UK Aviation Museum News – Page 73

Viggen to come outside at Newark Air Museum

Viggen Newark Air Museum

To mark the return of the iconic Saab Viggen to the skies of Lincolnshire and the East Midlands the trustees of the Newark Air Museum have decided that they will being letting some air get around the ‘splintered surfaces’ of their Saab AJSH 37 Viggen; the only example of the type that is exhibited in the UK.

Plans are already well advanced to move the aircraft out of its undercover location in Display Hangar 2 and place it on temporary external display on the museum’s Southfield Site in eastern Nottinghamshire close to the border with Lincolnshire.

The actual date of the move outside still has to be determined, as has the length of time that the Viggen will remain outside; however it is expected that it will be on display in its new location until after the Waddington International Airshow has been held in early July.

This move represents the first time that our Saab AJSH 37 Viggen has been displayed outside since its official handover by the Swedish Assistant Defence Attaché in December 2006, following its delivery flight to nearby RAF Cranwell in February 2006.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Celebrating the legendary Supermarine Spitfire

Duxford Soitfires

Spitfires, Merlins and Motors (Sunday 28 July) celebrates the iconic Supermarine Spitfire, the unmistakable Merlin engine and the golden age of motoring.

Between 10am and 1.30pm you can get up-close to a number of historic Spitfires on static display.

Taking centre stage will be the Old Flying Machine Company’s Supermarine Spitfire IX MH434, an IWM Duxford favourite which is celebrating its 70th anniversary year. MH434 has been based at IWM Duxford longer than any other Spitfire.

MH434 was built in 1943 at Vickers in Castle Bromwich. It was air-tested by the legendary Alex Henshaw, Chief Test Pilot for the Supermarine Company at Castle Bromwich.

Once on active service, MH434 was allocated to South African pilot Flight Lieutenant Henry Lardner-Burke DFC at 222 Squadron. On 27 August in the St Omar area over France, Lardner-Burke, in MH434, shot down a Focke-Wulf 190 and damaged a second during a mission to escort United States Army Air Forces B-17 Flying Fortress bombers. On 5 September 1943, they shot down another FW-190 in the Nieuport area. On 8 September 1943, they claimed a half-share in the downing of a Messerschmitt Bf 109G in Northern France.

In 1944, MH434 was transferred to 350 Squadron in Hornchurch, before being returned to 222 Squadron. Lardner-Burke having been posted on to another squadron, the aircraft was assigned to Flight Sergeant Alfred ‘Bill’ Burge. Alfred says. “MH434 was the best Spitfire ever. It was my MH434, the perfect Spitfire.”

Alfred flew another 12 operational sorties in the aircraft before the squadron’s existing Mk IXs were exchanged for a modified variant that could carry rockets. After 80 operational sorties, MH434 was stood down in March 1945.

Supermarine Spitfire IX MH434 will be on static display during the morning of Spitfires, Merlins and Motors and will take to the air to perform a spectacular display during the afternoon.

Aircraft Restoration Company is offering a rare opportunity to sit in a Spitfire. This costs £15 per person and includes a souvenir T-shirt and photo opportunity. All proceeds go to the Blenheim Restoration Fund.

There will also be the chance to see Merlin engines in action as they will be on dynamic display throughout the day.

We’ll be bringing the Second World War to life, in our Battle of Britain exhibition, with costumed interpreters representing a Squadron Leader in 1940, a Sergeant Pilot in 1944 and a female Air Transport Auxiliary pilot.

There will also be an RAF ground crew interactive display from Black Knight Historical. A member of RAF ground crew will be on dispersal duty, looking relaxed with his Bakelite telephone, 1940s newspaper and wartime tea, but poised to ring his hand bell and call the RAF pilots to scramble to their aircraft! You may also hear him wind up the air raid siren as he looks out for enemy aeroplanes. The Flight Sergeant is very much in charge of operations as he orders the RAF airfield defence to guard the airfield and its valuable aircraft. The wartime ground crew will also be showing visitors how they re-arm a Spitfire ready for action.

Adding to the nostalgic atmosphere is the first public appearance of the lovingly-restored 1934 Waltzer Christine, owned by Harrison Amusements, who have been running travelling fairgrounds since 1841. Christine is thought to be the only waltzer of its kind in this country, if not worldwide.

We celebrate the golden age of motoring with a display of vintage Rolls-Royce cars alongside hundreds of stunning vehicles, from pre-war vintage to contemporary classics.

Our summer holiday activities will be well underway, so while you’re enjoying Spitfires, Merlins and Motors, why not try your hand at some camouflage and concealment activities?

Between 11.30am and 3.30pm in AirSpace, you can find out how camouflage has been used in wars and conflict from the First World War to the present day in our fun family activities. Discover how camouflage techniques have developed over time. You can see how camouflage is used in nature and how that has inspired military methods of concealment.

Find out where our secret agent gadgets are hidden and test your observation skills as you try to make out our hidden camouflaged objects. Dress up in disguise and see if you can be spotted!

A favourite activity with kids and parents, Airfix Make and Paint take place in the Conservation Hall between 11.30am and 3.30pm. Make an Airfix model, paint it in the creative colours of your choice and take it home as a souvenir of your day. Airfix Make and Paint is suitable for children aged 8 and above.

Don’t miss Historic Duxford, our new permanent exhibition, which is now open to the public.

Housed in our original 1930s Watch Office building, Historic Duxford explores Duxford’s time as an RAF airfield from 1918 to 1961.

With many things to watch, listen to, have a go at, wear and even smell, Historic Duxford paints a vivid picture of daily life at RAF Duxford. Hear and see fascinating personal stories told by the men and women who worked and lived at RAF Duxford, in sound and film.

Personal objects tell the stories of a few of the many remarkable individuals who served at RAF Duxford. For the first time in almost a decade, items owned by Douglas Bader are on display.

See the Watch Office, the forerunner to the Control Tower, as it might have been during the late 1930s. Period details and interactive elements give the impression that the Duty Pilot has only just left the room.

Complementing the Historic Duxford exhibition is a heritage trail around the historic site with eight interactive posts. Each post features audio memories from veterans who worked at RAF Duxford. Pick up a family activity sheet from the exhibition to complete as you follow the trail.

Discover Duxford’s own story – its eventful past and fascinating people. Historic Duxford is included in general admission to IWM Duxford. Visitors aged 15 or under enjoy free admission to IWM Duxford.

Enjoy a day of iconic aircraft, elegant motors and evocative nostalgia at Spitfires, Merlins and Motors.

http://www.iwm.org.uk/events/iwm-duxford/spitfires-merlins-and-motors

Cockpit-Fest – the winners

Newark Air Museum cockpit fest

The 2013 Cockpit-Fest at Newark Air Museum attracted a record number of visitors who came along in great numbers on both days of the event, which was attended by twenty-six (26) visiting cockpits. These travelled from all around the UK and an extended range of supporting displays in Hangar 2 at the museum provided an added dimension to the event. All of this was well supported by an Aeroboot / Aerojumble aviation and avionics sale.

This year the museum was able to award prizes in five (5) different categories thanks to the external support for the event from: Ken Ellis (Wrecks & Relics); Farlam Airframes; The Aircraft Restoration Group; Grub Street; Peter Caygill; Chris Keltie; and David Gledhill. The winning entrants were:

Grand Champion (Visitors Award) – Tony Collins Scimitar F1 XD235

Visitors Exhibit Award -Scott Bouchard & friends Flight-gear & Helmet Display

Cockpiteers Cockpit Award – Darren Green Canberra PR.7 – WH779

Wrecks & Relics Spirit of Cockpit-Fest Award (Ken Ellis) – The Lakes Lightning Group

Wrecks & Relics Spirit of Cockpit-Fest Award (Ken Ellis) – Mike Davey & Jon Howard Anson – G-AGPG

Everyone who displayed at the event was really a winner and a credit to their hobby, with some tremendous exhibits proudly displayed around the site and all of which engaged with the visitors. Special thanks also go out to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, who provided flypast on both days despite the challenging weather conditions.

“Once again behalf of the museum members and trustees I would like to thank everyone who contributed to making Cockpit-Fest 2013 such a great success,” commented event organiser Bill O’Sullivan. “This year we revised the layout of the event, which seemed to work quite well and have already noted a few items that could benefit future events.

He concluded, “We would like to send out an extra special thank you to those individuals and organisations that supported the event financially and with the provision of trophies and prizes. We are already looking towards the 2014 event and we would love to hear from any fresh supporters who might like to get involved with the event.”

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Dornier Do 17 arrival at RAF Museum Cosford

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford this weekend took delivery of the world’s last surviving Dornier Do 17, recently salvaged from the bottom of the English Channel. The fuselage and wings were escorted from Ramsgate, Kent, to the Museum by two low loader lorries.

Delighted members of the public and Museum staff welcomed the Dornier as it arrived on site, late afternoon. Shortly after its arrival, a crane lifted the fuselage and wings from the transportation lorry before being placed inside the purpose built hydration tunnels, where the Dornier will stay for the first stage of its conservation.

Alex Medhurst, General Manager at RAF Museum Cosford says:

“After all the hard work, planning and setbacks, it’s great to know the Dornier is finally here at Cosford. It will be a rare and exciting opportunity for visitors in the Midlands to get up close and personal to a unique piece of aviation history and the chance to view it in its salvaged state.”

More than 1,500 examples of the Dornier 17 medium bomber were built. The twin engine, twin fin configuration together with the narrow fuselage and shoulder mounted engines gave the aircraft a distinctive silhouette and earned it the nickname ‘The Flying Pencil’. Over 400 were employed by the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain.

The aircraft will be on view to members of the public from 10am on Sunday 16th June. It is anticipated that thousands of aviation fans from across the Midlands will head to the Museum to catch a glimpse of the aircraft which has captured the imaginations of the public worldwide.

Thanks to the support of WarGaming.Net the Dornier Exhibition will soon be on display to member of the public at Cosford.

Admission to the Museum and viewing the Dornier is FREE of charge. Anyone wishing to donate towards the conservation of the aircraft can do so online via the Museum website www.ramuseum.org. For more information please call the Museum on 01902 376200.

Cockpit-Fest Newark Air Museum

Newark Cockpit Fest

This year’s Cockpit-Fest ‘migration’ has started with the first cockpit already on site at Newark Air Museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire; close to the border with Lincolnshire

Newark Air Museum is a registered charity located on part of the former site of RAF Winthorpe and its two day Cockpit-Fest event attracts exhibitors from across the UK and Europe, to sample what one aviation magazine editor calls “grass roots aircraft preservation”.

From its humble beginnings, when a few like-minded enthusiasts first displayed the cockpit sections at the museum; Cockpit-Fest now regularly attracts, many more visiting cockpits and associated displays. This year twenty-five (25) visiting cockpits are already booked to attend. It has also developed a word to describe the participants – ‘Cockpiteer’; many of whom have lovingly rebuilt and restored these projects at home, Cockpit-Fest giving them the chance to display them in public.

The event is supported by a range of organisations and individuals; with the public being encouraged to have a say in deciding, which is the best cockpit by voting on their favourite display and from these results prizes are awarded.

Cockpit-Fest also attracts other visiting displays like the Raptor Foundation with its owls; local history / archaeological groups; book launches; and even more aviation related displays such as clothing and historical artefacts. As an added bonus this year’s event has flypasts by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on both days.

Running alongside Cockpit-Fest is an Aeroboot aviation and avionics sale, which allows Cockpiteers and the public to search out those aviation artefacts, books and models.

This year’s event takes place on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16thth June; and full details can be found on the News & Information page of the museum website at www.newarkairmuseum.org

Raising the Dornier

On Sunday 2nd June the Royal Air Force Museum attempted to lift the world’s last surviving Dornier 17 from the bottom of the English Channel, just off Goodwin Sands, following three weeks of intensive engineering and archaeological work. After three years of planning, the Museum came within 40 minutes of success when a sudden increase in winds around the Goodwin Sands area made the sea too choppy to complete the lift. Regrettably, and with the safety of the crew and the aircraft in mind, the lift was called off.

With success within grasp, the Royal Air Force Museum has been hugely encouraged by the support received from across the globe. Not only has this taken the form of messages of goodwill, but the Museum has received substantial additional funding from private individuals and organisations in Europe and America determined to see this historic project brought to a successful conclusion.

The forecast now suggests two weather windows this week when we can return to the wreck site and complete the lift. These are Monday 10th June between 1530 – 1800hrs and early Tuesday morning between 03.30 – 06.30hrs.

If this proves to be the case, and we know how erratic the weather has been this year, we will raise the Dornier early this week for transfer to our conservation facility at Cosford.

Despite the exceptionally poor weather over the past month, which has required the salvage team to return to port on at least four occasions, everything is now set for the aircraft to be successfully lifted from the seabed where it has lain for over seventy years.

Because of the weather difficulties and strict deadline to save the aircraft, the Museum has instructed the dive company SeaTech to alter their methodology of assembling a lifting frame around aircraft to ensure the operation is complete within the given boundaries.

The new method which is more delicate in nature, involves attaching lifting equipment to specific points on the aircraft that the Museum have identified as the strongest parts of the airframe. An attempt will still be made to raise it complete, and in a single lift.

Once the aircraft has been laid on onto the support barge it will be transported directly to Ramsgate Harbour where it will be dismantled for travel to the Museum’s Conservation Centre at Cosford.

Peter Dye Director General, Royal Air Force Museum “We have adapted the lifting frame design to minimise the loads on the airframe during the lift while allowing the recovery to occur within the limited time remaining. The RAF Museum has worked extremely closely with SeaTech throughout this process and both organisations remain determined to complete this challenging task and see the Dornier safely recovered as planned and delivered to the Museum’s Conservation Centre for preservation and public exhibition.”

Dornier Project – A recap

The Royal Air Force Museum is undertaking an exciting, challenging and historically fascinating project to remove a German bomber, the last remaining Dornier 17, from the sea-bed off Kent right now. The project was made possible with funding by The National Heritage Memorial Fund.

The complex project has not been entered into lightly and has used a number of ground-breaking techniques for underwater recovery and conservation. It has been undertaken with an impressive group of experts ranging from chemists and physicists from Imperial College London who advised on the conservation and structural integrity of the aircraft, to SeaTech who are managing the actual lift.

The project has stimulated a huge amount of interest across the world and events are being followed closely by millions around the world.

This is not the first time the Museum salvaged an aircraft wreck, as a visit shows, other examples have been found and reassembled before. Should the weather provide additional challenges to the actual integrity of the aircraft, the Museum is committed to salvaging the parts it can in order to treat, examine and exhibit this incredible part of aviation history.

www.rafmuseum.org

Museum Celebrates Armed Forces Day

Dakota Flypast - Armed Forces Day

Saturday 29th June 2013

11.00am – 2.40pm

Veterans and their guests must pre-register

Dakota flypast 2:35pm (weather permitting)

On Saturday 29th 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 guided tours around the Museum’s Conservation Centre. For lunch, veterans will have the unique opportunity to dine with other guests amongst the aircraft and artefacts on display in the Museum’s Hangar 1. During the afternoon, guests will then be treated to a 1940’s Home Front Cabaret Show performed by Rebecca Grace lasting approximately one hour.

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 2:35pm (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.

Event organiser, Nina Mitchell says:

“With former Service Men and Women joining in from across Shropshire and the West Midlands, Armed Forces Day is set to be a truly memorable and sentimental gathering for Veterans and their guests to enjoy. 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 376 252 or for more information visit www.rafmuseum.org/cosford. Parking for Armed Forces Day guests is also free.

Airfix Making History at the RAF Museum

Airfix has been a ‘household’ word for decades. In the same way that ‘Hoover’ has meant vacuum cleaner for generations, Airfix means model kits. From being the largest manufacturer of plastic combs by 1947, Airfix branched out into toys and other domestic products, but in 1952 embarked, with the little ship The Golden Hind, on producing construction kits, this was rapidly followed by the first of its aircraft kits, the 1:72 scale Spitfire in 1953.

Airfix : Making History celebrates the artists who decorated the packaging for the company’s products. Stirring scenes of combat and heroism stimulated the juvenile market of the 50s, 60s, 70s & 80s to part willingly with its pocket money, and the pleasure of making your own toy was a thrill which the generation of thumb-twiddling, computer game addicts – exposed as they are to hugely more violent and destructive ‘amusements’ than modelling – has abandoned to its loss. Modelling teaches patience, discipline and the advantages of following the instructions, virtues which are, regrettably, held in little esteem today.

Older visitors of Airfix : Making History are therefore invited to indulge in nostalgia. Younger viewers are encouraged to marvel at the imagination of the engineers who designed the vehicles, aeroplanes and tanks which are represented in miniature, at the skills of the mould makers who devise the kit components and to be thrilled by the artists whose work makes these products so attractive.

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

‘ As someone who spent their formative years making 1:48 scale Spitfire and Lancaster models, plus a very fulfilling summer at the age of 11 making the model of the HMS Victory, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Airfix and Hornby Ltd for allowing the Museum to tell the story of Airfix through these beautifully executed pieces of art during the 60th anniversary year of the first Spitfire Kit and 75th anniversary year of the company itself. Each of them is a mini masterpiece, which inspired the imaginations of generations of children to explore, learn and make.’

Darrell Burge, Marketing Manager, Airfix said :

‘ Given that Airfix has used the collection at Royal Air Force Museum regularly over the years on which to base it models, we felt that holding an exhibition which explored an often overlooked element of the Airfix experience, our box art, was both logical and pertinent. Having viewed the exhibition on display, I would urge Airfix fans across the globe to visit London and see it.’

‘Airfix : Making History’ will be on display at the Royal Air Force Museum London’s Art Gallery from Saturday 1st June 2013 until 3rd May 2014. On Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June to celebrate the opening of the exhibition, visitors to the exhibition are also invited to discover the virtues of modelling by participating in free make and take sessions, which will run from 11am to 1pm and from 2pm to 4pm on each day.

The exhibition will be open daily from 10am until 6pm. Admission to the exhibition and to the Museum is free of charge.

www.rafmuseum.org

Newark Air Museum’s Contribution To Armed Forces Day

Newark Air Museum has recently announced how it plans to contribute to the Armed Forces Day celebrations in the region. The museum, which is located on part of the site of the former World War II training base of RAF Winthorpe in Eastern Nottinghamshire, close to the county border with Lincolnshire, is making special arrangement for visiting service personnel.

Amongst its famous collection of 76 aircraft and cockpit sections from across the history of aviation the Newark Air Museum already displays representative airframes from the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force. So in recognition of the valuable contribution made by the Armed Forces the museum trustees have agreed to join in the celebrations by granting serving members of the Armed Forces a Special Discounted Admission Offer from Monday 24th June through to Sunday 30th June, 2013 inclusive.

Service personnel who visit the museum during this period in uniform, or with a current military I.D. card will be granted FREE access to the museum. Any additional members of their group i.e. wives, partners, children, parents etc. will each be entitled to admission at a standard fee of just £4.00 per person. (The museum would be extremely grateful if these additional ‘donations’ were made using the Gift Aid scheme).

The discounted offer is also being extended to members of Seafarers UK who are celebrating Seafarers Awareness Week during the same period: plus Armed Forces veterans who are able to show a Veterans Badge/Pin or a valid Association I.D card – all will be able to benefit from this offer.

During this special period, normal museum admission rates will apply for all other visitors and the museum trustees hope that all visitors will join in welcoming the members of the Armed Forces to the museum and its site in eastern Nottinghamshire, close to the county border with Lincolnshire.

Normal museum opening times will apply; 10am to 5pm each day; with the last admission at 4pm. If the museum’s Cockpit Opening Team is able to open aircraft and helicopter cockpits during this time normal additional admission fees / donations will still apply for people accessing these exhibits.

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/

70th anniversary commemorative flypast from IWM Duxford

Today, Monday 27 May, the Eagle Squadron, with B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B and P-51 Mustang Miss Velma, carried out a commemorative flypast of American Second World War airfields to honour the American airmen who died whilst fighting for their country from British soil.

The Eagle Squadron’s historic Hawker Hurricane X, Supermarine Spitfire Mark I, Republic P-47G Thunderbolt and North American P-51 Mustang Princess Elizabeth flew alongside B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B in a poignant commemoration of the legendary fighter and bomber aircraft flown by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in England.

B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B was the first aircraft to take off from IWM Duxford, followed by two-seater P-51 Mustang Miss Velma, carrying a very special passenger, United States Army Air Forces veteran Clarence ‘Bud’ Anderson.

The Eagle Squadron then took off and moved into formation with B-17 Sally B and P-51 Mustang Miss Velma.

This year, IWM Duxford commemorates the 70th anniversary of the United States Army Air Forces arriving at RAF Duxford. From its arrival at RAF Duxford in April 1943, the 78th Fighter Group flew P-47 Thunderbolts on bomber escort duty, switching to P-51 Mustangs in December 1944.

From IWM Duxford, the Eagle Squadron formation’s first destination was Bassingbourn Barracks, which was home to the USAAF 91st Bomb Group from August 1942 to June 1945. The 91st Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses, the most famous of which was the Memphis Belle.

On leaving Bassingbourn, the Eagle Squadron flew over Cambridge American Cemetery at Madingley, where a memorial ceremony was being held.

The formation then continued to RAF Mildenhall, home to the modern-day United States Air Force in Europe, and from there to Bodney airfield, which was home to the 352nd Fighter Group from May 1943 until V E Day.

From Bodney, the aircraft continued to RAF Snetterton Heath, which was used by the 8th Air Force 96th Bombardment Group from June 1943 until its deactivation in December 1945.

Then onwards to RAF Knettishall, which was built for the 8th Air Force during 1942-1943 with a specification to accommodate heavy bombers. It was home to the 388th Bombardment Group from June 1943 until V E Day.

The next destination was RAF Horham, which was handed over to the 13th Combat Bombardment Wing of the 3rd Bomb Division in 1942. Horham was mostly home to the 95th Bombardment Group (Heavy) which flew B-17 Flying Fortresses in bombing campaigns until V E Day.

From Horham, the Eagle Squadron overflew RAF Thorpe Abbots, which was originally built as a satellite station to RAF Horham.

The 100th Bombardment Group of the 8th Air Force arrived at Thorpe Abbots in June 1943. The Group earned the nickname The Bloody Hundredth due to heavy losses incurred during eight missions to Germany. A dozen or more aircraft were lost on a single mission.

The 100th Bombardment Group flew its last mission on 10 April 1945; its 306th combat mission.

The commemorative flight then continued to RAF Halesworth, which was home to the 56th Fighter Group, flying P-47 Thunderbolts, and then to the 489th Bombardment Group (Heavy), flying B-24 Liberators.

From Halesworth, the Eagle Squadron made its way to RAF Leiston. This was an emotive experience for veteran Bud Anderson, as he flew his P-51 Mustang Old Crow with the 357th Fighter Group from this airfield. At this point, P-51 Mustang Miss Velma, carrying Bud Anderson, peeled away from the formation for a reminiscent return to RAF Leiston.

The Eagle Squadron’s final destination before returning to IWM Duxford was RAF Debden. This airfield was home to RAF Eagle Squadrons which were later formed into the 4th Fighter Group when the USAAF took over the airfield.

It was a poignant and historic commemoration to the American airmen who lost their lives fighting for freedom from British shores.