News UK – Page 143 – Airscene News

Aviation Jewel Set for Diamond Display

Sixty years since it first took to the skies, the most iconic aircraft of the Cold War era will be at this summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo for a double celebration as the airshow marks the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Named The Spirit of Great Britain, the delta-winged Vulcan XH558 is the only remaining airworthy Vulcan bomber. Not only will it take part in the flying display on July 7-8 but it will take centre stage in the airshow’s Cold War Zone, enabling people to see it close up on the ground.

Air Tattoo Chief Executive Tim Prince said: “Anyone who hasn’t seen the Vulcan display really ought to while they have the chance. Those who have seen it, return again and again to experience its power, grace and beauty. It conjures up similar emotions to those felt by people who saw Concorde display. There’s a palpable sense of awe in the crowd.

Dubbed ‘the people’s aircraft’, Vulcan XH558 is funded largely by public donations. Not only is she the last flying Vulcan but she is also the only remaining airworthy example of the RAF’s famous Cold War V-Force, the UK’s strategic nuclear strike force which comprised Victors, Valiants and Vulcans.

The Vulcan, which first flew on August 30, 1952, has a special relationship with the Royal Family as the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales and Prince Michael of Kent have all piloted the aircraft.

Organisers of this summer’s Air Tattoo are working alongside the Royal Air Force to stage a number of special aerial tributes to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Countries that have already confirmed they will be sending aircraft to the airshow include Brazil, Hungary, France, the US, Switzerland, Poland and Latvia.

Special Air Tattoo Earlybird tickets, priced £34, are available until the end of March from airtattoo.com or by calling 0800 107 1940. All accompanied under-16s go free. Free parking. www.airtattoo.com

A Day with the Red Arrows

Airscene were recently invited to spend a day with the world famous Red Arrows display team.As editor, I of course jumped at the chance, unfortunately my full time day job as a civil servant meant I couldn’t take up the offer myself.

So instead I passed over the invite to one of my intrepid front line airshow reviewers – Dave Briers.

Dave spent this wednesday with the Reds at RAF Scampton – observing the pre-flight briefing, watching the team practice and indulged in his favourite past-time… photography.

Dave’s full report on the day can be viewed here… http://www.airscene.co.uk/a%20day%20with%20the%20red%20arrows.pdf

As a famous brand of lager might say – probably the best airshow in the world!

Head of the French Air Force to be Vice President of Yorkshire Air Museum

It was announced today that General Jean-Paul Paloméros, Chief of the French Air Force has become a Vice President of the Yorkshire Air Museum & Allied Air Forces Memorial.The General joins Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of the Royal Air Force in this role, as well as the Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu; RAF historian, author and Daily Telegraph columnist Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork and TV celebrity Jan Leeming, who recently accepted the same invitation, in this ‘ambassadorial’ role in support of the work of the Memorial to preserve the memory of allied servicemen and women. This is the first time that the Heads of two Air Forces have ever come together as Vice Presidents for a Museum.

Born in Paris in 1953, General Paloméros became the 49th Chief of Staff of the French Air Force on 25 August 2009. He gained his flying wings in 1976 and holds the Grand Officer de la Legion d’Honneur, Officer de l’Orde National Mérite and Médaille de l’Aeronautique. His Battle Honours include Operation Crécerelle and Operation Deny Flight. He was involved “on the ground” in Libya in support of the highly effective Anglo-French air operations.

In his letter, General Paloméros expressed his enjoyment of his recent visit to York for the Inauguration of the French Memorial at York Minster on 20th October last year, and that it was his great pleasure to accept this Honorary role for the Allied Air Forces Memorial.

Museum Director, Ian Reed said, “We are delighted that the French Air Force have honoured us in this way, which underlines the close aviation links between our two countries and the important significance of the work of the Allied Air Forces Memorial. The Yorkshire Air Museum & Allied Air Forces Memorial is one of the largest museum memorials of its type in Europe. It is located at Elvington near York and was the former base of the only two French Heavy Bomber squadrons within RAF Bomber Command.”

www.yorkshireairmuseum.org

IWM Duxford announces air shows for 2012

We are delighted to announce that tickets for the 2012 IWM Duxford air shows are now on sale.Following another exciting air show season in 2011, we now look ahead to a fabulous year of unforgettable flying displays.

We’ve got a fantastic value Early Bird offer running until the end of February 2012 and we’ve also got a very special ticket offer in honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The Jubilee Air Show
Sunday 27May

Celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in style, The Jubilee Air Show brings together historic and contemporary aircraft fromthe past 60 years and beyond. Enjoy a fantastic display fit for royalty.

Jubilee Air Show Ticket Offer

To mark 60 years of the Queen’s reign, we are offering Senior visitors (aged 60 plus) a free ticket for the Jubilee Air Show when a full price adult or senior ticket is purchased. This offer is on advance ticket purchases only; it cannot be used on the day of the event.

Flying Legends

Saturday 30 June and Sunday 1 July

Flying Legends – two words which instantly evoke the very best of classic aircraft displaying at IWM Duxford in one of the world’s most celebrated air shows. The Fighter Collection and IWM Duxford are proud to present Flying Legends 2012 – another unmissable fusion of power, sounds and nostalgia.

Please note that the Early Bird offer does not apply to Flying Legends (Saturday 30 June and
Sunday 1 July)

The Fighter Collection and IWM Duxford are delighted to offer a range of hospitality offers for this year’s unmissable Flying Legends event. Full details of the packages will be revealed in the Flying Legends press release issued shortly.

The Duxford Air Show
Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 September

The Duxford Air Show is the highlight of IWMDuxford’s calendar of flying events. In an outstanding aerial spectacle, the very best historic andmodern aircraft display in the skies over this famous airfield. Featuring civilian andmilitary aircraft, The Duxford Air Show always presents a fantastically varied programme with some distinctive and popular flying performances.

Autumn Air Show
Sunday 14 October

Closing the air show season for 2012, the Autumn Air Show presents a thrilling aerodynamic show with a relaxed, end-of-season atmosphere. Featuring aircraft past and present, the Autumn Air Show offers a fine selection of aerial demonstrations with something for all aviation interests.

Early Bird Offer

We’re offering a fabulous early bird discount of 15%on IWM Duxford 2012 air show tickets. The Early Bird offer is available untilWednesday 29 February 2012. After this date, the normal advance purchase discount of 10% applies.

Tickets can be purchased online at iwm.org.uk or by calling the Box Office on 01223 499353. The Box Office is open Monday to Friday from9.30amto 4.30pm. There is no booking fee but a postage and packing fee applies per transaction.

Please note that these offers do not apply to Flying Legends (Saturday 30 June and Sunday 1 July 2012).

Advance tickets will be available until:

The Jubilee Air Show

For overseas postal delivery – 5.00pm on Friday 11 May
For UK postal delivery – 5.00pm on Wednesday 16 May

The Duxford Air Show
For overseas postal delivery – 5.00pm on Friday 24 August
For UK postal delivery – 5.00pm on Wednesday 29 August

Autumn Air Show
For overseas postal delivery – 5.00pm on Friday 28 September

For UK postal delivery – 5.00pm on Wednesday 3 October
Please call the Box Office on 01223 499353 should you require further assistance.

VIP Packages for The Duxford Air Show

Enjoy a very special air show experience with our range of hospitality passes which offer the best seats in the house at The Duxford Air Show (Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 September 2012).

Our Platinum Pass offers seats at the heart of the flying action, together with access to a sumptuous hospitality marquee where you can enjoy a delectable two-course lunch before enjoying a thrilling flying display fromthe comfort of a private garden enclosure. PlatinumPass is perfect for corporate entertaining or a special family celebration.

Gold Pass offers relaxed entertaining at its best. Enjoy a fine view of the flying action and access to a fully equipped hospitality marquee.

Choose to dine fromour in-house Gourmet Deli Bar or bring your own picnic lunch and relax in comfort as you watch the flying display fromthe heart of the flight line.

New for 2012, Silver Pass has been created especially with families in mind. Enjoy all the atmosphere and activities that the air show has to offer fromthe convenience of the Silver Passmarquee. There will be special children’s activities to entertain all the family and a refreshment point selling drinks and snacks.

Book your Gold or Silver Pass tickets beforeWednesday 29 February 2012 and enjoy £5 off the standard ticket price.

Tickets can be purchased online at iwm.org.uk or by calling the Box Office on 01223 499353. The Box Office is open Monday to Friday from9.30amto 4.30pm.

Join us for a thrilling season of air shows in 2012 – the sky’s the limit for exciting aerial entertainment!

www.iwm.org.uk

The Glove Fits for RAF Photo Competition Winners

The winning images from the annual Royal Air Force Photographic Competition will be on view to members of the public at the RAF Museum London from 15th January 2012.

The Royal Air Force is celebrating the superb achievements of its photographers following the judging of the annual RAF Photographic Competition. The winning entries are to be displayed at a unique exhibition at the RAF Museum in North London which opens on 15th January.

Subject categories range from ‘The Operational Experience’, an image that reflects the Royal Air Force conducting vital work on operations or training in support of operations, through to the ‘Equipment’ category which gives photographers the exciting opportunity to display their skill photographing the Service’s world-class equipment. The 2011 RAF Public Relations Photograph of the year was taken by Sgt Pete Mobbs of RAF Coningsby. His photograph ‘If the Glove Fits’ captured a 3 Squadron Pilot climbing into the cock-pit of a Royal Air Force Typhoon operating from Gioia del Colle in Italy in support of Operation Unified Protector, as part of the NATO-led, UN-mandated coalition to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 calling upon coalition forces to successfully protect the people of Libya from attacks made upon them by the regime of the late Colonel Gadaffi.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton presented the winners with their awards. He said ‘The competition entries this year are once again of the highest quality and showcase not only the professional abilities of our Royal Air Force Photographers but also the tremendous diversity and adaptability of our people and equipment. These dynamic images reflect the extensive breadth of Service life and the critical contribution that our personnel have made to global operations, in particular our support to operations in both Libya and Afghanistan.’

For 22 years, the Royal Air Force has held a photographic competition in recognition of the skills and high standard of work of their trained photographers and to highlight that the Royal Air Force remains a global force and is on operations around the world. The Royal Air Force’s successful mission in Libya alongside its continued commitments to operations in Afghanistan, the Falkland Islands, and the continued protection of UK air-space provided significant subject matter for RAF photographers during 2011.

Consequently, a large number of the entries in this year’s competition reflect the broad range of operational and pre-deployment training activities that are undertaken by the Service: such as Chinook and Merlin helicopters that provide essential mobility, moving personnel and equipment and undertaking medical evacuations crewed by Royal Air Force medical teams; those aircraft necessary for the successful supply of UK forces abroad; and the mission critical protection provided by the RAF Regiment.

Warrant Officer Mick Gladwin, who is responsible for the Photographic Trade Group said:” Royal Air Force Photographers have superb technical ability and take great pride in their work. As reflected in the entries this year, they strive to achieve the highest standards in areas as diverse as aerial reconnaissance, portraiture and video as well as completing tasks in support of the police, post crash management, engineering, medical and dental branches in their day-to-day duties.”

In excess of 900 images were entered in the competition which made the selection of winners extremely difficult. Judging this year was conducted by Air Cdre (Ret’d) Barry Doggett, Mr Andy Whittle (Retired Warrant Officer Photographer), Mr Colin Inglis Commercial Business Manager for Jacobs Digital.

All were unanimous in their appreciation of the very high standard, quality and diversity of work produced by both Service and civilian photographers.

The photographs will be on display in the RAF Museum, electronically beamed onto glass screens located in the ‘RAF Today’ area of the Milestones of Flight Gallery. The exhibition will be on show at the Museum’s London site until 15th April when it will then transfer to the Museum’s Cosford’s site in Shropshire.

Entry to the Royal Air Force Photographer of the Year Exhibition is free of charge to visitors; as is entry to the Museum. The exhibition will be shown daily from 10am to 6pm until April 15th. For further details please visit www.rafmuseum.org/whatson or dial 020 8205 2266.

RAF Museum Cosford Events Diary 2012

Forthcoming events taking place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford during 2012:

· Model Making Half Term – 13th-17th February

· Shropshire Modellers’ Show – 1st April

· Bike 4 Life Easter Egg Run – 1st April

· Cold War Trail – 1st-15th April

· 60th Anniversary of the Comets 1st Passenger Flight – 2nd May

· Open Cockpits Evening – 19th May

· National Service (RAF) Association Parade – 20th May

· Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations – 2nd June

· Half Term Diamond Activities – 2nd-10th June

· RAF Cosford Air Show (Admission Charges Apply) – 17th June

· Armed Forces Day – 30th June

· Bike 4 Life Summer Run – 1st July

· August Activities – 1st-31st August

· Exclusive Gala Ball – 8th September

· Battle of Britain Weekend – 15th – 16th September

· Open Cockpits Evening – 22nd September

· 50th Anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis – 15th October

· Search and Rescue Half Term – 22nd-26th October

· Remembrance Service – 11th November

· Conservation Centre Open Week – 12th-17th November

More details on each event will be issued closer to the time. (Provisional list of events, dates maybe subject to change)

For further information on forthcoming events taking place at the RAF Museum Cosford in 2012, please contact the Museum on 01902 376200 or visit www.rafmuseum.org. The Museum is open daily from 10am. Entry to the Museum is FREE.

Air Tattoo Debutant Takes Pole Position

A rare Russian-built helicopter never before seen in the UK is among the first aircraft to confirm participation in next summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford.

The Polish Navy will be sending one of its Mi-14 ‘Haze’ helicopters, which are used in Anti-Submarine Warfare and Search and Rescue, to the Air Tattoo on July 7-8 along with a maritime and reconnaissance variant of the Soviet-made Antonov An-28.

Both Hungary and Latvia have also confirmed they will be sending Russian-built aircraft, the former sending an Antonov An-26 transport aeroplane and the latter an Mi-8 helicopter. This performs a search-and-rescue role as well as transporting troops and supporting Special Forces. Other aircraft from Brazil and France have also been confirmed for the Air Tattoo.

Air Tattoo Chief Executive Tim Prince said: “Russian-built aircraft are very popular among UK enthusiasts because of their rarity on these shores. To have one making its UK debut is a real coup and one the enthusiasts will look forward to seeing.

“With the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics taking place in the UK next year, I think there’s a feeling that this is the place to be in 2012. Although it is still early for most international air arms to confirm their participation we are already hearing whispers from Asia that might see some extremely rare and exotic aircraft heading for Fairford next summer. It’s very exciting.”

Next summer’s Air Tattoo, which is staged in support of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, will see the airshow join forces with the RAF to stage a special Diamond Jubilee celebration in honour of Her Majesty The Queen.

A limited number of special Super Earlybird tickets, priced £29, are available until January 4 by visiting www.airtattoo.com or by calling 0800 107 1940. All Air Tattoo tickets must be purchased in advance. All accompanied under-16s go free.

A Herculean Christmas Gift Arrives at Cosford

A Hercules C130K Mk.3 has just become the latest aircraft to go on display at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, arriving just in time for Christmas. The aircraft was moved from the airfield to the Museum’s site yesterday and placed in its new permanent display space, outside overlooking the Museum site. This supersized Christmas present took a team of fifteen Museum Technicians and RAF Personnel three hours to safely move the aircraft into position, once the aircraft had been defueled.

Now one of the largest aircraft in the Museum’s extensive collection, the Hercules C130K Mk.3 made its final flight into RAF Cosford in August courtesy of No 47 Squadron, RAF Brize Norton. Since its arrival earlier this year, the aircraft has undergone a short period of maintenance carried out on the airfield.

The XV202 Hercules C130K Mk. 3 was an American aircraft built by Lockheed in Marietta, Georgia and acquired by the RAF in 1966, used mainly on longer routes and for paratrooping. This particular aircraft was one of 30 Hercules modified during the early 1980’s, with the fuselage being lengthened by 15ft. Work was carried out by Marshall of Cambridge (Engineering) Ltd, using fuselage plugs in front of and behind of the wing.

RAF Museum Curator, Al McLean says:

“We are very pleased to have this iconic aircraft, particularly as it has such a long record of service with the Royal Air Force and it makes a fine addition to the Cosford site.”

Visitors wishing to see the Hercules can now do so on a daily basis and over the Christmas period. The Museum will be open daily throughout December from 10am apart from Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The Museum will then close again on New Year’s Day and will reopen on Monday 2nd January 2012 from 10am. Admission is FREE. For more information on the Museum please call 01902 376200 or visit www.rafmuseum.org

Interactive gallery to receive £25,000 upgrade

The Royal Air Force Museum is pleased to announce it has received a grant from the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust for the purpose of upgrading its interactive gallery for children.

The grant comes soon after the Charitable Trust supported the successful upgrade of the interactive gallery at the Museum’s Cosford site earlier this year, which refurbished the older exhibits and also added updated ones.

Between July and September 2012 Aeronauts will be transformed, widening the range and number of visitors able to take part in activities. The revamp will also create a new teaching space for school visits to the Museum.

The upgrade will create a new interactive activity area for younger visitors and families and allow the Museum to develop advanced scientific information displays for older visitors.

New exhibitions will include a balance machine to test pilot aptitude, an ultrasonic radar table and lifesized model aircraft for younger children to explore.

The Aeronauts Interactive Gallery in London was opened in 1998 by members of the popular BBC Children’s show ‘Blue Peter’. It currently contains over thirty ‘hands on’ exhibits which teach children about the scientific aspects of flight and aircraft design.

The gallery was designed for children aged from 7 – 12 years and is popular with both school parties and the general public. It is divided into 7 fascinating areas, each focusing on a specific flight related topic. Visitors can walk through the cloud wall into a world of flying machines, experience a Dakota that flew on the D Day operation or discover whether they have the “Right Stuff” with our pilot aptitude test. Technophiles can enter the “Hangar” to learn about engineering, or feel the thrust of a propeller and propel themselves down a track. Or, daredevils who are really ready for action can take their place in the “Mission”.

Andy McGlynn, the Museum’s Head of Fundraising:

“We are delighted that the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust is supporting the transformation of the Aeronauts Gallery. These changes will improve the experience we are able to offer visitors of all ages and create exciting new ways to discover the science of flight.”

www.rafmuseum.org

AIR TATTOO UNVEILS F-ACE OF AIRSHOW

A FICTIONAL fast jet pilot named ‘Ace Mandala’ has been unveiled as the face of next summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, organisers have announced.

Ace will feature prominently on billboards, in advertising and on poster sites around the UK in the run-up to next summer’s airshow on July 7-8.

Ace is the creation of renowned artist David Bent, who was inspired following a trip to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus in 2007 at the invitation of the Red Arrows. The Red Arrows first saw David’s work on display at the Air Tattoo and shortly after his visit to Cyprus, the artist was invited to become the Reds’ artist in residence.

It was whilst photographing one of the display pilots in his Hawk jet that the idea for Ace came. David said: “Although Ace made his first appearance on the 2011 posters we hadn’t given him a name or an identity. I believe he symbolises all the skilled, adventurous and brave airmen who fly. We decided we’d develop him as a character so that he could become the face of the Air Tattoo. Ultimately, I hope Ace will be to the Air Tattoo what The Stig is to Top Gear.”

Air Tattoo Marketing Deputy Director Helen Webb said when she first saw David’s artwork she was immediately struck by his vivid use of colours and his ability to convey all the excitement aviation has to offer. She said: “We felt that if David could apply the same eye-catching techniques to creating a poster image for the Air Tattoo then it could have a big impact. In the past, members of the Red Arrows have said their journey to becoming a world-class pilot was first inspired by a visit to the Air Tattoo. By bringing ‘Ace Mandala’ to life, we hope to convey the sort of excitement and thrills that can spark the imagination of a future fast jet pilot.”

Next summer’s Air Tattoo on July 7-8 will see the airshow join forces with the Royal Air Force to stage a special Diamond Jubilee celebration in honour of Her Majesty The Queen. A limited number of special Super Earlybird tickets, priced £29, are available by visiting www.airtattoo.com or by calling 0800 107 1940. All tickets must be purchased in advance. All accompanied under-16s go free.