UK Airshow News – Page 45

Spitfires take to the skies for The Battle of Britain Anniversary Air Show at IWM Duxford

Duxford Spitfires

Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September

Twenty Spitfires will take to the skies this September as part of IWM Duxford’s Battle of Britain Anniversary Air Show, commemorating the 75th Anniversary of this crucial aerial battle.

This mass display of Spitfires, above Britain’s best-preserved Second World War Airfield, will include Supermarine Spitfire Mark I N3200 – recently restored and returned to Duxford by American philanthropist Thomas Kaplan and received by His Royal Highness, The Duke of Cambridge. This Spitfire was originally flown from RAF Duxford in 1940 by Squadron Leader Geoffrey D. Stephenson.

The Battle of Britain Anniversary Air Show will tell the story of Duxford’s pivotal role in this famous conflict. In September 1940, some 60 Spitfires and Hurricanes were dispersed every day around Duxford and Fowlmere and on 15 September 1940, known as ‘Battle of Britain Day’, Bader’s ‘Big Wing’, operating from Duxford, twice took to the air to repulse Luftwaffe attacks aimed at London.

Visitors can experience what it was like to work at RAF Duxford in 1940 with the re-creation of a Spitfire scramble during the air show. Upon the instantly recognisable sound of a Second World War air raid siren, Hispano HA-112 MIL (Buchon) aircraft will fly in and strafe the airfield. As a scramble bell sounds, living history interpreters representing Second World War RAF fighter pilots will race to protect this vital Battle of Britain airfield and Supermarine Spitfires chase off the enemy aircraft.

These extraordinary experiences and sights will give visitors to The Battle of Britain Anniversary Air Show an insight into the life and work of the Battle of Britain fighter pilots who flew from RAF Duxford.

Tickets are only available in advance.

www.iwm.org.uk

Airbourne Fireworks Move to New Super Saturday Slot

airbourne pyrotechnics by Graham Huntley

Airbourne will bring its Super Saturday to a close with an explosive firework show this August sponsored by Eastbourne’s Ansvar Insurance.

The traditional end of show fireworks take up a new Saturday night slot on 15 August, bringing a spectacular climax to a 12-hour extravaganza of flying, twilight pyro-aerobatics and music on the beach, headlined by chart topping band Scouting for Girls.

The four day flying programme at the free show will see a packed day of action over Eastbourne’s skies on the Saturday, as fans bid a final farewell to the only flying Vulcan bomber, before it retires at the end of this season.

As well as waving goodbye to a much loved favourite, fans can enjoy Eastbourne’s first ever glimpse of the world’s only working Blenheim bomber, along with Airbourne’s first MiG-15 and displays by the Typhoon, Chinook and RAF Red Arrows.

In the evening, brand new aerobatic team Aerosparks will be lighting up the skies after sunset, in a stunning display of synchronised wingtip pyrotechnics from the dazzling flying duo.

Eastbourne Borough Council Lead Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Enterprise, Cllr Margaret Bannister said “The new Saturday night slot will be great for families looking to stay into the evening, and with one of our most spectacular flying and musical line-ups in the shows 23 year history, we’re expecting a thrilling four days.”

Local company, Ansvar Insurance have stepped in for a second year running to bring fireworks to the show in partnership with pyrotechnic experts Frontier Fireworks. Especially chosen by the Red Arrows for their own 50th anniversary celebrations at RAF Scampton last year, Frontier Fireworks and sponsor ansvar are promising an explosive choreographed show.

Jane Williams, Marketing Manager at Ansvar Insurance said “‘The firework display last year was spectacular and such a great way to celebrate Airbourne. We’re delighted to be sponsoring the event once again and look forward to a fantastic evening on the 15th August.”

Kicking off the fun-packed celebrations on the Airbourne Live beach stage sponsored by TJ’s Nightclub, Tom, Nicola and Jack from Heart Breakfast will host an evening of live music launching the firework countdown at 10pm. Although entry is free, numbers are limited, so music fans are advised to arrive early.

The popular beach stage will be offering a wide range of music and entertainment throughout the four days with performances from the likes of Hot Detroit, Decadence Sleaze, Dorey the Wise, Unihorn, The Do Theys, Beth Ellwood, Matt Ginno and the Street Styles 4 All Demo Squad.

Brighton band Half Crown also take to the stage, having just performed alongside the likes of Basement Jaxx at Brownstock. De’Vide from BBC1’s The Voice, make a popular return to Airbourne, and Scouting for Girls take up the headline slot on Saturday at 9.15pm.

Airbourne returns from 13 – 16 August with four days of flying, ground displays, children’s entertainment, helicopter pleasure flights and live music every day.

Entry is free, with flying displays part funded by public donations each year, including generous support from Sussex residents David Dickens and Brian Bunce. This year collections will be organised by the Rotary Clubs of Sovereign Harbour and Hailsham, with 30% of the proceeds passed onto local charities Kent, Sussex & Surrey Air Ambulance, Riding for the Disabled and Friends of Eastbourne Hospital.

Lottery tickets costing just £1 are also available at the Tourist Information Centre and Seafront Office for the chance to win hospitality and a flight with The Blades, with all proceeds supporting future flying displays at the show.

To donate online or for exclusive seating, airshow hospitality or more information visit www.eastbourneairshow.com.

Japan Makes Air Tattoo History

Kawasaki P-1

The Royal International Air Tattoo 2015 will witness a British airshow ‘first’ when the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) displays two examples of its Kawasaki P-1 four-jet maritime patrol aircraft – one in the static park and the other in the flying programme.

Not only will this be the UK debut of the P-1, but the type’s appearance at RIAT 2015 is set to mark the first time any Japanese military aircraft has ever taken part in a European flying display. It will also be the public debut on these shores of any JMSDF asset.

The P-1 is another demonstration of the advanced capabilities of Japan’s aviation industry. It was developed to replace the Lockheed P-3C Orion maritime patrol platforms operated by the JMSDF, and a maiden flight of the XP-1 prototype was completed at Gifu Air Base in September 2007. Service entry of the production P-1 model commenced during 2013.

Given the size of Japan’s territorial waters and the number of islands under its jurisdiction, long-range maritime patrol in defence of the country’s interests is a very important role. The P-1 has a maximum range somewhere in the region of approximately 8,000kms or 4,300 nautical milesand is equipped with advanced Toshiba HPS-106 active electronically-scanned array maritime search radar for its primary mission. Weapons are carried on underwing and wing root-mounted hardpoints and in a capacious weapons bay, those employed by the P-1 including the AGM-84 Harpoon missile, AGM-65 Maverick missile, torpedoes, mines and depth charges.

The type’s engines are four IHI F7-10 turbofans – also made in Japan, and developed for the P-1 – of approx 13,000lb thrust each. A major innovation is the use of fly-by-light controls, this being the first operational aircraft in the world so fitted. On board for a typical sortie are three flight crew and eight mission system operators.

“The appearance at RIAT 2015 of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force with two P-1s looks set to be another milestone in the Air Tattoo’s history”, said the airshow’s Chief Executive Andy Armstrong. “The event has fostered close links with the Japanese military over recent years, as evidenced by two appearances of Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Boeing KC-767 tanker/transports. Now, we look forward to welcoming the JMSDF for the first time, and to seeing its impressive P-1 in the air. I know this will be a major highlight of the whole 2015 season.”

www.airtattoo.com

All aboard the Wings & Wheels bus

Wings & Wheels

This August Bank holiday Wings & Wheels is teaming up with Compass Travel (Sussex) Ltd to launch a public bus route from Guildford Train Station to Dunsfold Aerodrome. For the first time visitors have the option of public transport to and from the Show four times a day with all profits from the service donated to Help for Heroes by Compass.

The bus will run on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th August and the timetable is as follows:

· Dep Guildford Train Station: 0830 0930 1030 1130

· Dep Dunsfold Aerodrome: 1600 1700 1800 1900

The return fares for the service are £5 for adults, £3 for a child aged 5 – 15 years and £12 for a family ticket (up to 2 adults and 3 children).

Each bus carries 44 seated passengers and 27 standing. Seats will be available on a first come first serve basis over the event weekend.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director, Wings & Wheels comments: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Compass Travel to bring a new public transport option to Wings & Wheels. We hope that the new bus service will give those who have previously been unable to attend the option to join us.”

Managing Director of Compass Travel Chris Chatfield said, “We are very pleased to be providing this shuttle bus service to Wings & Wheels and at the same time supporting the Help for Heroes charity by donating all the fares revenue to them.”

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the world famous Red Arrows, RAF Eurofighter Typhoon, RAF Eurofighter Typhoon & Spitfire (Synchro Pair), Vulcan, Chinook, The Blades and a host of other modern and historic aircraft during the five hour flying displays. 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, 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 11th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th August 2015, 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 £150 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 2015 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Air Day All Set For Take Off

Yeovilton Air Day

With only a few days to go, the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset is all set to open its gates to 35,000 visitors for its annual International Air Day. As one of the South West’s most notable single-day events, having been staged most years since 1947, it promises to be another entertaining, informative and unforgettable day out for families and enthusiasts alike.

On 18 June 1940, RNAS Yeovilton was commissioned as HMS Heron. Initially, the Air Station was a base for training naval aviators and fighter controllers. Since then, it has witnessed the significant evolution of fixed-wing carrier aviation from propellers to jets, supported frontline squadrons in major operations worldwide and is today the home of the Commando Helicopter Force and Lynx Wildcat Maritime Force.

RNAS Yeovilton’s 75th anniversary will be the main focus for this year’s event. Types representing naval aviation past, present and future will feature in the show’s static displays and in the action-packed five-hour flying display, alongside a host of other aircraft, vintage and modern, slow and fast, military and civilian. It will also be a show of ‘firsts’ and ‘lasts’ with some aircraft making their final appearance and others their debut at Air Day.

Air Day will also be supporting AgustaWestland’s 100th anniversary. The Yeovil-based company has the strongest of links to RNAS Yeovilton, via both its nearby location and its ongoing provision of helicopters (and, before them, aircraft) used by the resident squadrons.

With so much to see at Air Day 2015, in the air and on the ground, here is a list of highlights not to be missed:

• RNAS Yeovilton’s 75th Anniversary Celebrations – Memories of a bygone era will be relived with displays from historic naval aircraft types that resided at RNAS Yeovilton. These include the Royal Navy Historic Flight’s Swordfish W5856 making its first public display since 2003; very rare examples of the Sea Hurricane and Seafire and the world’s sole airworthy Sea Vixen. The static display features two former fleet defence aircraft – the mighty Phantom FG1 and the game-changing Sea Harrier FA2.

• Vulcan XH558’s Last Air Day Appearance – In its final display season, the ‘Spirit of Great Britain’ will perform its own magnificent routine as well as take part in an exclusive special ‘V-Jet Formation’ flypast with the Sea Vixen and two Vampires. ‘Underwing’ guided tours, once it’s back on the ground, will also be available.

• The Revolutionary AgustaWestland AW609 – The world’s first civilian tiltrotor aircraft will give its first public display at a UK military Airshow. The state-of-the-art AW609 spearheads AgustaWestland’s 100th anniversary commemoration. A special section of Air Day’s static display will feature many of its most famous and successful designs to commemorate the firm’s centenary.

• Commando Sea King’s Last Assault – This year’s Commando Assault demonstration will be one of firsts and lasts, with the Commando Helicopter Force’s outgoing Sea King HC4s performing alongside its replacement Merlin HC3s. At least 14 aircraft are expected to take part including a pair of Apache AH1s.

• The French Navy’s Role Demonstration – Involving two examples each of its Rafale M and Super Etendard carrier-launched fighters, an intensely powerful setpiece is in prospect for this UK debut. Months away from retirement, the Super Etendards are making their last appearance at an airshow in this country.

• Fastest Ever Field Gun Crew – A full programme of Arena & Hangar Displays will feature HMS Heron’s Brickwood Trophy winning 2015 Field Gun Champions. In winning the title they also beat the record for the fastest time by a Field Gun Crew. The world famous Band of HM Royal Marines will also be performing in the Arena.

• World-class International Display Teams – A triple line-up featuring the RAF Red Arrows plus past Air Day award-winners the Royal Jordanian Falcons and the Spanish Air Force’s Patrulla Águila who are also celebrating their 30th anniversary year.

• The Norwegian Air Force Historical Flight’s MiG-15 – A UK airshow flying display debut for this classic Cold War fighter of Korean War fame. A jet engine aircraft type that was famously shot down by a piston engine Royal Navy Sea Fury during the conflict. Both aircraft types will also be on static display side by side.

• Wings & Wheels – Alongside the large array of static aircraft on display Air Day’s ever popular vehicle exhibition will feature a range of classic cars, ‘supercars’, military vehicles and motorbikes. Key exhibits include Bumblebee and KITT – the four-wheeled stars of Transformers and Knight Rider.

• US Air Force Returns – Two A-10 Thunderbolt close air support combat aircraft and a huge C-17 Globemaster transporter are set to be the most popular participants on static display. See these modern day airpower icons up-close as the USAF participates in Air Day for the first time in eight years.

• Europe’s Largest Collection of Naval Aircraft – Air Day visitors can take advantage of half-price entry to the Fleet Air Arm Museum. Take a unique look at the Royal Navy’s proud aviation heritage and experience life on an aircraft carrier. All show visitors can redeem this offer on the day or up until 31 December 2015.

Ticket information can be found at www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday or by calling the Ticketline on 0330 100 3656.

Important safety information about the Flying Legends Air Show

Ahead of the Flying Legends Air Show, IWM Duxford has released some important safety information that it wishes to share with local residents:

IWM Duxford takes great care to ensure its air shows are as safe as possible for everyone involved.It is not safe to occupy the fields immediately south of the runway during the air show. If you do so you are putting yourself and the display pilots in harm’s way.

In support of this, Grange Road will be closed on 11 and 12 July 2015.

In the event of an incident it is imperative that the emergency services have clear, unhindered access to the tracks across this land.

There is no public access to these fields at any time.

Jointly issued by IWM Duxford, Cambridgeshire Constabulary and the landowners.

www.iwm.org.uk

Red Arrows Air Festival show times announced

Get ready for take off – the award-winning Bournemouth Air Festival takes place next month and organisers are delighted to confirm this year’s Red Arrows times.

Make sure you’re here for incredible performances from the world famous display team Thursday 20th, Friday 19th, Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st, at the following times:

Thursday 20 August: 2.15pm
Friday 21 August: 3pm
Saturday 22 August: 1.45pm
Sunday 23 August: 3pm

Air Festival Director, Jon Weaver, said: “It’s fantastic the Royal Air Force has again allocated us 4-days of superb Red Arrow displays. We are officially the UKs best national Tourism Event and to have such great continued support from the military, sponsors, visitors and festival goers all contributes to our continued success.”

With more aircraft and display teams to be announced, as well as Wave105 Night Air music line-up it’s set to be another not to be missed Air Festival!

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

*Please note times are subject to change.

Air Days Special V-Jet Formation for Vulcan Farewell

Vampires - Yeovilton Air Day

The Avro Vulcan’s final appearance at RNAS Yeovilton Air Day on Saturday 11 July will include a special ‘V-Jet Formation’ flypast. The famed ‘V-Bomber’ will be joined by Naval Aviation Ltd’s de Havilland Sea Vixen and the Norwegian Air Force Historical Flight’s two de Havilland Vampires to present a unique four-ship classic British jets flight. While the Vulcan and Sea Vixen’s joint flypasts were an outstanding highlight of Air Day 2011, the expanded formation will be a unique spectacle with the Sea Vixen leading the Vulcan with a Vampire on each wing.

The Vampire and the Sea Vixen each played a major role in post-war Royal Naval aviation development, the full story of which RNAS Yeovilton has seen unfold over the last 75 years. With its pioneering aircraft carrier landings, the Vampire paved the way for all naval jet operations which followed.

The Sea Vixen was, upon entering service, the Fleet Air Arm’s biggest and heaviest type ship-launched asset. Recalling the times when Sea Vixens were based at RNAS Yeovilton, ‘Foxy Lady’ – the world’s only airworthy example – is a similarly appropriate inclusion. Its current markings are those of 899 Naval Air Squadron, replicating its exact look when based at RNAS Yeovilton during its Fleet Air Arm service days.

The thunderous, iconic Vulcan has participated in the majority of Air Days staged since its return to flight in late 2007. While its Air Day farewell will be a sad occasion for many, this exclusive classic jets link-up will give the Vulcan a magnificent send-off.

Online and phone advance ticket booking deadline is Tuesday 7 July. Tickets are also available over the counter from participating Tourist Information Centres until 5pm Friday 10 July. Further information available at www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday.

Rare Fighter and Worlds First Civil Tiltrotor Join Air Days Anniversary Celebrations

AW609 tiltrotor

Aircraft illustrating RNAS Yeovilton’s earliest days and Anglo-Italian helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland’s hi-tech future will underline Air Day’s two main anniversary themes. Separated by decades of history, each type will have a starring role in Air Day’s five-plus hour flying display on Saturday 11 July.

Exactly 75 years ago, on 18 June 1940, RNAS Yeovilton was commissioned as HMS Heron. Hawker Sea Hurricanes were among the first aircraft to be subsequently based here and a very rare surviving example is set to take part in the flying display at Air Day. The Shuttleworth Collection’s Hawker Sea Hurricane 1b Z7015 was built in 1939 and equipped the Royal Navy’s 801 and 880 Naval Air Squadrons between 1941 and 1942. Both of these squadrons were based at RNAS Yeovilton during that same period, making Z7015 a very likely former resident. Its involvement in Air Day will represent a homecoming for one of the UK’s display scene’s most cherished warbirds. Besides the Sea Hurricane, other historic fixed wing naval aircraft helping Air Day celebrate RNAS Yeovilton’s past 75 years include the Avro XIX, Swordfish, Seafire, Sea Fury, Sea Vixen, Phantom and Sea Harrier.

AgustaWestland was founded in 1915 as the Westland Aircraft Works and thus celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2015. The firm’s state-of-the-art AW609 TiltRotor will perform for the very first time in the UK at a public military airshow as part of Air Day’s AgustaWestland centenary line-up: a real Air Day coup. The AW609, the world’s first civil tiltrotor aircraft, can hover like a helicopter and fly as fast and high as a fixed wing turboprop aircraft due to its tilting rotors and is set to revolutionise the rotorcraft market..

Additional AgustaWestland anniversary participants will include preserved examples of the Wasp, Scout, Sioux, Whirlwind and Gazelle, plus QinetiQ’s A109E research helicopter. Air Day will also offer one last opportunity to see the Westland-built Sea King helicopter’s Commando and search and rescue variants in action over RNAS Yeovilton before their forthcoming retirement.

A full list of participants, further information and discounted advance tickets are available from www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday

Last Flying Blenheim to Make Free Airshow Debut at Airbourne

Bristol Blenheim

The only flying Bristol Blenheim bomber in the world is set to make its free air show debut this August, when it displays for the seafront crowds at Airbourne: Eastbourne International Air Show.

The recently restored WW2 bomber, which flew its first public display in May, is yet to display for fans at a free airshow. It will join the Belgian NH90 helicopter and the Norwegian MiG-15 jet, all new attractions to Airbourne, in a truly international line-up.

The free four day airshow which returns from 13 – 16 August, has added the new attractions to its packed flying programme which already includes the final display season of the Vulcan bomber, plus the Typhoon, Chinook and RAF Red Arrows display teams.

The Blenheim’s first display will be on Super Saturday on 15 August, a 12 hour extravaganza of flying, ground displays and twilight pyro-aerobatics, plus live music on the beach from chart-toppers Scouting for Girls and Saturday night fireworks at 10pm.

Eastbourne Borough Council Lead Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Enterprise, Cllr Margaret Bannister said “The Blenheim will be an awesome addition to Airbourne and a wonderful tribute to those who flew during World War Two. Along with our first ever MiG and the NH90, it’s fantastic to see Airbourne attracting teams from Norway, France and Belgium, bringing a spectacular international programme to the show.”

The only flying Blenheim in the world, it took 12 years and 28,000 man hours to rebuild, and played a major part in WW2, scoring the first combat victory of any aircraft using its own radar. Its joins an impressive historic line up which also features a Norwegian Vampire duo, Kittyhawk, Jet Provost, Bulldog, Spitfire, Mustang and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, with a four-ship formation from the Lancaster, Spitfire, Hurricane and Dakota.

A new star attraction for the show, the MiG-15, was originally developed by the Soviet Union, and became one of the first successful swept-wing jet fighters, playing a major part in the Korean War.

It joins the brand new Hawk T2 duo display, The Rv8tors, Breitling Wingwalkers, Royal Navy Sea King, Tutor, The Tigers Parachute Display team and French team Patrouille Reva.

The Blades return in their 10th anniversary year to display for the crowds, along with a special prize of an aerobatic flight and hospitality for two at their home base at Sywell Aerodrome. The prize is available to win in the Airbourne lottery, with tickets costing £1, 30% of proceeds will go to charity and 70% to fund flying displays at the show. Tickets are available now at the Tourist Information Centre, Seafront Office and at the show.

The four day show also features plenty of fun on the ground, including a military exhibition, children’s entertainment areas, helicopter pleasure flights and evening concerts at the Bandstand, including Big Band Night on Thursday and the legendary pop-punk princess Toyah, on Friday.

The Airbourne Live stage on the beach will feature music throughout each day and into the early evening, with a wide variety of acts to be announced over the coming weeks.

Airbourne: Eastbourne International Air Show returns from 13 – 16 August 2015 and entry is free.

The flying display is part funded from public donations each year at Airbourne, thanks to contributions by Sussex residents David Dickens and Brian Bunce and the collections organised by Marco and Cathy Giorgi and the Rotary Clubs of Sovereign Harbour and Hailsham, with 30% of the proceeds also passed onto local charities.

To beat the crowds, there are exclusive seating areas available at the Bandstand at £12 per person, and exclusive hospitality available on the Western Lawns from £75 per person (including vat), ideal for special occasions or entertaining clients.

With thousands attending over the four days, Airbourne offers great trade space opportunities from just £163 per day, when attending all four days.

For more information or to book online visit www.eastbourneairshow.com, or email events@eastbourne.gov.uk, or telephone 01323 415442.