Category: News UK

Brooklands Museum visitors to get rare access to motorsport and aviation history

Brooklands Wellington Bomber
credit: Brooklands Museum

Visitors to Brooklands Museum in Weybridge, Surrey are about to get the chance to step back in time like never before with behind-the-scenes exclusive access exploring some of the most iconic aircraft, racing cars and motorcycles in British history.

The experiences, which begin in March, give rare up-close access to legendary machines including the Vickers Wellington MK1A bomber, Hawker Hurricane MK.IIA, Napier-Railton, Delage 15-S-8, Rudge V-Twin motorcycle, and AKD motorcycle. The tours are carefully curated for enthusiasts and history lovers alike and include expert insight and exclusive archive experiences.

2026 Signature Technical Tour Dates:

  • 10 March and 4 June – Vickers Wellington (bomber) MK1A
  • 12 March, 14 May and 3 September – Napier-Railton
  • 21 April and 4 August – Hawker Hurricane MK.IIA
  • 21 May – Rudge V-Twin Motorcycle
  • 18 June and 6 August – Delage 15-S-8
  • 16 July – AKD Motorcycle

Every tour, of no more than 12 people, begins in the historic Edwardian Clubhouse with refreshments of hot or cold drinks and pastries. Guests will then step back in time and be immersed in the rich history of Brooklands, discovering how the site has evolved over the years. Visitors will then get up close to their chosen vehicle or aircraft, exploring its hidden secrets. The experience takes a more immersive turn when it moves trackside or into the shed or hangar for a detailed technical tour, offering a unique opportunity to get up-close to the icons of the track and air. Guests will have exclusive access and a hands-on discovery in Brooklands Museum’s archive store; which includes object handling and insight into rarely seen artefacts connected to the chosen vehicle or aircraft.

Alex Patterson, Director and CEO at Brooklands Museum, said, “We’re incredibly excited to open up parts of Brooklands Museum that most visitors never get to see. Our Behind the Scenes Technical Tours are about so much more than looking at historic aircraft, racing cars and motorcycles – they’re about discovering the untold stories and experiencing the engineering genius up close, with unprecedented access to historical objects not available on public display. With places strictly limited, it’s a great opportunity for families and enthusiasts to connect with Britain’s pioneering spirit in a way that’s powerful, personal and unforgettable.”

**NOTES**

Tickets are from £80 per person and are limited to ensure an exclusive, intimate and special discovery experience – adults and children 16 years only or older. Advance booking is essential.

These special tours are aimed at motoring and aviation enthusiasts, historians, and anyone passionate about engineering excellence, Brooklands Museum’s Behind the Scenes Technical Tours offer an unforgettable journey into Britain’s pioneering past.

www.brooklandsmuseum.com

Falcons take flight!

RIAT Jordanian Falcons

It wouldn’t be RIAT without the Royal Jordanian Falcons and we’re thrilled to announce they’re soaring back to RAF Fairford with their four vibrant Extra 330LX aircraft. They’re officially our first international display team confirmed for this year’s flying display, it’s set to be spectacular! 

Behind the scenes, talks continue worldwide, with interest building from Kuwait and South Africa for static displays. 

Stay tuned for more announcements, more aircraft, and more reasons to get excited. 

You can find full details on our website.

View Confirmed Aircraft

Sunday early bird ending this weekend!

Interest is sky high and with Sunday General Admission early bird prices ending this Sunday, tickets won’t stay on the ground for long. 

Choose general admission for full access to the action or go VIP with a hospitality package for prime views and extra comfort.

The skies are calling – secure your ticket today and join tens of thousands of fans for an unforgettable weekend.  

On The Roof: The Iranian Embassy Siege Remembered

Army Flying Museum - Iranian Embassy Siege Remembered

On the 30th of April 1980, six-armed men stormed the Iranian embassy in South Kensington in London, it was a siege that was to last for six days.

The gunmen took 26 people hostage including embassy staff, several visitors and a police officer who had been guarding the embassy.

By the sixth day of the siege, the gunmen, frustrated at the lack of progress to their demands, killed a hostage and threw his body out of the embassy.

The British Special Air Service (SAS) initiated Operation Nimrod to rescue the remaining hostages, abseiling from the roof and forcing entry through the windows.  The raid, which was televised live on a bank holiday evening, became a defining moment in British History.

The Army Flying Museum at Middle Wallop in Hampshire are thrilled to give you the opportunity to hear from a veteran of Red Team, B Squadron, 22 SAS Regiment as he describes the events of the Iranian Embassy siege of 1980 at the Museum on Monday 9th March.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to hear and ask questions of the first-hand account of someone who was there. A Trooper of Red Team that entered the embassy on a caving ladder through the light well.  A replica model of the embassy will also be on display for visitors to view.

This special evening at the Museum is set to be a real treat for visitors as they hear this account in the stunning surroundings of the Hayward Hall amidst the many aircraft in the Museum’s collection.

To book visit https://armyflying.com/what-s-on/ for more information

They Didn’t Start the Fire, but Midlands Air Fest can Put It Out

The Midlands Air Festival is extremely pleased to announce that the Grumman Turbo Firecat will be appearing at the festival with an amazing display and role demonstration of water bombing.

This aircraft started life as a Grumman Tracker, built for the Canadian Navy.  It was then sold to be converted into a firefighting air tanker. It went on to Conair who upgraded it by removing the Wright Cyclone piston engines and replacing them with twin Pratt & Whitney turbine engines and five bladed props, giving the aircraft a better rate of climb and a combined power of 2040hp. 

Flown by Nikash Coffin from France, who will be showing us what a Firetracker does best by dropping 3,395litres of water in a simulated firebombing run. Few of us will have seen an air tanker in operation and in the intimate surroundings of the Ragley Hall estate, we are all in for an unforgettable and spectacular experience. The Firetracker retains its Conair livery and operating number T15.

www.midlandsairfestival.com

2026 Events at Hucknall Flight Test Museum

Hucknall Flight Test Museum

We run special evening events at numerous times throughout the year. Bike Nights, Classic Car nights, Clubs, Interest Groups etc.

New dates for the 2026 Season…

Classic Car Nights: 28/05, 25/06, 30/07, 27/08, 17/09
Bike Nights: 20/05, 17/06, 22/07, 19/08, 23/09

Everyone welcome to attend these free evening events. Come and see our Wing Hangar No 1 exhibits and our new MOZA Jet Provost Flight Simulator. All donations gratefully accepted.

www.huftm.com

First aircraft for this summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo revealed

RIAT Finnish F18

It’s less than six months until RAF Fairford is transformed into a world-famous aviation showcase, and event organisers have announced the first participating aircraft.

A Finnish Air Force F-18 is the first aircraft to be confirmed for this year’s flying display, where the show will be highlighting the aircraft used throughout the last century for air-to-air combat and modern fighter aircraft used across the globe under its ‘Fighter Meet’ theme.

In addition, 2026 also marks 30 years since Royal status was granted to the event, and in recognition of this, the aviation showcase will have a sub-theme of Royal Flight, which will be marked with a gathering of aircraft for VIP transportation.

Head of Air Operations, Peter Reoch said: “We are delighted to unveil the Finnish Hornet as our first participant for RIAT26 – this display is always well flown and is the perfect introduction to our Fighter Meet theme.

We are very busy working with Air Arms from around the world to attract an exciting assortment of aircraft to the show and we’re excited to start announcing these weekly as these are confirmed.”

In recent years the event has seen huge demand for tickets, with tickets being sold at record speed for three consecutive years.

This year, the event has already sold over 70,000 tickets and all proceeds are donated to its parent charity, the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, which aims to inspire young people and RAF personnel to reach their full potential in STEM, air and space.

Head of Charity Development, Hannah Langford said: “Every ticket purchased for the Royal International Air Tattoo plays a direct and powerful role in shaping young futures.

“Thanks to this support, we’re able to fund inspiring STEM experiences and skills development that open doors for young people aged 5 to 25 — especially those who might never otherwise see themselves in air, space or technology.

 “When people come to RIAT, they’re not only enjoying an extraordinary aviation event; they’re helping us spark curiosity, build essential skills, and create opportunities for the next generation.” To buy tickets for this year’s show, visit www.airtattoo.com.

Midlands Air Festival 2026

Midlands Air Festival
(Image shown is illustrative)

29 – 31 May 2026 | Ragley Hall, Warwickshire | www.midlandsairfestival.com/tickets

We think it’s time for the Midlands Air Festival to announce some rolling thunder of its own, so we are pleased to welcome the first appearance of the MiG 17F all the way from Poland! This aircraft will be flown and operated by Fubar aviation and will be the only airworthy MiG 17F in Europe.

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17F is a Soviet-era swept-wing fighter, which was the first afterburner-equipped fighter in Soviet service (1953). Powered by a single Klimov VK-1F turbojet with afterburner producing 7452lbs of thrust it achieved speeds of 714mph and featured enhanced, stable manoeuvring capabilities over its predecessor, the MiG-15. It was armed with one 37mm and two 25mm cannons, 16 rockets or 1100lbs of bombs. Well over 6,000 Mig 17F’s were built and were used by 20 different air forces including Poland.

It will certainly create an impact and a whole lot of noise in the intimate surroundings of the historic Ragley Estate and will be another unforgettable ‘must see’ moment that the Midlands Air Festival is becoming famous for, making the show a brilliant family day out to chase the winter blues away.

With even more big announcements to come, tickets will be in short supply as we always sell out. Tickets especially for Saturday, premium car parking and seats in our crowd line enclosure are already low and are expected to run away now. Also don’t forget that children under 13 are still free. Spaces in our camp site are nearly all sold too. So don’t delay, shake a leg and get yours right now. Get tickets and more info at www.midlandsairfestival.com

RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Centre 2026 Open Days

RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Centre

The following are the open days for 2026:

Sunday, 5th April, Easter Sunday (First open day)
Sunday, 19th April
Sunday, 3rd May
Sunday, 17th May
Sunday, 31st May
Sunday, 14th June
Sunday, 21st June
Sunday, 12th July
Sunday, 26th July
Sunday, 9th August
Sunday, 16th August
Sunday 30th August
Monday, 31st August (Bank Holiday Monday)
Sunday, 20th September
Sunday, 27th September
Sunday, 11th October
Sunday, 25th October
Sunday, 8th November (Remembrance Sunday – Final open day)

The Centre is situated within the campus of the National Construction College East (NCC) at Bircham Newton, near King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE31 6RH. The Centre is easy to find in West Norfolk, where there are many road signs giving directions to NCC. The Heritage Centre is located near the B1155 road, from Stanhoe to Great Bircham, which passes through the NCC site. It is close to CITB’s Conference Centre. Additional direction signs are displayed within the campus on open days. There is also a large external sign which will help you to locate the building from the car park. This open day schedule will also be pinned in the noticeboard outside the Heritage Centre.

Best way to find us by navigation is Google maps, simply search RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Centre. Or what3words: (///dime.highlight.turns)

If you wish to visit the Heritage Centre, but are not able to make an open day, we are open to arranging Ad Hoc Visits. This is subject to availability of Volunteers. Please contact us by email or ringing the number provided below.

If you need to contact the Heritage Centre team, please call Chairman of
Trustees, Jamie Heffer: 07807098348 or email at: jamie_heffer@hotmail.co.uk

RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Centre | Facebook

Jet Age Museum Events for 2026

Jet Age Museum

We have a busy calendar of events already planned for 2026…

Wednesday 18 February – Special Half Term Opening

Saturday and Sunday 28 and 29 March – Air Water Land Model Group Exhibition

Wednesday 8 April – Special Easter Holiday Opening

Saturday 25 April – 85th Anniversary of the first Allied jet flight

Wednesday 27 May – Special Half Term Opening

Saturday 27 June – Armed Forces Day

Saturday 18 July – Families Gala Day

Wednesday 26 August – Special Summer Holiday Opening

Saturday 19 September – Battle of Britain Day

Sunday 8 November – Remembrance Sunday

Saturday 2 January 2027 – Junior Pilots Wanted Day

Events

Newark Air Museum Outdoor Aeroboot Aviation & Avionics Sale

Newark Air Museum Aeroboot

Saturday 18th April, 2026

The next Newark Air Museum Outdoor Aeroboot / Aerojumble Sale at the museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire takes place on Saturday 18th April, 2026. This charity fund raising event has attracted interest from a wide range of sellers across the UK and is taking place as a standalone museum event.

The funds that the museum raises from organising the event will be used to support the development of facilities at its Gateway Aviation Site, which is located in eastern Nottinghamshire close to the Lincolnshire border.

Invitations to attend have been sent to previous sellers on our mailing list. These people come from around the UK and will be allocated pre-booked selling spaces on the wide expanses of our Southfield Site, close to the aircraft display line and the museum café.

Buyers / visitors who attend this fund raising event will have the opportunity to search through a varied selection of aviation and avionic items: including books, paintings, prints, DVDs, plastic kits, die-cast models, clothing, radio equipment and a wide range of aircraft parts.

Normal museum admission rates will apply: Adults £12.50, Over 65s £11.50, Children £6.50 and Family ticket [2 adults & 3 children] £35.00.

The museum opening times will be 09.00 to 17.00 hours; with the sale taking place between 09.00 and 14.00 hours; to get the best bargains we suggest that you get there early.


Further details are available on the Events Page of the museum website www.newarkairmuseum.org or by telephoning 01636 707170.