UK Aviation Museum News – Page 72

RAF Museum celebrates 40th birthday

40 years ago to the day, Her Majesty the Queen officially opened the Royal Air Force Museum.

Between then and now, the Museum has welcomed over 10 million visitors and has grown from 4 hangars and 40 aircraft to 6 hangars with over 100 aircraft on display.

It has been a focal point for the local community of Colindale and across Barnet and furthermore has taken the lead in national celebrations such as the 100th anniversary of flight and the 90th anniversary of the RAF.

The Museum has also attracted a wide range of visitors from political giants such as Margaret Thatcher, to A-list celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Brian Adams and of course members of the Royal Family.

In 2001, free entry was introduced and visitor numbers have subsequently shot up with many more people taking the opportunity to visit.

School visits are as popular as ever and the Museum’s Access Learning and Development run activities that tie in with the national syllabus.

Today the Museum stands stronger than ever with a vision promote understanding about the Royal Air Force and its contribution to the defence of our nation and a safer world. And to move forward and engage it’s local community and national and international visitors.

www.rafmuseum.org

Museum Opens Conservation Centre to Public

12th to 17th November 2012

10.15am to 1.00pm

FREE Admission

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford’s award winning Conservation Centre will be opening its doors to visitors for exclusive behind-the-scenes access to aircraft conservation work from Monday 12th to Saturday 17th November. Visitors will be able to view the progress being made on the Museum’s bombers, the Handley Page Hampden and Vickers Wellington, plus other aircraft and artefacts in various stages of restoration.

Introduced into RAF service in 1938, the Handley Page Hampden TB.1 P1344 was originally designed as a medium bomber. During the early months of the Second World War the Hampden’s defensive armament proved inadequate and it suffered heavily in the daylight raids of that time. It continued as a night bomber until 1942 when it was replaced by the Halifax and Lancaster. Some Hampden’s were converted to torpedo bombers whilst the Museum’s Hampden suffered a rather different fate. The aircraft was en-route to Murmansk in Russia for convoy defence duties as part of 144 Squadron when it was shot down on 4th September 1942 during its transit flight. Three crew members died, although two survived to become prisoners of war (P.O.W’s). The wreckage lay on the Kola Peninsula, Northern Russia until 1989 when it was rediscovered. The RAF Museum acquired the airframe in 1991.The Hampden is one of the Museum’s longest running conservation projects.

Over the last few months the Hampden’s rear fuselage section has progressed considerably under the direction of Apprentice Ella Middleton. The corrosion work on the starboard side is nearing completion allowing the restored original fixtures and fittings to be reinstalled. Also, on the rear fuselage section, the structural repair to the aft frame has been progressed and should be completed soon; this is a significant part of the project with it being the interface between the rear fuselage and the tailboom section. The tailboom will be the next major part of the aircraft to undergo restoration; the coming Open week being a good chance to see its condition before the work starts.

Conservation Centre Deputy Manager Darren Priday says:

“A lot of effort has been put into the Hampden over the summer months; hopefully, regular supporters of our Open Week will see a change in the way the aircraft is now looking”.

Also on display will be a specially commissioned painting, produced by artist Ian Conway. The painting depicts the final moments of Hampden X2983, shot down over Garonne, France. The painting was commissioned by Ian Tunstall, whose father Pilot Officer DG Tunstall, was killed in the crash along with navigator Sgt Barclay; Sgt’s F Bailey and B Dixon both survived the crash and ended up as P.O.W’s. During the Museum’s Open Week, artist Ian Conway and Mr Tunstall will both be visiting the Conservation Centre and will be speaking with visitors about the painting. Proceeds from the painting will be going to the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Visitors will also have the rare opportunity to speak with the skilled Technicians and Apprentices and view current projects including the on-going refurbishments of the Hawker Siddeley Kestrel, the Range Safety Launch as well as the two aircraft featured above.

Admission to the Conservation Centre Open Week is FREE and from 10.15am to 1.00pm each day. Cosford’s main Museum will open daily from 10am. For further information, please contact the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on 01902 376200 or visit www.rafmuseum.org.

Celebrate with a Model Birthday Party

Children’s Birthday party packages : £13.50 per person

If you’re searching for a new and unique celebration for your child’s Birthday, why not consider holding a fabulous flight themed party at the Royal Air Force Museum London? Celebratory packages are available for children with each child receiving a party bag containing a 1:72 Supermarine Spitfire Mk1a model kit to take home and build, courtesy of Airfix.

What more could any future pilot ask for than to have a Birthday celebration at their favourite museum with their friends and closest family members? Suitable for children aged 5 and above this all inclusive package takes the hassle out of organising their big day whilst providing your child and their party guests with an experience rich in memories that they will cherish for years to come.

This self-guided party has an exciting activity trail that guides children around our London site, helping them discover our unique aircraft and historic exhibits in a fun competition ; before they enjoy our hands on interactive area of Aeronauts where they can learn, through play, how aircraft stay up in the air.

After the trails are complete, birthday guests will enjoy a Birthday Party Lunch consisting of your choice of hot main meal, with a carton of either orange or apple juice before enjoying a tantalising bowl of jelly and ice-cream – all served on a specially reserved party table decorated with a celebratory table cover and balloons for the birthday boy or girl.

Each child will also receive their own goody bag containing a Red Arrows or Fairy Glider, Rocket Launcher, Gloss Pen and packet of sweets; whilst the Birthday Boy or Girl will receive an additional gift to help them celebrate the day. All this is for a very affordable £13.50 per child.

However, if this wasn’t great enough value the Museum has recently teamed up with family favourite Airfix, to include a Spitfire 1:72 scale model kit including paints and glue in every Birthday party goody bag – a fantastic memento for each child to cherish – and a great opportunity to continue the party atmosphere at home by having your child’s friends come over and make their own Squadron together as part of a fun day together.

Paul Hudson, Head of Marketing at the Royal Air Force Museum, states:

‘ I would like to take this opportunity to thank Airfix and Hornby for their assistance in enabling us to provide even greater value to our Birthday Packages for children. I believe that the above package represents fantastic value for any parent looking to provide their child with an affordable birthday celebration that their child and young guests will cherish for years to come.’

If you would like to take advantage of this great offer please call 020 8358 4849 or visit the Museum’s website at www.rafmuseum.org/london. The Royal Air Force Museum at London is open daily from 10 am.

final flying displays announced for the Autumn Air Show

Sunday 14 October 2012

The Autumn Air Show this coming Sunday closes the 2012 flying season with a fantastic finale.

The flying display offers excitement for all ages and tastes, with contemporary fast jets, exciting helicopter displays, fun aerobatics and an array of historic warbirds.

Amazingly agile helicopter displays come from The Black Cats Lynx Pair from 702 Naval Air Squadron, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton and the Apache helicopter from the Army Air Corps, RAF Wattisham. The Sea King helicopter from B Flight, 22 Squadron, RAF Wattisham will present a thrilling Search and Rescue display.

Rip-roaring contemporary RAF displays will be provided by BAe Systems Hawk from 208 (R) Squadron, RAF Valley and the Shorts Tucano from the Central Flying School Flight, RAF Linton-on-Ouse.

An array of historic aircraft will be flying, including many warbirds which call IWM Duxford home. These include B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B from B-17 Preservation; Spitfire IXT from Air Leasing; FG-1D Corsair, P-40B Warhawk and P-40F Warhawk from The Fighter Collection and Hispano Buchon (Messerschmitt Bf-109) from Aircraft Restoration Company/ Historic Flying Limited.

We’ll be commemorating the 70th anniversary of the first flight of the Merlin-engined Mustang with displays by P-51 Mustang Ferocious Frankie from the Old Flying Machine Company and North American TF-51 Mustang Miss Velma from The Fighter Collection.

There will also be a display by a Piper L-4 Cub, Boeing Stearman and North American Harvard, representing the aircraft that United States Army Air Force pilots would have flown in when completing their training, prior to flying the mighty Mustang.

Additional thrilling displays include the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota from RAF Coningsby; Douglas A-1 Skyraider from Kennet Aviation; the supremely colourful Hawker Hunter from Heritage Aviation Developments; the aerobatically nimble CAP 232; the elegant Fournier RF-4 Pair glider duo and the dynamic Trigg Aerobatic Team.

There is plenty to entertain you on the ground too, with the whole museum open to explore. Take tours of B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B and the famous Catalina flying boat.*

Enjoy children’s rides or a ride in a tank*. Find out more about historic objects from RAF Bomber Command next to the Lancaster in AirSpace and have the chance to sit in an ejection seat. Make and paint your own Airfix model in the Conservation Hall in AirSpace and take it home as a souvenir of your air show day.

In the American Air Museum, discover United States Army Air Force historic objects next to the B-24 Liberator and the B-17 Flying Fortress.

Join us for the Autumn Air Show as we close the 2012 flying season in style!

Advance ticket sales have now closed, but you can purchase your ticket as you arrive at the Autumn Air Show.

www.iwm.org.uk

Tales of RAF Bomber Command at IWM Duxford this October half term

This October half term, find out more about the dangerous and thrilling missions of RAF Bomber Command during the Second World War.

Every day, from Saturday 27 October to Sunday 4 November, hear amazing true tales of aerial warfare told by our enthralling storyteller. From 11am to 3pm, we’ll be telling a range of stories, showing the Lancaster bomber from the perspective of people who all had very different experiences of this legendary aircraft.

Our storyteller will be portraying a number of different characters, including:

Flight Lieutenant Amos of RAF Bomber Command, who will show you around his beloved Lancaster. Find out about the bomber crew who flew in the aircraft on perilous missions and the importance of their individual roles to the solidarity of the crew. Learn what life was like for the bomber crew, both in the air and on the ground.

Aircraftman Harding, who ferries bombs out to the Lancaster. Hear about the life of the ground crew, including the long hours they worked in all weathers to keep the mighty Lancaster in the air.

Rear Gunner Sergeant Reg Kemble, a ‘tail-end Charlie’ who you’ll meet as he gets kitted up for the night’s mission and checks his four .303 Browning machine guns in his rear turret. Hear about his lonely vigil, night after night, in the cramped and claustrophobic rear turret, where, at any moment, a German night fighter aircraft could appear out of the darkness.

Grenadier Dieter Grebb, a lowly foot soldier in the German Army, who is on leave, visiting his family in Cologne. A bombing raid hit overnight and Dieter is trying to make sense of the death and destruction that it has left in its wake.

You’ll also find out about the legendary Dambusters mission, including the brilliance of Barnes Wallis, the creation of the bouncing bomb and the courageous leadership of Guy Gibson.

Try on RAF uniforms and handle equipment actually used by 1940s airmen.

Activities run daily from Saturday 27 October to Sunday 4 November between 11am and 3pm, in front of the Lancaster in AirSpace.

Storytelling sessions run approximately every 45 minutes from 11am to 3pm, with a different story told in each session.

Half term activities are included in standard admission to the museum and, as usual, visitors aged 15 or under enjoy free admission to the museum. For further information go to www.iwm.org.uk or call 01223 835 000.

Nimrod R1 unveiling at Cosford RAF Museum

I was fortunate enough to be invited to represent Airscene, at RAF Cosford, to see the Nimrod R1 XV249 officially handed over to the museum by Air Chief Marshall Sir Brian Burridge. I say fortunate; because the other invited guests, at the “by invitation only” ceremony, also included Air Marshall Sir Kevin Leeson and personnel, past and present, from 51 Squadron – the only squadron to have flown the Nimrod R1 during its 40 years service with the RAF.

I arrived at Cosford early, in an effort to shoot some images of XV249 before the area became too crowded and I managed to get some “people free” images of the Nimrod. The R1 is parked immediately beyond the main entrance doors to the static area and the aircraft provides a new and impressive welcome for visitors to the museum.

Getting the R1 to RAF Cosford has been a long and difficult journey. And, XV249 is not just any old Nimrod – having flown in both the Maritime Patrol and Electronic Intelligence Roles and clocked up over 18,000 hours during her service. She is one of only 4 R1 models from a total production of 46 aircraft delivered to the RAF.

Delivery of the fuselage was taken in early March 2012, after it was transported from Kemble. The wings and other parts duly followed and she was re-assembled at Cosford during the summer.

Having just about exhausted most of the camera angles I could, I joined with the other guests for refreshments and had the chance to chat to members of 51 Squadron – both past and present. They hold the Nimrod in fond esteem and like us all, they had showed concern when following a Strategic Review, the Nimrod program had been cancelled.

How ironic then, that the Sentinel R1, which is the RAF’s current electronic intelligence gathering aircraft, failed to perform the planned flypast to mark the Nimrod Ceremony. No official mention was made of the “no show” or, indeed, the aircraft’s display slot in the program, but, it could be that the Sentinel R1 had developed a technical fault which could not be rectified in time for the ceremony.

Built as a Nimrod MR. Mk 1, XV249 made its first flight in 1970 with delivery to the RAF in early 1971. In 1976 she was involved in the ‘Cod War’ and also participated in Operation Tapestry which involved Fishery Protection and Gas Platform Surveillance. In March 1985, XV249 was delivered to RAF Kinloss having been converted to MR Mk 2 standard, being fitted with a new avionics and equipment suite and having the Shackleton-era radar replaced with the EMI Searchwater System.

In October 1995, XV249 went to BAe Woodford and was stripped of all ASW equipment and converted to R1 standard with the installation of additional atenna fittings. From 1997 she was flown as a fully equipped R Mk1 aircraft and in May 2011, after operations in Libya, she was withdrawn from normal service. In 2012, dismantling began at Kemble.

Guests and Museum staff gathered around the aircraft and were addressed by Peter Dye, the RAF Museum Director General, who expressed his thanks to all those involved in getting the aircraft to Cosford and undertaking the complicated task of re-assembling this unique Nimrod.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Brian Burridge, an ex Nimrod Pilot himself, gave an interesting address about the aircraft and recounted some of his own Nimrod stories. His speech offered a great insight into operational flying of the type and was both informative and entertaining. Finally, Air Marshal Sir Kevin Leeson formally handed over the aircraft’s log book and, in return, was presented with a ‘mounted’ bolt taken from the Nimrod’s wing structure. I can only hope that the bolt does not play an important part in maintaining airframe integrity!

So now I know much more about what I thought was just a converted DH Comet – and I was impressed, both with the aircraft and the crews that flew her – the plane may be consigned to history now, but if you want to discover more, like I did, take a trip to Cosford and marvel at another fine example of British aviation design and technical innovation – the Nimrod R1.

(Report and photos by Dave Briers)

Royal Air Force Museum Appeals to Airfix Fans

The Royal Air Force Museum London will be launching in Summer 2013 a signature exhibition commemorating and celebrating the national institution that is Airfix. This exhibition will chart the history of this Great British Institution by displaying original Box Art as well as Airfix’s most popular models from the 50s, 60s and 70s in the Museum’s Art Gallery.

An important part of the exhibition will be the examination of how Airfix has permeated the social fabric of the United Kingdom and how it has influenced the leisure activities of generations of young men and women since the company’s foundation. Accordingly, the Royal Air Force Museum is today launching an appeal to ask members of the public who have any original paintings which were produced as artwork for packaging to contact the Museum. The Museum would also be interested in hearing about models from 1950s, 60s and 70s with their original packaging.

Andrew Cormack Keeper of Visual Arts, Medals and Uniforms at the Royal Air Force Museum and Curator of the Airfix Exhibition states:

‘Over the last 9 months I have had the pleasure of working closely with the team at Airfix, whilst curating this exhibition. Although the Museum does have a plethora of materials to draw upon, it was common practice when staff retired from Airfix for them to be awarded original artwork as a thank you from the team.

This means that in terms of the proposed exhibition there are a couple of minor gaps in the artwork we would like to hang. These include artwork from the Historical Personalities series, the Sailing Ships series and Airfix’s military vehicles series during the 1950s and 60s including the work of Roy Cross and Michael Turner. And although we will doubtless show some superb models, it would be interesting, if possible, to find any models that still survive that were made by young children also from this period. After all, the pleasure of making a kit experienced by an eight year old – the majority of purchasers in the 1960s – was more about imagination and inspiration, perhaps even emulation, than it was accuracy.

If any members of the public have in their possession any original Airfix paintings or models from the 1950s, 60s and 70s and would like to offer to lend their items to be displayed in this exhibition please contact me by calling 020 8205 2266 or by emailing me at fine-arts@rafmuseum.org ‘

This Airfix exhibition is scheduled to commence June 2013 after the exhibition that is currently on show in the Museum’s Art Gallery ‘Fresh Air: a new perspective in aviation art’ finishes. This exhibition is a retrospective on the work of Artist in Residence to the Red Arrows, David Bent.

Entry to Fresh Air is free of charge to visitors; as is entry to the Museum. The exhibition will be shown daily from 10am to 6pm. For further details please visit www.rafmuseum.org/whatson or dial 020 8205 2266.

A little piece of America at IWM Duxford with American Air Day

The popular American Air Day will bring a bit of US culture to IWM Duxford on Friday 17 August.

This family-friendly day offers the chance to meet and mingle with personnel from the United States Air Forces in Europe and find out more about their missions, aircraft and equipment. Discover what it is like to be serving at an American air base such as RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in East Anglia.

Exciting flying demonstrations will include a fly-by from up to four F-15E Strike Eagle single-seat fighters and a KC-135 Stratotanker, the aircraft that provides the core refuelling capability for the United States Air Force.

An MC-130H Combat Talon II and an MC-130P Combat Shadow will fly in, land and open up for public tours .

An array of historic American aircraft will take to the skies, celebrating the United States’ heritage of iconic aeroplanes. These include the famous B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B, a P-51 Mustang, North American T-28 Trojan, two Boeing Stearman , Ryan PT-22 Recruit, Piper L4 Cub, Cessna L-19 Birddog and the rip-roaring North American F-86 Sabre.

A wide range of displays will show the diversity of operations and roles within USAFE. These include a Security Forces weapons display, the popular military working dog demonstration and installation firefighting equipment, including the chance to meet Sparky the Fire Dog.

The 48th Operations Support Squadron from RAF Lakenheath will be presenting aircrew flight equipment and demonstrating how they prepare a fighter aircraft for readiness – using IWM Duxford’s own static F-15 Eagle as part of the demonstration.

There will also be a display of medical equipment and an ambulance used by Air Force service members to support their installation medical mission.

In addition, there will be a Birds of Prey demonstration, which is always a huge attraction for visitors of all ages.

The USAFE Band Wings of Dixie will be performing traditional American Dixieland Jazz, bringing the sounds of New Orleans to IWM Duxford.

The 501st Combat Support Wing and 100th Air Refueling Wing historians will be highlighting the historic link between East Anglia and the United States Air Force that dates back to 1918, when the first US airmen arrived at RAF Duxford.

In a poignant Missing in Action ceremony, the RAF Mildenhall Honor Guard will be remembering United States military personnel who lost their lives in active service.

Come along and meet members of the United States Air Force in Europe in a relaxed, family-friendly day and enjoy a little bit of America at IWM Duxford.

www.iwm.org.uk

First-ever Summer Camp at IWM Duxford

For the first time, IWM Duxford is hosting an exciting American-style Summer Camp for 11 to 13 year olds between Monday 6 and Friday 10 August.

We have a last few remaining free places available. Contact us to find out more information and to secure a place for this exciting event.

It is now 70 years since Britain experienced the ‘friendly invasion’ of the United States forces during the Second World War. Summer campers will discover the story of these American servicemen and how they coped in an unfamiliar environment far from home.

Find out about the challenges faced by the American airmen and the residents of East Anglia as they learnt to overcome cultural differences to live and work side-by-side. Learn new skills and find out more about Second World War history in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.

Bringing history to life in a hands-on way, you’ll be learning about code-breaking, propaganda and escape and evade tactics. You’ll learn about ‘forties fashion and dancing, make period-style news reports and learn about the enduringly popular American sports that the United States airmen played to relieve the tension and boredom between missions.

Even more exciting is the chance to spend a night at the museum, amongst the exhibits, in an American-style sleepover. We’re fairly sure that none of the exhibits will come to life!

This all takes place in the historic atmosphere of IWM Duxford, which, as an RAF base during the Second World War, hosted the 78th Fighter Group of the United States Army Air Force from 1943 to 1945.

As this is the first time that we have hosted Summer Camp, we are offering free places to young people, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Participants must be available from Monday 6 to Wednesday 8 August from 8.45am to 3.15pm and on Thursday 9 August from 8.45am until 9am the following morning.

Summer Camp is run by IWM staff in partnership with qualified history teachers from the United States and the United Kingdom.

For further information on the Summer Camp email americansummercamp@iwm.org.uk

Open Cockpits tickets on sale from 2nd July

22nd September 2012

6.00pm – 8.30pm

£10.00 per person

Tickets for the ever popular ‘Open Cockpits Evening’ at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford will go on sale from Monday 2nd July at the Museum. This exclusive evening will commence at 6pm on Saturday 22nd September with a wide range of aircraft available for close viewing on the night: including transport aircraft, jet fighters and unique research airframes.

This relatively new event is fast becoming one of the Museum’s most talked about and popular events. The previous event held in May this year was a sell out and organisers are confident that the September evening will be just as popular based on the number of enquiries received so far.

Since launching in 2011, visitors have travelled from across the UK from as far as Scotland, the Lake District, Devon and Kent for the opportunity to sit inside some of the world’s most historic and iconic aircraft. One visitor travelling from Australia even planned his visit to the UK to coincide with the event so he could attend.

Visitors will be able to get a feel for what it was like to fly these much loved machines and in addition have exclusive after hours access to the Museum which displays a collection of over 70 aircraft, military vehicles, engines and aviation artefacts.

RAF Museum Cosford Events Executive, Nina Mitchell says:
“We are delighted to be offering this event again for the aviation enthusiasts, young and old. The event has gone from strength to strength over the past twelve months with tickets selling out for the evening in May within a matter of weeks. We try to introduce new aircraft to each Open Cockpit Evening, thus expanding our visitors’ experience.”

The evening will commence at 6.00pm and finish at 8.30pm, with numbers onto the Museum site strictly limited to 300 people, enabling enthusiasts to spend as much time as possible examining these wondrous aircraft. Admission is by advance ticket only and organisers are advising, given the popularity of previous ‘Open Cockpits Evening’, to purchase your tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Tickets cost £10.00 per person and will go on sale from Monday 2nd July at the Museum. Minimum height restrictions of 1.07 metres will apply. Parking charges are included in the ticket price.

For further information on the ‘Open Cockpits Evening’ visit www.rafmuseum.org or to purchase tickets over the phone, please contact the Museum on 01902 376200. (A detailed list of aircraft open on the night will be issued nearer the time.)