UK Airshow News – Page 40

Full RAF allocation confirmed for Wings & Wheels 2016

Red Arrows by Peter Gardener

Wings & Wheels is returning for its twelfth year with an all-star line-up of RAF display teams. The Red Arrows, Typhoon, King Air and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) will all be displaying at Dunsfold Aerodrome on both days, Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th August 2016.

The world famous Red Arrows, one of the premier aerobatic teams in the world and a visitor favourite, will be headlining the weekend with their trademark combination of close formations and precision flying. All Red Arrows pilots are from frontline squadrons and, before joining the team, operated jets such as the Tornado or the Typhoon – helping the Royal Air Force to secure the skies and protect the United Kingdom and its interests at all hours, 365 days a year.

We are also delighted to welcome back the state-of-the art Typhoon fighter jet and the team’s phenomenal solo display. The first and only current Royal Air Force fast jet to be declared Multi-Role capable, it provides the backbone of RAF fast jet operations and is an unmistakeable sight and sound in the skies.

A national institution and household name, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be flying the most famous RAF aircraft of any decade at Wings & Wheels, the Spitfire, Hurricane and Dakota. The display team consider themselves a “museum without walls” and a “living and breathing tribute” to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, ensuring we do not forget the young men who went into battle.

The King Air B200 is the fourth confirmed RAF display team and is a popular aircraft with visitors and the students and instructors who use it at No 3 Flying Training School based at RAF Cranwell. The twin-engine turboprop monoplane, which first entered RAF service in 2004, is used as an advanced, multi-engine pilot trainer by No 45(R) Squadron. The display team ably demonstrate its well-proven airframe with advanced cockpit and systems which makes it an ideal training platform for the new generation of multi-engine aircraft entering RAF service.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director, Wings & Wheels comments: “We are delighted to confirm that all display teams from the RAF will be flying at Wings & Wheels on both days this year. With the very best of aviation excellence headlining the Show and highly skilled pilots demonstrating the expertise with which they handle their aircraft, Wings & Wheels is one event people won’t want to miss!”

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy supercars and classic and vintage icons put on awe inspiring displays of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a two-hour auto spectacular from Brooklands Museum. Over in our Wheels Zone is an array of interactive and static displays as wells as two and four wheeled shows in the Stunt Zone and a new Monster Truck arena offering demonstrations and passenger rides.

The show also includes over 25 fixed-price catering outlets, 2 bars, hospitality facilities, free on-site parking, public camping, lost children point, disabled access, informative show commentary, opportunities to meet the pilots, official show merchandise and grandstand seating.

The 12th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th August 2016, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 21:00.

Advanced rate tickets from £22 for adults or £50 for a family. Single child tickets (for children aged 5 – 15) will be £7. Children under 5 go free. Hospitality packages start from £155 per person, weekend passes, grandstand tickets and camping are also available. For more information visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book standard tickets call 08712 305 572.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2016 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Air Tattoo Unveils Art Of Flying

RIAT poster

Three of the anticipated stars at this summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford feature prominently in dramatic new artwork unveiled by the organisers today.

In the eye-catching image, the RAF’s new state-of-the-art stealth fighter – the F-35 – and the legendary Red Arrows are prominent, along with the RAF’s latest heavylift aircraft, the A400M.

The Air Tattoo poster was produced for the first time by CGI expert Wiek Luijken who has combined his expertise in computer generated images with his passion for aviation.

Air Tattoo Head of Marketing Helen Webb said she was delighted to add Wiek to the list of illustrious artists who have captured the thrills and excitement of the Air Tattoo since it was first staged in 1971.

She said: “We commission new artwork each year and many of these, by renowned aviation artists such as Wilf Hardy, Philip Castle and David Bent,have become iconic. I am sure Wiek’s poster will be equally popular.”

Wiek has been creating aviation art for big print, calendars, book and model box covers, game illustrations and magazine articles for more than 20 years. He works full-time as an Art Director in the games industry and uses aviation art as a creative outlet in his spare time. Wiek also has a passion for classic aircraft, with a special interest in British and Dutch historic military aviation.

Helen added: “We were aware of Wiek’s work and very much liked his style. He loves aviation and this passion comes over clearly in the images he produces. Furthermore, he’s created the artwork in a way that enables us to use it across many mediums – from tiny web banners through to giant roadside posters!”

Wiek said: “It’s such an honour to create artwork for an event such as the Air Tattoo, one of the world’s greatest airshows! At the same time, the challenge of stepping in the footsteps of legendary aviation artists such as Wilf Hardy was slightly terrifying. I have tried to pay homage to their style whilst adding my own twist.

“Creating the poster gave me the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone as I am more used to featuring historic aircraft. Last year the A400M blew me away with a stunning display, giving the fast jets a run for their money. I couldn’t help but put in the Red Arrows as well, they never cease to amaze with a vibrant display of British colours and are always a highlight of the show. It has been an absolute blast creating this artwork!”

Last week it was announced that Lockheed Martin’s F-35B Lightning would be making its international flying display debut at the Air Tattoo.

This summer’s Air Tattoo takes place at RAF Fairford on July 8-10. Earlybird tickets, starting at £34, are available from www.airtattoo.com or by calling 0800 107 1940. Under 16s go free. Free parking.

Tickets now on sale for The American Air Show and Flying Legends at IWM Duxford

IWM Duxford is delighted to announce that tickets for The American Air Show (Bank Holiday weekend Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 May) and for the Flying Legends Air Show (Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 July) are now on sale.

Tickets for The American Air Show and the Flying Legends Air Show must be booked in advance; no on the day tickets are available.

The American Air Show

Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 May

To commemorate the reopening of the newly-transformed American Air Museum*, The American Air Show at IWM Duxford tells the story of American and British collaboration in war.

Dynamic flying displays combine with evocative living history and veterans’ voices to show the impact of the American forces on Duxford and the eastern region in the First and Second World Wars, a relationship which developed into the Cold War and the present day.

Tickets for IWM Duxford’s American Air Show must be booked in advance; no on the day tickets are available. Tickets are now on sale at http://www.iwm.org.uk/events/iwm-duxford/airshows/2016/the-american-air-show

Flying Legends Air Show

Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 July

The Flying Legends Air Show is famous the world over for its unique presentations of historic piston-engined aircraft in rare combinations and remarkable flying displays.

The flying display promises an unmissable fusion of power, sound, excitement and nostalgia as piston-engined aircraft from across the globe perform their breathtaking flights over IWM Duxford’s historic airfield.

The balbo, a massed-formation finale featuring many of the aircraft which have taken part in the flying display, is unique to the Flying Legends Air Show and a world-renowned spectacle.

Complementing the ‘wow’ factor in the air is the authentic 1940s atmosphere that can be experienced across the museum and in the Vintage Village. Sit back in our deckchair seating area to enjoy the sounds of the 1940s courtesy of The Manhattan Dolls from New York, take the opportunity to have a photograph sitting in a replica Spitfire, enjoy the antics of Laurel and Hardy and take on a vintage look with a 1940s makeover.

The Flying Legends Air Show is organised and produced by The Fighter Collection. For further information visit www.flyinglegends.com

Tickets for the Flying Legends Air Show must be booked in advance; no on the day tickets are available. Tickets are now on sale at http://www.iwm.org.uk/events/iwm-duxford/airshows/2016/flying-legends-air-show

Details for IWM Duxford’s September air show (Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 September) will be announced in late spring.

*March 2016 will see the reopening of IWM Duxford’s American Air Museum, after a major transformation and redevelopment.

The transformed American Air Museum will tell the story of Anglo-American co-operation in twentieth and twenty-first century conflict, as seen through the eyes of the people intrinsically linked with the aircraft and objects on display. From Private to President, the American Air Museum will feature the personal stories of many people whose lives have been shaped by their experiences of conflict.

Historic aircraft from the 1930s to the present day have been conserved and are dramatically displayed in the transformed American Air Museum. New technology has been used to create a continuously evolving and interactive record of the American Air Museum’s Roll of Honour, as a fitting tribute to the men and women who lost their lives fighting for world freedom from the East of England.

Air Tattoo Prepares For F-35 Debut

F35 by Jamie Hunter

AVIATION history is set to be made in the UK this summer when, in a major airshow ‘first’, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, the Joint Strike Fighter, makes its much-anticipated international display debut.

Visitors to the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford will be the first outside the US to see the stealthy, supersonic aircraft’s state-of-the-art capabilities when it displays on all three days of the airshow(July 8-10).

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:”The F-35s are the most advanced fast jets in the world. Whether operating from land or from one of our two new aircraft carriers – the UK’s largest ever – they will ensure we have a cutting edge and formidable fighting force.

“The plan for F-35 aircraft to take part in air shows here in the UK this summer is a significant milestone – for our RAF and Royal Navy personnel training hard to fly the F-35; for British industry who are contributing an impressive 15 per cent of every aircraft; and for the British public who will have their first opportunity to see this remarkable aircraft in action.”

Prime Minister David Cameron recently announced that he planned to speed up the purchase of 24 of the multi-role combat aircraft, a decisionthat will see two front-line squadrons operating from the UK’stwo new aircraft carriers by 2023.

Air Tattoo organisers anticipate that examples of the F-35B, the short take-off/vertical landing version, will demonstrate the Harrier-like ‘hover’ capability required for operation from austere land bases andaircraft carriers.

Its appearance at RAF Fairford in July will be the latest in a long list of legendary military aircraft that have made their UK debut at the Air Tattoo. These have included the F-14 Tomcat in 1976, the MiG-23 in 1991, the Typhoon in 1995, the V-22 Osprey in 2006 and the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force Kawasaki P1 in 2015.

Air Tattoo Chief Executive Andy Armstrong said: “No doubt, the sight of F-35s in the sky will be quite common for future generations but thissummer, all those who attend our airshow will enjoy a first glimpse of that future. Over the years, the Air Tattoohas featured the UK and European debuts of some of the world’s most iconic aircraft but few will have been as important to the UK’s future defence capability as the F-35. I am sure many people will want to join us to witness this piece of aviation history being made.”

US Marine Corps (USMC) Deputy Commander for Aviation, Lt. Gen. Davis said: “The US Marine Corps is looking forward to demonstrating the capabilities of the F-35B Lightning II in the skies over the United Kingdom this July.”

The Air Tattoo is staged annually in support of the RAF Charitable Trust. Tickets for the event are only available in advance. Specially-priced Super Earlybird tickets for this summer’s Air Tattoo, on July 8-10, are available until January 31 from www.airtattoo.com. All accompanied under-16s go free. Free parking.

Rare Experimental Aircraft To Be Showcased At Air Show

Bristol 188 by Peter Reoch

The RAF Cosford Air Show today announced exciting plans to display threeof the RAF Museum’s rarest experimental aircraft at this year’s show being held on Sunday 19th June 2016.

As part of the air show’s key theme – ‘SPEED: Evolution of the Jet Engine’ – the Bristol 188, Fairey Delta II and Avro 707 will all be rolled out from their usual spots inside the RAF Museum’s hangars and be exhibited outside across the air show site.All three aircraft which are due to be displayed at the air show played a vital role in the advancement of British aviation technologies in the 1950s and 1960s, and their airing is one of many unique attractions planned for the award winning event.

Known as ‘the flaming pencil’ for its sleek looks and intended role as a supersonic research aircraft, the Bristol 188 will be one of the stars of the air show’s ground displays. Master Aircrew Mark Reid, part of the Air Show Operations Team, said “These three aircraft will form part of a unique line-up of vintage British jet aircraft as part of our award winning static aircraft displays, and we are extremely grateful to the RAF Museum for their continued support of the event.”

Tickets for this year’s show are selling fast and are ahead of sales at the same time last year so the Air Show Office is encouraging people to buy their tickets early. Clive Elliott, Air Show Director, said “It is wonderful to be in this position, having sold out of tickets for last year’s event we are expecting the same this year and would recommend buying soon to avoid disappointment. 2015 was our first year as an advance ticket only event, it proved highly successful and we will be repeating this in 2016.”

Discounted Early Bird tickets for the RAF Cosford Air Show 2016 are on sale until 23rd March 2016, priced at £22 and with free entry for accompanied under-16s. Tickets are available online from www.cosfordairshow.co.uk

New Year, new additions to the Wings & Wheels team!

Wings & Wheels team

Wings & Wheels are excited to announce two new recruits to the team this year, Ed Lowman and Laura Johnson. Both have been regulars at the show over the past few years and are keen car and plane enthusiasts.

Ed (24) will be taking up the position as Events Coordinator, whilst Laura (19) will be joining as PR, Marketing and Events Assistant.

Joining us from Help for Heroes where he worked as a Regional Coordinator, Ed will be project managing the Wheels Zone and Camping, as well as assisting with the recently launched Surrey Hills Challenge. Ed has a strong passion for motorsport, spending one weekend a month leading a service crew for a rally team and has recently gained his MSA Co-Driver license. He is currently in training for the Bournemouth Marathon, and has previously cycled from Edinburgh to London!

Ed Lowman, comments: “I can’t wait to get started at Wings & Wheels, I have been lucky enough to attend the show for the last four years, through working for Help for Heroes. I’m looking forward to putting my petrol head side to good use and helping the show to get bigger and better.”

Laura has recently moved to Dunsfold to take on her first office role. She has a keen interest in aviation and has been a volunteer with The Vulcan to the Sky Trust for the past eight years which means that she, too, has been a regular visitor to W&W. Laura is a keen gymnast and football supporter. She comes from a Musical Theatre background and loves dancing! She has been to many air shows with the Vulcan, but her favourite is our very own Wings and Wheels, as it was her first air show as a Volunteer.

Laura Johnson comments: ‘I’ve been coming to Wings & Wheels with the Vulcan to the Sky team for over seven years now, and love the show. Aviation has always been a keen interest of mine and so working with the Wings & Wheels team is a dream come true!”

Wings & Wheels returns to Dunsfold Aerodrome on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th August 2016. Visitors have previously enjoyed the world famous Red Arrows, RAF Eurofighter Typhoon, Chinook, The Blades and a host of other modern and historic aircraft during the five hour flying displays. The aviation line-up will be announced in March.

For four and two wheeled fans, supercars and classic and vintage icons put on an awe inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a two hour auto spectacular from Brooklands Museum, and over in our Wheels Zone you can expect an array of interactive and static displays.

The show also includes over 25 fixed-price catering outlets, two bars, hospitality facilities, free on-site parking, public camping, lost children point, disabled access, informative show commentary, opportunities to meet the pilots, official show merchandise and grandstand seating.

Advanced rate tickets from £22 for adults or £50 for a family are available. A family ticket consists of two adults and three child’s tickets. Single child tickets (for children aged 5 – 15) will be £7, whilst children under the age of 5 go free. Hospitality packages start from £155 per person, weekend passes, grandstand tickets and camping are also available. For more information visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book standard tickets call 08712 305 572.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2016 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2016 Date and Theme Confirmed

RNAS Yeovilton Lynx

The annual Royal Naval Air Station YeoviltonInternational Air Day in Somersetwill take place on Saturday 2 July. Planning is well under way for this popular airshow which will take ‘Naval Aviation – Past, Present & Future’ as its over-arching theme.

There will be a number of Fleet Air Arm milestones during the year and Air Day’s acknowledgement of these will include:

Bismarck 75 – The Swordfish, regarded as an obsolescent aircraft during WW2, participated in the pursuit and sinking of the German battleship Bismarck 75 years ago.

Lynx Farewell – The venerable Lynx maritime helicopters which will be out of service in March 2017 will be making their last appearance, and a fitting one, in front of their home crowd at Air Day.

Tomorrow’s Fleet Air Arm – Air Day will provide an insight into what the future holds for the Fleet Air Arm. The next five years are indeed exciting times as the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth prepares to enter service. This will mark the return of the Royal Navy’s carrier strike capabilities as well as providing another helicopter assault ship platform.

Over five hours of flying displays and an extensive static display will featurehistoric naval aircraft and their modern day counterparts in spectacular role demonstrations to acknowledge the Fleet Air Arm’s contribution to Protecting Our Nation’s Interests. Invitations have also been sent out to other UK and foreign military formation and solo display teams to participate at the airshow.

The flying display might be Air Day’s centrepiece but there will also be a huge array of ground attractions. From engineering fairs to the latest defence technology exhibitions and Service displays to trade stalls and arena displays. For the thrill seekers – simulators, fairground rides and helicopter pleasure flights cannot fail to excite.

Air Day tickets are now available to order at a discounted ‘Earlybird’ rate with no booking fees from http://www.store.yeoviltonairday.co.uk for a limited period. These are priced lower than the usual advance tickets which will go on general sale in the New Year.

RAF Cosford Air Show 2016 – Official Launch

Cosford Airshow 2016

Tickets for the RAF Cosford Air Show 2016 to be held on Sunday 19th June, have officially gone on sale today. With the 2015 event selling out weeks before the show took place and now having been voted the region’s ‘Best Event of the Year’ by the public, the organisers are encouraging people to purchase their tickets as soon as possible.

As an incentive to purchase tickets early, the organisers are for the first time offering ‘Early bird’ ticket pricing. Up until Wednesday 23rd March tickets to the RAF Cosford Air Show 2016 will be priced at £22.00 per adult with accompanied under 16s entering free of charge. After this date adult tickets will be priced at £25.00 each.

Carrying on from the success of the 2015 show the RAF Cosford Air Show 2016 will once again be Advance Ticket Only with no tickets being available to purchase on the gate. This step has greatly improved entry on to the showground giving people a swifter and more enjoyable start to their day.

With record breaking ticket sales came an impressive amount raised for charity with over £220,000 being donated to the four service charities and local projects. The RAF Association, RAF Benevolent Fund, RAF Charitable Trust and the RAF Museum all benefit from the Air Show. Clive Elliott, Air Show Director stated ‘The profit donated to charity this year has been exceptional and the benefits of it will be felt across the whole of the RAF Family.’

Early Bird tickets for the RAF Cosford Air Show 2016 are on sale now, priced at £22 and with free entry for accompanied under-16s. Tickets are available online from www.cosfordairshow.co.uk

Air Tattoo Thrills Captured On DVD

RIAT 2015 DVD cover

Everyone enjoying the BBC2 documentary series ‘Britain’s Ultimate Pilots: Inside the RAF’ can savour even more aerial thrills following the release of the Royal International Air Tattoo’s official 2015 DVD featuring the world’s top aviators in action.

The Air Tattoo DVD is expertly shot with high definition and 4K cameras by aviation film specialists PlanesTV and includes extensive in-cockpit footage, behind-the-scenes features, arrivals and departures and pilot interviews.

All the excitement of the world’s greatest airshow has been captured – including an evocative massed flypast of vintage warbirds to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain – and featuring a moving, private salute by ‘The Few’.

There’s extensive footage of Vulcan XH558’s dramatic – and memorable – final Air Tattoo appearance with on-board cameras adding to the dramatic coverage of its display and joint flypast with the RAF Red Arrows.

Other highlights featured on the DVD include the first ever European display by a Japanese military aircraft – the Kawasaki P1 and the UK display debuts of the Hellenic Air Force Demo Team Zeusand the French Air Force Ramex Delta.

Viewers will be able to experience the pilot’s eye view during many of the thrilling aerial displays including the Royal Netherlands Air Force Apache; the Czech Air Force Mil Mi-35 Hind; the Finnish F/A-18C Hornet and the Airbus A400M.

All the stars from ‘Britain’s Ultimate Pilots: Inside the RAF’are also featured – the high-octane RAF Typhoon role demo, the versatile and manoeuvrable RAF Chinook, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and, of course, the RAF Red Arrows.

Sold in support of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, the official Royal International Air Tattoo 2015 DVDa must-buy for aviation fans of all ages and is available on DVD (£20) or Blu-Ray (£25) formats. A digital download version, featuring the main display programme of the RIAT 2015 DVD only, will be available from November 9 priced £15. For details visit www.planestv.com/riat2015

To order, visit www.airtattoo.com or call 0800 107 1940.

Airbourne Bucket Collectors Raise Thousands for Local Charities and Future Flying Displays

The busiest ever year at Airbourne has brought in the largest amount of public donations from generous givers, in the seven years since Airbourne introduced bucket collections at the international air show.

The final total raised by Rotary Club volunteers was an impressive £36,415.82, part of which will assist in the funding of future flying displays at Airbourne, with another thirty percent of the total being donated to three local charities.

The charities being supported by this year’s Airbourne bucket collections are Friends of Eastbourne Hospital; Kent, Sussex and Surrey Air Ambulance and Riding for the Disabled Association who will each receive £3641.58. In the last seven years a total of £45,989 has been donated through funds raised at Airbourne, to various charities connected to the local area.

Eastbourne Borough Council’s Leader, Councillor David Tutt and Don Perman of Sovereign Rotary will be presenting each of the charities with a cheque during a special presentation held at the International Lawn Tennis Centre at 5.30pm on Monday 19 October, in which Rotary volunteers will also be thanked for their time and efforts in raising these vital funds.

The Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, Cllr David Tutt said “Without the generous donations of the public, future Airbourne displays wouldn’t be possible, so a very big thank you goes out to the thousands who donated whilst at the air show. This year the total donations collected exceeded the amount raised in 2014 by £1,107, despite the air show being torrentially rained off on 13 August, which is rather astounding and demonstrates a great public desire to keep Airbourne going.

“I would also like to thanks the organisers of the collections campaign, Sovereign Harbour and Hailsham Rotary clubs who were joined by volunteers from Eastbourne, Eastbourne AM, Eastbourne Sovereign and Beachy Head Rotary Clubs, who all helped to raise funds throughout the four day air show from 13-16 August.”

Organisers of Airbourne are encouraging people who attended the free air show in August to vote for Airbourne in the category of ‘Best Free Air Show’ in this year’s Airscene Awards. Votes can be placed at www.airscene.co.uk/airscene-awards-2015 until 29 November.