UK Aviation Museum News – Page 87

German Luftwaffe Veterans visit Yorkshire Air Museum

An extraordinary act of compassion which took place in the heat of war sixty four years ago was once again remembered at Elvington on Sunday 1st June, when the Doncaster Air Gunners Association brought a party of German WWII veterans to the museum.This annual re-union, which alternates each year between here and Germany, has now existed for 20 years and stems from an act of human kindness following the shooting down of an RAF Lancaster in 1944.

On return from a raid on Berlin, Lancaster “Sugar 2” from RAF Wickenby, was hit by fire from a Messerschmidt 110. On fire and spiralling earthward, the crew baled out of the stricken aircraft. Navigator Arthur Lee however, was pinned to the floor by the centrifugal force of the spin, until, suddenly, the aircraft blew apart and he was forcibly ejected. Luckily, he had put on his parachute harness and was able to pull the cord, with the chute just opening in time to break his fall into the trees below, in a wood near Katzelenbogen, 20 miles south east of Koblenz.

But for Rudi’s intervention, things could have been very different for Arthur and Rudi himself had risked the possibility of a court martial. After the war had ended, Rudi erected a 10ft high wooden cross at the crash site, flanked by six smaller crosses to mark the rest of the Lancaster crew who had perished in the crash. Forty five years later, Rudi and Arthur were reunited at the cross, when a pilgrimage of RAF Wickenby members and Doncaster Air Gunners Association made the trip to the crash site, after researching the details with assistance from the current Luftwaffe and the German Nightfigters Association, which meet at Sobernheim airbase. Thus, German veterans and current servicemen at the time took part in a service of remembrance at this reunion.

This set the spark of a friendship between Doncaster Air Gunners and the Nightfighters Association that has remained strong to this day. The Air Gunners association identified the site of the last crash of a German aircraft on British soil, at Dunnington Lodge, near Elvington, as the most appropriate for a twin memorial to “The Cross in the Woods” erected by Rudi Balzer in Germany and , for twenty years, the reciprocal visits have taken place.

Last Sunday, Yorkshire Air Museum Chaplain Neil Mackay led a short Service of Remembrance at Dunnington Lodge before the Doncaster Air Gunners and the visiting German veterans and family proceeded to the museum for a luncheon and a special tour of the museum’s unique restored Halifax bomber.

Museum spokesman, Ian Richardson, said: “We were delighted to assist our friends at the Doncaster Air Gunners Association in making this a very special occasion for the German veterans and their families. The long lasting friendship that has existed since that remarkable act of kindness shows us that conflicts are about politics, not people in general, and that old opponents can respect each others courage in the pursuit of their duty, thereby finding the similarities that lasting friendships can be based upon.”

Both Arthur Lee and Rudi Balzer are sadly no longer with us, but they would have been astounded at the continuing legacy their friendship has created.

RAF and Luftwaffe veterans in front of Halifax

Pictured with the impressive Halifax Bomber “Friday the 13th” are: (left to right).

Stan Wannell – Doncaster Air Gunners Association. (Former Wireless Operator / Air Gunner on Wellingtons.)

Theo Nau – German Me. 109 fighter pilot.

Eric Foynette – RAF Lancaster Navigator an ex POW. At 92 years of age, Eric is the last remaining witness to the re-union of Rudi Balzer and Arthur Lee.)

Ulrich Majewski – Post WWII Luftwaffe pilot.

Walter Rehling – Dornier 217 pilot in WWII.

Otto Markruse – Luftwaffe Dayfighter pilot on Focke-Wulfe 190.

Herbert Gleich – Junkers JU 88 pilot.

Kneeling in front are: L to R:

Moira Hurrell, Jacqui Whitehead (Event Organiser) and Sue Collett of the Doncaster Air Gunners Association.

Further information at: www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk

Bidding now open for VIP Experience Day at Royal Air Force Museum

(24th May – 2nd June 2008)As part of May’s Museums and Galleries Month the Royal Air Force Museum has teamed up with online auction house Top Lots to offer an exclusive experience behind the scenes at the Museum’s Cosford site.

A must for any aviation enthusiast this exclusive day will allow the successful bidder and a guest to witness the ground-breaking conservation and preservation work undertaken by the staff of the Michael Beetham Conservation Centre at the Royal Air Force Museum, Cosford.

Two lucky guests will be able to see the work that goes in to conserving and maintaining historic aircraft in an area not normally open to the public; talk to a conservator about the work that they are undertaking; and take private photography of the workshop.

After a 2 course lunch the successful bidder and their guest will then enjoy a personal tour of the rest of the Museum including the award-winning and visually stunning National Cold War Exhibition before obtaining a souvenir.

Bidding on this lot has commenced, with 80% of the proceeds going directly to the Royal Air Force Museum and 20% to the Association of Independent Museums. The Association of Independent Museums was founded to encourage new standards in the provision of services to users. To place your bid just go to www.toplots.co.uk and select “Steam and Transport”. So why not treat yourself and help raise some money for a world class aviation museum.

Entry to the National Cold War Exhibition at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is free from 10am daily. For further details visit www.rafmuseum.org

Dambusters Anniversary Publication Uncovers Hidden History

A new book produced to coincide with the 65th Anniversary of the legendary Dams Raid uncovers elements of hidden history crucial to the success of 617 Squadron’s attack on the German Dams in May 1943.The book produced for the Royal Air Force Museum by Newsdesk Media Group is titled ‘BREACHING THE GERMAN DAMS – FLYING INTO HISTORY’ and has been written by Robert Owen, the Official Historian of the No. 617 Squadron Aircrew Association, and Richard Morris, author of acclaimed biographies of Wing Commanders Guy Gibson VC and Leonard Cheshire VC. The foreword is by New Zealander, Les Munro, the sole remaining pilot to have taken part in the epic operation.

Seemingly well-documented aspects of the raid come under new scrutiny. Among them are the origins of the spotlight altimeter used to determine the height of 60ft that was critical for the release of the weapon. There is also new evidence about the development of the range-finding bomb-sight and the loading of the weapon on to the aircraft.

Vivid insights into Barnes Wallis, who invented and designed the famous ‘bouncing bomb’ that breached the dam walls, are offered by his daughter, Mary Stopes-Roe, who recalls wartime family life. Appearing for the first time in print, extracts from letters written by Wallis to his wife during the taxing period of the weapon’s development, illustrate his warmth and sense of humour.

Original research also reveals that there were plans to use the bouncing bomb for other purposes – attacking canals and viaducts – and that in 1944, another series of dam-busting operations was planned to assist the Allied offensive in Italy. Despite these aspirations, the weapon was never used again, and as this work describes, surviving stocks were dumped in the Atlantic shortly after the war.

The Dams Raid captured the public’s imagination in 1943 and has endured ever since. It has inspired books, documentaries and a classic film. However, a number of inaccurate assumptions about the operation exist to this day. ‘BREACHING THE GERMAN DAMS – FLYING INTO HISTORY’ takes a detailed look at one of history’s most legendary military operations and uncovers some secrets along the way.

The publication will be launched today, Friday 16 May, at Derwent Reservoir, Derbyshire at the event to mark the 65th Anniversary of the Dams Raid. The event will include a flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster with Tornadoes from 617 Squadron.

The book is now available for purchase exclusively at www.rafmuseumshop.com

Australian War Veteran Makes Special Visit to Air Museum

Over the past weekend, a number of veteran airmen from 578 Squadron attended the Squadron Association’s annual re-union, during which a Service was held at Selby Abbey. Amongst these was 87 year old Don McDonald, an Australian pilot who attended the event for the first time, having never before had the opportunity to make the long trip to do so.Following a request from fellow Association members David McSherry, of Hemingbrough, and Norman Davidson, 578 Squadron Association Chairman, from North Sheilds, arrangements were made for Don McDonald to make a special visit to the Yorkshire Air Museum on Monday (19th May) to see the Museum’s unique restored Halifax bomber. This was the first time that Don had stepped inside a Halifax since the end of the war and was without doubt a fitting end to an emotional weekend.

Don, accompanied by his wife of 30 years, Ailsa, both sprightly for their age, were shown around the Halifax by Museum volunteer Phil Kemp, of Wilberfoss, who has been involved with the restoration of this aircraft for over 15 years. Both were excited at the prospect and although Ailsa had not been expecting to go inside, she was amazed by the experience of seeing where here husband had sat to carry out his duty.

Don was born in Melbourne, Australia, on 7th October 1920. He joined the Royal Australian Air Force in his hometown in December 1941, and was transferred to Europe in March 1943, where he joined 578 (Burn) Squadron as a pilot at the height of the Allied bombing campaign. After a full tour, during which he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, which he modestly puts down to ‘simply having the good fortune for not being in the wrong place at the wrong time’, he moved to Norton in Marsh in the hazardous role as an instructor, before taking on a second tour of duty with 466 Squadron, Driffield. Instructing was indeed a dangerous, but vital role, as the aircraft used were often those that had been repaired after mission damage but not deemed fit for operational use.

Don recalled the raids over Germany’s industrial heartland which would see over 600 aircraft attack their target, in waves of 200 or more over a short time period of just 9 minutes, saying that it was all down to luck that your aircraft was not involved in a mid-air collision or shot out of the sky, as so many were. However, we suspect that there is more to his earning the DFC, but he is not telling.

Ian Richardson, museum spokesman, said: “It was wonderful to meet Don and Ailsa and hear Don’s story. Those of us born many years after the end of WWII can only imagine what these young men went through at the time and we all owe them a debt of gratitude. We must also never forget that our Commonwealth stood firm behind Britain in our hour of need and all of us at the Museum were delighted to assist in the arrangements to make this visit to see the Halifax possible. We hope that this will not be the ‘one and only’ time we see Don and Aisla at Elvington.”

Further information at: www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk

Pre-register Your Bid For A Top Flight Experience at Royal Air Force Museum.

(15th May – 15th June 2008)As part of May’s Museums and Galleries Month the Royal Air Force Museum has teamed up with online auction house Top Lots to offer an exclusive experience behind the scenes at the Museum’s Cosford site.

Bidding on this lot will commence on 15th May, with 80% of the proceeds going directly to the Royal Air Force Museum and 20% to the Association of Independent Museums. The Association of Independent Museums was founded to encourage new standards in the provision of services to users. To pre-register your interest in bidding for this lot or to learn more about this exclusive experience please go to www.toplots.co.uk and select “Museums and Galleries”.

Entry to the National Cold War Exhibition at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is free from 10am daily. For further details visit www.rafmuseum.org

Flying Start for Air Museums Bomber Command Exhibition

The Yorkshire Air Museum’s new Bomber Command exhibition Against the Odds received a flying start on Wednesday 19th March when it was officially opened by Sir David Jason OBE, widely regarded as one of Britain’s most popular actors.

An Honorary Member of the Museum and aviation enthusiast, Sir David arrived in some style by flying in by helicopter for this auspicious occasion, to the delight of over 1000 visitors who turned up for the occasion. Sir David graciously signed many autographs before going on to ‘inspect’ a contingent of new Royal Air Force recruits from nearby RAF Leconfield and some cadets from 2388 (Castleford) Air Training Corps.

After being shown into the new exhibition, Sir David chatted to several veterans of Bomber Command who have had a long association with the Museum, and he was clearly moved by hearing of their often harrowing experiences.

Produced in association with Imperial War Museum, “Against the Odds” details and explores the international reasons for the formation of this unique force and the unparalleled sacrifice of its young airman, many just in their late teens, from all over the world. With over 55 800 killed in action or as prisoner of war, no fighting group saw such heavy losses, but, perhaps because of the later controversy over the consequence of aerial bombing on civilian populations, no campaign medal has ever been issued to the brave volunteers of Bomber Command. The stunning exhibition stands in an original wartime building on this former Bomber Command Station, and the large display panels with striking, and even controversial, imagery are interspersed with artefacts and audio visual displays.

Providing a wealth of easily extractable factual information, Against the Odds will be an excellent educational resource for school parties and groups and associations and anyone engaged in lifelong learning objectives. It forms an excellent base upon which to start a tour of the Museum, which most of the existing displays and resources link into, facilitating a more in depth exploration of some topics.

Museum Director, Ian Reed, said: “This exhibition, which is of national standard and scale, will bring the story of Bomber Command to a younger generation in keeping with the objectives of this unique Memorial to Allied Air Forces. This is probably the most fitting place in Britain for it to be located and we are especially pleased and honoured that our Life Member, Sir David Jason, was able to take time out from a hectic filming schedule to open Against the Odds on our behalf.”

In a major endorsement for the Museum speaking in television interviews, Sir David said how proud he was to be associated with the Yorkshire Air Museum & Allied Air Forces Memorial and how important places like this were in ensuring the memory of all those who gave their lives is never forgotten.

Opening the new display, Sir David said, “I feel very close to the RAF being a pilot myself. When you think about it these crews didn’t give their lives, their lives were taken from them and when you consider over 55,000 never came back in order to defend democracy, we must never forget what they gave.”

With such an understanding of aviation and his well known support for the Royal Air Force and RAF Benevolent Fund, there could not have been a better person to open the exhibition for us and this high profile launch has already resulted in a dramatic surge in visitor numbers.

www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk

Historic Aircraft to Support Air Museum Events

Early indications from the RAF Events Participation Committee reveal that several aircraft from the legendary Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be allocated to support forthcoming events at the Yorkshire Air Museum.At Battlegroup North, the increasingly popular ‘war gaming weekend’ and historic military vehicle gathering, we have been allocated the magnificent Lancaster, the ultimate symbol of victory in the air war of WWII, on Saturday 10th May, and the following day the Dakota, probably the most successful aircraft type in aviation history, will grace the skies of Elvington.

These flypasts will be the icing on the cake of what promises to be another spectacular occasion, following last years record breaking event which saw some 200 military vehicles on display, alongside fascinating Living History diorama’s and the amazing tabletop war games, showing precision modelling at it’s finest. These complex games of strategy allow participation from visitors and once again some of the best exhibition and participation games from around the country will be on show.

On Sunday 22nd June, the Hurricane and Spitfire, legends of the Battle of Britain, will provide a ‘Victory Flypast’ at the Classic Wings & Wheels Show, a perfect salute to the gathering of classic and veteran cars.

Wherever possible, these flypasts will be supplemented by other displays from veteran aircraft such as the Tiger Moth and Chipmunk, famous as early training aircraft for RAF pilots, providing some ‘heart in the mouth’ action for visitors to enjoy.

During the season, a series of ‘Thunder Day’s’ will celebrate this centenary year of powered flight in Britain and the 90th Anniversary of the formation of the Royal Air Force. These events will see some of our big jets, such as the Blackburn Buccaneer and Handley Page Victor conducting live engine runs and the first of these will actually see the mighty Victor K2 doing rolling down Elvington’s runway, on Saturday 5th April.

So, it will all be happening here at the Yorkshire Air Museum this summer, but if you cannot wait until then, there will be lot’s still to see during the half-term holidays.

For further information, please contact the Museum on 01904 608595 or look up our website: www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk

Back in Black!

The Royal Air Force Museum is proud to announce its newest exhibit: the prototype Eurofighter Typhoon DA-2/ZH588. The first of its kind to be on display in the UK.The Typhoon was brought in by road on Tuesday 22nd Jan and moved into the Milestones of Flight Exhibition Hall the following day. Engineers from RAF Conningsby and RAF St Athens assembled the aircraft. It is currently on display ‘on the ground’ but will be permanently suspended at the front of the viewing gallery in March.

Aircraft History: EUROFIGHTER DA-2/ZH588

One of seven EF 2000 Development Aircraft (DAs) built by the Eurofighter Partner Companies (EPCs), six of which later formed part of an intensive Flight Test Programme (FTP), as one had been lost in a crash. Built as a single-seat airframe. Although DA2 was completed and ready for flight first, it was the German built DA1 which made the first flight, at Manching, Germany, on 27 March 1994.

14 Aug 93 Rolled out at BAE Warton in two-tone grey colour scheme.

30 Aug 93 First engine runs.

6 Apr 94 First flight, at British Aerospace (now BAE Systems) Warton, Lancs, flown by BAe AirOPs director Chris Yeo, for a 50 minute flight, during which it attained a gentle 287mph at 10,000ft. Photos – Eurofighter Typhoon (Harkins) p.89; Royal Air Force Yearbook 1995 p28.

Fitted with interim RB.199 Mk 104E turbofans as the EJ200 engine was not yet ready for flight testing. This was the first of the British development aircraft, and was later used for flight envelope expansion and carefree handling trials. 575 sorties were scheduled as the aircraft’s test life.

4 May 94 Flown in front of UK Government Ministers and government and industry officials at Warton.

24 May 94 Ninth flight (Pilot John Turner), by the end of which DA2 had accumulated 7 hours 14 minutes flight time, at up to 327-kts (605km/h/376mph) at 7,924m/26,000ft and manoeuvres up to 3.5g. Aircraft then grounded for structural inspection and retrofitted with first software upgrade for flight control and cockpit displays, instrumentation, and associated systems replacing the initial Tornado-style analogue cockpit instruments.

17 May 95 Second phase of development flying commenced with first flight – its tenth – since installation of new software – a 1hr 25 minute evening flight taking off at 18.54, returning at 20.16 following three practice approaches; pilot Chris Yeo, escorted by a Tornado GR.1 chase plane. Completed eight flights 17 May – 8 June.

Diverted to RAF Leeming, Yorkshire on the 13th flight on 24 May due to adverse weather conditions at Warton. Pilot John Turner, EF200 Project Pilot at Warton.

Jun 95 On static display at Paris airshow at Le Bourget, flying in on 9 June (Flight 18, pilot John Turner) and leaving on the evening of 13 June (Flight 19). Photo departing – Air Forces Monthly August 1995 p.17.

15 Jun 95 Flight 20; First supersonic flight by DA2; reached Mach 1.05. Pilot Chris Yeo.

Flights 20, 22 and 23 concerned rapid role manoeuvres and loops.

24 Jun 95 At RAF Leeming for two days with reported fuel leak. Photo at Leeming – Air Forces Monthly August 1995 p.3.

Flights 22 and 23 were on 28 June, entering the loops at 5,000ft, beginning at 300 knots, but slowing to 190 knots.

22/23 Jul 95 Appeared at RIAT Fairford, Gloucestershire for its first public flying demonstration, flying its 31st, 33rd and 34th flights which included further tests – radio communications trials off the south coast of England at 25-30,000ft and engine handling trials on the way back to Warton.

9 Nov 95 Flight 57 – RAF EF 2000 pilot Squadron Leader Simon Dyde flew the aircraft for the first time on a 70 minute sortie from Warton.

31 Dec 95 By this date DA-2 had logged 67 sorties. Most of the development flying was by BAe Eurofighter project pilot John Turner.

25 Jan 96 Photographed at Warton. Air Forces Monthly March 1996 p.2.

28 Aug 96 By this date, DA-2 had made 128 flights; 132 by 30 August.

2- 7 Sep 96 Displayed in flight at Farnborough by Eurofighter Project Pilot John Turner. Photos – Aircraft Illustrated April 1999 p.31; Air Forces Monthly October 1996 pp.32-33, November 1996 p.40.

Nov 96 Following its appearance at Farnborough, the aircraft was taken out of service for routine inspection and maintenance and upgrades, including preparations and software for phase three of the flight expansion trials (carefree handling to evaluate the Flight Control System, refuelling, etc). The updates included the fitting of a spin recovery parachute and gantry as a safety measure to facilitate the Carefree Handling Trials. Trials flown by Craig Penrice, Eurofighter Typhoon Project Pilot.

Nov 97 Involved in ground refuelling trials with an RAF Lockheed Tristar tanker during a detachment to RAF Brize Norton between 10 and 14 November. Photo – Air Forces Monthly January 1998 p.3.

23 Dec 97 Reached design goal speed of mach 2 over the Irish Sea.

12 Jan 98 Involved in first air to air refuelling trials with an RAF VC10 K3 tanker (ZA149). Photos – Harkins p.101; Air Forces Monthly April 1998 p.6.

1998 Grounded and retrofitted with definitive EJ200 powerplant; also given cockpit system upgrades and had a Martin Baker Mk 16A zero – zero ejection seat fitted.

Aug 98 Returned to flight following modification.

1998 Flown in all black scheme at RAF Leuchars.

Sep 98 Flown in formation with the RAF Red Arrows formation team during the opening ceremony for the Farnborough International Air show.

Mar 99 DA-2 completed its ‘baseline configuration’ flutter trials at Mach 1.2 and 750kts Equivalent Air Speed (EAS) as part of the Weapon System Development Programme-this equated to a True air Speed of 800-kts. It had also flown to an altitude of 50,000ft to test the aircraft’s high altitude capability.

Apr 99 Equipped with new ASP (Aircrew services package) DA2 reached an altitude of 50,000ft.

May 99 Conducted ground-carrying trials of various dummy stores intended for the Typhoon. Photos – Harkins p.107.

Jul 00 Flew with 2b2 flight control software installed, as the first of the development aircraft to receive the upgrade.

28 Jul 00 Began series of survey flights for which the aircraft’s skin was covered in 490 pressure transducers, for which it was painted in an all-black colour scheme which hid the sensors and pads.

Jul 00 Shown at Farnborough Airshow, and with DA1, made the first public Typhoon formation flight. Photos – Harkins p.104.

2001 Deployed to RAF Leuchars for airflow measurement trials. Photos – Harkins p.103/105/109. Carried markings of No 43 ‘Fighting Cocks’ Squadron during this deployment.

Other tasks that year included engine re-light trials.

Jan 02 Two Typhoons, DA2 and DA4 were refuelled at the same time in parallel from an RAF tanker aircraft.

7 Apr 02 By this date, the aircraft had made 419 flights, with 374.7 flying hours.

Jul 02 Flown at Farnborough Air Show, including being part of a four-Typhoon display on 23 July-the first time four aircraft had been shown together. Photos – Eurofighter Typhoon (Harkins) p.37/108/173.

2002 Conducted captive flight trials with MBDA ASRAAM air – air missile

Jul 02 The carefree handling trials were completed around this time. They had included fitting an extensive four-missile configuration to clear the Typhoon for Initial operational Clearance.

Followed by Defensive Aids Sub-System trials.

2006 At Warton, DA-2 continuing successful testing of a Towed Decoy in long-lasting flights and a new pilot’s helmet design, fully integrated into the avionics system.

2007 Final flight at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire. Some spares recovery, including engines, for other development batch and RAF aircraft.

c. Nov 07 Dismantled and taken by road from RAF Coningsby to RAF Brize Norton, Oxon for C-17 air portability trials, to be held December 2007.

22 Jan 08 By road to RAFM Hendon for suspended display in Milestones Gallery, moving into the building the following day.

Eurofighter prototype DA1 is also preserved, being with the Deutsches Museum Flugwerft Schleissheim near Munich since March 2007.

Aircraft History, by Andy Simpson

· Royal Air Force Museum, Grahame Park Way, London, NW9 5LL

· Free admission and parking. Nearest tube, Colindale (Northern Line)

· For further information please visit:

· www.rafmuseum.com

Conservation Centre Open Week

Next year, the Michael Beetham Conservation Centre (MBCC) at Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is opening its doors to the public for the first time.The MBCC is one of the finest aircraft conservation centres in the world. To enable greater public access and an understanding of the centre’s work, it will be opening its doors to visitors for two exclusive periods in 2008.

Visitors to the Museum will gain exclusive behind-the-scenes access to aircraft conservation work and have a rare opportunity to view current projects, including work being undertaken on the Handley Page Hampden bomber, Lindbergh’s Miles Mohawk and the Sopwith Dolphin.

The first open week will run from Monday 28th January to Friday 1st February 2008. The second will be from 24th to 28th November 2008. The Conservation centre will be open each day from 11.00am – 3.00pm.

Manager of the Conservation Centre, Tim Wallis says:

“The conservation team at the MBCC are justifiably proud of the work they do towards preserving our aviation heritage. We welcome this opportunity to allow the public a degree of access towards finding out more about the painstaking and skilled work that aircraft conservation entails. The MBCC is a very busy place however and it will remain a working domain throughout. Come along and experience this fascinating work with us, I’m sure you’ll not be disappointed.”

The main Museum is open daily from 10am – 6pm (last admission 4pm). Admission and parking are both free of charge.

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

Thunder Day at Yorkshire Air Museum

On Sunday 21st October the first “Thunder Day” will see the engines of two of the Museum’s big jets “powered-up” to herald a week of activity for the half-term break.

The famous Buccaneer strike fighter/bomber, used during the first Gulf War, with its two huge Rolls Royce Spey 101 turbofans providing 22,000lbs thrust, and the massive Victor V-Bomber ‘Lusty Lindy’, herself a Falklands and Gulf War veteran, with her four Rolls Royce Conway’s delivering a mighty 80,000 lbs thrust making the ground shake for visitors.

In addition, the Museum’s award winning Aviation Fire & Rescue Service will be on station during the engine runs with their very latest American GMC 6-wheeler fire engine, acquired from Rolls Royce at Derby.

This will certainly create some thunder and excitement for children to enjoy, as well as, we suspect, their mum’s and dad’s!! The Buccaneer, as a naval aircraft type, will be demonstrating the hydraulically operated wing folding capability, bomb bay opening and air brake system, which is something the public rarely get to see.

‘Thunder Day’ will begin the countdown to next year’s centenary of British Powered Flight, which will mark the first officially recorded flight, on October 16th 1908, of Samuel Franklin Cody’s experimental Army Aeroplane No.1, Britain’s first powered aircraft

This event will herald a week of activity, ‘Cockpit Fest’, from Monday 22nd October to Friday 26th October, during which cockpits of aircraft such as the Harrier GR3 Jump Jet, Meteor, Tornado, Herald, Dakota and even the Victor itself, will be opened up wherever possible for visitors to see inside. So, if you fancy jumping in a jump jet, you know where to come!

Admission to the museum is just £5 Adults, £4 Senior Citizens and £3 Children 5-15, with under 5’s free. There is also ample free parking. Gates open at 10am and close at 5pm. www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk