Demand for our super early bird tickets has been incredible, so make sure that you get yours before the price increases. Buy now to get up to 15% off our range of tickets!
You’ll have to act quickly, with only a limited number of Super Early Bird tickets available; once they are gone they are gone.
The countdown is on for the Bournemouth Air Festival as more displays and attractions are announced. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to visit the town on 31 August for the free four-day event.
In a first for the festival, the North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco plane will join the line up and making their debut will be the Starlings Aerobatic team, who will bring a two aircraft aerobatic display to the event.
Visitors will be treated to a new performance by former RAF Tornado pilot Richard Goodwin in his unique G-JPIT bi-plane, which he has recently reengineered to include two ATM Lynx Jet engines.
Making a welcome return will be the Yakovlev 50 and the Norwegian Historical Squadron with their classic jet the deHavilland Vampire FB.52
The Night Air programme will include The Firebirds Display Team and Otto the Schweizer 300C helicopter with their vibrant pyrotechnics, not forgetting the Typhoon with its roaring night display.
Back on land, and in another first for the festival, Madame MOJO’s Cabaret Club will be offering performances throughout the four days.
Visitors can also take advantage of funfairs, big screens showing films and 1.5 miles of food and drink stalls.
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Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities and Tourism, Cllr Millie Earl, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back for this year’s Bournemouth Air Festival.
“An incredible amount of work has gone into ensuring this event will be fun for everyone.
Festival Director Jon Weaver said: “We encourage everyone to travel sustainably to the festival and try the Park and Ride, walk or cycle their own bike or a Beryl bike to the festival.
“If you are from out of town, we have some excellent coach operators offering great prices down to the festival.
“We’ve been made aware of planned strike action on the trains on Saturday 2 September and we are waiting for confirmation on how this will affect trains. Please check the South Western Railway website for more information.
“While enjoying the festival, please help keep our beautiful seafront clean by recycling and disposing of your rubbish responsibly and leaving only footprints.”
Also returning to the festival will be the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, who will be performing Sunday morning 11am-12pm and the Beat Retreat Sunset Ceremony in the Lower Gardens on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 6.45pm.
The Commando Recruiting Team will be giving Unarmed Combat demonstrations on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 6.20pm.
Crowd favourites the Red Arrows will perform at 5.30pm on Thursday, 5pm on Friday and Saturday and 2.45pm on Sunday. You can get up to date access to the full Flying programme by purchasing the Coronation Souvenir programme here.
The RAF Typhoon will display each day and the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster will perform the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
There’s still time to snap up the last few VIP hospitality tickets for the best view of the festival here.
The Super Early Bird catches the worm…
…but hurry! We have a limited number of tickets left at 15% off.
We’re so excited, that we’ve already put tickets on sale below the full price of RIAT23.
There are only 349 days to go until the Royal International Air Tattoo 2024 – not that we’re counting.
Super Early Bird tickets are running out fast. Once they’re gone at this price, they’re gone…
What are you waiting for? Get yours today!
https://www.airtattoo.com/tickets-hospitality/tickets-packages/
The popular Royal Air Force Chinook Display Team will be returning to Bournemouth Air Festival for an impressive aerial display this year.
The team have only chosen only eight air shows to display at this season, so their performance of pirouettes and turns over our award-winning coastline, is not to be missed.
The iconic sounds and sights of the World War Two aircraft in the shape of Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster will also make a graceful reappearance across the four days which runs from 31 August – 3 September.
Festival goers can ensure they get the best view by taking advantage of VIP daytime hospitality or VIP live music evenings with dusk flying in the official marquee.
Visitors can also snap up casual reserved seats on the beach with a dedicated ‘Sandbar’ and toilets – all on the central flight line in an exclusive area.
This year’s festival, organised by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP Council), includes exciting ground events such as a fun fair, performances from the band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines and fireworks. There will also be food stalls and the opportunity to meet Armed Forces officers in the RAF, Royal Navy and Army Villages.
Councillor Millie Earl, Deputy Leader of BCP Council and Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities, said: “Having the Chinook Display Team and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at this year’s event is an opportunity not to be missed.
“Make sure you to get the best view of the festival and snap up some of the hospitality seats going. The event promises to be something for everyone.”
This Chinook display appearance is supported by Thales UK
On 25th July, 2023 installation work started on a bespoke scaffolding system around the nose and forward fuselage of Avro Shackleton WR977 at Newark Air Museum (NAM). This will allow teams of museum volunteers to work on this significant restoration and repainting project in safe conditions.
In 2023 NAM successfully installed jacking pads underneath the aircraft, which allowed refurbished jacks to be installed under both wings of the aircraft. This allowed NAM to make the aircraft safe; helped to mitigate issues with the main undercarriage structures; and allowed the visiting public to once again have some access inside the aircraft.
The installation of the new scaffolding by Inspired Scaffolding Services from Bilsthorpe near Newark will allow for restoration work to be undertaken on the front section of WR977 in a safe and secure manner. This work will include: sealing the main cockpit glazing; in-depth cleaning; conservation of, and the painting of this area of the aircraft.
For most of the work period, WR977 will remain as part of the museum’s open cockpit offer. The modest contributions for accessing this iconic aircraft (when possible) will contribute towards the ongoing fund raising campaign to cover the scaffolding hire costs and the cost of the weekly safety inspections.
The current anticipated timeframe for the work is ten weeks; from the end of July through to the first week of October.
In these challenging times NAM is seeking support to help fund the costs associated with the hire and regular safety inspections of the scaffolding. This NAM fund raising campaign can be accessed via the following Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/wr977-scaffolding-2023
Timings for the world-famous Red Arrows have been announced for this year’s Bournemouth Air Festival.
The key times the Red Arrows will take to the skies during the air festival are Thursday at 5.30pm, Friday and Saturday at 5pm and Sunday at 2.45pm.
As well as the Red Arrows there will be an impressive line-up of air displays from fast jets to aerobatic bi-planes, helicopters and night air pyrotechnic displays.
Buy the official air festival souvenir programme to get free access to the up-to-date display timetable over the four days, exclusive stories about the aircraft and our fascinating local aviation history.
Meet the support teams that keep the display pilots flying in the RAF Village, Royal Navy Village and Army Village.
Discover games and exhibitions from local companies featuring virtual reality, lifeboats that save lives at sea and zero-carbon technology at the Ultra Energy STEM Village (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).
Organised by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP Council) this exciting event showcases our beautiful coastline and is yet another reason for visitors to come and explore our unique towns.
Councillor Millie Earl, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities, said: “Bournemouth Air Festival is a huge event, with much to see and do whether that’s visiting the fun fair, getting inspired at the Ultra Energy STEM Village, or being mesmerised by the aerial acrobatics. It promises to be an exciting four days.”
We’ve already had lots of fantastic announcements in the run up to RIAT23 and this week is no different. So here we go, our final aircraft announcement…
We are excited to welcome the Zambian Air Force to RIAT for the first time, along with great aircraft from our regulars the Royal Air Force, United States Air Force and the Italian Air Force.
We are also very pleased to confirm that the Royal Air Force will be bringing one of their
F-35B Lightning II aircraft to join the flying display for all 3 days.
Following on from that, we have another addition to our SKYTANKER23 theme. On both Saturday and Sunday, the USAF will be bringing their MC-130J Commando and CV-22B Osprey. Examples of both aircraft will be seen in the flying display (including simulated air-to-air refuelling flypast) as well as being available for closer inspection on the static display.
From the US Navy, we welcome their TACAMO aircraft, the Boeing E-6B Mercury. You will be able to see the aircraft up close on the static display on both Saturday and Sunday.
Joining as the 58th nation to participate in RIAT, it is with great pleasure that we welcome the Zambian Air Force to this year’s show. They will be sending their C-27J Spartan for the static display.
We are also very excited to announce that SAAB will be bringing their new Gripen E aircraft for its UK debut! You will be able to see this impressive jet on all three days of the show in the flying display as well as the static display in SAAB’s showcase area alongside a GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft.
Finally, we have a small update from the Italian Air Force who will be displaying an F-2000A Typhoon in our special ITAF 100 static display area.
Check our website now for the full list of all aircraft attending the show! Follow the link here for the full list of this week’s announcements as well as the show line-up.
With just 2 weeks to go, we’re all in a flurry of excitement and like you, all eager to see the aircraft up close and in the sky.
Sunday tickets are selling fast so if you haven’t bought them already – get your tickets now!
Cockpit-Fest 2023 proved to be another great event at the Newark Air Museum site in eastern Nottinghamshire. Once again the Cockpit-Fest and Aeroboot display areas were located alongside each other on the Southfield Site, which works well by integrating both aspects of the weekend.
The two-day event was well attended and drew a lot of positive feedback from exhibitors and visitors alike. Amongst the attendees were visitors from Hawaii, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and from across the UK. One young school girl chose to attend Cockpit-Fest with her father who was exhibiting at the event, rather than go to her Year 6 Prom!
The museum trustees were particularly thankful to a host of people: all of the Cockpiteers and Exhibitors, their friends and families; the Aeroboot stall holders; the museum staff, aircraft openers and volunteers who helped during the build-up, during and after the event.
Support for this year’s event came from the following people and organisations:
Ken Ellis (‘Wrecks & Relics – Spirit of Cockpit-Fest’ Awards)
The Museum Shop
Jane Knox-Kiepura & Kiepura Aviation
As now seems to be the case with Cockpit-Fest there was a diverse range of cockpits and supporting displays on show and everyone who displayed at the event was a winner and a credit to this wonderfully diverse hobby. Below are this year’s official results:
Grand Champion (Visitors Award) – Bill Fern (SYAM), Jaguar GR1, XX736
Visitors Award Non-Cockpit – Richard Fryer, Flying Helmets display
Cockpiteers Cockpit Award – Ritch & Max Blood, Provost T1 cockpit
Cockpiteers Award Non-Cockpit – Richard Fryer, Flying Helmets display
Wrecks & Relics Spirit of Cockpit-Fest Award (Ken Ellis) – Bill Fern (SYAM) –
Vickers Valetta cockpit
Wrecks & Relics Spirit of Cockpit-Fest Award (Ken Ellis) – Ian & Gary Morton –
Dove, G-ANAP cockpit
Cockpit-Fest will be back next year, on Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd June, 2023
Where: RAF Museum
When: Sat 22 July – Sun 3 September
How long: Each session is 2 hours
How much: £7.50 per person, or £25 for 5 people on our group saver ticket
This summer, fasten your seatbelts as the RAF Museum presents Horrible Histories Up in the Air Adventure.
Get ready to experience the (sometimes gruesome) history of flight in the Horrible Hangar. Meet fearless and foolish flyers and solve the clues in this fully interactive experience for all the family.
Based on the Horrible Histories book, ‘Up in the Air’, written by Terry Deary and illustrated by Martin Brown, the RAF Museum will bring characters from the book to life with some of the truly brainless blunderers pursuing the desire to fly! Legendary aviation pioneers from throughout history will be on hand to steer you around six amazing zones for one fantastic adventure, including the Engineer’s Workshop; Barnstorming Braves; Creation Station; Meet the Inventor; Selfie Zone and the Up in the Air Challenge.
Barry Smith, Director of Visitor and Commercial Development RAF Museum said:
‘We are incredibly excited about our partnership with the Horrible Histories team at Scholastic. This is our biggest, most exciting family event of the year. Full of all the hilarious mishaps, mistakes and triumphs we love from Horrible Histories combined with our iconic aircraft and expert knowledge, there is something for everyone. Meet the characters and work together as a family, couple or group to complete the challenges in each zone.’
Elizabeth Scoggins, Publisher Non-fiction, Brands and Licensing said:
‘It’s been a joy to see the Horrible Histories collaboration with the RAF Museum come to fruition. A truly entertaining and immersive experience awaits children and families this summer with exactly the right mix of fantastic fun and foul facts that Horrible Histories has delivered for generations.’
Bespoke Horrible Histories activity packs and a free Twinkletoes Trail around the Museum are also on offer for visitors throughout the summer break. Not only did Twinkletoes the cat feature in the book, she’s the Transatlantic traveller and lucky charm of Arthur Whitten Brown who flew on the first ever non-stop transatlantic flight in 1919. Twinkletoes is the purrfect character to guide you round the Museum and can also be spotted on display at the Museums Midlands site over the summer.
This year celebrates the 30th anniversary of Horrible Histories – the world’s bestselling historical book series for children.
The Horrible Histories Up in the Air Adventure runs from Saturday 22 July until 3 September, with three 2-hours sessions daily. Advanced booking is strongly advised for this immersive experience. Tickets are £7.50 per person, or £25 for 5 people on our group saver ticket. Book now for a great day out this summer, visit www.rafmuseum.org/HorribleHistories.
This week we have made a double announcement with our Italian contingent finally unmasked alongside a host of other aircraft.
Starting with today’s unveiling, the United States have a trio of aircraft joining our static display that are adding to our SKYTANKER23 theme. Next month we will be joined by the USAF’s newest tanker, the Boeing KC-46A Pegasus. In addition, we will also be seeing the U-2 Dragon Lady, and special WC-130J Hercules Weatherbird.
Plus, we have a massive update that includes 14 new civilian aircraft for the static lineup! There are a plethora of interesting aircraft here. For a full look, please click the link below and check on the civilian section on our confirmed aircraft page.
Elsewhere, we also welcome the Hungarian Air Force to RIAT. They will be arriving with a SAAB JAS-39C Gripen for static display.
Earlier this week we also revealed an update from the Italian Air Force, who are treating us to four incredible flying displays.
For those who missed it, we are set to welcome the return of the Reparto Sperimentale Volo with their impressive solo displays of the F-2000A, T-346A and C-27J. Plus, we will see a search and rescue demonstration from their HH-139B helicopter.
The Italians will also be bringing an impressive number of aircraft for the RIAT static lineup, of which, highlights include a pair of U-208A’s, combat helicopters such as the HH-212A & HH-101A, Tornado & Ghibli jets and adding to our theme of SKYTANKER23 we will see both their KC-767A and KC-130J tankers too!
