UK Aviation Museum News – Page 31

Concorde’s 50th anniversary celebrated by cavalcade of Bristol Cars & Buses

Bristol Buses

Over 150 passengers travelled from Aerospace Bristol to the Fleet Air Arm Museum on board classic buses and cars

Filton, Bristol, April 9, 2019: Today marks 50 years since the first test flight of a British-made Concorde was completed – flying from Filton Airport to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, a journey taking just 22 minutes but changing the course of aviation history.

To celebrate the anniversary, Aerospace Bristol – the museum that is now home to the last Concorde ever to fly – and the Fleet Air Arm Museum – home to Concorde 002, which first took to the skies 50 years ago today – teamed up to organise a nostalgic journey across the West Country.

Over 150 people visited Concorde Alpha Foxtrot at Aerospace Bristol this morning, before boarding Bristol Buses and Cars and travelling to Yeovilton, where they visited Concorde 002.

The two museums give visitors the opportunity to discover more about the world’s most famous aircraft, from the people behind its initial forays to the edge of space and record-breaking speeds, to the experience for passengers and even the food served on-board.

Aerospace Bristol tells the story of Bristol’s aviation and engineering heritage – from the first powered flights through to the modern day – including how Bristol diversified into the automobile industry and produced the cars and buses that formed the cavalcade today.

The museum will be celebrating Concorde50 throughout the year, with special events taking place around its star attraction Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, the last Concorde ever to fly. Upcoming events include:

9th April: Meet Concorde pilot Captain Colin Morris
13th April: The first public move of Concorde Alpha Foxtrot’s ‘droop nose’
16th April: A talk on the life of a Concorde pilot, with Captain Tim Orchard
20th April: Special tours to mark 40 years since Concorde Alpha Foxtrot’s maiden flight

www.aerospacebristol.org

First to the Fastest opens at Brooklands Museum

First to the Fastest at Brooklands

Opening 8th April 2019…

Alcock and Brown’s non-stop crossing of the Atlantic in a Brooklands-built Vickers Vimy in June 1919 was a significant moment in aviation history. Just sixteen years earlier the first ever powered flight was made by the Wright Brothers in 1903, followed by the flight trials of A.V. Roe at Brooklands in 1907. Fifty years later, in 1969, Atlantic flights had become routine but to celebrate that great endeavour and spirit of Alcock and Brown’s ground-breaking crossing, a new air race was staged. It showcased how far and fast aviation had changed with innovation at the heart of the race.

Both races were launched by the Daily Mail who put up the prize money but in ’69, the rules were even more ambitious: the race began and ended at check-in stations on the public viewing platform on the 33rd floor viewing platform of the Post Office Tower in London and the 86th floor of New York’s Empire State Building. Journeys had to be made on any of the eight days between 4th and 11th May and could be attempted more than once though only in the same direction and with the same modes of transport. It was open to professionals and enthusiasts and because it was almost certain that a military aircraft would record the fastest time, eighteen different categories of prizes were offered including one for the ‘most meritorious and ingenious’ non-winning entry. The Daily Mail race organisers clearly wanted to put some fun and excitement back into flying.

This exhibition will explore how Alcock and Brown achieved their amazing feat in the wider context of what was happening at Brooklands during a time when flight was still in its infancy. The rapidity of the technological advancements made in aviation will also be explored by discovering how, just fifty years later, it was possible to get from the heart of London to the centre of New York in just under seven hours. At the centre of this exhibition will be Brooklands Museum’s replica Vimy (which, itself, has flown across the Atlantic, to Australia and South Africa) and the Harrier GR1 XV741, which achieved the fastest time to New York from St. Pancras in London in the 1969 race. These stories are told using archive footage, historic imagery and personal accounts to bring this incredible episode in aviation history to life, celebrating the role that Brooklands played in achieving what was often seen as the impossible.

Entry to the exhibition is included in the general admission price.

Visit: www.brooklandsmuseum.com for all up to date event and Museum information.

Harrier 50th Anniversary event at Newark Air Museum

Sea Harrier at Newark Air Museum

Harrier 50th Anniversary event
Sunday 14th April 2019

On Sunday 14th April, 2019, the day after its Indoor Aeroboot / Aerojumble Sale, the Newark Air Museum is hosting an event to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Harrier entering British military service back in April 1969.

This Harrier Day event has attracted visiting Harrier cockpits and Harrier related displays to the museum’s site here in north eastern Nottinghamshire. Here they will join the museum’s Sea Harrier ZA176 and VTOL (Vertical Take Off & Landing) test-bed aircraft Meteor FR9 VZ608, to help illustrate Nottinghamshire’s part in the VTOL Story.

The event will also include participation by Harrier and Sea Harrier veterans (air and ground crew); visiting authors; model displays; aviation artists. Visiting displays confirmed for the event include:

Mainly Military Model display
John Cox & museum – Falklands book of remembrance & scrapbook
Newark Air Museum model display – AV-8B and associated aircraft models
Airfield Research Group display
Harrier related sales stall
Phil Jarvis – Harrier GR.7 Simulator, ex RAF Wittering
Bikini Sate – Newark Air Museum re-enactors
Richard Scarborough – Harrier GR.3 & possible Sea Harrier cockpit & display
Dave Wright – Harrier GR.3 cockpit XZ138
Andy Godfrey – Harrier & VTOL artwork
Andy Ward – Large Model display
Nick Greenall & Harrier Special Interest Group – Display of about 50 detailed Harrier scale models
Martyn Steele & Ian Hodgkiss – Harrier GR.3 instrument panel; selection of Harrier stick grips
Gary O’Keefe & Al Partington – Harrier miscellany
Stephen Dring – 3D display/sales
Hucknall Flight Test Museum – Flying Bedstead model, display and videos
Harrier Preservation Group – model & display

Confirmed reunion attendees from the following:

Harrier Types
GR.1; GR.3; GR.3A; GR.7; GR.7A; GR.9; T.10; T.12

Harrier Squadrons
1(F) Sqn; 3 Sqn; IV (AC) Sqn; 20(R) Sqn

RAF Bases
RAF Gutersloh; RAF Wildenrath; RAF Wittering
The event is open to the general public and normal museum admission rates apply:
Adults £9.00, Over 65s £8.00, Children £4.50 and Family ticket [2 adults & 3 children] £24.00.

Opening times; 10am to 5pm; last admission 4pm.

Full event details and updated exhibit lists can be found on the News & Information page of the museum website: www.newarkairmuseum.org

Additional places for Aerospace Summer Camp are up for grabs!

STAAR Graduation at RAF Museum Cosford

An additional twenty places have been added to the 2019 Summer Time Advanced Aerospace Residency (STAAR) programme, now allowing sixty Year 10 students aged 14-15 to participate in the aviation summer camp.

STAAR offers a unique insight into the exciting world of aviation for youngsters interested in future careers in STEM related fields and is fully funded by the global aerospace and defence technology giant, Northrop Grumman, with the support of the Northrop Grumman Foundation in partnership with the Royal Air Force Museum. The two week-long residentials will now accommodate 30 students per week and is delivered by the Museum, Royal Air Force Cosford, RAF Youth and STEM Engagement Team and Tablet Academy.

Applications have been flying in since applications opened in February from keen students across the country, as far as Glasgow, Plymouth, Cardiff as well as locally and from the surrounding counties. Now into its third year, the STAAR programme will accommodate more students than ever before thanks to the additional support of a new STAAR partner, RAF Youth and STEM Engagement Team. The deadline for applications has been extended until Monday 8 April, giving students more time to apply.

Taking place on 22-26 July and 29 July-2 August 2019, STAAR provides students with five intense days, experiencing life as an RAF engineering trainee, where they will live, work, learn and solve tasks together! The immersive programme is designed to inspire diverse and talented young people to become the next generation of experts in the innovative and high-technology aerospace sector. Through a series of workshops, recruits will be immersed into aerospace design, exploring all the elements required to plan a mission, getting hands on working with real aircraft and engines, as well as learning about important historical missions such as the Dambusters raid. Recruits will also develop critical thinking and team-building skills throughout the week, as well as having a lot of fun!

This year students will work towards a CREST Award, a nationally recognised scheme for student-led project work in the STEM subjects and an Industrial Cadet Award, an industry-led accreditation which gives recruits a unique insight into industry – skills and knowledge are built and enhanced whilst being mentored by industry role models.

Julie Brierley, Access and Learning Manager, Royal Air Force Museum Cosford said:
“We’re thrilled to be offering additional places to this year’s STAAR residential week and have a new partner on board to help deliver it. The programme truly is top-notch, a unique, educational and memorable experience, delivered by experts in their fields. The value STAAR can add to a recruit’s development is reflected by the number of applications we’ve received and the wide reach from students across England, Scotland and Wales all wanting to be part of it. We’re also excited to announce that the STAAR programme has been shortlisted in the Museums and Heritage Awards for ‘Educational Initiative of the Year’ due to take place in May.”

Nick Chaffey, Chief Executive, Northrop Grumman UK & Europe said:
“Four years ago, the idea for an aerospace-related STEM camp was just a vision, and in a little over three
years we and our partners – the RAF Museum, RAF Cosford and Tablet Academy – have not only turned this into a reality, we have developed STAAR into a nationally recognised and sought-after STEM educational programme, attracting young people from across the UK.

We are immensely proud of how much STAAR has grown, and this year are delighted that we have been joined by the RAF Youth and STEM Engagement Team to help facilitate the delivery of the curriculum, which means we are now able to offer the STAAR experience to 60 students; a 200% increase on the places we offered for the ‘pilot’ programme in 2017. The STAAR Recruits who graduate in 2019 will also receive both a Crest Award and an Industrial Cadet Award accreditation, which they can add to their personal portfolios and leverage as they continue through their education, and hopefully on to careers in the Aerospace Sector.”

If you’ve got what it takes to be a STAAR and want to join the class of 2019, visit the Museum’s website www.rafmuseum.org/STAAR to apply. The programme is open nationwide to any UK Year 10 students showing an interest in and aptitude for STEM subjects. Applications are open until 8 April and must be completed by a teacher explaining why their student is suitable for the programme.

RAF Museum launches new Dambusters Virtual Reality Experience

Dambusters by All Seeing Eye

The Royal Air Force Museum invites you to take a seat on board a Lancaster during the legendary Dambusters raid of 1943, using Virtual Reality technology.

The Dams Raid was the greatest feat of arms performed by the Royal Air Force and one of the key stories of the Second World War. Its success captured the public imagination at the time and over the next 70 years inspired a multitude of books, films and documentaries.

Dambusters: Immersive Histories at the RAF Museum London, is the newest part of the Dambusters offer that also includes a replica of the ‘bouncing bomb’, Barnes Wallis’ office and the original moulds of the first test bombs.

The Virtual Reality Experience (VRE) puts the user inside a moment in history. For the first time ever, visitors to the Museum can step inside the story of the iconic operation through an authentic, interactive recreation of the Dambusters’ first mission on 16 May 1943 attacking the Möhne Dam.

360° first person views, spatialised audio and haptic feedback vests reinforce the experience of being aboard a No. 617 Squadron Lancaster bomber during Operation CHASTISE.

Participants suit up in a vest and step inside an accurate physical set of a Lancaster. They are completely immersed and able to reach out to feel the window, fuselage and desk’ of the Lancaster bomber. As the aircraft continues it’s mission, users will also feel the ‘roar of the Lancaster’s Merlin engines’, through their haptic vests.

The Dambusters Immersive Experience has been created by All Seeing Eye with input from No. 617 Squadron official historian, Robert Owen.

Barry Smith Director of Visitor and Commercial Development “At the RAF Museum we are very interested in new ways of interpreting and sharing the stories of the Royal Air Force. The opportunity to actually invite our visitors to be part of the Dambusters story is one that we are very excited about. I can honestly say that our visitors are in for a treat!”

Olie Kay Associate Creative Director, All Seeing Eye Ltd “This experience isn’t about explaining all the facts of the mission. It’s about exploring the human story of the real people who were on the aircraft and communicating an authentic sense of place of what it may have been like to be there.”

Dambusters: Immersive Histories at the RAF Museum London is available from Friday 15 March. Tickets are £10

www.rafmuseum.org

New Exhibits at the Fleet Air Arm Museum Get Concorde’s 50th Anniversary Year off to a Flying Start

Fleet Air Arm Museum

To mark 50 years since the very first test flights of Concorde in 1969, the Fleet Air Arm Museum near Yeovilton in Somerset is poised to unveil special exhibits including the futuristic helmet worn by the pilot of those early flights, Brian Trubshaw CBE.

The museum is home to one of only two prototype Concorde aircraft in the world and the first British-made Concorde (002), which was constructed as a test aircraft for the eventual fleet of 16 Concordes built for British Airways and Air France. Concorde 002 was largely designed and built at Bristol’s Filton airport, under the leadership of Trubshaw, a former Second World War pilot. In the 1960s and 70s Trubshaw was described as ‘every schoolboy’s hero’, flying test missions for fighter aircraft. He was at the controls on 9th April 1969 when Concorde 002 made its historic first flight from Filton to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, a journey lasting just 22 minutes.

Trubshaw’s helmet is a fascinating piece of aviation history. More like a space helmet than anything modern pilots would recognise, it was developed to cope with extreme altitudes and speeds, as the aircraft shot through the sky close to the edge of space. The helmet has been offered to the museum for the duration of the anniversary celebrations by its current owner and the museum’s general manager Marc Farrance says: “We’re delighted to be able to offer our visitors the chance to see the Trubshaw Helmet and understand more about its fascinating former owner. We are extremely grateful to the current owner, Mrs Lowe, for agreeing to loan the helmet to the Fleet Air Arm Museum as part of our celebrations of the anniversary.”

Throughout March and April of this 50th anniversary year, visitors to the Fleet Air Arm Museum will be able to attend daily talks from the museum’s experts on all things Concorde, with a host of fascinating facts such as:

• Concorde 002 first achieved supersonic speed in March 1970 and later in the testing programme hit a maximum speed of Mach 2.05.
• Mach 2 is approximately equivalent to 1,350 mph or 22 miles per minute, faster than a bullet from a gun and about the same as travelling from Leeds to York in under a minute.
• At Mach 2, the outside of Concorde gets hot enough to fry an egg, yet the air it is travelling through is -65C.
• Also at Mach 2, Concorde gets so hot it expands about 4 inches and has to have built-in expansion joints to accommodate this.
• 1969 was also the year of the Moon landing, but in a world before sophisticated computer programmes, all this revolutionary science and design was done with slide rules, pencils and paper.

Concorde 002 was retired to the Fleet Air Arm Museum on long term loan from the Science Museum after the test programme ended in 1976 and the first commercial Concorde flights began. The museum is also home to a number of aircraft that formed part of the Concorde development programme including HP 115 which was flown by several test pilots including Neil Armstrong.

Entry to the Fleet Air Arm Museum costs from £12.75 per adult and £9.50 per child, with family tickets available. Book online at www.fleetairarm.com

Modellers Head to Cosford for Miniature Show

Model Show at RAF Museum Cosford

Date: 7 April 2019
Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm
Cost: FREE entry

The popular Shropshire Scale Model Show is returning to the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on Sunday 7 April, showcasing the very best in the miniature world of modelling. With everything from model aircraft and cars to science fiction and cartoon characters, the one day show is expected to attract thousands of visitors.

Nestled amongst the world-class collection of aircraft and exhibits and filling each of the Museum hangars will be over 100 modelling clubs and traders from across the country, including model making giants Airfix who are exhibiting at this year’s show.

Modelling clubs from across the UK will be exhibiting their pint-sized creations, many of which have taken hours of dedication to perfect. It’s the perfect opportunity to get tips and advice or seek inspiration from the experts and enjoy the day with like-minded individuals.

As one of the region’s largest modelling events, traders will be selling materials and kits to suit modellers of all abilities. So, whether you’ve got youngsters in the family who are just discovering their passion for modelling, or you’re an avid modeller who’s been building kits for many years, there will be plenty of kits, glues, paints and other detailed sets available to purchase.

Event organiser, Gary Stevens Secretary of the Shropshire Scale Modellers and The Telford Branch of The International Plastic Modellers Society says:
“We have lots of the popular traders and exhibitors returning to the show again this year and we look forward to welcoming model fans from across the country to the event. I am particularly delighted that Airfix will be making a welcome return to this year’s event displaying their latest and future releases to the public.”

To make reaching the Museum even easier, there will be a free shuttle bus for the day to cope with the additional visitors, running from Cosford train station. The show will be open to the public from 10am until 4pm and entry to the event is FREE of charge. For further information, please visit the museum website at www.rafmuseum.org/cosford.

Newark Air Museum Veterans Appeal

Canberra at Newark Air Museum

Efforts towards securing the visiting displays at various museum events this year are now well underway and now we are turning our attentions to trying to establish contact with veterans and former service personnel.

In particular the museum is keen to hear from any personnel who have served on the following aircraft types, which saw service with the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy; the Harrier, Sea Harrier and Canberra.

On Sunday 14th April, 2019 the museum is hosting a Harrier Day 2019, which is a special event with visiting displays and cockpits to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Harrier ‘Jump-Jet’ entering British military service. Whilst we have some contact with former Harrier and Sea Harrier personnel, but we are keen to hear from other people with experience on these aircraft types.

The following month, on 18th May, 2019 the museum is hosting another Canberra Saturday event, which is dedicated to the Canberra aircraft and personnel that flew them; and again it will feature visiting displays. We are now trying to re-establish contact with many former Canberra personnel who attended our previous Canberra event, but whose contact details were recorded before the new GDPR regulations came into effect.

The aim of this appeal is to allow us to gain a better understanding of the likely number of attendees, which will mean that we will be able to make the necessary arrangements more effectively.

The museum’s event organisers are keen to hear from any former personnel and ideally we would like them to send us as an email via the admin@newarkairmuseum.org email address. To further assist our preparations it would help if they could indicate whether it was the Harrier or Canberra event that they were planning to attend. The museum will acknowledge each email and if people bring along a copy of the email to the event they will get the reduced rate admission.

Both events will be open to the general public who will be looking at the visiting displays and cockpits. These visiting displays are already listed on museum website. Normal museum admission rates apply: Adults £9.00, Over 65s £7.50, Children £4.50 and Family ticket [2 adults & 3 children] £24.00

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Half Term Open Cockpits at Newark

Phantom Cockpit at Newark Air Museum

During the coming Half-Term holiday period (16th February through to 24th February) we hope to have various aircraft cockpits open for people to go in, but this will depend on the availability of our volunteer cockpit openers.

We hope to be able to keep you advised via this news item about what may be open each day; if in doubt please call 01636 707170 before you travel.

We will also try to post daily updates via out Twitter feed.

Provisional cockpits opening schedule:

Saturday 16 February – Phantom CIM & Jaguar cockpit
Sunday 17 February – Shackleton
Monday 18 February – T.B.A
Tuesday 19 February – T.B.A
Wednesday 20 February – Argosy CIM & Varsity (pm)
Thursday 21 February – T.B.A
Friday 22 February – Varsity (pm)
Saturday 23 February – Phantom CIM & Jaguar cockpit
Sunday 24 February – Shackleton

Please remember that height restrictions apply to some cockpits – full details can be found elsewhere on the Museum website. This includes access to the Vulcan, which after 24th February is likely to be closed for a few weeks while important conservation work is carried out in the cockpit.

N.B. a small additional fee of is charged to access each aircraft. This money goes towards the restoration and repainting of our aircraft.

Visitors are also reminded that for some aircraft admission we simply ask that people consider making a donation to museum funds for being allowed into the aircraft or helicopter. These donations also go towards the restoration and repainting of our aircraft.

Additional aircraft cockpits may be open each day and other details will be updated as the information becomes available.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Advanced Aerospace Residency applications are now open!

STAAR Aircraft Access

Applications for the 2019 Summer Time Advanced Aerospace Residency (STAAR) delivered by the global aerospace and defence technology giant, Northrop Grumman, in partnership with the Royal Air Force Museum, are now officially open!

This unique summer camp for young adults aged 14-15 years is delivered in association with RAF Cosford and Tablet Academy, providing students with five intense days, experiencing life as an RAF engineering trainee, where they will live, work, learn and solve tasks together!

Suitable for students with a demonstrable interest in and aptitude for one or more STEM subjects, STAAR recruits are introduced to aircraft design and important historical missions such as the Dambusters raid. During the week, students learn about all the elements required to plan a mission, identify an aircraft’s needs, including speed, refuelling and wing design. They do this through a series of workshops and getting hands-on working on real engines and real aircraft.

With a focus on innovative new materials and technologies, recruits get the opportunity to understand how to use unmanned aircraft (drones) and fly them during a mock mission. Working in teams, STAAR recruits investigate a 3-D model town, using drones and iPads to gather intelligence. They also learn to think about how different aerospace systems need different capabilities to successfully carry out a variety of roles and missions, as well as exploring current conflicts and potential ways in which technology will need to evolve in the future. The week concludes with a team mission where they will be challenged to design their very own advanced aerospace systems.

Two STAAR residential weeks are planned for up to 40 students and will be held jointly at RAF Cosford and the RAF Museum Cosford on 22-26 July and 29 July-2 August 2019, with 20 recruits taking part each week. The hands-on summer camp is fully funded by the Northrop Grumman Foundation and this year participants will also work towards a CREST Award and an Industrial Cadet Award during the programme.

Royal Air Force Museum Cosford Access and Learning Manager, Julie Brierley said:
“The STAAR programme is designed to inspire young adults, helping them understand more about advanced aerospace systems engineering and encourage them to study and take up careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related fields. As an ex Avionics Mechanic with the RAF myself, I know what an exciting, challenging and fulfilling career it can be. The opportunities and resources that STAAR offers students is second to none and invaluable for those interested in future careers in the world of advanced aerospace. Now in its third year, I am proud to be involved in such a unique, impactful programme, it’s great to see the students grow in confidence over the week and face the challenges with enthusiasm. I look forward to meeting this year’s students.”

Northrop Grumman UK & Europe, Nick Chaffey, Chief Executive said:
“Northrop Grumman is proud of the success of this unique, immersive and stimulating STEM experience, and the deep relationships we have formed with our partner, the RAF Museum, and supporters RAF Cosford and Tablet Academy. Hearing about the positive impact the programme has had on students who participated in 2017 and 2018, and seeing the growth and development planned in 2019 reaffirms our commitment to creating a legacy STEM programme. One that supports the vision of RAF100 – to inspire diverse and talented young people to become the next generation of experts in the innovative and high-technology Aerospace Sector.”

The programme is open nationwide to any UK Year 10 students showing an interest in and aptitude for STEM subjects. Applications for the 2019 STAAR residency are now open online via the Museum’s website www.rafmuseum.org/STAAR and must be completed by a teacher explaining why their student is suitable for the programme. The closing date for applications is 25 March and successful applicants will be announced on 28 March. The class of 2019 will be invited to attend the RAF Cosford Air Show where they will have the opportunity to meet with fellow recruits, STAAR partners and enjoy a day viewing the very pinnacle of the aerospace industry. Recruits will also be handed their starter packs and t-shirts ready to start the residential week in July.