UK Aviation Museum News – Page 64

Aviation fans can enjoy a Pilots view of historic aircraft

Cosford RAF Museum Bristol 188

Open Cockpits Evening – 20 September 2014

6.00pm to 9.00pm

£12.50 per person

Aviation fans from across the country are being given the chance to sit inside some of the world’s most historic aircraft at the Open Cockpits Evening being held at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford next month. Just 300 tickets are available for this exclusive evening on Saturday 20 September, where a wide range of aircraft will be available for close viewing on the night: including transport aircraft, jet fighters and unique research airframes.

Aircraft enthusiasts will be able to get a feel for what it was like to fly these much loved machines by entering their cockpits and enjoying a Pilot’s view. In addition to this, visitors will have exclusive after-hours access to the Museum which displays a collection of over 70 aircraft, military vehicles, engines and aviation artefacts within three wartime hangars and the award-winning National Cold War Exhibition.

The aircraft open on the night will span the Museum’s entire collection ranging from research and development aircraft often produced in secrecy and built to test a new theory, to war planes that have seen action in several conflicts. Research and development aircraft will include the Bristol 188, built mainly of stainless steel and designed to investigate the effects of heat on aircraft structures at very high speeds and the Saunders-Roe SR53 interceptor which used a rocket motor to climb rapidly to high altitudes.

Fans of the modern jet will have the opportunity to sit inside the Harrier GR9, often referred to as the Jump Jet. This famous family of British-designed military jet aircraft were capable of vertical/short take-off and landing operations and only retired from operational service with the RAF in December 2010. Much older aircraft will include the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, a German fighter aircraft widely used by the Luftwaffe during World War Two. So whether you’re interested in seeing how manufacturers were pushing the boundaries of aircraft design or you’re keen to see up close aircraft that have served in conflicts across the globe, there will be something for every aviation fan to enjoy.

The event, which is held twice a year in May and September, has been a complete sell out for the last five events and with less than half the tickets remaining, anyone interested in attending is encouraged to purchase their tickets soon to avoid disappointment.

The evening will commence at 6.00pm and finish at 9.00pm, with numbers onto the Museum site strictly limited to 300 people – providing enthusiasts with three hours to examine the Museum’s historic and wondrous aircraft in an exclusive environment. Admission is by advance ticket only; tickets cost £12.50 per person and are available to purchase through the Museum’s website. Museum members price £10.00 per ticket (please note membership cards will need to be shown on entry to the event). Parking charges are included in the ticket price. Minimum height restrictions of 1.07 metres will apply.

The Museum will close at 5.00pm on Saturday 20 September in order to set up for the Open Cockpits Evening event. For further information on the ‘Open Cockpits Evening’ or to purchase your tickets online visit www.rafmuseum.org

Unseen First World War Casualty Card Archive and Muster Roll Now Online

The Royal Air Force Museum has today launched a new website, rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk, which enables members of the public to interrogate previously unseen Casualty Cards of members of the Royal Flying Corps who suffered injury during the First World War. In addition to these records online visitors are now also able to search the Muster Roll for the RAF as drafted on 1 April 1918 and the Air Force List as of 1 February of the same year.

This online resource is the culmination of a three-year digitisation project involving over 10,000 hours of work by staff of the museum, who electronically preserved over 300,000 fragile records – all of which are free to examine for anyone with access to the internet.

Karen Whitting, Director of Public Programmes for the Museum stated:

“As part of the Museum’s on-going mission to open up our archives to the public, we felt it was of paramount importance that, as the world unites to commemorate the outbreak of the First World War, our online visitors were able to read these fragile documents which previously would have only been accessible through supervised visits with our curators. Each of the records contained within this digital archive reveals the story of a member of the Royal Flying Corps who suffered injury, often making the ultimate sacrifice to protect their families and their country at a time of major global conflict – heroes such as Albert Ball and Mick Mannock whose names are central to the story of the First World War in the air. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Heritage Lottery Fund for their grant of £19,000, which enabled the museum to build this site.”

Adam Shepherd, Head of Collections Management at the Museum said:

‘I would l like to thank all the members of the Museum’s Collections Management team who worked so tirelessly on digitising and indexing these important RAF personnel records. Their dedication and sheer hard work on this intricate and intensive project has helped make it such a success. I would also like to thank the project’s main sponsor, the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund, whose generous donation of £64,000 enabled the Museum to complete the rapid digitisation and indexing of so many records, as well as providing for the all-important public access. Without the Fund’s support we would not have been so successful in preserving, developing and opening up these important records, which will help future generations unlock the stories of RAF people.’

Leading the technical development of the site, was Dr Alan Whitfield, CEO of Congruis and Wididi UK:

‘The Congruis-Wididi partnership has worked closely with colleagues at the RAF Museum in one team of many talents, to create a digital environment in just a few weeks that can help everyone in the UK, and across the world, remember and reflect on the bravery and sacrifices of their ancestors and of the many thousands of members of the Royal Flying Corps. We hope that modern digital technology will help rebuild many lost, perhaps previously unknown, connections to those to whom we owe so much.’

Rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk is part of a larger 4 year project undertaken by the RAF Museum dedicated to engaging audiences with the story of the First World War in the air. The main focus of this project will be a new permanent exhibition at both of the Museum’s Cosford & London sites, the ‘First World War in the Air’, opening December 2014. This exhibition will be supported by a dedicated programme of events at both sites, plus an outreach programme that will work with local communities and schools in London and the West Midlands thanks to the generous support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and BAE Systems.

www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk

Lancaster Corner Redisplay at Newark Air Museum

Newark Air Museum Lanc Corner

Work is nearing completion on the redisplay of the Lancaster Corner display area at Newark Air Museum, which is located on part of the former RAF Winthorpe airfield in Nottinghamshire; close to the border with Lincolnshire.

The major part of this work has seen the fuselage section of IX(B) Squadron Lancaster W4964 WS-J lifted off the ground and turned into a new display position, which allows improved views of both sides of the exhibit.

This particular fuselage section was donated to Newark in 1974. Its ends had been boarded up and it had been used as a workman’s hut for a road repair team and also as a garden shed. W4964 flew 106 Ops and its 100th Op was a ‘Tallboy Op’ on the Tirpitz battleship in Alten Fjord, Norway. It carried the nose art of the ‘Johnnie Walker’ whiskey company and the exhibit still wears its original wartime paintwork and squadron codes.

Other exhibits in this area of Hangar 1 include: a 619 Squadron ME846 Lancaster display; an UPKEEP Mine (Bouncing Bomb); various 617 Squadron artefacts; Lancaster wing-tip from Lancaster R5726; and various turrets.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

New exhibition on the History of Friendship between the Royal Air Force and the Royal Air Force of Oman

RAF Oman

Dates: 16th July 2014 – 14th July 2015

Entrance: FREE

Great Britain and Oman have enjoyed an enduring relationship for over 200 years that stretches back to a Treaty of Friendship in 1798. This broader relationship has been replicated in the close professional co-operation that has developed between the Royal Air Force and the Royal Air Force of Oman. It is a relationship that continues to develop into the 21st Century with the Royal Air Force of Oman’s purchase of the Eurofighter Typhoon and the latest Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer from BAE Systems.

Formed in 1959 from a nucleus of Scottish Aviation Pioneers and Hunting Percival Provosts, and manned by Royal Air Force loan officers, the Royal Air Force of Oman (originally named the Sultan of Muscat and Oman’s Air Force) has grown into one of the most capable air forces in the Middle East. This achievement has been supported throughout by mutual respect, friendship and encouragement between the Royal Air Force and the Royal Air Force of Oman.

In a brand new exhibition, curated with the support of the Archives Division of the Royal Air Force of Oman, the Royal Air Force Museum tells the story of this enduring relationship through the experiences of officers and men, from the Royal Air Force, the Royal Air Force of Oman and British industry who have played an important part in creating a modern, professional and highly effective air force.

The story ranges from the Royal Air Force’s involvement in the Middle East from its formation in 1918 and includes highlights such as the visit of Sultan Taimur bin Faisal to Royal Air Force Hendon in 1928 as the guest of the British government to watch an Air Pageant as well as the vital support offered by Oman to Great Britain during the Second World War through the purchase of Spitfires flown by the Royal Air Force.

The Commander of the Royal Air Force of Oman AVM Matar Al Obaidani, conducted the opening ceremony which was also attended by the RAF Chief of Air Staff ACM Sir Andy Pulford. The opening event at the Museum included traditional Omani musicians, a cultural display and souk providing coffee and dates to guests.

Aviation Historian and exhibition curator Ross Mahoney: “Throughout its history, the Royal Air Force has supported the development of a family of air forces that share a common set of values. The RAF’s relationship with RAFO is proof of the enduring importance of this shared set of values based on respect and friendship, which began with the latter’s formation in 1959 and continues to this day and into the future.”

Air Commodore Musallam Al-Zeidi, Royal Air Force of Oman: The outstanding and deep-rooted relations between the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) signify the close cooperation and mutual understanding between the two services in various fields in general and the field of defence in particular. Under the umbrella of this distinguished relations, the Royal Air Force has contributed greatly to Oman through providing expertise and technical knowhow to our personnel and we are sure that Royal Air Force will spare no effort in providing the requisite training which will put our fledgling Air Force in a good stead and enable it to keep abreast with the latest technological advancements. The close cooperation has carved a worldwide niche as unique relation and will continue to be so for years to come.

BAE Systems’ Vice President in Oman, Sir Simon Bryant, commented: “It is a great honour for BAE Systems to be supporting this exhibition. We, along with our predecessor companies, have taken delight in working with the Omani armed forces for decades. Through our current Hawk and Typhoon programmes we are looking forward to continuing with this relationship. The exhibition will provide the many people that visit it with a wealth of information of how the Royal Air Force of Oman has developed into the great Air Force that it is today.”

www.rafmuseum.org.uk

Three iconic First World War Aircraft arrive at RAF Museum Cosford

WW1 aircraft arrive at Cosford

On Tuesday 15 July staff at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford received three iconic First World War aircraft, which will form the centre of a new First World War Exhibition. The Bristol M1c, the Sopwith 1 ½ Strutter and the Sopwith Pup are due to go on display within the Museum’s War Planes Hangar in December 2014.

The Sopwith Pup is an original aircraft which was active during the First World War. The Pup, thought of by its pilots as the perfect flying machine, was used extensively by the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps both at home and abroad. The Bristol M1c and Sopwith 1 ½ Strutter are full scale reproductions.

The aircraft were transported from the RAF Museum London, along the M1, M6 and M54 motorways by two low loader lorries. Delighted members of the public and Museum staff welcomed the aircraft arrivals late afternoon, before they were placed inside the Museum’s Conservation Centre. The Sopwith Pup will undergo some minor fabric repair work to the tail before going on public display later this year.

The three aircraft are to be exhibited as part of the Museum’s First World War Exhibition, opening in December 2014 which will allow museum audiences to discover and explore the unique and often overlooked role of air power during the First World War through the incredible stories of the men and women who took part. The exhibition ‘First World War In The Air’, was made possible with a grant of £898,558 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Alex Medurst, RAF Museum Cosford General Manager said:

“These three iconic aircraft will provide a dramatic focus for our upcoming First World War exhibition. The Museum at Cosford looks forward to sharing them with its visitors and marking the historic anniversary.”

www.rafmuseum.org

Cosford to hold Centenary Charity Ball

Saturday 30 August

A glittering Centenary Charity Ball will be held at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on Saturday 30 August to commemorate the First World War and raise much needed funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund and the RAF Museum.

In what will be the highlight in Shropshire’s summer calendar, the evening will commence with a champagne reception under the wings of the mighty Vulcan bomber and other legendary aircraft within the Museum’s National Cold War Exhibition. Guests will be treated to a poignant military sunset ceremony with buglers, an RAF Cosford honour guard, followed by a spectacular helicopter flying display. A piper will then escort guests into the hangar for dinner.

Attendees will have the rare and unique opportunity to fine dine within the Museum’s War Planes Hangar and enjoy a four course dinner, set against a panoramic backdrop of some of the world’s most iconic and historic aircraft including a Hurricane and Spitfire.

There will be a variety of entertainment throughout the evening, including live music supplied by the RAF ‘Shades of Blue’ Swing Band, a surprise musical treat and a fabulous prize auction and grand raffle. Plus, a disco will ensure that guests are having a good time and dancing late into the evening as the party continues until 1.00am.

Graham Wynn OBE, Shropshire Businessman and member of the organising committee says:

“This promises to be a unique and most enjoyable occasion. It is one of the most outstanding black tie events of the year and will truly be a most memorable evening.”

The dress code for this poignant event is black tie or mess kit and miniatures. The evening will raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund who gives vital support to past and present servicemen and women and their families in need of financial support through injury or ill health. Money raised will also go towards maintaining the growing aircraft collection at the RAF Museum.

Karen Dixon, RAF Museum Corporate Events Manager says:

“Dining among Cosford’s legendary aircraft is a unique and special experience for guests and a must for anyone who enjoys high quality entertainment, supports the RAF, or has an interest in our aviation heritage. We look forward to welcoming visitors to the Gala Ball in August and we are confident it will be as popular as ever.”

This is a unique corporate entertaining and networking opportunity with tables of 10 or individual seats available. To find out more information about this prestigious event, please visit the Museum’s website www.rafmuseum.org. To purchase tickets, please email cosfordgalaball@rafmuseum.org or contact the event organiser on 01902 376200.

World War One displays opened

WW1 models Newark Air Museum

After months of planning and preparation two new displays at Newark Air Museum are now open for public viewing to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of World War I.A new display area in Hangar 1 has recently been completed to house some of the larger objects, which have recently been moved out of storage in the museum’s archive. The area chosen for this display is behind the Tiger Moth biplane and close to the General aircraft Monospar restoration project.

The Hangar 1 display features various wooden propellers, from a variety of World War One aircraft types including: Sopwith Dolphin, FE.2b, RE.8, Airco DH.9A, Avro 504k and SE.5a. In addition to the Palmer Cord aircraft tyres to display also incorporates various period items of flying clothing; helmet, goggles, Sam Brown belt, a Balloon Observers coat and Royal Flying Corps (RFC) flying boots; plus a hand-held ‘camera-gun’.

Elsewhere on site in the Small Objects Exhibition Hall, there is a new display of hand carved wooden models, which depict a wide range of World War One era British, French and German fighter planes. This display is supported by a series of personal stories from local military personnel that fought in the Great War.

Both displays are anticipated to remain in situ until at least early 2015.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

New exhibition to explore the History of Friendship between the Royal Air Force and the Royal Air Force of Oman

RAF in Oman

Dates: 16th July 2014 – 14th July 2015

Entrance: FREE

The story will range from the Royal Air Force’s involvement in the Middle East from its formation in 1918 and includes highlights such as the visit of Sultan Taimur bin Faisal to Royal Air Force Hendon in 1928 as the guest of the British government to watch an Air Pageant as well as the vital support offered by Oman to Great Britain during the Second World War through the purchase of Spitfires flown by the Royal Air Force.

Aviation Historian and exhibition curator Ross Mahoney: “Throughout its history, the Royal Air Force has supported the development of a family of air forces that share a common set of values. The RAF’s relationship with RAFO is proof of the enduring importance of this shared set of values based on respect and friendship, which began with the latter’s formation in 1959 and continues to this day and into the future.”

Air Commodore Musallam Al-Zeidi, Royal Air Force of Oman: The outstanding and deep-rooted relations between the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) signify the close cooperation and mutual understanding between the two services in various fields in general and the field of defence in particular. Under the umbrella of this distinguished relations, the Royal Air Force has contributed greatly to Oman through providing expertise and technical knowhow to our personnel and we are sure that Royal Air Force will spare no effort in providing the requisite training which will put our fledgling Air Force in a good stead and enable it to keep abreast with the latest technological advancements. The close cooperation has carved a worldwide niche as unique relation and will continue to be so for years to come.

BAE Systems’ Vice President in Oman, Sir Simon Bryant, commented: “It is a great honour for BAE Systems to be supporting this exhibition. We, along with our predecessor companies, have taken delight in working with the Omani armed forces for decades. Through our current Hawk and Typhoon programmes we are looking forward to continuing with this relationship. The exhibition will provide the many people that visit it with a wealth of information of how the Royal Air Force of Oman has developed into the great Air Force that it is today.”

www.rafmuseum.org

Aviation Memorials in Nottinghamshire

After months of research and preparation a new 36 page A5 colour booklet entitled, “Aviation Memorials in Nottinghamshire” has now been printed and free copies can be obtained from the Newark Air Museum.

The booklet has been co-produced by the museum and the Nottinghamshire County Council, as part of the council’s Local Improvement Scheme grant programme. It provides an insight into the county’s diverse aviation heritage as represented by 40 aviation memorial sites in the county.

Copies have been distributed to most Tourist / Visitor Information Centres and Libraries across the county; and work is underway to widen those distribution outlets.

People can call in at the museum now to pick up a copy and as part of its commitment to the project the museum is willing to send off copies by post to people who request them. Such requests can be sent in via email to admin@newarkairmuseum.org or telephoned through on 01636 707170 (10.30am to 4.30pm daily).

Enquirers are asked to provide postal addresses if they are requesting the printed version or a valid email addresses if they would like the PDF version.

The museum trustees hope that many people will obtain copies of the booklet and that it helps them to see how in Nottinghamshire “We love to commemorate our aviation heritage.”

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Flypast planned for Armed Forces Day guests

Armed Forces Day

Saturday 28th June 2014

11.00am – 2.30pm

Veterans and their guests must pre-register

Dakota flypast 1:25pm (weather permitting)

On Saturday 28th June, events across the country will celebrate the contributions made by those who serve and have served in 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 young and old from all three services. During this special reunion, hosted by Museum Staff, all Veterans will be treated to a full day’s programme. There will be free refreshments for guests, on arrival at 11.00am, followed by behind the scenes access to the Museum’s Conservation Centre and a talk from Darren Priday our Conservation Centre Manager about the Dornier Do17 Project. For lunch, veterans will have the rare opportunity of dining with other guests 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 for Armed Forces Day guests and visitors to the Museum will be a spectacular flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota, scheduled for 1:25pm (weather permitting). 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.

Event organiser, Louise Hammond says:

“It is an honour for the RAF Museum to be able to host so many Veterans and Serving Personnel for the annual Armed Forces Day. We have a fantastic day planned for guests and we look forward to welcoming new faces, as well as regular attendees to the event”

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.