The trustees of Newark Air Museum has been notified that the Blackburn Buccaneer S2B cockpit from XX899, which has been on loan at the museum since autumn 2018 will soon be leaving for a new home Oxfordshire. This will be in an undercover location that is close to where the cockpit owner lives.
XX899 arrived at our Gateway Aviation Site in October 2018, when it moved from its previous display location at the Midland Air Museum.
It is anticipated that the impending departure of XX899 will take place before the end of June, 2026.
The accompanying picture shows XX899 arriving at the museum in late October 2018.
Make a date in your diaries as Saturday 11 July is set to be a very special day at the Army Flying Museum at Middle Wallop, as not one, but five Spitfires will make an appearance at the Museum’s annual fundraising event Wallop Wheels and Wings, the most Spitfires to be seen at the historic airfield in over 25 years and marking the important role Spitfires based at Middle Wallop played in the Second World War.
Not only will visitors have the opportunity to see a fly-past from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire but will also see a stunning display from the Rolls-Royce Heritage Flight Spitfire PR Mk.XIX. In addition, not one but two Spitfires will fly into the event, one of which is the Spitfire Mk.912, without doubt one of the most historic Spitfires still flying today. If that wasn’t enough, visitors will have the chance to get up close to Spitfire Mk.IX LZ842 in the main body of the showground, the engineering project of Mark Bennett for over 15 years.
With 2026 marking the 90th anniversary of the first Spitfire flight, this is a fitting tribute at this very popular annual event which is the major fundraiser for the Museum. The event is even more crucial to the future of the Museum this year, following an unexpected three-week closure in February due to a power outage.
The Wheels element of the event is very strong again this year as car enthusiasts will have the opportunity to view over 400 classic and supercars. Motorcycle enthusiasts will also not be disappointed, with over 100 bikes on display, along with a very special display from sponsors Andover Norton International. The Museum is also thrilled to be welcoming vintage vehicles from the AA Heritage Fleet this year, with a very special display.
The event is a great day out for the whole family with so much to see and do. Activities for children are in abundance with laser tag, circus skills, craft activities, little racers and a pit stop challenge all included in the ticket price. The Discovery Den at the event is also a great hub for young minds interested in all things Science, Technology and Engineering.
With Living History groups, a Speaker’s Tent, Shopping Village and of course and number of air displays, it is the perfect event to keep the whole family entertained throughout the day.
Chief Executive of the Museum Lucy Johnson said: “Wallop Wheels and Wings is the Army Flying Museum’s main fundraising event and a chance to showcase some of the best vintage aircraft, cars and motorbikes on the beautiful site of Middle Wallop airfield. We are so excited to be celebrating the 90th anniversary of the first Spitfire flight as part of the event and cannot thank the pilots enough for their contribution. It will be a joy to see these iconic and much loved aircraft landing at Middle Wallop once again.”
All tickets purchased in advance of the event come with a free annual pass for the Museum valid from 12 July and with all school holiday activities included in the annual pass, this gives great value for money for local families to enjoy and support this great local Museum. Ticket prices increase from Thursday 9th July, so be sure to book nice and early to get great discounts on tickets.
On Friday 5th June, 2026 the trustees of the Newark Air Museum (NAM) completed the acquisition of their formerly leased site, from the Newark & Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society (NNAS). This transaction was completed after discussions spanning several years, which resulted in a land swap / purchase agreement being reached between the two organisations earlier this year.
This landmark agreement came as the museum approached the final phase of its lease arrangement with the NNAS for the museum’s Northfield Site, which was originally granted back in the late 1970s. The museum trustees are pleased to have finalised the purchase, which helps to protect the long-term future of its collection of nearly one hundred aircraft and cockpit sections.
The site acquisition represents a major step forward for NAM; it has also helped to secure the air museum’s buildings; plus, its wider aviation collection of artefacts and objects. This transaction will allow future generations of visitors and aviation enthusiasts alike to share these rare and in some cases unique items. The air museum now owns just under 13 acres of land in north eastern Nottinghamshire.
A new phase in the air museum’s development starts now, as it looks to fully develop all of its land. This work will involve developing new access schemes, new car parking areas and further aircraft display areas. All of this work will be undertaken in consultation with the relevant authorities and external funding partners. In the coming weeks and months, the museum will be formally launching ‘Project 2039’, which will include formal submissions to Newark & Sherwood District Council and other local providers.
“This land swap / purchase agreement has involved a long running dialogue between the air museum and the Newark & Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society.” Commented NAM Secretary and museum trustee, Howard Heeley; he continued.
“We would like to place on record our thanks to museum President, Mich Stevenson OBE, who has been a vital conduit during these negotiations. We would also like to thank Simon Eccleston, CEO of the NNAS, and also the trustees of the NNAS for their support whilst working with us throughout this process.”
“The museum trustees would also like to record their heartfelt gratitude to two former museum members, who are sadly no longer with us. Firstly, to a former RAF Winthorpe National Service veteran, John Dove. It was a substantial legacy from his Estate that helped make this a viable project for us to even contemplate. Secondly, to former museum trustee and Vice-President, Mick Clarke. His vision, wise counsel and countless sets of plans made us realise what just might be possible.”
He concluded, “We now look forward to continuing with a mutually beneficial relationship with our now neighbours, the Newark & Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society for many years to come!”
The RAF Museum Midlands will showcase three NEW aircraft acquisitions at the RAF Cosford Air Show on Sunday 14 June. The British Aerospace Hawk T1A, General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper and Westland Puma HC1 will go on static display in the Museum’s enclosure on the airfield, alongside the iconic Chinook ‘Bravo November’, to complete an incredible line-up of RAF aircraft.
Visitors attending this year’s Air Show will be the first to see the Museum’s new Hawk, Reaper and Puma. Following their appearance at the Air Show all three aircraft will be stored before going on permanent display in the Museum’s forthcoming exhibition ‘The RAF: 1980 to Today’. This new exhibition is part of a sitewide transformation, made possible with the support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The new acquisitions were recently transported by the Joint Aircraft Recovery and Transportation Squadron (JARTS) by road to RAF Cosford, where they are currently being reassembled, ready for their first public appearance. Thanks go to the RAF Museum’s Technicians, Babcock (RAF Shawbury and RAF Cosford), and MOD colleagues for their support with preparing the airframes for Air Show.
The Hawk was an advanced jet trainer that entered RAF service in 1976. In 1979, it was selected as the replacement for the Folland Gnat as the aircraft flown by the RAF Aerobatic Team, otherwise known as the Red Arrows. The Reaper entered service with the RAF in 2007 and was its first combat-capable remotely piloted aircraft system or ‘drone’. The Reaper’s ability to loiter over targets undetected has given it an invaluable role in intelligence gathering and precision strike operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. The Reaper retired from global RAF operations in 2025 following 18 years’ service. The Puma is a French-designed, medium-lift helicopter, that was in service with the RAF from 1971 to 2025. Over an incredible 54 year history, the Puma has served on a staggering range of operations.
Tom Hopkins, RAF Museum Curator (Aircraft and Exhibits) said:
‘We are delighted to announce the acquisition of these remarkable aircraft and look forward to sharing them with aviation enthusiasts at this year’s Cosford Air Show. Each represents a significant chapter in RAF history, whether that’s the Hawk which continues to inspire audiences as part of the world-famous Red Arrows display team, or the Puma which has more than five decades of distinguished RAF service. The recently retired Reaper will become the first aircraft of its type to enter a UK museum collection, and while it will be some time before these aircraft go on permanent display at the Museum, we are excited to offer Cosford Air Show visitors this exclusive early preview.’
In addition to the aircraft line-up, there will be plenty more on offer for families visiting the Museum’s enclosure. Exclusively for the Cosford Air Show, aviation fans can get on board the legendary Chinook ‘Bravo November’, for a small donation. Known as ‘The Survivor’, Bravo November earned its reputation during the 1982 liberation of the Falkland Islands. After the MS Atlantic Conveyor was struck by a missile and later sank, Bravo November was the sole Chinook to survive, going on to play a crucial role in the conflict.
Families can also enjoy access to a replica Spitfire cockpit, try on RAF uniforms and hats, test out their coding abilities with interactive robotics activities, and browse an extensive retail offer with many exclusive items. Elsewhere on the airfield, the Museum’s Harrier GR3 and Wessex will also be making an appearance.
Air Show ticket holders will also benefit from an exclusive Museum offer. Enjoy free parking on a return visit to the Museum and a two for one offer on 4D Theatre rides. Simply present your Air Show ticket when registering your vehicle on arrival at the Museum, and at the point of purchase to receive the two for one 4D Theatre offer.
With just over a week to go, the Cosford Air Show is close to selling out with just a few tickets remaining. To purchase tickets, go tocosfordairshow.co.uk.
The trustees of Newark Air Museum has been notified that the Phantom FGR2 cockpit from XV490, which has been on long-term loan at the museum since 2012 will soon be leaving for a new home in the Cotswolds. This will be with the Phantom Group at Kemble.
XV490 arrived at its Gateway Aviation Site in in north-eastern Nottinghamshire in 2011, when it vacated its previous display location at the Hack Green Nuclear Bunker site. At that time it was anticipated it would move onto display at the former RAF Wattisham site in Suffolk, however that move never materialised.
The impending departure of XV490 will take place on 16th June, 2026. Before heading south, the cockpit will be displayed at the Lincolnshire County Show.
The Army Flying Museum, in Middle Wallop, are in the last throws of their preparation for their popular annual fundraising event, Wallop Wheels and Wings, which will take place on both the Museum site and the historic adjacent airfield on Saturday 11 July.
Visitors are in for a real treat again this year as, weather permitting, a number of air displays are planned throughout the event. The amazing Royal Navy Raiders parachute team will be wowing the crowds and making their first visit to Wallop Wheels and Wings. The Team has operated since 1983 and comprises volunteers from across the Royal Navy and Royal Marines who enjoy promoting the Service to domestic audiences at public events, air shows, military and sporting events. The team conduct a visually stunning display with pyrotechnics, underslung flags before accurately landing within the arena in front of the excited crowd It is set to be a very exciting addition to the display programme at this popular annual event at Middle Wallop.
In addition, the Museum are thrilled to welcome back the Rolls Royce Heritage Flight Spitfire and the Navy Wings Chipmunk and Bird Dog who will be entertaining the crowds with a tail chase.
Also included in the programme are very special displays by the Gazelle Squadron, Pitts Special and Yak, with a flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire. The event will also commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Chipmunk and 90th anniversary of the Spitfire, with static displays of aircraft for visitors to view.
The event is a great day out for the whole family, not just for car, motorbike and aircraft enthusiasts and will see a full programme of entertainment running throughout the day including craft activities, pit stop challenge, laser tag, mini racers and circus skills, for all ages to get involved in. This year, sponsors GKN Aerospace, Boeing and Andover College will also provide some great activities to keep young minds whirring in the Discovery Den. Younger visitors will also have lots of fun with the classic pedal planes and little tanks.
The shopping village will showcase local artisan traders including Homemade Brownie Company, Bluestone Vineyards, Hornet Chilli, Saxnot Meadery, and many more and is a great chance to support local independent traders and pick up some unique gifts. Visitors can also enjoy a range of talks from military authors and historians in the Speaker’s Tent.
The event has again attracted its highest number of exhibitors, with over 400 classic/super cars and motorcycles, with a very special display by sponsors Andover Norton International. The event will also showcase the Light Aircraft Association, Living History Groups, the Historic Aircraft Flight and much more.
For those with an interest in photography, there are only limited tickets remaining for the photography enclosure which gives exclusive access to aircraft arrivals and prime positioning to capture some amazing shots on the day.
Chief Executive of the Museum Lucy Johnson said: “Wallop Wheels and Wings is the Army Flying Museum’s main fundraising event and a chance to showcase some of the best vintage aircraft, cars and motorbikes on the beautiful site of Middle Wallop airfield. We are also thrilled to have been able to programme a number of air displays into the event again this year. The Museum is an independent charity and relies on fundraising activities to support the work we do in preserving the history of British Army aviation. In February, the Museum suffered an unexpected three-week closure due to a power outage, so the event this year is more important than ever in raising vital funds for the Museum! But, it’s also a brilliant day out for the whole family and we hope you can join us!”
All tickets purchased in advance of the event come with a free annual pass for the Museum valid from 12 July and with all school holiday activities included in the annual pass, this gives great value for money for local families to enjoy and support this great local Museum. Ticket prices increase from Thursday 9th July, so be sure to book nice and early to get great discounts on tickets.
The RAF Museum Midlands is proud to announce it has been awarded Which? Recommended Provider status in the prestigious ‘Best Museums and Galleries in the UK’ category.
In a survey of over 2,000 members conducted by the independent consumer champion Which?, the RAF Museum Midlands achieved an outstanding score of 93%, making it the joint top-rated Museum in the UK.
Which? members praised the Museum across several key areas including exhibitions living up to expectations and excellent value for money. Museum staff were also recognised in the survey, achieving top marks from Which? members, as did the facilities on offer, and the uncrowded environments across vast hangars and outdoor areas. The quality of information available to visitors and the Museum’s café were also highly commended.
This latest accolade reinforces the RAF Museum Midlands’ reputation as one of the UK’s leading visitor attractions, offering an engaging, educational and memorable day out for all.
Barry Smith, Director of Visitor and Commercial Development at the RAF Museum said:
‘We are incredibly proud to be recognised as a Which? Recommended Provider and be rated joint top of Which’s best UK museums list. Which? only endorses the best products and services that genuinely stand out for quality, making this recognition a true reflection of visitor satisfaction and excellence. We scored consistently highly across all areas, and this recognition is a testament of the team’s dedication to delivering an enjoyable and accessible day out for everyone.’
Which? Recommended Providers are companies that are both rated highly by Which? members and have products that meet the high standards of Which? researchers. As a completely independent organisation, the granting of Which? Recommended Provider status truly reflects what they think – not what someone else wants them to say.
Which? The best museums and galleries in the UK article 2026 stated:
‘Ask an RAF veteran (we did) and they’ll tell you Cosford is the best aircraft museum in the nation, nay the world. You can marvel at the Vulcan, Victor and Valiant V-bombers that dangle from the ceiling of this Midlands hangar, and stand in awe of the supersonic BAC TSR-2 prototype. Kids get a kick out of the Virtual Reality Zone, where they can do loop-the-loops in the pilot seat of an iconic Spitfire, while unwittingly honing their World War history.’
The Museum’s sister site, the RAF Museum London, also performed exceptionally well – with the joint highest visitor score for any museum or gallery in London.
Explore the full Which? findings here – ‘The best museums and galleries in the UK’. To plan a visit and enjoy a free family day out at one of the UK’s top-rated museums, visit rafmuseum.org/midlands. The Museum is open daily from 10.00am and entry is free.
The South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum (SYAM) can today announce the arrival of a long-term restoration project from the Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford – Fairchild/Bristol Bolingbroke Mk. IVT ‘9893’. While a composite airframe, the project features parts from 9893 and structural elements known to date back to 1942.
The Bolingbroke was a maritime patrol & training aircraft used by the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. The type saw extensive use through the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, a created between the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and trained nearly half of the Pilots, Navigators, Bomb Aimers, Air Gunners, Wireless Operators and Flight engineers that served with the RAF, Fleet Air Arm and the Air Forces of Canada, Australia and New Zealand during the War.
Built by the Fairchild Aircraft Company as a Bolingbroke Mk. IVT in 1942, 9893 would join the No. 4 Training Command of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta and serve primarily with the No. 8 Bombing and Gunnery School. A relatively short service life would follow, with 9893 being heavily damaged on 19th December 1942 during a ferry flight from RCAF Station Lethbridge. Pilot Flying Officer J D Heacock would experience a port engine failure shortly after take off, and carried out a forced landing approximately 12 miles southwest of the airfield. During the landing roll, the aircraft struck a telephone pole and sustained serious damage. Stored in reserve following the accident, 9893 would not be repaired during the war and was subsequently sold off in 1946 following the end of the Second World War and the end of the BCATP.
Bolingbroke serial number 9893 was acquired by IWM Duxford in the 1980s with the long-term intention of full restoration, and has now been formally transferred to SYAM to continue that work and joined the museum’s collection in Doncaster on Thursday 2 April. The restored rear fuselage has been placed on display inside the museum’s main hangar alongside the cockpit section which has seen substantial work completed, while the remaining components remain in storage awaiting further restoration activity. 9893 will be a long term restoration project for the museum, with the aircraft to be exhibited in the distinctive Trainer Yellow scheme used by most aircraft of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) once work is completed.
On acquiring the Bolingbroke project, South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum trustee Sam Scrimshaw said “The opportunity to acquire a genuine Second World War era aircraft isn’t one that is available often, and the addition of the Bolingbroke to our collection will allow us to share with our visitors stories of local WW2 airmen that they may not have known otherwise.
“One such story we shall be sharing is that of Flying Officer Ernest Lewis Ellis, a Sheffield man who completed his flying training in Canada through the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, including flying over 40 different Bolingbroke aircraft. After gaining his wings, Ellis flew locally from RAF Hemswell and RAF Lindholme, before joining 166 Squadron at RAF Kirmington, now Humberside Airport on Lancaster Bombers. Sadly Ernest and his crew would fail to return from their 22nd mission, a bombing raid to Pforzheim on 23rd February 1945. The museum holds Ernest’s Logbook and a number of personal letters between himself, family and friends within our collection.
“We would also like to thank IWM Duxford for the opportunity to take on 9893 and giving us the opportunity to share Ernest’s story with our visitors, the role of ‘The Plan’ in supporting the war effort and the bravery shown by the men of RAF Bomber Command throughout the Second World War.”
The Royal Air Force Museum Midlands has been awarded a £1 million grant from the Biffa Award to support the development of a major new exhibition exploring the story of the RAF from 1980 to today.
The funding, awarded through the Landfill Communities Fund, will contribute to the delivery of ‘The RAF: 1980 to Today’ exhibition, a central element of the Museum’s wider Inspiring Everyone: RAF Museum Midlands Development Programme.
The innovative new permanent exhibition will share the critical role of the RAF over the past 40 years, inviting visitors to discover the RAF’s role today and how it is adapting to the future including its responsibilities for space and cyber defence. Through compelling storytelling, immersive aircraft and object displays, and digital interactives, visitors will gain insight into the people, technology and operations that define today’s RAF.
Biffa Award, is a multi-million pound fund that helps to build communities and transform lives through awarding grants to communities and environmental projects across England and Northern Ireland as part of the Government’s Landfill Communities Fund. The RAF Museum’s Biffa Award grant will support essential elements of the exhibition’s design and build, including display cases, lighting, setworks, mannequins, interactives, mount making, and specialist infrastructure.
Maggie Appleton, CEO of the Royal Air Force Museum, said:
‘We are enormously grateful to the Biffa Award for this transformative £1 million grant. This funding will enable us to create a bold and immersive exhibition that explores the RAF’s story from 1980 to today, a period of rapid technological change, global operations and evolving challenges. As part of our Inspiring Everyone development programme, this exhibition will help us connect with new audiences, reflect contemporary service life, and inspire visitors to think about the RAF’s future. The support of the Biffa Award is instrumental in helping us realise this vision at our Midlands site.’
Rachel Maidment, Grants Manager at Biffa Award, said:
‘We are delighted to support the RAF Museum Midlands with this significant grant through the Landfill Communities Fund. This new exhibition will shine a light on the vital work of the RAF over the last four decades, helping visitors of all ages connect with the people, technology and stories that continue to shape our national defence. At Biffa Award, we are committed to funding projects that inspire, educate and strengthen communities, and we are proud to help bring this important exhibition to life.’
The new exhibition forms part of sitewide transformation of the RAF Museum Midlands, made possible with the support of funders including The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Royal Air Force, as well as the RAF Museum’s own investment. The redevelopment will also deliver a state-of-the-art Learning Centre, Collections Hub, expanded green spaces, along with a community engagement programme, ensuring the Museum remains nationally relevant and accessible for decades to come. The new spaces will be available for visitors to enjoy from summer 2027.
Progress has been made with the carried over restoration work on Lightning T5 XS417 at Newark Air Museum (NAM).
The recent spell of warmer weather has allowed the museum’s volunteers to apply the 56 Squadron ’Firebird’ makings to the tailfin of XS417. This work brings the successful completion of this particular project much closer to a conclusion.
In other news, the on-loan cockpit of Lightning F6 cockpit from XR757, left the museum site on Thursday 26th March, 2026 for a new home in North East Lincolnshire.
This cockpit arrived at NAM in summer 2015, when it had to vacate its previous display location at the former RAF Scampton airfield. Its new display location is much closer to the owner’s home in Lincolnshire. During its time at NAM there were limited opportunities for museum visitors to view inside the cockpit.
