UK Aviation Museum News – Page 24

National Military Service Museums join forces to bring nation together (at home) in Virtual VE Day Festival

VE Day Celebration

• Tri-service museums host Virtual VE Day 75 Festival from 7-9 May 2020
• Joint Command? Debunking the myths behind the Navy, Army and Air Force roles as they vied for victory 75 years ago
• Free virtual events bring WW2 to life, for the nation at home

Tuesday, 28 April 2020 – The three historical institutions of the British Armed Forces invite the public to ‘stand with your services’ to celebrate 75 years since VE Day on Friday 8 May. The National Museum of the Royal Navy, National Army Museum and Royal Air Force Museum are hosting their first tri-service celebration with the Virtual VE Day 75 Festival taking place online from Thursday 7 May to Saturday 9 May 2020, inclusive.

In a way that the British do so well, the three museums of the Armed Forces will keep calm and carry on with their Virtual VE Day 75 Festival to replace individual pre-Covid ambitions for marking this important anniversary. The service museums encourage members of the public to come together, while staying at home, in conjunction with the government’s communications to ‘stay home and save lives’.

The virtual programme kicks off on Thursday 7 May, the date of Germany’s unconditional surrender, with ‘Vying for Victory: Britain’s Navy, Army and Air Force in Myth and Memory’. Chaired by historian and broadcaster, James Holland, this will see each museum fight their corner, discussing the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force’s respective roles during the closing stages of the Second World War. This free event will be broadcast on YouTube at 5pm on Thursday 7 May, followed by a live Q&A on CrowdCast at 7pm.

The Second World War was the first major conflict which saw the implementation of a truly joint operations and command. This involved three different services with three different sets of traditions, cultures and experiences. Leading military historians, Matthew Sheldon (National Museum of the Royal Navy); Dr Peter Johnson (National Army Museum) and Dr Harry Raffal (Royal Air Force Museum); will explore how each of the services has cemented its own contribution in myth, tradition and popular culture and question the accuracy of that representation via the highs and lows of this unique working relationship.

On Friday 8 May, members of the public are invited to get their gardens and homes decorated and prepare for a VE Day party. Enjoy learning about life on the Home Front, get thrifty with a Make Do and Mend session, and learn how to dig for victory. Discover some of the experiences of Women in War with poignant stories from the each of the museums’ archives. Such as that from Dorrie Thomas, who served as a Telegraphist in the Women’s Royal Navy Service and sent news of peace in Europe to members of the British Naval Fleet.

Historian and author, James Holland will speak to the National Army Museum’s Dr Peter Johnston at 2pm in a live webinar discussing ‘Why the Allies Won’, just before the nation tunes into the BBC to hear Churchill’s famous VE Day broadcast at 3pm. Victory celebrations commence at 4pm with a live Swing Dance Class followed by a sing-along concert with the Bluebird Belles.

Saturday 9 May brings living history to living rooms with reenactors sharing stories from real service personnel during the Second World War. Dr Peter Johnston takes a live webinar with historian Dr Jonathan Fennell on ‘Fighting the People’s War’, and an immersive walk-through of HMS Alliance will provide an insight into the extraordinary self-isolation experience of submariners as the rest of Europe celebrated.

Defence Minister Baroness Goldie said, “As plans for VE Day 75 have been forced to change hugely due to the pandemic, this imaginative and innovative virtual festival will provide a much-needed distraction in these uncertain times. This is a chance to rediscover the Second World War and will be a poignant reminder for us all of the sacrifice our Armed Forces made in honour of King and country.

“The cooperation of these three historic institutions is a fantastic achievement and will ensure that all generations are aware of the importance of VE Day and the unforgettable impact of events which took place 75 years ago.”

The museums are encouraging those joining to share pictures on social media with the hashtag #StandWithYourServices

www.rafmuseum.org

Yellow Sun Tail Cone Project at Newark

Vulcan Yellow Sun

In autumn 2019, Philip Wardell, a volunteer at the Newark Air Museum (NAM) started work on the challenging task of constructing a replica tail cone for a Yellow Sun nuclear weapon casing.

The Yellow Sun was the first British operational high-yield strategic nuclear weapon. This particular casing has been on long term loan at Newark from the RAF Museum Reserve Collection at RAF Stafford since April 2012 and has been displayed on a Yellow Sun weapon trolley that was already part of the NAM collection.

The first sign of work on the project, was when a set of concentric wooden formers were first cut in the museum’s on-site workshop in October 2019. Since then, the replica tail cone has grown steadily in size and detail; often attracting lots of ribald comments from other museum volunteers.

A trial fitting of the replica tail cone to the weapon casing took place in mid-November, using the original fixing points on the casing to secure the tail cone in place. Once this fixing concept and sizing were proven work proceeded over the winter on riveting the metal coverings and tail fins in place.

The final fixing and repainting session for the tail cone took place just before the museum closed for the Covid-19 lockdown, and it now awaits inspection by visitors when the museum is allowed to reopen.

Phil’s original aim was to have the project completed in time for the Cold War Call Up event that was scheduled to take place in mid-May. Whilst this event was sadly cancelled, Phil completed the project ahead of schedule. It is understood that he may be undertaking a similar construction project next winter, to build a replica tail cone for the V-1 Flying Bomb (Doodlebug) remains that are displayed in Hangar 1 at the museum’s site in north eastern Nottinghamshire.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Cockpit-Fest 2020 and Aeroboot Postponed

Newark Cockpit Fest 2020

Yesterday morning (07.04.20) to help some international participants not lose money on travel arrangements; we have taken a decision to postpone the Cockpit-Fest 2020 and Aeroboot event in June.

This two-day event was due to take place on 20 & 21 June, 2020.

One possibility that we are looking at is to re-arrange these combined events for Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th August, 2020.

At the moment this is not a firm date and a lot will still depend on when the current lockdown arrangements are lifted. However, we would welcome your thoughts and feedback via the usual communication routes on here or social media

We are sorry for any inconvenience these changes may cause, especially to those people and groups who have been working on preparations on their displays for this event for many months. This includes external participants and our own museum members who have been working tirelessly on many different aircraft and projects like the Yellow Sun rebuild; but we feel that this is the right decision.

We will be communicating directly with everyone who had already made a commitment to the events.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Cold War Call Up Event at Newark Cancelled

Newark Air Museum

We have taken the sad decision to cancel the Cold War Call Up event that was due to take place on 16 & 17 May, 2020.

This decision has been reached following some detailed in-house discussions; and the pessimistic outlook regarding the current coronavirus situation.

Many participants in things like the planned Meet & Greet sessions are in the age group that are now self-isolating and are likely to be doing so for the next 12 weeks.

In order to give people as much notice as possible of our intentions it is felt that this is the best time to make this decision. Our current thinking is to try and run a similar event sometime in 2021. We will be notifying people via email later today and tomorrow.

In the coming weeks we may use our Twitter timeline to continue with some tweets for a Virtual Cold War Call Up feed, using some materials that we were already preparing.

At the moment we are waiting to review the situation with regards to Cockpit-Fest in June and more updates will be released as and when any decision is made.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

North American F-100D Super Sabre Refurbishment

F-100D Super Sabre at Newark Air Museum

Some repainting work has been stared on the North American F-100D Super Sabre airframe, 54-2223 that is displayed at the Newark Air Museum (NAM).

The current de-corrosion and repainting project was planned before the Covid-19 virus outbreak and the work has focused on the upper surfaces of the airframe.

Like other Super Sabre, Lockheed T-33 and Dassault Mystere IV.A aircraft displayed in the UK; the F-100D is on long term loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force Collection Management Division (NMUSAF/MUC); located at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, USA.

What is not as widely known is the pioneering work undertaken by the trustees of NAM back in the mid-1970s to make such loans possible. At that time the original intention was for aircraft to be gifted to the IWM Duxford and Newark. However, tax implications of such a gift meant that NAM would have faced a significant tax bill for each aircraft.

USA VAT Cutting

Key personnel from NAM worked with the appropriate authorities, lobbied through both the House of Commons and the House of Lords to resolve the situation. This pioneering work led to the establishment of the long-term loan programme from the NMUSAF/MUC; something that helped a number of UK aviation museums become established.

NAM’s F-100D was move from RAF Sculthorpe, Norfolk over a period of several months in early 1978.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

SYWELL AVIATION MUSEUM GRAND OPENING CANCELLED

Sywell Aviation Museum

Dear all, sadly as expected the Sywell Aviation Museum Trustees have decided to cancel the Grand Opening on 11th April 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The safety of our visitors and our own trustees and members remains paramount at all times so we’re sure that you will understand our decision.

Further, the Museum will remain closed throughout April and May but we aim to reopen on Saturday 6th June 2020 (without a Grand opening) subject to the situation with coronavirus at that time.

We’re really disappointed too as we have worked really hard over the closed season to get ready to welcome you all and of course the lack of income will have an impact on us as well.

Nonetheless nothing is important as everyone’s health and we’d like to thank you all for your continued support and interest in Sywell Aviation Museum.

We hope to see you later in the year and in the meantime wish you and yours all the best. Stay safe!

The Sywell Aviation Museum Team

www.sywellaviationmuseum.org.uk

Vulcan XM594 Refurbishment Continues

Newark Vulcan restoration

Despite the gradual lock-down of the UK in response to the Covid-19 virus work has restarted at Newark Air Museum on further restoration work on Avro Vulcan XM594.

The distinctive wing shape of this former Royal Air Force (RAF) bomber is clearly visible in the accompanying photograph, which shows museum volunteers undertaking some awkward and tiring work on XM594.

Members of the Vulcan Repainting team have just started work on the underside of the port wing of XM594, which will progress throughout the year as and when the current health crisis allows access to the museum site in eastern Nottinghamshire. Last year the same team undertook similar de-corrosion work, surface preparation and repainting work on the underside of the starboard wing.
Elsewhere a lot of cleaning and renovation work has been undertaken on the aircraft, much of which has been focused in the aircraft’s cavernous bomb-bay. This work has seen the Vulcan Repair Team able to operate the Rover APU to once again start cycling the opening and closing of the bomb bay doors.

Nice to report work is still ongoing on significant parts of the country’s aviation heritage even in these challenging times.

Avro Vulcan XM594 was flown to the former RAF Winthorpe airfield from RAF Waddington on Monday 7th February 1983. At the time XM594 was the only Vulcan aircraft disposed of by the RAF that was flown into a non-licensed airfield.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

RAF Museum Coronavirus Closure

This is to inform you that in the light of Government recommendations regarding the Coronavirus/COVID.19 outbreak, the RAF Museum has closed its public sites at London and Cosford to the public. This includes cancellation of any events in that period.

I have been advised that the closure period will be at least until Friday May 1 2020.

Until then, our Business Continuity Team have put in place systems which will enable the Museum to continue our business operations with staff working from home and accessible by email or mobile.

We will also share updates on plans for re-opening through our website and social media channels.

This will inevitably mean restricted/ no access to archives and exhibits, however please do not hesitate to contact me with regards any Museum matters – always willing to try!

I look forward to inviting you back in to the RAF Museum soon.

Kind Regards

Ajay Srivastava

www.rafmuseum.org

Newark Air Museum 4th April Aeroboot Cancelled

Newark Aeroboot cancelled

We have taken the decision to cancel the Indoor Aeroboot /Aerojumble Sale that was due to take place in Hangar 2 on Saturday 4th March, 2020.

This decision has been reached following some detailed in-house discussions; and the pessimistic outlook regarding the current coronavirus situation. It was not taken lightly and we do appreciate that this could upset some people. However, many sellers and buyers often travel long distances to attend the event and it was felt necessary to give these people as much notice as possible of our intentions.

At the moment we feel unable to set a revised date for this sale, but the eventual choice will aim not to clash with any other known Aerojumble type event, any other museum event, or any major events on the adjacent Showground.

Details about what to do with existing seller locations / passes will be taken at a later date. In the fullness of time if anyone is unable to attend on any revised date we will arrange to for a refund.

Emails will be sent out to our Aeroboot contacts this evening, but if you know of anyone who was planning to attend, either as a seller or as a buyer we would be grateful if you could make them aware of the cancellation and the re-arranged date.

Once again sorry for any inconvenience these changes may cause but we are convinced that it is the right decision.

More updates will be released as and when they are confirmed.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Newark Air Museum win Visit England 2019 Welcome Accolade

Newark Air Museum Welcome Accolade

Newark Air Museum has won a 2019 Visitor Attraction Accolade in the Welcome category, which recognises that the museum is one of the outstanding visitor experiences on offer across the country.

The museum’s Award follows a VAQAS (Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme) assessment last autumn and was based on the score the museum gained during a secret visit by the VisitEngland assessor.

This Award was one of only six (6) made this year in the East Midlands and of seventy three (73) across the country

The following statement was issued by VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes:
“England’s attractions provide visitors with amazing experiences and these accolades recognise the outstanding customer service and quality on offer across the country.”

He continued, “From Best Told Story interpretation to Hidden Gem and overall Gold, these accolades show that there is an attraction capable of capturing everyone’s imagination creating lasting memories and spreading the economic benefits from tourism.”

In conclusion, “The 73 attractions are being recognised as a result of the exceptional experience they provide visitors from story-telling to food and drink and from customer service to overall winners.”

Howard Heeley responded on behalf of the museum trustees: “We are honoured to have been recognised in this way by VisitEngland. This Accolade is a tribute to all of the hard work put in by the museum members and our staff, each and every day the we are open to the public; well done to all of them!”