UK Aviation Museum News – Page 53

“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.”

www.yorkshireairmuseum.org

Jaguar Update

Sepecat Jaguar Newark Air Museum

Earlier in the year volunteers at Newark Air Museum undertook an ‘armament upgrade’ on their Sea Harrier airframe.

In recent weeks this excellent programme of work that allows their airframes to take on a more authentic ‘in-service’ feel has moved on to SEPECAT Jaguar T2A XX829.

The museum’s resident ex-armourer has completed work that has allowed external tanks to be fitted to the inboard pylons on XX829.

This work has given the airframe more of an operational appearance and the aircraft will feature as part of the museum’s Fleet & Foreign Aircraft Days on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th September 2016.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Pokémon Go at the RAF Museum!

Pokemon at RAF Museum

The RAF Museum is over run with Pokémon Go characters and facilities!

The RAF Museum is known for its legendary aircraft collection but alongside these iconic exhibits it now houses 6 Pokéstops, a Gym and numerous characters from the game that has taken over the world!

Say’s Kevin Carter, Head of Digital Experience: “My kids are gamers and they popped in to the Museum last week and were excited about the huge number Pokémon characters on site. Since then we have noticed a number of visitors playing the game here. As a free Museum with free wifi, they are most welcome!”

Visitors to the RAF Museum are able to use our FREE WIFI facilities to help them catch characters like Hypno, Drowzee, Spearow and many more!

The Museum has a Gym by the replica aircraft in the car park. We also have a total of 6 Pokestops, which usually placed on locations of interest or tourist spots. These are popular destinations for players as they deliver items such as Pokeballs (to catch other pokemon), Potions and Revives (to heal or revive a fainted Pokémon) and are very important to the game.

Chocks away for visitors with smart phones!

www.rafmuseum.org

RAF Museum volunteers celebrate Legion d’honneur award

Arthur Jones with RAF Museum CEO Maggie Appleton

Two volunteers at the Royal Air Force Museum have been awarded France’s highest distinction Legion d’honneur for their services to secure France’s liberation during the Second World War. To honour and celebrate their remarkable achievement, Leading Aircraft Woman, Rose Davies and Lance Bombardier, Arthur Jones were guests of honour at a drinks reception hosted by the RAF Museum American Foundation.

The awardees attended the reception held at the RAF Club in London on Thursday 7 July 2016, also attended by Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford, along with RAF Museum Trustees, CEO Maggie Appleton and other distinguished guests. Following a welcome from Major General Frederick Roggero USAF (ret’d), President RAF Museum American Foundation and a message of thanks from Colonel Murand, Air Attaché French Embassy, museum volunteers Rose and Arthur along with former Battle of Britain Pilot Wing Commander Tom Neil, were presented with their medals. Guests then enjoyed an afternoon of champagne and canapés.

The prestigious Legion d’honneur is awarded to D-Day veterans by the French government as a way of thanking those who fought and risked their lives for France’s liberation. Established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, Legion d’honneur is France’s highest distinction, awarded in recognition for both military and civilian merit. Very few British nationals have received the award since the French President announced in June 2014 that all British veterans who took part in military operations in France between 1944 and 1945 would be awarded.

Rose Davies first volunteered at Cosford for the International Women’s Day event held in 2015 where she gave an inspirational talk, inspiring the next generation of women about future careers in the RAF, and spoke about her time in service as a Radar Operator.

Arthur Jones has been a regular volunteer at the RAF Museum’s Cosford site for many years, volunteering in a variety of roles including working with school groups and giving talks at special events. He is also one of the regular faces in the museum’s Visitor Centre each Tuesday, where he shares his experiences with visitors.

The RAF Museum congratulates both Rose and Arthur on receiving this outstanding award.

www.rafmuseum.org

On your marks, get set… SCRAMBLE!

Spitfire 10k Run RAF Museum

The Spitfire 10k Run is back at the RAF Museum this September

Date: Saturday 3^rd September 2016

Time: 9.00 am

Location: RAF Museum London

Last year over 600 runners helped to raise over £10,000 for the RAF Museum’s Historic Hendon Appeal.

Due to the success of the event the Museum is inviting runners back for another 10k run to commemorate the Anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

There will be an onsite warm up session conducted in 1940’s period style. The race begins in the shadow of one of the RAF Spitfires and takes you on a special journey, including a section through the Bomber Hangar and around the iconic Lancaster, before leaving the Museum for two loops of a flat road course. Your finish will be commemorated with an exclusive Spitfire medal.

Entrants are also welcome to run in period costume

The Spitfire 10km run starts and ends at the RAF Museum in Grahame Park Way, Colindale, with a section through the bomber hangar and around a Lancaster, before leaving for two loops of a flat road course through Colindale.

Entry form: https://royalairforcemuseum.digitickets.co.uk/event/1353266?catID=5272