Category: UK Aviation Museum News

Cosford commemorates The Fallen on Remembrance Sunday

Sunday 10th November

Service to commence at 10.45am

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford will be holding a Remembrance Service paying respect to those Service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice during their tours of duty.

For those wishing to pay their respects, the Museum will be holding a Service of Remembrance on Sunday 10th November, allowing visitors to reflect on the sacrifices made by our brave service men and women. The service will be led by Rev (Sqn Ldr) Eddie Wynn RAF Reserve, Station Chaplain RAF Cosford, in front of the Comet. During the service there will be readings by Commander Jon Milsom RN COS DSAE and Dave Leek, Chairman of the Aerospace Museum Society.

Visitors to the Museum will also be treated to performances from the Cosford Military Wives Choir, who will perform for visitors at the beginning and end of the service. All visitors to the Museum are welcome to join the service for this Act of Remembrance and are politely requested to assemble in Hangar 1 no later than 10:30am ready for the Service to commence at 10.45am, which will include a two minute silence with the sounding of ‘The Last Post’.

RAF Museum Cosford Events Executive, Nina Mitchell says:

“This event is always a poignant occasion and we hope that local residents will choose to join us on the day and remember the fallen with us. I would like to thank the Station Chaplain and the Cosford Military Wives Choir for their help in organising this years’ service, I’m sure visitors will enjoy the day’s proceedings.”

Sunday 10th November also marks the first day of the annual Conservation Centre Open Week where visitors can view the conservation work taking place on a variety of aircraft and speak with the skilled Technicians and Apprentices who make the work possible. The Conservation Centre will be open to all Museum visitors from 10th to 16th November from 10.15am to 1.00pm.

The Museum is open daily from 10am and entry to the Museum is FREE. For further information, please call the Royal Air Force Museum, Cosford on 01902 376200 or visit the Museum website, www.rafmuseum.org.

Cracking Christmas Gifts from the RAF Museum

RAF Museum Teddy Bear

If you’re searching for that particular gift which will make their spirits soar once they have ripped open the wrapping paper on Christmas Day morning, why not visit the Royal Air Force Museum’s online shop – www.rafmuseumshop.com? For Christmas 2013 the Museum has substantially expanded its gift range to suit a variety of budgets including its jewellery and clothing ranges.

We have revived the classic children’s game of the 70s and 80s, Top Trumps, by creating a pack dedicated to our aircraft collections at both London and Cosford. Containing 30 beautifully photographed aircraft, 15 from each site, this game of skill is highly addictive and will have young aviation buffs trying their best to outwit each other on Christmas Day for just £5.99.

Summer 2014 marks the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. As part of the Museum’s series of activities to commemorate this cataclysmic period of early 20th Century we have created our Great War Centenary Teddy Bear. We have kitted him out in the same clothing worn by British Aircrew of the time to reflect the extreme cold experienced by crews flying at high altitudes in open cockpits. Sitting at approximately 8 inches high, our mascot of the Royal Flying Corps boasts a long flying coat, leather flying helmet and goggles and retails for a very affordable £10.00

Little Pilots aged a year or below will adore our range of RAF Airman Body Suits and T-Shirts. Made from 100% cotton, for delicate skins, these items are fully machine washable and perfect for fancy dress, themed events or for when your future pilot needs to express themselves. This quality printed garment is the perfect gift for any child at £9.50 each.

Back by popular demand, we have expanded our range of hand painted Christmas Tree Baubles by introducing the RAF Stripe Bauble, a perfect complement to our Roundel and Historic Aircraft Baubles. Individually created, these intricate works of art are designed by the artist expertly hand painting each image, using the hole at the top of each bauble. Beautifully gift-boxed, these baubles are the perfect decoration for any aviator’s Christmas Tree at just £5.99 each.

If you’re searching for that gift that will stand the test of time we are now able to offer a Royal Air Force Skeleton Pocket Watch for men for £70.00 and Ladies Pendant Watch for £45.95. Both of these charming time pieces are fashioned from pewter by British Craftsmen and feature the Royal Air Force’s Crest as part of their design. The perfect ornament for any smart individual these timeless watches will become much loved heirlooms. We also offer a personalised engraving service to make these gifts even more special.

For the man who has everything what better present to give than an Escape & Evasion Map Tie? These ties are made from genuine issued escape and evasion silk maps from the Cold War period (circa 1949 -1960). Easily concealed upon the person, these maps were used to assist servicemen in their attempts to escape or evade capture if shot down behind enemy lines. These unique ties are lined with blue silk and come presented in a Home Front style gift box with an information sheet about the map depicted – all for £85.00.

If your budget is able to extend a bit further, we are also able to offer original Irvin Sheepskin Flying Jackets for £609. Made from top quality, supple sheepskin with a long rugged wool interior, the Irvin Sheepskin Flying Jacket became the definitive flying jacket from pilots during the Second World War. Today they are still manufactured in the United Kingdom to the same fastidious attention of detail demonstrated by Leslie Irvin, their creator, and bear the authentic Irvin, woven label. The perfect addition to any aviation enthusiast’s wardrobe the Original Irvin Sheepskin Flying Jacket comes in a variety of sizes suitable for both men and women.

Furthermore, by purchasing any of the items contained from our online shop you will be helping the Museum maintain its unique collection of aircraft, medals, films and documents – preserving a vital part of our nation’s heritage for future generations. So this Christmas why not give your personal high-flyer a gift that will make their Festive spirits soar whilst at the same time making a donation, through your purchase, to our nation’s aviation heritage?

Focke-Wulf Fw 190 now on display at Cosford

Autumn is off to a flying start at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford with the arrival of a Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-8.

These German fighter aircraft were widely used by the Luftwaffe during World War Two and an example of this is now on display to visitors within the Museum’s Warplanes collection.

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 was a single-seat single-engine multi-role fighter-bomber, capable of carrying a larger bomb load than its counterpart the Messerschmitt Bf109. Entering Luftwaffe service in August 1941, the Fw 190 proved superior in many respects to the Royal Air Force’s main frontline fighter, the Spitfire V. It took the introduction of the much improved Spitfire IX in July 1942 for the RAF to gain an aircraft of equal capability.

One of the more unusual roles for the Fw 190 was as part of the twin-aircraft drone combination, code-named mistletoe or Mistel. A single engine fighter was mounted on top of a twin engine bomber, and on lining up with the target the fighter detached itself, leaving the bomber, packed with explosives, to impact the target.

Cosford’s Fw 190 is a unique survivor of a Mistel combination. Surrendered in Denmark in May 1945, the Fw 190 was part of a combination with a Junkers Ju 88, and assigned to a unit which trained Mistel crews. Flown to Germany as a twin combination, the Fw 190 was then split from its Ju 88 in order to be ferried to the UK for examination. The Ju 88 half never reached the UK, and it is assumed it was scrapped.

The Museum’s aircraft then spent several years on display at RAF Cranwell before a short period in storage at RAF Biggin Hill. In 1986 it went on loan to Imperial War Museum Duxford where it was given corrosion treatment and after colour scheme research, was given an authentic daylight fighter scheme. Four years later, the Fw 190 A-8 was moved to Imperial War Museum South Lambeth and placed on display, suspended in their refurbished Museum. Officially becoming property of the RAF Museum in 1998 after the title was transferred by the Ministry of Defence, the aircraft remained on display at Lambeth until December 2012 when it was moved to the RAF Museum Cosford in Shropshire.

After a period of time spent in the Museum’s award winning Sir Michael Beetham Conservation Centre and undergoing a small amount of maintenance work, the aircraft has now been placed on display for aviation fans to enjoy.

Clare Carr, RAF Museum Cosford Assistant Curator says:

“After many years suspended in the Imperial War Museum London, we are delighted to be able to offer visitors to Cosford a closer view of this unique Luftwaffe airframe, which complements the other World War Two era aircraft displayed in our Warplanes hangar.”

The Museum is open daily from 10am and admission is free of charge. For more information on the Museum, visit www.rafmuseum.org or call 01902 376200.

DORNIER BOMBER TO BE DISPLAYED IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE

The RAF Museum is using cutting edge digital technology to share its newly acquired exhibit – the Dornier Do17 bomber – with the world.

Using a specially developed Augmented Reality App called Apparition: Dornier17, a full scale, 3D vision of the aircraft will be visible in situ at various locations around the world.

In June the Museum successfully lifted the only known German Dornier Do17 bomber, from the waters of the Goodwin Sands, three miles off the coast of England. The event was a media phenomenon with viewers across the globe tuned in to watch it happen live.

A grant of £75,000 for exhibition development from Wargaming has allowed the Museum to work with redLoop design and innovation centre to develop a brand new method of exhibiting Museum artefacts. The creation of the‘Wargaming.net Interpretation Zone’ has been funded by Wargaming, an award winning global game publisher and developer.

From 16th Oct 2013, visitors to the Museum sites at London and Cosford will be able to see a fully restored, 3D, full scale, augmented reality Dornier. Visitors will be able to view this through their smart phones via the ‘Apparition: Dornier17? app.
Apparition: Dornier17 will be able for free download from the Apple App store from 16th Oct and soon after will be available on Android.

Furthermore the Museum has also tied in with organisations across the globe including; Museo del Aire Madrid Spain, Warsaw Museum of Polish Military Technics Poland, War Museum Overloon The Netherlands. Great Horwood C of E Confined School England, Canada Aviation and Space Museum, The Air Force Museum of New Zealand Museum plus the Pima Air & Space Museum/Arizona Aerospace Foundation to celebrate the launch of the exhibition. Visitors to those Museums will also be able to see the augmented reality Dorniers through their smart phones, hovering in situ.

Wargaming is delighted to be working with the RAF museum and its partners to develop an augmented reality application to bring history alive, and allow users to view the Dornier 17 bomber from locations around the world. Said, Tracy Spaight, Director of Special Projects, Wargaming. One of the challenges museums face is how to reach a younger generation, a demographic that author Mark Prensky called ‘digital natives’. Young people are used to interacting with content in ways that museums are only just beginning to explore. Wargaming.net is pushing the envelope to create interactive experiences that will help enrich our historical understanding and bring a new generation to museums.”

Royal Air Force Museum Director General, Peter Dye: This heralds a new era of exhibition display and what Museums can achieve. For the first time ever the same 3D exhibit is visible in defined physical sites around the world.”

redLoop Director, Dr Andy Bardill: “We are now living in the science fiction future, described by William Gibson, where we can create virtual 3D objects that people can look at, walk around and explore in physical spaces or in their own home using commonly available smartphones and tablets. We have used this technology to bring the Dornier17 back to life and it clearly has immense potential for augmenting museum collections.”

www.rafmuseum.org

Victor Cockpit Moves to Newark Air Museum

On Saturday 5th October 2013, the Newark Air Museum took delivery of its latest exhibit, in the shape of a Handley Page Victor cockpit.

This particular Victor cockpit is believed to have been built as an airframe; however before being allocated a serial number it was converted by Redifon into a Victor simulator / procedures trainer.

It was once used to train Victor crews at RAF Marham in Norfolk and it has been placed on long term loan at the museum. After making the short delivery journey to the museum from its previous location near Lincoln, the Victor cockpit will soon be repainted in representative markings of the type.

The cockpit is internally complete and it will form a significant part of the display at the next Tribute to the V-Force event, which the museum is hosting on Saturday 17th May, 2014 at its site on the former RAF Winthorpe airfield in eastern Nottinghamshire.

The Victor cockpit will also be an integral part of the 2014 Cockpit-Fest event, which is being held on Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th June, 2014.

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org

General Aircraft Monospar project update

Newark Air Museum Monospar project

Work on the on-going re-build of General Aircraft Monospar VH-UTH at Newark Air Museum continues to extend the knowledge of the volunteers undertaking the work on this rare airframe. Still working without any detailed plans for the ST-12 Monospar much of the most recent work has involved detailed structural items in and around the cockpit / fuselage.

Wherever possible the restoration team has been incorporating original items back into the airframe. In the cockpit the instrument panel has been reinstalled, along with most of the original instruments. Whilst the project was at Innsworth, some of the instruments were ‘quarantined’ and a decision is currently pending to decide whether or not these are refitted. If suitable replacements can be found these may be replaced, if not the originals will be incorporated and access to the cockpit area monitored.

Just aft of the cockpit the fuselage luggage hatch is being carefully rebuilt and this work is incorporating all of the original framework and hinges, which are contoured to the fuselage profile. However it seems likely that a new door will need to be fabricated as the original was damaged beyond repair.

A setback to the project has recently occurred with the enforced retirement of one of the team members, due to family health issues. His dedication and engineering skills will be missed, but his enforced departure will no doubt spur on the team members to continue with this project during the coming months.

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org

Dornier 17 Interpretation Zone

Creation of £75,000 Wargaming.net Interpretation Zone for Dornier 17 at RAF Museum’s West Midlands site.

In June the world witnessed the successful project to raise the only known German Dornier Do-17 bomber, from the waters of the Goodwin Sands, three miles off the coast of England.

From October 16th the general public will be able to experience a dynamic new exhibition at its Cosford site which will explore the background of this legendary aircraft and its recovery. The creation of the ‘Wargaming.net Interpretation Zone’ has been funded by Wargaming, an award winning global game publisher and developer.

The grant of £75,000 has allowed the Museum to work with redLoop: the Middlesex University Design and Innovation Centre, to develop new approaches to the display and interpretation of the Dornier as it is conserved. A number of interventions will tell the story of the Dornier, its recovery and conservation – in both the Museum’s physical and digital spaces.

At both sites the public will also be able to see an augmented reality Dornier flying above the Museum, showing the aircraft as it would have been seen in 1940. Visitors will be able to view this through their smart phones via a newly developed app. Additionally exhibits at both sites will display multi-media content – from footage of the Dornier in action in 1940, to film of the recovery operation and the chance to witness the Dornier in action in the Wargaming release World of Warplanes.

The Museum has also tied in with organisations across the globe including the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, The Air Force Museum of New Zealand Museum plus the Pima Air & Space Museum/Arizona Aerospace Foundation to celebrate the launch of the exhibition. Visitors to those Museums will also be able to see the augmented reality Dorniers through their smart phones, hovering in situ.

The exhibition will allow the Museum to develop new education offers focussing on the STEM subjects as well as creating a space where community groups and adult education partners can take part in the Dornier experience. A new dedicated website will also be launched which will the story of the Dornier and its recovery and conservation. The website will showcase the social history behind the Dornier, the forensic science behind its discovery and recovery, archive footage from the Museum as well as user generated content. The website will develop with the Dornier project and function as an innovative hyper textual documentary for the project.

Victor Kislyi Wargaming CEO: “Wargaming is passionate about military history,” said Victor Kislyi, CEO of Wargaming. “When we heard about the effort to recover the Dornier 17, we jumped in to help conserve and exhibit the plane. The new ‘Wargaming.net Dornier 17 Interpretation Zone’ at the RAF Museum opens up new vistas for the display and understanding of military history. Visitors of all ages will be able to interact with history in a way that has not been done before. Through augmented reality and multi-media experiences, the exhibition brings the past alive to tell the story of the Dornier 17, the pilots of 264 Squadron who shot it down, and epic struggle of the Battle of Britain. We are honored to be a part of this ground-breaking exhibition.”

Royal Air Force Museum Director General, Peter Dye: “I am delighted that Wargaming are supporting Museum’s Dornier project by funding the Interpretation Zone. This is innovative project and the support of Wargaming will allow us to tell the story of the aircrafts’ recovery and conservation in an innovative way. Augmented reality, mobile applications and the use user generate content are new developments for the Museum and we are very excited about exploring their possibilities.”

redLoop Director, Dr. Andy Bardill: “Working in partnership with the RAF Museum we have developed a ‘bleeding edge’ approach to interpretation in museum spaces, blending physical and digital experiences throughout the exhibition scheme. This innovative approach will provide new visitor and educational experiences and enable the museum to engage with their audiences both on their museum sites and across the world.”

About Wargaming

Wargaming is an award-winning online game developer and publisher and one of the leaders in the free-to-play MMO market. Founded as a privately held company in 1998, Wargaming has shipped more than 15 titles. Currently, Wargaming is focused on its team-based MMO war series dedicated to the mid-20th century warfare that will include the armored World of Tanks, the flight combat World of Warplanes, and the naval World of Warships. The three intertwined titles will form a common gaming universe integrated within the portal www.wargaming.net

Official website: www.wargaming.com

About redLoop

redLoop is a research-led, innovation and design collaboration centre based within the School of Science and Technology at Middlesex University London.

redLoop brings together research expertise, social and ethical philosophies and commercial experience from across the University and its collaborative networks. This enables us to develop innovative interdisciplinary work areas across a broad range of applied research and commercial scenarios in the product, service, interaction, user-experience and technology sectors.

We have recently completed, and are actively working, on a number of projects that bring together physical objects and spaces, digital systems and applications, and media content to deliver new user experiences and value exchanges between institutions, corporate clients, artists and end-users [visitors, customers, audiences, etc]

Official website: www.redloopdesign.co.uk

www.rafmuseum.org

Experience the virtual skies at Cosford

Saturday 19th October

10.00am to 5.00pm

£10 per person

Experience the virtual skies at the flight simulation event taking place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, Shropshire on Saturday 19th October 2013.

Just Flight and Flight 1, two leading flight simulation software publishers, will be hosting this major gathering in association with PC Pilot magazine to show visitors the very best in desktop flying.

Visitors to the show will be able to fly the latest aircraft, check out the latest flight simulation hardware and chat with leading developers, publishers and other enthusiasts in addition to the many exhibitors at the show.

Home to an impressive collection of aircraft and exhibitions, come along to Flight Sim 2013 at the RAF Museum Cosford this autumn and you’ll be able to experience the best of both the virtual world and the real world of aviation!

Just Flight and Flight 1 guarantee a very warm welcome to all aviation enthusiasts, whether they are veteran desktop pilots, flight simulation novices, or anyone thinking of getting airborne in the virtual skies for the first time.

Entrance to Flight Sim 2013 costs just £10 per person on the day, with free admittance for under 16s accompanied by an adult. For further information on the event visit the show’s website www.flightsimulatorshow.com.

Note from Airscene: For a limited time you can pre-order your tickets for just £6.50 each 😉

Auster Project Progressing

Auster Newark Air Museum

Work on the Auster AOP.9 in Display Hangar 1 at Newark Air Museum is progressing. The nose cowlings and panels have been de-corroded and primed and fitted to the main fuselage frames; as has the cockpit glazing. At the rear of the fuselage similar work has been completed on the fin.

The internal restoration has also progressed, with the main instrument panels now refitted and installed. Work on the project is due to continue into the late autumn / winter months.

The Auster AOP.9 was originally moved out of deep storage at the museum and into Display Hangar 1 on 31st January 2012. A survey of the fuselage framework was then undertaken with a view to allowing the long-term restoration of the airframe. A set of wings for the project remain in storage at the museum.

The precise identity of the airframe has not been fully resolved. Examination of the manufactures plate on the aircraft gave a slightly confused picture about the military serials that it may have worn.

The main plate carries the following inscriptions:

B5-10-1185 issue 72 10-9-62

Elsewhere, a modification plate on the fuselage carries the following inscription:

AUS/R -10/74 or possibly AUS/R -10/174

The various suggested identities for the airframe still have not been fully resolved. XK381 or XS238 are believed to remain possibilities, while TA200 and XR238 have also been in the frame.

Any assistance in helping to resolve this particular AOP.9’s ‘identity crisis’ would be greatly appreciated; details can be sent in via the museum website at www.newarkairmuseum.org

Canberra PR7 to receive some TLC

Newark Air Museum Canberra PR7

Earlier in the summer Newark Air Museum was approached by Canberra cockpit owner Darren Green about the possibility of forming a restoration team to work on Canberra PR.7 WH791.

This particular airframe is on loan to the museum, so the museum trustees put Darren in contact with Terry O’Halloran a member of the 31 Squadron Association. Several years ago Terry worked on behalf of the aircraft owner to co-ordinate work on the airframe, which was undertaken by members of 31 Squadron Association and cadets from 1237 (North Hykeham) Squadron, Air Training Corps (ATC).

It has now been agreed that Darren Green and Terry O’Halloran will combine their resources and they are leading a group of Canberra enthusiasts who now plan to refurbish and repaint the airframe.

The museum trustees have recently agreed to fund the cost of paint and materials for the project. As part of this agreement it is understood that the Canberra PR7 will retain its distinctive 31 Squadron markings, but it will revert to displaying its correct serial number of WH791.

The recent spell of good weather has allowed some de-corrosion work and paint removal on the nose section of the fuselage to commence in preparation for the application of primer and paint. A detailed structural survey will be undertaken on the airframe in consultation with the museum’s Restoration Manager.

Canberra PR.7 WH79, which arrived at Newark fifteen (15) years ago in autumn 1998, is one of six Canberra airframes and cockpit sections displayed at Newark Air Museum’s site on the former RAF Winthorpe airfield in eastern Nottinghamshire.

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/