbourne Live stage on the beach returns thanks to TJ’s Nightclub with live music from 11am to 7.30pm each day, including talent show stars De’Vide of BBC1’s The Voice UK on Friday. The party continues on Super Saturday, a 12-hour extravaganza of flying and entertainment, in a Heart hosted evening presented by Tom, Nicola and Jack from Heart Breakfast. Entry is free, however numbers are limited, so music fans are advised to arrive early.

Featuring dazzling twilight pyro-aerobatics from brand new flying duo AeroSPARX, chart topping band Scouting for Girls headline on stage at 9.15pm, before explosive Saturday night fireworks close the day’s events at 10pm, sponsored by Ansvar Insurance and Frontier Fireworks.

On the Ground

The four day show also features plenty of fun on the ground, including an RAF, Navy and Army exhibition on the Western Lawns with Harrier, Chinook and Gazelle cockpits to climb aboard, children’s entertainment areas and Transformers star car Autobot Bumblebee makes an appearance (Sat & Sun only).

Helicopter pleasure flights offer spectacular views from Beachy Head and at the Bandstand, evening concerts include Big Band Night on Thursday and the legendary pop-punk princess Toyah, on Friday. BBC South East Today also broadcast live from the show from 6.30pm on Friday, as their Festival Friday tour hits town.

Give a Quid

Entry is free, with flying displays part funded by public donations each year, including generous support from Sussex residents David Dickens, Brian Bunce and Jayne Howard. This year collections will be organised by the Rotary Clubs of Sovereign Harbour and Hailsham, with 30% of the proceeds passed onto local charities Kent, Sussex & Surrey Air Ambulance, Riding for the Disabled and Friends of Eastbourne Hospital.

More ways to support Airbourne include donating online, buying an Airbourne Lottery ticket or buying a Souvenir Programme featuring daily updated flying times and money off vouchers for just £4, available from the Tourist Information Centre, Seafront Office, selected newsagents and from programme sellers around town.

Watch, Listen & Tweet

Airbourne is open from 10am each day, with Red Arrows displays at 4pm on Friday, and 4.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.

The Bandstand offers exclusive seating in the centre of the display line at £12 per adult, and Park and View areas at Beachy Head cost £5 per day for a birds-eye view of the displays.

Fans can post their airshow selfie to the Tweetwall giant screen on the beach using #eastbourneselfie, tune into Radio Airbourne 87.7FM, supported by Specsavers, for live commentary and updates, or watch online for live coverage by Planes TV at VisitEastbourne.com/AirbourneTV.

Parking

Parking is available at Five Acre Field in Lottbridge Drove costing £4 per car with a bus service running to and from the pier. Additional parking is also available to the west of town at St Andrew’s School field, with a bus to Airbourne (Sat & Sun only), and donations to Eastbourne Sovereign Rotary Club. Or beat the traffic and come by bike, using the free cycle park in Howard Square.

For more information visit www.eastbourneairshow.com or telephone 01323 415415.

IWMs newly-painted North American B-25J Mitchell aircraft is revealed

Mitchell IWM Duxford

Today (Thursday 6 August) IWM’s newly-repainted North American B-25J Mitchell was revealed in its new paint scheme for the first time.

The aircraft now represents North American B-25J Mitchell 43-4064, which served with the 488th Bomb Squadron of the 340th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force, United States Army Air Forces, in the latter stages of the Second World War.

The 340th Bomb Group was the inspiration for the Bomb Group represented in American author Joseph Heller’s satirical novel Catch 22. Heller served as a bombardier in the 488th Bomb Squadron. Crews were not allocated a specific aircraft in the 340th Bomb Group and personnel were interchanged between crews and aircraft. As a result, Joseph Heller flew in almost all of the aircraft operated by the 340th Bomb Group.

Missions carried out by Heller and his fellow crew members in B-25J Mitchell 43-4064 formed the inspiration for some of the events in Heller’s classic novel Catch 22.

North American B-25J Mitchell 43-4064 can be seen at IWM Duxford in the Conservation in Action hangar and will be displayed in the newly-transformed American Air Museum, at IWM Duxford, when it reopens in spring 2016.

Chris Knapp, Section Head, Industrial and Large Object Conservation, IWM Duxford, said: “The Conservation Team carried out a structural survey and then a team of three Conservation staff repainted the aircraft within a six week period. I’m really pleased with the work they have done. The only element of the repainting that we didn’t undertake in-house was the nose art as we don’t have a sign writer on our staff. We have carried out painstaking research to ensure that the aircraft matches the original 43-4064. All lines and colour changes are taken from original photographs of the aircraft during the Second World War.”

www.iwm.org.uk

Take a Seat in Our Spitfire

RAF Museum Spitfire

Dreams come true at the RAF Museum this August as we unveil our new sit-in ‘Spitfire Experience’.

For the first time ever, visitors can now climb inside our Mk XVI Spitfire, take the pilot’s seat, learn about the Aircraft and feel the thrill of sitting in one of the most iconic cockpits

Tickets: £4 per person (BoB 75th offer limited to end of September)

Location: Historic Hangars, RAF Museum London

September is the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain and to mark this occasion, we are offering a special price of £4 per person to access to Spitfire MK16 Cockpit.

All tickets for the Spitfire Experience contribute towards the ‘Historic Hendon Appeal’.

The RAF Museum receives funding from the MoD that allows the Museum to open its doors to visitors. In order to conserve our collection and improve the Museum we rely on the museum’s supporters – the Museum needs your help. 2018 will mark the 100th anniversary of the RAF and we are looking to transform the Museum through 4 new exhibitions, new learning programmes and better facilities for visitors.

We have already completed part of this project through the new First World War in the Air exhibition and have raised over £12milion towards future works (out of £23milion).

All donations made through the ‘Spitfire Experience’ will support the ‘Historic Hendon’ phase of the project which will tell the story of the museum’s former life as an airfield, it was on the airfield where the museum now stands that Spitfires departed for the Battle of Britain and Winston Churchill first learnt to fly. Donations will also help to ensure that the museum is enjoyed by the local community for generations to come.

www.rafmuseum.org

Monospar Update August 2015

Newark Monospar project

Work is now progressing well on applying fabric to the wing of the Monospar at Newark Air Museum.

This work is now taking place alongside the aircraft in Hangar 1 at the museum, where it is attracting a lot of attention and interest from those people visiting the museum from around the world. Two new recruits have been added to the restoration team, who are both now learning the ‘art’ of fabric application and rib-stitching.

The complex wing folding arrangements can be seen on the re-covered wings that have also recently been refitted to the fuselage.

The General Aircraft Monospar at Newark Air Museum is the only Monospar preserved in the United Kingdom. The aircraft type was designed by H. J. Stieger and VH-UTH was built at Croydon, Surrey in 1935. For over 20 years the aircraft operated as VH-UTH in Australia with both New England Airways (later Airlines of Australia) and Butler Air Transport. On 11th July 1936 whilst carrying the former Australian Prime Minister Billy Hughes the aircraft crash landed, fortunately the occupants and the aircraft survived.

On 22nd August 1961 VH-UTH piloted by Dr J Morris and B J Harrison took-off from Darwin, Australia on a 12,000 mile journey through 22 countries to Lympne airfield, England. The aircraft and crew survived monsoon, war, revolt and prison, the story of the flight was the subject of a book Two Men in a Flying Machine, written by Dr Morris.

After flying on to Biggin Hill, VH-UTH later spent a number of years at Panshangar, Herts. The aircraft was then bought by the Tiger Club and it was moved to Croydon. By 1967 VH-UTH was in open storage at Booker, and it was falling into bad repair. The aircraft was first moved to Newark and later in 1972 to the museum’s Winthorpe Airfield site.

A sad epitaph to the Monospar’s history was the death of pilot and author Dr J. Morris in a flying accident in the spring of 1981.

The restoration programme for VH-UTH commenced during the summer 1995, when its wings were taken to Innsworth, allowing work to be undertaken by members of the Cotswold Aircraft Restoration Group.

Since its return to Newark the restoration work has progressed steadily, with the work being undertaken without any working drawings or airframe plans. Work will soon commence on the ‘top hat’ longerons on the Monospar fuselage. Once this has been undertaken the fuselage fabric will also be applied.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Last Flying Bristol Blenheim to Make Free Airshow Debut at Eastbourne Airbourne

The only flying Bristol Blenheim bomber in the world is set to make its free air show debut this August, when it displays for the seafront crowds at Airbourne: Eastbourne International Air Show.The recently restored WW2 bomber, which flew its first public display in May, is yet to display for fans at a free airshow. It will join the Belgian NH90 helicopter and the Norwegian MiG-15 jet, all new attractions to Airbourne, in a truly international line-up.

The free four day airshow which returns from 13 – 16 August, has added the new attractions to its packed flying programme which already includes the final display season of the Vulcan bomber, plus the Typhoon, Chinook and RAF Red Arrows display teams.

The Blenheim’s first display will be on Super Saturday on 15 August, a 12 hour extravaganza of flying, ground displays and twilight pyro-aerobatics, plus live music on the beach from chart-toppers Scouting for Girls and Saturday night fireworks at 10pm.

Eastbourne Borough Council Lead Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Enterprise, Cllr Margaret Bannister said “The Blenheim will be an awesome addition to Airbourne and a wonderful tribute to those who flew during World War Two. Along with our first ever MiG and the NH90, it’s fantastic to see Airbourne attracting teams from Norway, France and Belgium, bringing a spectacular international programme to the show.”

The only flying Blenheim in the world, it took 12 years and 28,000 man hours to rebuild, and played a major part in WW2, scoring the first combat victory of any aircraft using its own radar. Its joins an impressive historic line up which also features a Norwegian Vampire duo, Kittyhawk, Jet Provost, Bulldog, Spitfire, Mustang and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, with a four-ship formation from the Lancaster, Spitfire, Hurricane and Dakota.

A new star attraction for the show, the MiG-15, was originally developed by the Soviet Union, and became one of the first successful swept-wing jet fighters, playing a major part in the Korean War.

It joins the brand new Hawk T2 duo display, The Rv8tors, Breitling Wingwalkers, Royal Navy Sea King, Tutor, The Tigers Parachute Display team and French team Patrouille Reva.

The Blades return in their 10th anniversary year to display for the crowds, along with a special prize of an aerobatic flight and hospitality for two at their home base at Sywell Aerodrome. The prize is available to win in the Airbourne lottery, with tickets costing £1. Tickets are available now at the Tourist Information Centre, Seafront Office and at the show.

The four day show also features plenty of fun on the ground, including a military exhibition, children’s entertainment areas, helicopter pleasure flights and evening concerts at the Bandstand, including Big Band Night on Thursday and the legendary pop-punk princess Toyah, on Friday.

The Airbourne Live stage on the beach, sponsored by TJ’s nightclub, will feature music throughout each day and into the early evening, with a wide variety of acts to be announced over the coming weeks.

Airbourne: Eastbourne International Air Show returns from 13 – 16 August 2015 and entry is free.

For more information or to book online visit www.eastbourneairshow.com, or email events@eastbourne.gov.uk, or telephone 01323 415442.

Telling the story of the Battle of Britain

Battle of Britain Airshow Duxford

The Battle of Britain Anniversary Air Show at IWM Duxford on

Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September

Advance Tickets Only.

Book before Monday 3 August to receive 50% off child tickets and 10% off adult tickets

This September, IWM Duxford’s The Battle of Britain Anniversary Air Show will tell the story of this vital aerial battle in its 75th anniversary year.

The Battle of Britain Anniversary Air Show will be an immersive and poignant experience for everyone. Epic flying displays, including a massed flypast of twenty Spitfires, will be combined with wartime music and the voices of men and women who served. Living history groups will recreate the daily life of RAF Duxford as a Battle of Britain Fighter Station in 1940.

The flying display explores the development of the Battle of Britain and its significant role in the Allied victory of the Second World War. The Coming of the Second World War demonstrates how RAF Duxford prepared for active service, the arrival of the Supermarine Spitfire, and the importance of the radar stations that formed an integral part of the Air Defence of Great Britain.

This flying display shows the aircraft that were flown by the RAF at the outbreak of the Second World War, including the Hawker Nimrod Mark I, Hawker Nimrod II, Gloster Gladiator, Hawk 75, de Havilland Tiger Moth and Boeing Stearman. The development of radar defences are represented in a flying display by an autogyro, de Havilland Hornet Moth and a Kirby Kite.

The Outbreak of the Second World War looks at the events that followed Britain’s declaration of war on Germany, when Britain stood alone against the German forces. We mark this with a display by the Bristol Blenheim, accompanied by two Hawker Hurricanes and a Hawker Sea Hurricane.

The beginning of the Battle of Britain is commemorated by a Spitfire scramble. Hispano HA-112 MIL (Buchon) aircraft fly in and as the scramble bells sounds, living history interpreters representing RAF fighter pilots race to the airfield and Supermarine Spitfires chase off the enemy aircraft.

Visitors will hear the audio memories of Battle of Britain pilots, recalling waiting to scramble and the exhilaration of the dogfight.

As the Battle of Britain developed, so did the tactics of the pilots of RAF Fighter Command.

A flying display of North American Harvard and Yale aircraft demonstrate the varying formations and tactics employed by the RAF as the Battle of Britain continued.

The Duxford Big Wing came into operation for the first time in a patrol over North Weald. This key moment in Duxford’s history is honoured with a massed flypast of twenty Spitfires taking off from this historic Second World War airfield.

The sacrifice made by Battle of Britain pilots and the feat of winning the Battle is commemorated with contemporary displays including the Red Arrows (Sunday only) and the Aerostars (Saturday only).

www.iwm.org.uk

Cosford Museum Apprentice jets off for stateside scholarship

Cosford Scholar

An Apprentice at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford has been awarded a scholarship with the Flying Scholarship for Disabled People (FSDP).

The 2015 scholars were officially announced at a special ceremony held at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) earlier this month. The successful applicants were presented with their scholarship certificates by FSDP patron HRH Prince Faisal of Jordon and Honorary Air Commodore Sir Stephen Dalton. Each scholar also received a Pooleys Private Pilot Licence starter kit containing all the essentials needed for their new venture, presented to them by Sebastian Pooley, Managing Director at Pooleys Flight Equipment Ltd.

Museum Apprentice Bethany Colburn, aged 21 from Albrighton, was selected from a panel of judges as their top scholar and will have the life changing opportunity of spending five weeks at the American Aviation Academy in San Diego, California. Bethany will be jetting off in September and will enjoy thirty five flying hours and associated ground schools whilst in America and will be partnered with a fellow FSDP scholar.

Bethany, who was born with mild cerebral palsy which affects her mobility, went through a tough recruitment process to win her spot in this year’s selection. Following an initial application, each applicant was assessed by a team of experienced adjudicators consisting of FSDP Trustees and supporters at a pre selection board meeting. The top twenty four candidates then went forward to the selection stage at RAF Cranwell in a four day process, which included; meeting with Trustees and former FSDP scholars, now acting as mentors, before being interviewed and undergoing a medical assessment to ensure they are fit enough to fly.

Flying Scholarships for Disabled People (FSDP), is a charity that provides a ‘once in a lifetime’ challenge for disabled people to help them realise their abilities through the medium of learning to fly. By the end of the training programme, some scholars are flying solo and many go on to achieve their Private Pilot’s Licence. Students who impress their Chief Flying Instructor during a general handling flying test and who reach an acceptable standard of competence, compatible with the nature of their disability, are awarded the FSDP Wings.

The FSDP is in memory of Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader KBE DSO and Bar DFC and Bar DL who, after losing both his legs in a flying accident, went on to achieve fame in World War Two as a fighter pilot. Following his death in 1982, organisers of the Royal International Air Tattoo introduced Flying Scholarships for Disabled People to continue Bader’s indomitable spirit. Since then, nearly 400 disabled people have been awarded scholarships.

RAF Museum Apprentice, Bethany Colburn said:

“Despite having cerebral palsy, while in California my aim is to fly solo using the rudder pedals! I want to make my sponsors proud and show everyone, able bodied and disabled alike; that despite having limitations anyone can adapt and overcome given the right opportunities and belief. Thanks to FSDP having that belief in me, I am now on the most incredible life changing journey; that I hope will lead to more opportunities to progress my career in engineering and aviation. The scholarship has given me the boost, to continue the battle against perceptions and not give up the fight. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the team at the RAF Museum. The Apprentice Scheme has been a wonderful learning experience which has provided me with an excellent foundation for the future.”

RAF Museum CEO Maggie Appleton said:

“The RAF Museum’s apprentice scheme was introduced over ten years ago with a vision of preserving heritage aviation skills. Since then, the scheme and its participants have gone from strength to strength; winning awards and accolades and our conservation centre is now listed as one of the country’s Top 100 Apprentice Employers in the UK. We are extremely proud of Bethany for gaining her flying scholarship and happy to have contributed to her success story.”

Now at the end of her four year Advanced Level Apprenticeship in Engineering Manufacture and having achieved her Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Fabrication – Sheet Metalworking; Bethany hopes that the skills and experience she has gained at the RAF Museum, combined with the flying scholarship are the perfect platforms into a long and successful career in aviation engineering.

For more information about the RAF Museum Cosford, visit www.rafmuseum.org/cosford or call 01902 376200.