Category: UK Aviation Museum News

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

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 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.

Hunter T7 goes on loan to Newark Air Museum

Hawker Hunter T7

In early May 2014 news emerged in the aviation world about the possible scrapping of Hawker Hunter T7, XL618, which was displayed at Caernarfon airfield in North Wales.

Heather Graham of Lakes Lightnings made strenuous efforts to ensure that the airframe was not scrapped and then set about finding a suitable location to display the airframe. Following an approach to the trustees of the Newark Air Museum, an agreement was secured for Hawker Hunter T7, XL618 to be placed on long-term loan at the museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire, close to the border with Lincolnshire.

Hawker Hunter T7, XL618 was dismantled by a team provided by Lakes Lightnings and then moved to Newark Air Museum on the evening of Thursday 19th June, where it was reassembled the following day in an area on the museum’s Southfield Site.

The Hunter T7 fits a gap in the museum’s themed display of RAF training airframes and will help tell the story of RAF fast jet training. Following a detailed condition survey, which will be completed jointly by Lakes Lightnings and Newark Air Museum, the airframe will be restored back to its former glory in as yet to be confirmed colour scheme.

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org

RAF Museum wins PR award for Dornier Campaign

RAF Museum awards

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations has awarded the RAF Museum an Excellence Award for its ‘Raising the Dornier’ campaign.

The Awards Night, at London’s Old Billingsgate on Tuesday 17th June, saw approximately 800 guests gather to celebrate over 150 leading Public Relations consultancies, teams and individuals competing to win 30 prestigious CIPR Excellence Awards.

The Museum won its award in the ‘Not-For-Profit’ category for the ‘Raising the Dornier’ campaign. Headed up by the Museum’s PR Manager – Ajay Srivastava, the Dornier story garnered front page coverage across the globe and included live broadcasts of the aircraft being lifted from the waters of the Dover Straits.

Citation from the CIPR:

“Changing the culture of an organisation to work positively with the media is central to any PR operation and a major reason for this entry winning. This excellent campaign, with its detailed planning and using limited staff and budget resources, carefully managed internal and external expectations. Successfully planning for weather interruptions when lifting an aeroplane from the bottom of the sea and keeping the media on side lifted the image of the RAF Museum not only in public but also among the museum community. PR that prompts a donation from across the Atlantic when funds are running out due to the weather is good PR.”

RAF Museum PR Manager, Ajay Srivastava:

“The Dornier campaign was an exhilarating, once in a life time experience which ultimately led to phenomenal worldwide coverage. It’s wonderful for the Museum to receive this accolade from the CIPR as staff across the board gave their time and efforts to make this a successful campaign. . We now look forward to our future campaigns with even more passion.”

www.rafmuseum.org.uk

First World War Aircraft Moved Into Place

Sopwith Camel RAF Museum

This week, staff at the RAF Museum London rolled the First World War Sopwith Camel into the exhibition space dedicated to telling the story of the ‘First World War In The Air.’

The Sopwith Camel is perhaps the most famous and iconic aircraft to take to the skies during the First World War. It was also made famous as the aircraft of choice by the fictional hero Biggles.

This aircraft is to be exhibited in major new 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).

More info on the aircraft here: http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/collections/sopwith-f1-camel/

And here: http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/collections/74-A-18-Camel-F6314.pdf

Biggles and Chums

Biggles and chums

First World War watercolours and works on paper by Captain W.E. Johns and his contemporaries

Exhibition dates: Open now – 4th January 2015

Location: RAF Museum London

Admission: FREE

The Flying Services – Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service – played a very significant part in the Great War.

For the first time the fighting extended into the air above the battlefield, and this space became vital for reconnaissance of the enemy’s positions and intentions.

At sea, aeroplanes and airships were able to see far over the horizon visible from a warship, as well as spotting for submarine raiders around Great Britain’s coasts. Both sides tried to stop each other taking advantage of this over-view, and hence aerial fighting developed.

The Museum’s art exhibition will feature works on paper never exhibited before, all of them produced during or immediately after the First World War.

Aeroplanes, heroic actions, the new operational procedures of air warfare and portraits of the young men who flew, will be on display alongside parts of Richthofen’s Fokker Triplane and memorials to heroic airmen.

Andrew Cormack, the Keeper of Fine Art said ” … the exhibition has provided an opportunity to show some wonderful paintings, drawings, prints and watercolours which show the aeroplanes and the personnel of the Air Services at work, as well as some remarkable sculpture, all of it from the Museum’s own collection …”

Biggles and Chums is supported by BAE Systems and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

http://www.rafmuseum.org

Great War Commemorative Exhibition heads to Cosford

Great War Exhibition

On display 15th June until 18th July 2014

FREE admission

The Great War Commemorative Touring Exhibition will be heading to the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford this month as part of a year-long tour of the country.

The exhibition consists of two bodies of work of various media in which the artist’s hope to slow the clouding memories of World War One and in this way, pay their respect to those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

This collection of work is brought to you by the Cheshire Artist Network, an organisation of over fifty professional visual artists who live and work in Cheshire. The network was founded over 10 years ago and their aim is to expand the opportunities for artists to develop their practice, as well as encouraging greater public appreciation and enjoyment of the visual arts.

During the opening week, there will be a lecture on the Art of War taking place on Thursday 19th June between 7.00-9.00pm. The lecture is free of charge and anyone wishing to attend is asked to register their interest in advance as places are limited, please email: cosford@rafmuseum.org or call the Museum on 01902 376200.

The Great War Commemorative Exhibition will travel the country during 2014 and will be on display at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford from Sunday 15th June to Friday 18th July 2014 in the Museum’s temporary exhibition gallery in Hangar 1. Entry to the Museum and to view the exhibition is free of charge.

For more information on The Great War Commemorative Exhibition and the wide range of exhibits on display at the Museum please visit www.rafmuseum.org or call 01902 376200.