Category: UK Aviation Museum News

The RAF Museum Cosford is appealing for local votes as it strives for nationwide acclaim on BBC One in this year’s National Lottery Awards for its First World War in the Air project.

The project beat off stiff competition from 620 organisations to reach the public voting stage in this year’s National Lottery Awards – the annual search for the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects.

First World War in the Air is competing against six other projects to be crowned the winner of the Best Heritage category. Winners of the seven National Lottery Awards categories will get a £2,000 cash prize, an iconic National Lottery Awards trophy and attend a star-studded Awards ceremony, broadcast on BBC One in September.

The Royal Air Force Museum’s popular First World War in the Air gallery brings to life the compelling stories of the people, innovations, engineering and aircraft of the Great War. 37,000 people have visited the exhibition in the last six months, with thousands more accessing information on the Museum’s websites.

Maggie Appleton, Chief Executive of the RAF Museum, says:

“We’re delighted to have reached the finals of The National Lottery Awards. National Lottery money has really helped us to engage thousands of people with the story of the First World War in the Air. It’s easy to vote, so we’re hoping people will support us as it would be a fantastic reward for everyone involved in the project – our staff, volunteers and local community – to receive national recognition for their hard work.”

TV star and actor John Barrowman will be presenting the National Lottery Awards for the fifth time this year. He says:

“The exceptionally selfless work carried out by National Lottery Awards finalists never fails to astound me. Their work deserves to be celebrated nationally; the community spirit, social cohesion and compassion.”

“It is crucial that you show your support for your local project so it can get the national glory that it richly deserves. National Lottery players should swell with pride that £34 million of Lottery funding is raised every single week for projects like this across the UK.”

To vote for First World War in the Air, please go to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards or telephone 0844 836 9670 and follow the campaign on twitter: hashtag #NLAwards. Voting closes at midnight on Monday 29 July.

There are seven projects competing for votes across seven categories, reflecting the main areas of National Lottery funding: arts, sport, heritage, health, environment, education and voluntary/charity.

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is pleased to announce that its latest acquisition, VC10 serial number XR808 has now arrived at Cosford, following a final road trip along the M6 motorway.

After a successful eight month dismantling process carried out by GJD Services, a specialist maintenance and aircraftsalvage company based at Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire, the VC10 finallyarrived at Cosford on Sunday 21 June.

The 93ft long fuselage departedfrom Bruntingthorpe early on the Sunday morningand arrived at Cosford shortly after 1.00pm. Transported on a low loaderlorry, the route saw the aircraft pass along the M69, M6 and the M54 to Cosford, via the nearby village of Shifnal. Too large to pass under the railway bridge at Cosford, the fuselage made its way to Junction 4 on the M54 and through Shifnal, with some tricky manoeuvring en route, before heading onto the airfield at RAF Cosford.

SqnLdr Chris Wilson, Media, Communication and Co-ordination Officer at RAF Cosford said:
“Having flown on VC10s throughout my career I’ve been looking forward to seeing this one arrive at RAF Cosford. The VC10 has been an iconic RAF aircraft for so many decades that it seems fitting that XR808 finally comes to rest at the RAF Museum at the end of its exemplary service. RAF Cosford is the Home of RAF Engineering so it is apt that the VC10 comes to our airfield to be rebuilt prior to going on permanent display at the Museum.”

The VC10 wings and tail plane will be transported on 28 June and work will then commence on the rebuild. Throughout July a team of engineers from GJD Services will unload the aircraft, position and trestle the inner wings before attaching them to the fuselage. Early August the aircraft will transfer from the RAF Cosford airfield to the Museum site for the final reassembly, which will take place directly outside the Museum’s Hangar 1.

Once on the Museum’s site, the wings will be rebuilt and the rear fuselage section attached. By late September the team anticipates to be fitting the fin and tail plane ready to install the engines, nacelles and outer wings. The final finishing touches of refitting the access panels and a little paint work touch up will be carried out late October before the fully reassembled VC10 is moved into its final position next to the Lockheed Hercules C130K Mk3, where the aircraft will go on public display.

Gary Spoors, Accountable/Engineering Manager at GJD Services said:
“When GJD were asked to move XR808 on behalf of the RAF Museum we were very keen to take on the challenge; to play our part in preserving this icon of British Engineering. Whist we were fully aware of the scope of the challenge presented to us, it has tested our engineering skills. Working as a team we have come up with some innovative solutions to problems as they arose, all of which we have overcome. Personally, I have a great affiliation with the VC10, having worked on the type throughout various stages of my career and I wanted to ensure that XR808 was dismantled and moved with care and precision. We chose to reverse engineer the aircraft, de-riveting the various section, wing, fin, tail and back end, in order to avoid any cuts which we felt would compromise the integrity and beauty of the aircraft. An enormous effort has gone into the dismantling of XR808 and we are very pleased with progress the GJD team has made so far. We are looking forward to the next phase and seeing XR808 complete in her new home.”

The VC10was a British aircraft originallybuilt by Vickers-Armstrong and then later by the British Aircraft Corporation and entered service with Royal Air Force in 1966. This dual-role aircraft enabled the rapid deployment of troops and their weaponry and fast jet aircraft to many theatres of operations around the world. With the ability to carry up to 124 troops at a time with nine crew members or a freight load of up to 20,400kgs the VC10 has been one of the RAF’s most significant assets for nearly 50 years.The RAF VC10’s allowed true global mobility offering a combination of speed and range never previously attained by an RAF Transport Command aircraft type.

Ian Thirsk, Head of Collections at the RAF Museum said:
“The BAC VC-10 formed the mainstay of the RAF’s long range strategic transport force for almost fifty years. For one aircraft type to have been in service for such a long period is remarkable in itself. However, when this is added to the variety of roles and worldwide scope of operations, it is clear this is a unique aircraft and it would not be possible to accurately portray the history of the RAF without an example of the type – therefore it is essential that such a pivotal and long serving aircraft is preserved by the RAF Museum.”

Darren Priday, Conservation Centre Manager at the RAF Museum said:
“I completed two tours on VC10’s during my RAF career, totalling 6½ years on type, so I am looking forward to being reacquainted with an old friend. Renown for being a troop carrier the VC10 also excelled in other roles – carrying freight, aero-med, VIP duties and air-to-air refuelling. ‘BOB’, will be a great addition to the RAF Museum Cosford site.”

For further information about the Museum, please visit the Museum website www.rafmuseum.org or call 01902 376200. The Museum is open daily from 10am and entry to the Museum is FREE of charge.

Date: 27 June 2015

Time: 11.00am – 2.30pm

Cost: FREE (Veterans and their guests must pre-register)

Flypast: Dakota 2.15pm (weather permitting)

               Vulcan time TBC (weather permitting)

On Saturday 27 June, events across the country will celebrate the contributions made by Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. The annual Armed Forces Day is an opportunity to reflect and pay tribute to our heroes past and present, including current serving personnel, service families, veterans and cadets.

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford will once again participate in this annual event by hosting veterans from all three services. During this special reunion, Veterans will be treated to a full day’s programme of activities. There will be free refreshments for guests, on arrival at 11.00am, followed by a short presentation. For lunch, veterans will have the rare opportunity of dining amongst the aircraft and artefacts on display in the Museum’s Hangar 1.

During the afternoon, guests will be treated to musical performances from The Jays, a 1940s Singing Quintet who love nothing more than resurrecting the wonderful hits of the Second World War made famous by The Andrews Sisters and The Glenn Miller Orchestra. Their toe tapping, memory jogging 1940s vocal harmonies will have Armed Forces Day Guests singing along to every song.

A highlight of the day will be a spectacular flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota, scheduled for 2.15pm (weather permitting) and the world’s last flying Vulcan bomber (time TBC).

Abi Betteridge, RAF Museum Cosford Public Events Manager said:

“It is an honour for the RAF Museum to be able to host so many Veterans and Serving Personnel on Armed Forces Day. We have a fantastic day planned for guests and having two spectacular flypasts scheduled is a real treat for our guests and all visitors to the Museum. Spaces to the event are limited and we are already over half subscribed so we would advise anyone wanting to be part of the day to book soon.”

All-in-all this promises to be an exciting day which will enable Veterans to meet up with old friends, reminisce over shared experiences, and enjoy themselves in the authentic atmosphere and setting of the Royal Air Force Museum. The day will conclude at 2.30pm where guests are free to wander round the Museum.

Attendance to the event is free of charge and by advance registration only. Any Veterans who would like to attend the event, are asked to book their place now by calling 01902 376 200 or for more information visit www.rafmuseum.org/cosford. Parking for Armed Forces Day guests is also free.

Date: 18-19 July 2015

Time: Gates open 8.30am

Cost: £8.00 in advance

Hundreds of scale models of iconic aircraft will be taking to the skies over Shropshire next month for a weekend of flying entertainment. Model enthusiasts from across the country will travel to the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford for this famous air show in miniature.

Taking place on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July, the Large Model Aircraft Rally at Cosford is an absolute must see for any aviation enthusiast. This popular annual event attracts in excess of 10,000 visitors over the two day show and is one of the biggest events in the Museum’s calendar.

This year’s flying theme will be commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, considered the most important event in Royal Air Force history. Visitors to the show will see a spectacular anniversary display of World War Two aircraft with many international teams signed up to take part. The Legendary Fighters from Germany will be flying 1/3 scale fighter aircraft including Messerschmitt 109s and Spitfires in exciting mid-air dogfights, entertaining the crowds throughout the day.

Aircraft from the early days of aviation, through to the modern jets of today will be flying during the model show weekend. Models on show will range in size from small scale aircraft right through to a huge 1/5th Scale Avro Vulcan with 4 jet turbines. Famous for its delta wing shape, the 1/5th scale mighty Vulcan bomber is a spectacular flypast not to be missed. Many of the models have taken years of dedication to build and apart from the obvious difference in size, they look just like the real thing.

Dave Johnson, event organiser and Chairman of the Large Model Association said:

“I feel really excited about the show this year. We have a new layout which is on the opposite side of the airfield to usual, which I feel will benefit not only the pilots but our visitors as well, especially photographers as the sun will be behind the display line. This year we have put together a fantastic flying display of large models, with participants from across Europe and we hope with a little help from the weather it will be the best we have seen at Cosford for several years.”

The Large Model Aircraft Rally promises to be a great day out for modellers and families alike with more than 65 exhibitors signed up to showcase some of the latest model kits and aviation accessories. Families are guaranteed to enjoy the family fun lined up which includes a children’s entertainment area, packed with mini motorbikes, bouncy castles and inflatable slides, all on offer to youngsters. Plus, keeping visitors fuelled for the day, there will be a fantastic range of food and drink on offer and visitors will have access to the RAF Museum where they can see many of the aircraft flown during the show in full size. A free bus service will take visitors from the event to the Museum throughout the day.

Anyone wishing to attend the event can save money by purchasing tickets in advance at a discounted rate. Advance tickets are on sale at the Museum, priced at just £8 for adults, saving £2 per person on the gate price and children under the age of 16 are FREE. Gates open at 8.30am and flying starts a 9.00am.

Exclusively for the Large Model Aircraft Rally, visitors are able to camp on site, meaning you can make the most of the weekend’s flying and activities by being at the centre of all the action. On site camping, including entrance to the show both days is only £45.00 and any visitors interested in camping should email public-camping@largemodelassociation.com or call 07827 675665.

For further information on the event and how to purchase advance tickets visit the Museum website www.rafmuseum.org or call 01902 376200.