UK Aviation Museum News – Page 73

Dambusters Commemorations Royal Air Force Museum

With a month to go to the 70th anniversary of the Dambusters Raid, the Royal Air Force Museum London has today unveiled the various activities that it has organised to commemorate this historic campaign and the men of 617 Squadron.

From 13th to 17th of May the Museum will have on display a selection of artefacts from the Dambusters Raid not normally on view to the public. These include photo-reconnaissance of the Dams before and after the Raid, a facsimile of Guy Gibson’s logbook and the original draft of his book ‘Enemy Coast Ahead’, plus letters from various crewmembers to family members on the home-front and part of the Möhne Dam itself. These items will be located in display cases by the Museum’s Lancaster Bomber.

On 17th of May, the Museum’s London site will be open late to the public for ‘Dambusters Night’ as part of this year’s international Museum’s at Night Festival. Members of the public, aged 18 and above, will be able to watch a short film on the preparations and testing of the bouncing bomb as well as seeing test footage (from our film archive) on the big screen. They’ll also be able to see the original testing equipment used in the film ‘The Dam Busters’ and attend a mini-lecture on the subject of the development of bombing from the First World War up to the Dams Raid before taking part in a debate about the effectiveness of the Raid, itself.

The Museum will also have on display, in a newly refurbished permanent exhibition, a replica of Sir Barnes Wallis’ Brooklands office which will feature his actual drawing board and the models, photos and books that inspired him to create the bouncing bomb; whilst members of the Museum’s curatorial team will be on hand to answer any questions that visitors might have about the artefacts on display.

There will be 1940s music and guests are encouraged to dress from the period to make the event a totally immersive experience. Those who are unable to come in 1940s dress will be able to try on an authentic 1940s RAF uniform from the Museum’s Handling Collection and have their photograph taken as a memento of the evening. Admission to this event is free of charge.

Our London commemorations will finish on 19th of May with the fourth annual Hendon Model Show which is dedicated, this year, to the men of 617 Squadron. Over 50 clubs from across the UK will have on display the various models that they have created throughout the last 12 months. The show will also display a series of dioramas specially commissioned for the 70th anniversary of the Dambusters’ Raid, each of which will depict various aspects of this campaign. Admission to the Hendon Model Show is free of charge and doors open to the public at 10 am.

If you are unable to attend any of the above events, but would like to learn more about the Dambusters, the Museum currently has an online exhibition that reveals the hidden stories behind Upkeep, the development of the Bouncing Bomb, and Operation Chastise, the Dams Raid.

This online exhibition can be viewed by visiting www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/online-exhibitions.aspx. Contained within it is government correspondence of the day, as well as original drawings and papers from Barnes Wallis’s Office. This exhibition will be further supported by 3 podcasts that talk about the Raid and the men of 617 Squadron.

The first was recorded in 2009 by the late Richard Todd, who played Guy Gibson in the film ‘The Dam Busters’, and who tells the story of the Raid. The second ‘Remembering Guy Gibson’ by renowned historian Richard Morris, examines the character of the Wing Commander who inspired his crews to succeed over insurmountable odds. The third by Robert Owen, Official Historian of 617 Squadron Aircrew Association examines the history of the Squadron post the Dams Raid including the destruction of Hitler’s mountain redoubt at Berchtesgaden. These podcasts will be available to members of the public from 10th May.

The Royal Air Force Museum London is open daily from 10am. Admission to the Museum is free of charge.

Newark Air Museum Cockpit Fest 2013

First cockpits & displays booked in!

The first wave of cockpits participation bookings has now been received in for the 2013 Cockpit-Fest event at the museum. The two day event provides a focal point for cockpit owners from across the UK and takes place each June at Newark Air Museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire. This year the event takes place on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th June at the museum site off Drove Lane, Winthorpe.

Special thanks go out to Scale Aviation Modeller International and Farlam Airframes who have both generously agreed to support Cockpit-Fest 2013. The museum is currently in discussion with several other individuals and groups and the trustees are hopeful of being able to announce further support in the coming weeks.

Any company or organisation that wishes to support Cockpit-Fest, an annual charitable event, is asked to contact Howard Heeley at:

Newark Air Museum

Drove Lane

Winthorpe

Newark

Notts

NG24 2NY

Or via Email at enquire@newarkairmuseum.org

Cockpits

Lightning F.6 – XS922

Chipmunk T.10 – WZ869

Lightning F.6 – XS932

Hunter FGA.9 – XE597 (Sat Only)

Lightning F.3 – XP757

Canberra B.6 – WT319

Hunter F.1 – WT684

Scimitar F1 – XD235

* These cockpits are totally new to the event.

** A cockpit rig is a term used to describe a cockpit either without its shell, or fitted with an alternative shell. These are used to good effect when original materials are not available.

Instrument Panels & Aircraft Interiors

Assorted Instrument Panels from Victor and Trident

Phantom Instrument Panels

Meteor F.4 Instrument Panel Display

Spitfire Instrument Panels

Special Guest & Displays

Airfield Research Group

Owls from the Raptor Foundation

Crusader 80 BAOR Living History Display

Model Display & vehicle display

Lancaster W4270 Display

Helicopter Simulator Display

Book Launches & Signings

The Phantom in Focus – A Navigator’s Eye on Britain’s Cold War Warrior is a new book by
David Gledhill

Riding In The Shadow Of Death – a new book by Chris Keltie (book launch Sunday only)

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypasts

Saturday 15th June – Spitfire

Sunday 16th June – Lancaster, Hurricane & Spitfire

Photo Opportunities

A number of Exhibitors and Museum Volunteers will spend part of each day wandering around in period military clothing and flying clothing. Visitors wishing to make use of these as possible photo opportunities only have to ask.

Aircraft Opening

Museum volunteers will endeavour to open many of our operable aircraft for public visiting and viewing throughout the weekend. A small additional fee may be charge to access the museum aircraft.

Finally don’t forget the Aeroboot / Aerojumble Aviation & Avionics Sale that runs alongside Cockpit-Fest.

Opening Hours both days 1000 – 1700 hours last admission 1600 hours.

Special Notice

It should be noted by visitors that as some of these exhibits travel many miles to be here for the weekend, it must be expected that many will start to leave the site from 2pm on the Sunday. We therefore recommend early viewing to avoid disappointment.

Normal museum admission rates apply: Adults £7.50, Over 60s £6.50, Children £4.00 and Family ticket [2 adults & 3 children] £21.00.

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org

Photography After-Hours at the RAF Museum

5 Aircraft; 1 Curator; No Public; No Barriers – Limitless Photography

The RAF Museum is running its first Photography-After-Hours Event on Friday 19th April 2013.

Photography After-Hours has been designed to give guests a behind-the-scenes experience; combining a talk from our Head Curator with a one-to-one photography opportunity with the public barriers removed. This will become a series of events, where a different set of 5 aircraft will be viewed each time.

The event on the 19th April will focus on the BAC Lightning F6; E.E Canberra PR3; de Havilland Vampire F3; de Havilland Chipmunk and BAC Jet Provost T5A.

The evening will start at 6.30pm with a talk by our Curator, Ian Thirsk. Ian will explain the career history of each aircraft, how it came to be at the Museum and how it is cleaned, checked for damage and repaired as well as the conservation challenges each aircraft presents.

Guests are divided into 5 groups of 10 and assigned their first aircraft. The barriers will have been removed, allowing access to take up close and personal photography that is not usually available to the public. The Curator will move between the 5 aircraft answering any questions that guests have about the collection.

Where possible, each aircraft also has an Ambassador who has a personal knowledge of that type – either as an ex-pilot, ex-engineer or current conservator. Ambassadors can answer specific questions and talk about their particular experiences of the aircraft.

After 20 minutes, the groups will rotate onto the next aircraft, allowing plenty of time with each for photography or questions. Small groups mean that photography is easier and guests do not need to move out of each other’s way.

The Photography After-Hours event comes hot on the heels of the April launch of the Museum’s new membership scheme aimed at those with a passion for aviation history – anyone who signs up for membership on the 19th will be able to take advantage of a concessionary rate. The Museum also launched its new quarterly magazine: RADAR at the beginning of April which will be giving readers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the workings of the Museum as well as the stories behind the exhibits and collection. One of its key articles in the first edition was a profile of the Lightning.

The event will start at 6.30pm and will end at 9.30pm – allowing guests plenty of time to get home. For further details please visit www.rafmuseum.org. Tickets cost £20 for Lightning Members; £25 Lancaster Members and Non-Members and can be purchased here: www.rafmuseum.org/whatson

70th anniversary of the arrival of the Americans at RAF Duxford

In April 1943, the 78th Fighter Group of the US Eighth Air Force moved into RAF Duxford and helped to change the course of the Second World War.

To commemorate this significant event in RAF Duxford’s history, we are hosting a number of events and activities throughout 2013.

Somewhere in England: Portraits of the Americans in Britain 1942 to 1945 is a new temporary photographic exhibition which opens on Saturday 13 April, the anniversary of the first 78th Fighter Group combat mission from RAF Duxford. These striking images have been selected from the Roger Freeman collection of over 15,000 images of the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War, which has recently been acquired by IWM. Some of the images have not been seen in public before.

Our new Americans in Britain tour looks at the US aircraft flown from RAF Duxford and other USAAF stations in East Anglia during the Second World War. You’ll hear true tales of courageous actions by air crew members and find out how British people reacted to the ‘friendly invasion’.

The Spring Air Show on Sunday 26 May is Remembering the Mighty Eighth on the 70th anniversary of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visiting RAF Duxford to welcome the 78th Fighter Group of the United States Army Air Forces to Great Britain.

The highlight of the Spring Air Show will be the first-ever display by the Eagle Squadron. This historic four-ship display comprises a Mark I Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane, P-47 Razorback Thunderbolt and the P-51 Mustang Princess Elizabeth. Princess Elizabeth is being shipped over from the USA specifically for the Spring Air Show.

www.iwm.org.uk

Preparations underway for Tribute to the Lightning

The initial preparations for the Tribute to the Lightning event, which takes place at Newark Air Museum on 18th & 19th May 2013, have recently been completed. This has involved the repositioning of the recently restored Lightning T5, XS417 into the area in front of the museum’s Display Hangar 1, which was formally occupied by the Jaguar T2A airframe.

In this new position the Lightning T5 has gained a fresh prominence on the museum site and it will also allow for the display of a range of temporary Lightning exhibits around the airframe.

In a separate move recently digitised footage of an interview with Roland ‘Bee’ Beamont is now being shown in the cinema area in Display Hangar 2 at the museum. This was filmed at Roland ‘Bee’ Beamont’s home in March 2000 and in the section of film that is being shown he recounts his time test flying the English Electric Lightning.

Regular updates about the Lightning event are still appearing on the news page of the museum website at www.newarkairmuseum.org.

Airfix to unveil new Dambusters kits at Model Show

7th April 2013
10.00am – 4.00pm
FREE entry

Modelling fans from across the Midlands are invited to attend one of the region’s largest modelling events, taking place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on Sunday 7th April 2013. Nestled amongst a world-class collection of aircraft and military vehicles, thousands of intricately detailed models will be displayed alongside many of the real aircraft for the annual Shropshire Model Show.

This year Airfix will be attending the show and launching their brand new 1:72 Lancaster model kits, which go on sale for the first time worldwide to visitors at the Shropshire Modellers’ Show. A specially commissioned display, including 19 Airfix model Lancaster’s, a Wellington bomber, and Photo Reconnaissance Spitfire, depicting the Dambusters Raid will be a focal point at the show. These have been kindly donated by Airfix and built by members of the Shropshire Modellers’ Club. This bespoke Dambusters diorama will remain on display at the Museum throughout April and May, marking the 70th Anniversary of the Dambusters Raid.

Darrell Burge, Airfix and Humbrol Marketing Manager says:

“We’re very excited to be at this show, especially as it gives us the chance to show off our new Dambuster Lancaster model to the public for the first time. It’s always great to work with the RAF Museum Cosford, and this is no exception. We’ll have other new Airfix products on show, alongside new products from our sister brand Humbrol as well.”

With everything any dedicated modeller could want or need, all in one place, thousands of visitors are expected to attend the one day show. More than 80 modelling clubs from across the UK will be exhibiting their pint sized models which have taken hours of dedication to perfect. Plus, it’s not just models of aircraft that will be on show, there will be hundreds of cars, bikes, trucks and science fiction items including Dr Who and Star Wars.

In excess of 40 traders will be selling a range of modelling materials and kits to suit modellers of all ability’s, from young children who are just discovering their passion for modelling, right through to the avid modellers who have been building kits for many years. There will be everything from plastic kits in various sizes along with glues, paints and other detailed sets available to purchase on the day.

Event organiser, Gary Stevens Secretary of the Shropshire Scale Modellers and The International
Plastic Modellers Society says:

“I am particularly delighted that, for the first time in the history of this show, the world famous kit manufacturer AIRFIX and their sister brand HUMBROL will be in attendance, along with the person who creates their box art.

This year the show will feature a special Dambuster anniversary display featuring 1/72nd scale models of all 19 Lancasters that took part in that famous raid, and I thank Darrell Burge for providing us with the kits. There will also be a model of the Wellington Bomber which carried out the trials for the famous bouncing bomb, the Spitfire which carried out reconnaissance sorties before and after the raid, and some anti-aircraft guns to show what the aircrew were up against.

The show will also feature many other models from exhibitors and traders who travel from all over the country to be with us. With the show getting bigger every year it really is a great family day out.”

To make reaching the Museum even easier, organisers have introduced a free park and ride for the day to cope with the additional visitors. The show will be open to the public from 10am until 4pm and entry to the show is free of charge.

For further information, please call the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on 01902 376200 or visit the Museum website at www.rafmuseum.org.

New permanent exhibition at IWM Duxford

Our new permanent exhibition and historic trail opens on Thursday 28 March

Historic Duxford is a brand new exhibition and historic site trail which explores Duxford’s time as an RAF airfield from 1918 to 1961.

It is our first new permanent exhibition since the opening of AirSpace in 2007.

This exciting new exhibition has been under development for almost two decades, with the creation and delivery taking three years to complete.

Steve Woolford, Head of Interpretation and Collections, said:

‘IWM Duxford is famously known for its air shows and large-scale exhibitions, such as AirSpace. For the first time, we are giving visitors an insight into the heart of this historic site, telling RAF Duxford’s own story.

Historic Duxford builds on what we’ve created in AirSpace and in the reconstructed 1940 Operations Room. In AirSpace, the historic objects take the lead in the exhibition, with personal stories supporting the interpretation and understanding of those objects. In Historic Duxford, the personal stories of the men and women who lived, worked and fought for their country at RAF Duxford, take centre stage, supported by the personal objects that help to convey those stories.

We’ve been working for many years to research the stories of the men and women who passed through the gates at RAF Duxford. This gives us the incredible depth and intensity of personal stories that we now tell in Historic Duxford. One of our most famous characters is Douglas Bader, and in the exhibition we not only have his dress cap and jacket on display, but we have a film of him talking about his experiences at RAF Duxford, rare 1930s home-shot film of him off-duty, plus the personal memories of his RAF colleagues.

In Historic Duxford, we’re able to show why Duxford is so important historically and also to help visitors to look at our historic site with fresh eyes.’

Historic Duxford is housed in the original 1930s Watch Office building. In the exhibition, we explore Duxford’s fascinating history. As a typical RAF fighter base, Duxford experienced significant historic events, military developments and social change during the first half of the twentieth century.

RAF Duxford was created during the latter stages of the First World War to train pilots for war.

Between the wars, it was part of ‘the best flying club in the world’ and an important arena for showcasing the RAF’s capabilities to royalty, the press and the public.

RAF Duxford’s Second World War history is perhaps the best known, with the dogfights of the Battle of Britain, and, later, the arrival of the American forces.

Finally, we look at the Cold War era, when many men did their National Service at RAF Duxford, and the station’s eventual closure in 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. We look at their jobs, living conditions and how they spent their leisure time.

Our interactives will immerse you in the lives of RAF Duxford’s service men and women, as you learn how they spent their working day and the skills they needed to do their jobs to exacting RAF standards.

Personal objects tell the stories of some of the remarkable individuals who served at RAF Duxford.

For the first time in almost a decade, items owned by Douglas Bader will be on display alongside scenes from a rare 1930s home film which shows Bader, alongside his RAF friends and colleagues, having fun off-duty.

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 opens to visitors on Thursday 28 March. Historic Duxford is included in general admission to IWM Duxford. Visitors aged 15 and under enjoy free admission to IWM Duxford.

www.iwm.org.uk

Open Cockpits tickets on sale 18th Feb

300 tickets for the popular aviation enthusiasts’ event ‘Open Cockpits Evening’ at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, will go on sale from Monday 18th February through the Royal Air Force Museum’s website. This exclusive evening will commence at 6pm on Saturday 18th May with a wide range of aircraft available for close viewing on the night: including transport aircraft, jet fighters and unique research airframes.300 fortunate visitors will be able to get a feel for what it was like to fly these much loved machines by enter

ing their cockpits and, in addition to this, will have exclusive after-hours access to the Museum which displays a collection of over 70 aircraft, military vehicles, engines and aviation artefacts within three wartime hangars and the award-winning National Cold War Exhibition.

The event, which is held twice a year, was a complete sell out in 2012, with tickets sold out in a matter of days. Organisers are confident that this year’s event in May will be just as popular based on the number of enquiries received so far. Accordingly, the Museum is advising aviation fans to book early to avoid disappointment.

Cosford’s ‘Open Cockpits Evening’ is part of ‘The Museums at Night’ cultural event, an annual international event where hundreds of museums, galleries, libraries, archives and heritage sites across Europe open their doors to the public for special after hours events.

The evening will commence at 6.00pm and finish at 8.30pm, with numbers onto the Museum site strictly limited to 300 people – providing enthusiasts with two and a half hours to examine the Museum’s historic and wondrous aircraft in an exclusive environment. Admission is by advance ticket only; tickets cost £10.00 per person and will go on sale from Monday 18th February available through the Museum’s website. Parking charges are included in the ticket price. Minimum height restrictions of 1.07 metres will apply.

For further information on the ‘Open Cockpits Evening’ or to purchase your tickets online visit www.rafmuseum.org (A detailed list of aircraft open on the night will be issued nearer the time.) A second Open Cockpits Evening will take place on Saturday 21st September 2013.

First Air War gallery receives Heritage Lottery Fund support

Royal Air Force Museum London is pleased to announce that it has received initial support* from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the redevelopment of the exhibitions within the historic Graham White Factory building. This will showcase the Museum’s unique First World War collections to mark the centenary of the conflict in 2014. The initial support of £74,500 will enable the Museum to progress their plans to obtain a full HLF grant of £706,300.

The new exhibition will use the world-class collection of planes, letters, film and photographs to help people understand what it was like to be involved in the earliest days of the Royal Flying Corps and how our world was changed by the technology and innovation during the war.

The content of the renewed exhibition area will be shaped by public participation through the selection of its exhibits through the “100 First Air War Objects” online survey and other initiatives. The project will help local people to understand how much their neighbourhood changed as a result of the development of the aerodrome and aircraft industry in Colindale during the First World War.

The First World War was the first conflict fought in the air. The RAF Museum’s varied and comprehensive, world-class collections will be used to highlight the lives of ordinary men and women who came together to create the world’s first independent Air Force. Important historic documents such as casualty records and personnel lists will be made digitally available to the public, which will help family historians to discover the fate of their ancestors.

Peter Dye, Director of the Royal Air Force Museum, explained the importance of the project: “We’re delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us this support. The aircraft shown in the Grahame-White Factory wing represent a very small part of our vast First World War collections, which includes equipment, art, film and sound recordings, photographs, and a unique archive of documents. The grant will enable us to showcase a larger and more diverse range of collections and our new interpretation strategy will help people to learn about the importance of the first war in the air and to understand the lives of all those who participated.”

Sue Bowers, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund for London said: “We’re extremely pleased to give initial support to this project. With the approaching First World War centenaries this 5 year project aims to bring to life the vast collections held by the RAF Museum and convey the significance of the first war in the air. We shall watch the developing plans with interest.”

www.rafmuseum.org

The Royal Air Force Museum 2013

In 2013 the FREE to enter Museum will be unveiling an exciting range of new exhibitions and events, some of which include:

Airfix Birthday Parties:

The Museum has introduced an exciting new Airfix themed birthday party package for children. Each booking will include model kit for each child to take and make at home; lunch or afternoon tea in Wings restaurant; storage availability for birthday cake; goody bag for each child with activity trail and extra gift for the birthday boy or girl

For more details contact: groups@rafmuseum.org / 020 8358 4849

Fresh Air – a new perspective on aviation art: January to May

Over the last decade David Bent’s modern and distinctive style of aviation art has won a plethora of devoted fans including the Red Arrows, with whom he has collaborated as Artist in Residence. Big, bold and captivating – whether wittily subverting the destructive power of nuclear arms race, celebrating the sheer joy of pilots in flight or enticing the viewer to work out the hidden imagery contained within his works – David Bent’s style is considered by many to be a breath of fresh air for aviation art.

RAF Photographer Exhibition: 13 Jan-30 April

In conjunction with RAF and Ministry of Defence, this is an exciting display of winning photos from currently serving men and women in the RAF. The exhibition as a dynamic birds eye view from inside the RAF.

The Royal Air Force in ‘RAF in Oman’ Exhibition: 1 May-30 September

Celebrating and highlighting the RAF’s achievements in Oman. The exhibition will include first-hand accounts, documents, uniforms and equipment detailing the long standing relationship.

Airfix exhibition: From June 2013:

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.

Dambusters 70th Anniversary Exhibition: From May

The Museum has a dedicated exhibition area featuring a specially made film, a recreation of the Barnes Wallis office and a life size bouncing bomb. It will also be displaying items from its archives such as Guy Gibson’s DFC and log book. Other commemorative events will include a concert underneath the Lancaster, a 4D Dambuster experience, special podcasts and a model show (see website for full listing).

Family weekend: 13-14 July

An outdoor weekend of fun packed activity and entertainment. One for all the family, the weekend will include outdoor re-enactments, bouncy castle and fairground rides for kids, dance lessons, gym drill, face painting, DJ skills, nail painting and much more. Outdoor activities will include bouncy castle, fairground rides, American Civil War battle re-enactors, Bollywood dance classes,

World War I in 100 Objects: Vote now online for the exhibition in September

Curators from the Royal Air Force Museum have selected 100 artefacts from its rich and diverse First World War collection. Each object is specifically selected to tell a story about the experiences of those men and women, at home and overseas, who lived, fought, worked & died during this cataclysmic period. You are invited to tell us which objects and their stories you find the most inspiring.

Battle of Britain Weekend: 14-15 September

The Museum celebrates our finest hour with film screenings, outdoor re-enactments, temporary exhibitions, special tours and military vehicles.

Black History Month: 1st -31 Oct

The Museum celebrates the Afro-Caribbean contribution to the RAF – the first service to instigate an equal ops policy. Beginning with WWI through to WWII and The Cold War to currently serving members, the exhibition will include personal recollections, photos and more.

Call 020 8205 2266 or visit www.rafmuseum.org