Category: UK Aviation Museum News

In a completely new and exciting occasion, the Yorkshire Air Museum is pleased to announce a public Night photo shoot on Saturday the 21st of March 2009. The event will involve the Handley Page Victor K2 “Lusty Lindy” and the Museum’s Blackburn Buccaneer S2. These Cold War veterans are both kept in immaculate, ground operational condition and during the event both aircraft will be electrically powered up and the external lighting switched on to enable you to experience the unique view of seeing both of these aircraft at night in a “live” condition. This provides a rare and interesting photographic opportunity for the general public and in particular aviation and photographic enthusiasts.

The Victor, which started service as part of the V-Bomber force, but, converted to the refuelling role saw action in both the Falklands and Gulf War theatres, will be trailing its main Hose Drum Unit (HDU) refuelling hose to enable you to view the signalling lights on the rear of the carriage that usually only a pilot would be able to see. The hose will be moved in and out to enable you to view the signalling lights change as the HDU goes from “Stand Off” right through to the “Fuel Flowing” signal. In addition to this the Victor will have its cockpit open to inspection whilst powered up on the afternoon of the event. This level of access is not usually permitted to the Victor and will provide a unique insight into the aircraft, which is fully operational with all systems working as they did when it retired from RAF service over 15 years ago.

The event will be priced at £25 and tickets are available through the museum’s Shop under tickets and donations – see www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk or ring on 01904 608595. This includes admission to the museum, a visit to the Victors cockpit and to experience the view of these two classic British Cold War aircraft at night. All monies raised will be used for buying fuel for these two aircraft to enable them to continue to be run as a living reminder of British design ingenuity and the Cold War for many more years to come. Both these aircraft will be thrilling the public with live engine runs the following month at our Thunder Day event on April 5th.

13:00hrs Victor Cockpit open for inspection/photographs: 17:00hrs Victor Cockpit closes: 17:30hrs Safety Brief in Chapel: 17:45hrs Night Photoshoot begins: 20:00hrs Night Photoshoot ends.

www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk

The new TV documentary War Zone, being screened weekly on Channel 5, has sparked public interest in the Royal Air Force Regiment at Yorkshire Air Museum. The exhibition at Elvington is the only RAF Regiment display open to the public in Britain and shows details of the famous regiment, which was formed at Butlin’s Holiday Camp, Filey in 1942. During the war years, the camp operated partly as a holiday camp and also as RAF Hunmanby, with the Air Ministry overseeing the construction of the camp.The exhibition is open every day and amongst many unique exhibits is the Japanese flag from Singapore which was presented to the RAF Regiment who took the Japanese surrender in 1945.

The TV documentary follows the daily lives of RAF Regiment Squadrons in operations in Afghanistan, based at Kandahar airbase, and certainly seems to have captured public interest.

Ian Reed, Museum Director, said: “It is interesting to note that, under Royal Warrant, the RAF Regiment came into being at Filey, North Yorkshire, on 1st February 1942. The HQ later moved to Lincolnshire until 1946 and then back to Catterick, North Yorkshire. Sunday February 1st marks the 67th Anniversary of the formation of the RAF Regiment and it is appropriate that the Yorkshire Air Museum houses this fascinating display, containing some unique memorabilia, on the history and development of the force, not far from its spiritual home.”

Since its formation, the Regiment has served the Royal Air Force with distinction, throughout WWII, seeing active service in North Africa, Middle and Far East, the Mediterranean, Italy and central Europe. This has continued to the present day and the regiment has seen service all over the world, wherever there are airfields, installations or other elements of the RAF to defend. This has included Palestine, Suez, Malaya, Borneo, Aden, Northern Ireland, Cyprus, notably the Falklands, the Gulf and now Iraq and Afghanistan, as seen on our TV screens.

We would like to take this opportunity to appeal for any items of memorabilia that members of the public may wish to donate to us, to enable us to update and refresh the exhibition. In particular, we would welcome pictures from the days of the formation of the RAF Regiment at Filey, as we have not as yet been able to trace an image of this and the site has been demolished (2006).

To highlight the forthcoming anniversary and the existence of this unique RAF Regiment display, Frank Wright, Yorkshire Air Museum volunteer and former RAF Regiment soldier (1952 – 56) and some current serving personnel from 609 (West Riding) Royal Auxiliary Air Force Squadron, RAF Leeming, who have just completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan, gathered at the Yorkshire Air Museum. 609 Squadron is an Air Defence Support Squadron, comprising of two specialist trades – RAF Regiment Gunnery and Force Protection. (Frank lives in Roberttown, Liversedge, West Yorkshire).

www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk

At a glittering Charity Champions Awards 2008 ceremony at Millbank, Westminster, London, the Rt. Hon Rosie Winterton MP, Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber, won the prestigious Culture & Heritage Award for her support of the Yorkshire Air Museum and Royal Aeronatutical Society’s schools educational publication “Reach for the Sky”.Nominations were made by these and other charities, who wished to acknowledge the support of MPs to their projects and voting was undertaken by all UK MPs.

The new book, which has been carefully designed to fit into the National Curriculum Key Stage 2 and recent government guidelines, was issued free to all 26,000 primary schools in Britain this month. In accepting the award from top celebrity Esther Rantzen at the ceremony, Rosie Winterton said: “It has been a real pleasure to be involved with this worthwhile project which has been undertaken by these two charities.”

Yorkshire Air Museum Director Ian Reed, speaking at the ceremony in London, said they were delighted that Rosie had won the award which demonstrated her real support to the project, which she officially launched in London in June this year.

“We couldn’t have done it without her”, he said. “Aviation is Britain’s second largest manufacturing industry, employing over 260,000 people, and this country remains at the forefront of aerospace design and technology. It is important that this is reflected in the teaching and enthusing of our young children.”

Mr Reed also praised the support of Yorkshire Forward, British Airways, Virgin Galactic and EADS Astrium (European Aerospace Defence & Space Company) in this project.

www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk

The Yorkshire Air Museum & Allied Air Forces Memorial is celebrating today after receiving confirmation of a substantial Heritage Lottery Fund grant towards its new ‘Aviation Pioneers’ exhibition.Ian Reed, Museum Director, comments: “This funding will, at long last, enable the wonderful stories of these world-famous Yorkshire based pioneers to be told in a thoroughly modern and interactive way for all ages, using historic artefacts alongside the latest computer and display technology”.

“Aviation Pioneers” will cover the work and discoveries of the world renowned “Father of Aeronautics”, Sir George Cayley of Brompton near Scarborough; Sir Barnes Wallis, designer of the R100 airship at Howden and his deputy, Nevil ‘Shute’ Norway, author and York based aircraft manufacturer, plus world-record aviator Amy Johnson from Hull and famous Leeds based aircraft manufacturer Robert Blackburn.

The exhibition will be of national importance, reflecting the growing reputation of the Museum within British aviation heritage. There has not been a major, permanent exhibition encompassing Yorkshire’s pivotal role in the development of aviation before now, and this additional funding will allow a ‘state of the art’ exhibition to be produced. The £100,000 permanent exhibition will explore the social importance of the discoveries and achievements of these Yorkshire based aviation pioneers and is planned to be opened in Spring 2009.

Fiona Spiers, Head of HLF, Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “This project will help bring the stories of aviation to life for everyone to explore. HLF is dedicated to supporting projects that open up our heritage for locals and visitors to learn about and enjoy and the new exhibition will be a great addition to one of York’s many interesting museums.”

http://www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk/

Fifteen years ago, on the 25th November 1993, the Handley Page Victor XL231 was flown into retirement to the Yorkshire Air Museum, after a long and distinguished service career with the Royal Air Force. It was saved from the scrapheap by Andre Tempest, a Leeds businessman, after the aircraft was offered for purchase. The Yorkshire Air Museum was approached as the new ‘home’ for the aircraft, and this arrangement has secured the long-term survival of this still futuristic looking aeroplane.

As Andre recalls; “My Father and I bought the Victor mainly due to the 1993 Flypast magazine feature on the final operational days and a mention in there that no museum or collection had shown interest (to date) in preserving one due to the daunting task of looking after one. It seemed quite probable that every example except the one destined for Cosford was to be scrapped. We approached the Yorkshire Air Museum, who were in the process of restoring the Handley Page Halifax, and there was support for the idea of bringing the Victor to Elvington. Air Vice Marshall ‘Johnnie’ Johnson sent letters of support to the RAF on our behalf as he had commanded RAF Cottesmore when it housed No10 Squadron with its Victors and despite being a fighter ace he was a competent Victor captain.”

XL231 ‘Lusty Lindy’ is the only complete example of the distinctive HP Victor remaining in the world and is kept in ground operational condition, by the hard work and enthusiasm of Andre and his team, with the museum’s support. Only one other Victor is still capable of running, but is not complete, making ‘ours’ very special. (The flight to Elvington 15 years ago was scheduled to be the last ever flight of the Victor series, but a delay saw another one taking this honour, although it was duly dismantled for scrap!)

Ian Reed, Museum Director, comments: “The spectacular arrival of the Victor at the Yorkshire Air Museum was thus a significant occasion, as the type had rarely been seen in the north, although XL 231 had appeared on display at RAF Finningley for the Queens Silver Jubilee Review of the RAF, in July 1977. It is fantastic that this aircraft found a home back in Yorkshire and Lusty Lindy is far from ‘retired’, as she regularly entertains thousands of visitors to the museum and has in fact become something of an icon, with a global fan base.”

XL231 first flew on 28th December 1961 and went into service with 139 Squadron in January 1962 in conventional bomber role, but was upgraded to carry the Blue Steel weaponry, as part of the V-Bomber nuclear force. She was later to become the prototype for the K2 Tanker conversion, for the type’s later role in air to air refuelling. It was in this role that the aircraft played a vital part in the Falklands War, with 55 Squadron, firstly to train crews in this vital skill, and then in the Airbridge role from Ascension Island to the Falklands, in support of the Task Force, only finishing these duties in 1985. It then saw action in the Gulf War, in 1990/91, during Operation Granby, again in the refuelling capacity and it was here that it was given the nickname, ‘Lusty Lindy’. She finished her Service career on 15th October 1993, arriving at Elvington just over a month later.

http://www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk/

At last night’s glittering award ceremony, Yorkshire Air Museum came out as top Tourism & Hospitality venue for 2008.The judges recognised the extraordinary diversity of activities undertaken at the Museum, the growth and success of its businesses and the national and international recognition which it has developed.

In accepting the award, Museum Director Ian Reed, said

“to win the top Tourism & Hospitality Award 2008 within the current “European Tourism City of the Year” speaks volumes, and I thank everyone involved in helping us make this one of the most dynamic and loved museums of its kind in Britain – it is certainly more than just an “air museum”.

The Yorkshire Air Museum and Allied Air Forces Memorial is a nationally registered museum, memorial and charity and the largest independent museum of its kind in UK. It employs 150 staff paid and unpaid and is currently undertaking a wide range of projects throughout Britain and Europe.

* The first phase of the Museum’s “Reach for the Sky” project launched by the Minister of State for Transport in London this year and supported by Yorkshire Forward, British Airways, Virgin UK and European Aerospace EADS is delivering the first History of Aviation, National Curriculum educational resource to all 26,000 Primary Schools in UK during 2008.

other projects include:

* A DEFRA supported project aims to make the Museum the first environmentally self-sustained museum/attraction in the North.

* An internationally recognised butterfly and moth conservancy, supported by the Environment Agency is planned to be completed during 2009.

* a £1.5 million project to construct new 28,000 sq ft hangar to house the increasing collection of internationally important historic aircraft.

http://www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk/

The stunning and spectacular aircraft action scenes in the latest Bond film, Quantum of Solace, has sparked a surge of interest in the legendary Douglas Dakota DC3, with visitors clamouring to see inside the Museum’s example of the amazing DC3 aircraft.

As more and more people see this record breaking 007 film, the Museum is expecting this trend to follow over the coming weeks.

The Dakota is open to the public most days and children in particular are fascinated and excited at getting inside and being able to imagine 007 wrestling the controls as the Marchetti fighter tries to shoot it down amongst the mountains of Bolivia.

Over 15,000 examples of this revolutionary 1930’s designed American transport aircraft were built, and over 400 are still flying around the world today.

The Museum’s example entered service with the Royal Air Force in January 1945 and went on to see wartime action in Malaysia, before returning to Europe as a passenger aircraft after the war had ended. From the aircrafts log book, it is estimated that it has spent over 11 years in the air!

Museum Director, Ian Reed, said, “the new 007 film is excellent and the DC3 shows what an amazing aircraft it is. I can understand youngsters (and the not so young) wanting to imagine what it is like inside this exciting old warbird in action, and I’m pleased we can provide the service”.

http://www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk

Yorkshire Air Museum is proud to announce that it has won the prestigious Yorkshire in Bloom Silver Gilt Award for the second year running.The Museum’s Memorial Gardens and the 20 acre parkland site at Elvington met the high standards in areas such as “Floral Displays; Permanent Landscaping; Environmental Factors and Public Awareness”.

Of particular interest to the judges was the Museum’s recent recycling project which has been supported by DEFRA. Waste from the restaurant and gardens is recycled in a huge stainless steel Swedish machine called “Big Hannah”. The resulting high quality fertilizer is then put back onto the gardens resulting in high quality floral displays.

A new feature this year is a butterfly garden which is connected to a new breeding area set up with the Butterfly and Moth Conservancy. The new area is planned to have walkways and hides for visitors to enjoy and learn about natures earliest “flyers”.

Museum Director, Ian Reed, said, “Our gardens and grounds are our pride and joy and the rose gardens particularly, which are lovingly tended by our volunteer gardener, Walter Eland, are enjoyed by tens of thousands of visitors each year. This award is a recognition of the hours of dedicated work by all our staff at this very special place.” www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk