UK Aviation Museum News – Page 49

Museum evening event is plane marvellous!

FD2 RAF Museum Cosford

Date: 16-17 September 2016

Time: 6.00pm to 9.00pm

Cost: £12.50 per person

The doors to military aircraft spanning a history of more than eight decades will be opened up to visitors at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford next month during a special two night event. Aviation fans will be able to view inside a total of fifteen aircraft, with everything from Cold War mainstays to unique prototype jets that pioneered the way for many of the world’s most iconic defence aircraft. Taking place on 16-17 September, just 300 tickets per evening are available for those who want to make their visit to the museum extra special.

Visitors can marvel at the advanced technologies on unique airframes including the TSR2, one of the most exciting and controversial British combat aircraft designs of the 1960s. Despite its outstanding technical success, political opposition led to the project being cancelled in April 1965 and the TSR2 is still a subject of great debate to this day. Arguably the most popular and advanced aircraft of its time, the TSR2 is still a popular favourite with aviation fans and is sure to be a highlight on the night.

The Fairey Delta 2 (FD2), one of only two ever built will also be opened up to ticket holders. Designed during the late 1940s in a bid to retrieve Britain from trailing in supersonic aircraft design, the FD2 later went on to break the World Air Speed Record in 1956 reaching 1132mph, breaking the record set only the year before by over 300mph. One of its unique features was the aircrafts ability to tilt the cockpit and nose section down by ten degrees in order to improve the pilot’s forward view during landing, taxiing and take-off. Visitors can learn more about its capabilities by speaking with staff and volunteers on the night, ensuring they get the most out of their visit.

Over in the museum’s National Cold War Exhibition a collection of aircraft that were the backbone to the west’s successes during the Cold War period will also be available. Aviation fans will be able to take a seat inside the cockpit of the sturdily built nuclear-capable Blackburn Buccaneer S1 nose section flown by the Royal Navy and the United States Air Force’s General Dynamics F-111, a combat aircraft capable of altering its wing configuration in flight to adjust the aerodynamic properties. Plus, the giant Short Brothers Belfast used by the RAF for almost twenty years, capable of carrying 150 fully-equipped troops or two Wessex helicopters will be opened exclusively for ‘Open Cockpits Evening’.

During the event, ticket holders will also have exclusive after-hours access to the museum which displays a collection of over 75 aircraft, military vehicles, engines and aviation artefacts within three wartime hangars and the National Cold War Exhibition. Other aircraft available on the night include: Hawker Siddeley Andover, Avro Anson C.19, Scottish Aviation Bulldog T Mk1, Hunting Percival Pembroke C1, SEPECAT Jaguar ACT Demonstrator, Saunders-Roe SR53, Hunting H126, McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1, Hawker Hunter F.4 and the Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer. This mix of aircraft means there is something to suit the interests of all enthusiasts and young aviators alike.

Tickets are now available to purchase through the museum’s website www.rafmuseum.org/cosford and cost £12.50 per person which includes parking (minimum height restrictions of 1.07 metres will apply). A full list of aircraft available on the night is also available online. The Museum will close at 5.00pm both days, however the Visitor Centre and Refuel Restaurant will remain open prior to the event which commences at 6.00pm and finishes at 9.00pm.

Fleet & Foreign Aircraft Days

Mig 27 cockpit newark air museum

Fleet & Foreign Aircraft Days

Newark Air Museum

3^rd & 4^th September 2016

Preparations for the new Fleet & Foreign Aircraft Days are now well underway at Newark Air Museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire; close to the border with Lincolnshire. Newark Air Museum is a registered charity that is located on part of the former site of RAF Winthorpe.

The Fleet & Foreign Aircraft Days event takes place on Saturday 3^rd and Sunday 4^th September 2016 and will focus on the museum’s diverse collection of Fleet Air Arm (Royal Navy) and international aircraft / helicopters. Visitors will get the opportunity to view the cockpits and interiors of more than twenty (20) of the museum’s collection of aircraft, cockpits and CIMs.

We also have flypasts on both days by aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight; 3^rd September, Hurricane & Spitfire and 4^th September, Spitfire – times to be confirmed.

The event is open to everyone and normal museum admission rates will apply:

Adults £8.50, Over 60s £7.50, Children £4.50 and Family ticket [2 adults & 3 children] £23.00. Please telephone 01636 707170 if you require any further information.

{A small additional fee / donation will be applicable when going inside the museum aircraft – this will go into the Project Panini Fund; to build a new Café & Toilet facility.}

N.B. The cockpits and aircraft may not be open at all times during the day and access will depend on the availability of our team of volunteer cockpit openers.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Mirage IVA Aircraft Cleared for Transfer to Allied Air Forces Memorial

Mirage IVA

French Ambassador to the UK, Her Excellency, Mdme Sylvie Bermann, said:

“I am delighted to add my congratulations to the Allied Air Forces Memorial at Elvington upon the announcement that our Minister of Defence has agreed to the gift of one of France’s most iconic aircraft, the Mirage lV, in recognition of the close ties between our two nations.’

Museum Director, Ian Reed, who began negotiations for the transfer of the jet with the French Government in 2007, said today:

“I would like to thank the French Government, diplomatic staff from the French Embassy and the French Air Force based both in Britain and Paris and aviation associates as far away as Dubai for their efforts in helping us over the last 9 years, to make this unique and historic project happen“.

Note: Last year the Museum was formally acknowledged by the European Union as “The Allied Air Forces Memorial”, which undertakes significant memorial events across UK and Europe. On behalf of DCMS (the UK Dept of Culture Media & Sport), the Museum represented the British & French air services last month at the international centenary commemorations for the Battle of the Somme at Thiepval, France by exhibiting a full sized WWl British fighter biplane.

Images attached show examples of Mirage !V aircraft. Two of these show the actual aircraft in the Citée des Sciences Museum that will shortly be transferred to Elvington.

www.yorkshireairmuseum.org

Poignant Womens Section Royal British Legion Memorial Day at Yorkshire Air Museum

Yorkshire Air Museum Royal British Legion

In what turned out to be a very special and moving occasion here at the Allied Air Forces Memorial & Yorkshire Air Museum, the Women’s Section Royal British Legion held their annual Memorial Day on Sunday 14^th August. Members of RBL Women’s Section Branches from across the Yorkshire and North East regions gathered during the morning in readiness for the Parade of Standards, which led into the unique Memorial Garden to the Women’s Air Services for the colourful Wreath Laying Ceremony. In a strong turnout, 19 Standards were presented, including support from York Royal Air Forces Association.

Both the Museum and RBLWS organisers were delighted that HM The Queen’s representative the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Mr. Barry Dodd CBE and Lady Feversham, President North Yorkshire RBLWS; attended the event to take the Salute from the Parade and lead the wreath laying ceremony. Wreaths were also laid by Mrs. Wendy Bromwich JP Life Vice President;(who followed the Lord Lieutenant to lay the wreath); Mrs. A. J. Murray MBE, Vice President Durham RBLWS; Mrs. D. Ingham OBE, President East Riding RBLWS; Mrs. H. Crosby, South & West Yorkshire RBLWS and Mr. Ian Reed ONM FRAeS, Director of the Allied Air Forces Memorial & Yorkshire Air Museum.

Following this, the Parade reformed to march to the Chapel for the Memorial Service. What made the ceremony so significant and poignant this year was the official Laying Up of the three Regional Women’s Section Standards of North Yorkshire County, East Riding of Yorkshire and South & West Yorkshire County. Additionally, following a last minute decision by Branch Members, the Crofton, Walton & Warmfield cum Heath Branch (South West Yorkshire) also presented their Standard to be Laid Up. The Laying Up of these Standards followed the recent decision by the Royal British Legion to amalgamate the Women’s Section into the core body, to no longer be a distinct group.

Emotions were welling, but stoically kept in check, as the Standards were taken into our care by our Honorary Chaplain, the Revd. (Squadron Leader) Charles “Taff” Morgan MBE, with each Standard Marched forward in turn. In his typically eloquent sermon, “Taff” paid tribute to the dedication of women in Service from WWI and the Battle of the Somme, which saw women tending to the horrendous wounds suffered by infantry and indeed airmen, engaged in the bloody battles on the fields and, for the first time in history, in the skies above. He reflected also on those women at home, who were left to deal with the consequences of menfolk away from home, and the damage to mind, body and soul of those returning from the front. This dedication has continued to today, where women are now serving on the frontline and piloting the latest aircraft in service, with no distinction between them and their male counterparts. Perhaps it is this modern ethos that has led the decision to streamline the Royal British Legion.

Not surprisingly, after the ceremony was complete, the tears flowed as the significance of the occasion sank in.

Ian Reed, Museum Director comments: “We are very proud and indeed humbled to take these treasured Regional Standards into our care here at Elvington. Our Station Chapel is indeed a fitting place for these symbols of friendship and Remembrance to rest. They mean so much to those that have carried and marched with them at many Memorial Ceremonies, and are honoured that this Memorial & Museum was the past place they were Paraded to the public.”

www.yorkshireairmuseum.org

“King of the Junglies” has landed at the Fleet Air Arm Museum

Sea King Fleet Air Arm Museum

The longest serving Mk4 Sea King helicopter – the ZA298, known as ‘King of the Junglies’, has landed at the Fleet Air Arm Museum
Helicopter’s rich history to be told to thousands of visitors at the museum from August 4th
The ZA298 survived four wars and will be preserved in the museum
Pilots who flew Sea King over its history of nearly four decades will be in attendance

The much loved and longest serving Mk4 Sea King ZA298 has arrived at The National Museum of the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm Museum (FAAM), where her memory will inspire many generations to come.

The ‘King of the Junglies’, as she is popularly known, has survived four wars and has been a real stalwart in supporting soldiers on various missions including at the Falklands, Bosnia, Iraq and more recently in Afghanistan.

Aircraft Curator at the museum, Dave Morris, is excited to be welcoming the Sea King into the museum’s collection, which will go on display from August 4.

“It’s always exciting to get a new aircraft into the collection and none more-so than Sea King ZA298,” he said.

“From its first combat action in 1982 (Falklands) it was still in active combat service some 30 years later in Afghanistan, and in the years in between it has been active in just about every other major combat or humanitarian aid task that the Royal Navy and Fleet Air Arm has been involved with.

“It was also the helicopter that famously delivered the Olympic Flame to Tower Bridge during the London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony.

“A real ‘war horse’, 298 has taken heavy fire on several occasions and is still standing, and has some amazing stories to tell.

“This helicopter is also an important addition to the line-up of Westland aircraft that we have in the collection. The Fleet Air Arm Museum holds a collection of Westland built aircraft of world significance that dates back to The Short 184 aircraft that flew at the Battle of Jutland 100 years ago.

“ZA298 will add yet more naval aviation history to this very important collection of aircraft, built only seven miles away from the museum itself in the town of Yeovil.”

Four Sea Kings landed at RNAS Yeovilton, before a handing-over ceremony in the museum earlier this year, where around 300 servicemen from the Royal Navy, RAF and Royal Marines celebrated her career which has spanned more than three decades.

Representatives from the helicopter’s manufacturer AugustaWestland, who, with the Royal Navy, handed over ZA298 to the museum, were also there to speak about the helicopter’s illustrious career.

www.fleetairarm.com

October Model Show Spectacular: 15th October 2016

Fleet Air Arm Museum Model Show

The October Model Show is the largest event of its kind in the South West and is a must for all model enthusiasts.

Visitors will be able to see a broad array of scaled-down models of real aircraft, see club and trade exhibitors from across the UK and meet the enthusiasts who live and breathe model making.

Advance Tickets will be withdrawn from sale on the 14th October 2016. For any queries please contact the ticket box on 01935 842617. SAVE 20% and buy online!

Tickets for the event can be found by clicking here (after 1st July 2016).

www.fleetairarm.com

Thunder Day at Yorkshire Air Museum

• Live engine runs by aircraft from across the history of flight

• From WW1, through WW2 to Cold War Jets all running for visitors to experience

• WW1 era SE5a and Eastchurch Kitten biplanes in action

• The huge engines of the C47 Dakota and De Havilland Devon

• Cold War Jets in action with the Nimrod and Victor Lusty Lindy

• A chance to see the Museum’s AVRO 504 exhibition, returned from the Somme

The Yorkshire Air Museum will reverberate with the sound of aircraft engines on Sunday 7th August as they stage the latest of their very popular “Thunder Day” events this season.

These events really capture the imagination of visitors at the peak of the Yorkshire summer holiday season, as they provide a great opportunity to see, hear – and indeed smell – a variety of the Museum’s historic aircraft as their engines are powered up to provide a unique experience of the history of flight.

The Museum’s Thunder Day gets under way with a pair of wonderful WWI bi-planes. The Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a fighter and the diminutive Eastchurch PV8 Kitten “Zeppelin killer”, evocative of the period of “string and canvas” aircraft.

World War Two and beyond is represented by the Museum’s C47 Dakota, the smoky start up action of her big Pratt and Whitney radial engines are always a great photo opportunity for visitors.

Running to accompany the Dakota is the pretty 1947 De Havilland Devon. This VIP transport aircraft is known to have carried Lord Mountbatten during its service with the Royal Air Force

These historic aircraft with their 70 year old engines are maintained by a team of volunteer aircraft engineers and give visitors a chance to experience the sights, sounds and smells of these old aircraft coming to life.

The Museum’s collection of Cold War Jets is one of the largest in the UK and the unique experience of hearing these mighty aircraft starting in close proximity is what makes Thunder Days so popular with visitors.

The Museum’s BAE Nimrod MR2 XV250, known as the “Mighty Hunter” in its role as Cold War submarine finder will be live, with her four Rolls Royce Spey engines running up to take off power.

The second of the Cold War Jets and one of the most famous faces of the Museum will be as popular as ever. Handley Page Victor XL231 “Lusty Lindy” V-Bomber / K2 Tanker, which served in the Falklands and first Gulf War as an air-to-air refuelling tanker.

She will really make the ground shake as her four Rolls Royce Conway’s produce their awesome bellow, much loved by her loyal followers. Bring your earplugs!

These two Cold War jets are operated by volunteer engineering teams and give a real insight to the complex procedures of typical service operations of the period. a time when the nuclear threat was never far from the headlines.

The Museum’s own in house fire and rescue team will also be on hand, not just to ensure safety but also to join in the celebration of running these exciting aircraft. The Fire Team will be giving visitors a chance to operate the powerful fire hose of the 38 tonne Pathfinder rescue vehicle. Parents might want to step back!

The Fire Team will also be giving an exciting demonstration of the fire fighting capability of the huge 38 tonne Reynolds Boughton “Chubb” airport fire tender and the rapid intervention 6 wheel Range Rover vehicle, culminating with a casualty extraction from one of the Museum’s aircraft.

A full schedule of events can be found at the Museum’s website http://yorkshireairmuseum.org/event/august-thunder-day/

YouTube video to link or embed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dKRGpEeVps

New RAF Chief visits Museum

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier

Today Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, the RAF’s new Chief of Air Staff visited the RAF Museum in North London

Whilst at the Museum, Sir Stephen spoke to CEO Maggie Appleton about the Museum’s plans for the RAF’s Centenary in 2018 as well as the fundraising campaign ‘Names on a Plane’

Sir Stephen also took a tour of the Museum and also dropped into our Archive department where he was shown documents and prints relating to his time at 2 Sqn.

Say’s Maggie Appleton, RAF Museum CEO: “It was wonderful to share our plans to celebrate and commemorate the RAF’s Centenary with Sir Stephen. We are committed to making our London site more accessible, vibrant and focused on the RAF’s story. Our multi-million pound transformation will use our collections as dynamic storytellers and ensure the site becomes an inspiring space for all our visitors, reflecting our historic roots as RAF Hendon, exploring today’s RAF and imagining the future.”

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier is the Chief of the Air Staff, in command of the Royal Air Force, leading a Whole Force of some 35000 Regular and Reserve personnel, and 5000 Civil Servants, supported by thousands of contractors. He is personally accountable for the safe and effective operation of over 700 manned and unmanned aircraft and for meeting the airpower needs of Defence, which currently means thousands of people and every front-line force committed to operations world-wide. In addition to sustaining his people and this exceptionally high level of commitment, he is also responsible for delivering the significant growth in the RAF’s front-line capability announced in the 2015 Defence Review.

www.airmuseum.org

Lincolnshire’s Vulcan Trail

Lincolnshires Vulcan Trail

On 20th July 1956 the first Vulcan to be delivered to the RAF was flown into the then recently upgraded RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire.

Yesterday to mark the 60th Anniversary of that delivery flight Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire (AHL) launched a new Lincolnshire’s Vulcan Trail leaflet that features details of the county’s various connections with the famous V-bomber.

The launch took place at the Waddington Airfield Viewing Enclosure (WAVE), which is located on the A15 road opposite the famous ‘Black Buck 1’ Vulcan, XM607. The short launch ceremony was conducted by Phil Bonner from AHL and was attended by several former Vulcan personnel.

The trail leaflet feature various site across the county that have Vulcan connections and briefly steps over the county’s borders into South Yorkshire with Vulcan to the Sky at Robin Hood Airport; and into Nottinghamshire to the Newark Air Museum, which displays Vulcan XM594, which is regularly open to the public.

Copies of Lincolnshire’s Vulcan Trail can be obtained from AHL and the sites that are featured on the trail.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Golden Era Vintage Motorcycle Run heads for Yorkshire Air Museum

Golden Era Motorcycle Run

The Yorkshire AIR museum is delighted to be once again hosting the “Golden Era” Vintage Motorcycle Run. This is the 8th consecutive year that organisers from the North East Vintage Motorcycle Club have teamed up with the Museum to stage this highly evocative gathering of Vintage and Veteran Motorcycles, all pre dating 1931!!

In fact, of the 55 entries, 14 machines are 100 years old or more, with the earliest example being a 1910 Douglas Model C, with this marque being joined by a 1914 Model U (original and un-restored) and a 1914 2&3/4 HP model.

The once famous Yorkshire make of Phelon & Moore,of Cleckheaton, is represented by a 1912 465cc example, very rare indeed. Another Yorkshire manufacturer, Scott (Shipley) is represented by 3 1929 Flying Squirrel’s and a 1930 Super Squirrel. A Scott Flying Squirrel engine can be seen in one of the museum’s real curiosities in the Mignet HM14 Pou-du- Ciel (Flying Flea) aircraft!

The entries will gather at the Museum in the morning before departure for the nostalgic countryside run, returning from 12 noon for public display.

Ian Richardson, Museum spokesman, said: “We are looking forward to once again seeing these historic machines so lovingly cared for by their owners, and we know from past years that some have been in the family for generations, which is quite extraordinary. This gathering has become very popular with visitors as it forms a very rare opportunity to see the machines running as well as on static display, which is quite a spectacle.”