UK Airshow News – Page 61

Flying participation announced for Flying Legends 2012

With only three weeks to go to this year’s Flying Legends Air Show on Saturday 30 June and Sunday 1 July, The Fighter Collection and IWM Duxford are delighted to announce some of the stunning aircraft that will be flying in this year’s extravaganza event.

Flying Legends sees the air show debut of The Fighter Collection’s Republic P-47G Thunderbolt 42-25068 ‘Snafu’, one of only two Curtiss-built examples left in the world.

The Sikorsky S-38makes its UK debut at Flying Legends. An American twin-engine eight-seat amphibious aircraft, it was sometimes called ‘The Explorer’s Air Yacht’ and was Sikorsky’s first widely produced amphibious flying boat. In addition to serving with Pan American Airways and the United States Army, the Sikorsky S-38 was owned by numerous private individuals, including aviators Howard Hughes and Charles Lindbergh.

Making a welcome return following their debut UK air show appearance at Flying Legends last year is the Flying Bulls’ Lockheed P-38 Lighting and the Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsair. The Flying Bulls’ stunning aerial performances will no doubt wow the crowds at Flying Legends.

Flying Legends is famous for presenting a unique combination of remarkable aircraft in superb aerial displays and this year is no different.

Over fifty aircraft will be participating, including two Hispano Buchon; eight Spitfires covering various marques, including two Mark One variants; three Hawker Sea Furies; three Hawk variants including the Hawk 75, the P40B and the P40F; threemarques of YAK fighters; a Fiesler Storch and a Lysander. Three First World War aircraft – the Nieuport 17, Fokker DR1 and Sopwith Triplane – will fly together for the first time. The ever-popular Breitling Wingwalkers will performas a two-ship display. And of course, there will be displays by the famous IWM Duxford-based B-17 Flying Fortress, Sally B and the PBY Catalina Miss Pick Up.

The legendary Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Supermarine Spitfire, Avro Lancaster and Hawker Hurricane will display on Saturday 30 June only, while on Sunday 1 July only the Aerostars perform stunning aerobatics.

The Vintage Village

Don’t forget to visit our nostalgic Vintage Village at the Flying Legends Air Show. You can enjoy a glass of fizz or two fromthe Prosseco Bar and relax as you listen to the romantic sounds of Harry and Edna’s Revolution 78, as the dapper DJs play 1930s and 1940smusic in all its original atmospheric splendor on period gramophones.

Look out for the Manhattan Dolls, whomake a welcome return after their debut at last year’s Flying Legends. This glamorous New York-based Andrews Sisters-style group will be performing those instantly-recognisable hits of the thirties and forties in their own inimitable style.

Enjoy a unique living history experience aboard the Home Front Bus. This classic double-decker bus contains detailed reconstructions of a 1940s living room, a wartime shop, a bombed-out street and an air raid shelter. Containing period features and artefacts, the Home Front Bus replicates the sights, sounds and smells of the Home Front – an authentic trip back in time.

Past to Present Historical bring the Second World War Home Front to life with an Anderson air raid shelter, an evacuees’ display and costumed interpreters. Look out for our iconic wartime leader Winston Churchill – if you are very lucky, he may even accompany you for a photograph.

Complete your vintage experience by ordering an IWM Duxford Picnic Hamper. Soak up the atmosphere in the Vintage Village as you enjoy a perfect ration-free picnic lunch for two, including the Duxford sausage roll, homemade sandwiches, hand-cut crisps, seasonal salad, a refreshing Pimms summer berry jelly and traditional elderflower presse, all served in a disposable hamper including cutlery, plates and glasses.

The IWM Duxford Picnic Hamper for two costs £21. To order, please email duxfordevents@elior.com or call 01223 497 501. Please give aminimumof three days notice for your picnic order. Picnic orders are collected fromWing Co Joe’s Café on the day.

Flying Legends Hospitality Packages

If you’d like tomake your experience of Flying Legends evenmore special, do hurry to take advantage of our air show hospitality packages. Our Gold Pass package is almost sold out for Saturday 30 June. To find out more about our hospitality packages go to http://www.iwm.org.uk/commercial/venue-hire/iwmduxford/airshow

Tickets for the Flying Legends Air Show can be purchased online at www.iwm.org.uk or by calling the Box Office on 01223 499 353. The Box Office is open from Monday to Friday from 9.30amto 4.30pm.

There is no booking fee but a postage and packing fee applies per transaction.

Advance tickets will be available until:

For overseas postal delivery – 5pm on Friday 15 June
For UK postal delivery – 5pm on Wednesday 20 June

Flying Icon Joins Jet Set at Air Tattoo

An aircraft considered by many to be one of the finest symbols of man’s conquest of the skies will receive a modern ‘guard of honour’ when it makes a rare appearance in the UK this summer.

The only flying Super Constellation in Europe, and one of only three flying ‘Connies’ in the world, will make its first appearance in the UK for eight years when it performs a special flypast at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford on July 7-8.

The iconic Breitling Super Constellation Star of Switzerland, seen by many as the embodiment of the golden age of propeller planes, will be flanked by seven Czech-built L-39C Albatross jets, from the Breitling Jet Team, for a Diamond Jubilee tribute to the Queen.

Capable of crossing the Atlantic without any stop-overs, the Lockheed Super Constellation dominated civil aviation in the 1950s and set new standards in comfort and luxury.

Air Tattoo flying display commentator and Classic Aircraft magazine editor Ben Dunnell said: “There’s no doubt that the Breitling Super Constellation will be an absolute highlight of this summer’s Air Tattoo. The Connie is simply one of the most beautiful aircraft ever conceived and makes a majestic sight in the sky.

“There are few spectacles in aviation more evocative than that of a ‘Connie’ in the air, thanks in no small part to its wonderful shape and distinctive sound. Many will be delighted that it’s coming back to these shores after an eight year absence. Simply put, it’s everyone’s favourite big-pistoned airliner.”

Other Diamond Jubilee attractions taking place at the Air Tattoo include a repeat of the spectacular mass flypast of 27 Hawk jets in an ‘EIIR’ formation that flew over Windsor Castle in May. A number of colourful Diamond Jubilee-painted aircraft will also be displaying along with a static line-up of current and historic aircraft with ‘Royal’ connections.

The Royal International Air Tattoo is staged annually in support of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust. This summer will see aircraft from more than 22 countries, including two that will be taking part in a UK airshow for the first time – South Korea and Colombia.

Tickets, priced from £39, are available from www.airtattoo.com or by calling 0800 107 1940. All accompanied under-16s go free. Free parking.

Cosford to Reprise Royal Flypasts

The Diamond Jubilee weekend has given everyone a tantalising glimpse of some of the treats in store at the Cosford Air Show. The Red Arrows and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypasts stole the show along the Mall, but on Sunday 17th June at Cosford both will be giving their full display which is sure to wow the crowds.

Sadly the flypast for the River Pageant on Saturday had to be cancelled because of the bad weather. However, the planned stars of that flying display – the Swordfish of the Royal Naval Historic Flight and Royal Navy helicopters – are both in the programme for Cosford as well as nearly six hours packed with performances from aircraft old and new.

Among many other current highlights are the famous Blades, the RAF Typhoon, role demonstrations from a pair of Tornados, the RAF Sea King and the Army Air Corps Apache, while Vampire, Meteor, P-51 Mustang and the Great War team aircraft lead the classic line-up.

Like many big events the activity is not only in the air but includes a full programme of ground entertainment and displays. With less than two weeks to go advance ticket sales are on sale on-line and from local outlets at just £20 per person with children under 16 admitted free.

Full information on the show including details of all participating aircraft can be found on the air show web site – www.cosfordairshow.co.uk

RAF Heavyweights Prepare to Flex Muscles

GIANT aircraft from the RAF’s air transport and air-to-air refuelling fleets will fill the sky over RAF Fairford next month when they take part in a unique flypast at the Royal International Air Tattoo.

A VC-10, TriStar, A330 Voyager, C-17 and C-130 Hercules from RAF Brize Norton will be joined by Airbus Military’s A400M for a flypast representing the past, present and future of the RAF’s airlift capability.

The flypast will be particularly poignant as it will provide a final opportunity for Air Tattoo visitors to bid farewell to the VC-10 before the fleet is finally retired in March 2013. It was from RAF Fairford that the first RAF Transport Command VC-10 sortie was flown by 10 Sqn in the late 1960s.

The flypast is part of the Air Tattoo’s operational theme Skylift 2012 which will bring together some of the aircraft that help project air mobility around the globe by providing air-to-air refuelling and delivering troops and equipment quickly and safely to support combat, peacekeeping or humanitarian campaigns.

Among the other international military aircraft supporting the Skylift 2012 theme will be a German Airbus A310, a Hungarian An-26, an Italian KC-767, a Polish An-28, an Omani Airbus A320 and a USAF KC-135. Air Tattoo Chief Executive Tim Prince said: “This is an incredible opportunity to witness an entire generation of mighty RAF aircraft flying together, as the old and the new combine to perform a unique flypast as well as giving the VC-10 a spectacular send-off.”

This summer’s Air Tattoo will feature aircraft from around the world, including South Korea, Russia, Colombia and Saudi Arabia. The eight-hour flying programme includes the European debut of the United Arab Emirates’ Al Fursan display team, the Red Arrows and the unique MV-22 Osprey.

The Air Tattoo is staged in support of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust. Tickets, priced from £39, are available from www.airtattoo.com or by calling 0800 107 1940. All accompanied under-16s go free. Free parking.

Cosford Air Show

Today’s announcements from the Cosford Air Show taking place on Sunday 17 June have something to please enthusiasts and families alike.The latest thrill for those with a love of special aircraft is the unique opportunity to see one of the Cosford based Jaguar aircraft taxiing along the runway during the morning.

Although these iconic aircraft are no longer in active RAF service they are still used for ground training and the organisers have promised a close up view of some of them. As well as the live taxi several of the aircraft, including some with unusual paint schemes, will be on display with their ground equipment in the static aircraft park.

For those who prefer something more sedate there will be some fascinating flying by the RAF Large Model Aircraft Association. Their beautiful scale models cover aircraft old and new and with the right camera lens could almost be the real thing. The display will last for an hour and is scheduled to take place immediately before the main flying display.

Other highlights of the show include the fabulous Red Arrows and two Tornados performing a role demonstration accompanied by a pyrotechnic display, as well as an appearance by a P-51 Mustang which saw service with the famous Tuskegee airmen in World War II. This year’s Air Show image is of two Gnats which will star in the display and form part of the celebration of 100 years of the Central Flying School. On the ground the special line up of Central Flying School aircraft starts with the Tiger Moth and features training aircraft through the ages.

Other ground entertainment includes military bands, Field Gun displays, interactive exhibits from the Royal Air Force and of course the famous Sunday market and Craft Fair.

Full information on the show including details of all participating aircraft can be found on the air show web site – www.cosfordairshow.co.uk

Sparkling Start to Air Tattoo Preview

DARE-DEVIL parachutists provided a taste of what’s to come when they dropped in to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire yesterday.

Members of the RAF Falcons parachute display team unfurled a Diamond Jubilee flag as they drifted down to earth from 3,000ft at a special preview of the Royal International Air Tattoo.

The world’s biggest military airshow, which will take place on July 7 and 8, is this year celebrating HM the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and a sparkling display of aircraft touched down to publicise this summer’s event.

Children’s tv presenter Barney Harwood flew in as the day’s special guest, arriving in style courtesy of an RAF Hawk flown by Fairford-born display pilot Flt Lt Phil Bird.

The logo on the flag delivered by the RAF Falcons had been chosen from thousands of entries in a children’s design competition run by the BBC’s Blue Peter programme, and presenter Barney performed the official raising of the flag, accompanied by the Fanfare team from the Band of the RAF Regiment.

Barney said: “I got my first Airfix kit at the age of eight, and that was a Hawk, so it was incredible to actually fly in one. It relays the message that anything is possible: I used to work in a kennels and now here I am in an RAF jumpsuit. It’s such a beautiful aircraft and it was so exciting to fulfil a lifelong ambition.”

Five spectacular aircraft touched down at the Gloucestershire airbase, including a Chipmunk with a royal connection – WP903, painted in the bright colours of the Royal Flight, is the actual two-seater trainer aircraft in which Prince Charles learnt to fly – and an RAF Tucano, painted in special Diamond Jubilee livery.

A deHavilland Vampire T11, which entered service with the RAF 60 years ago, was also on show, while a US Air Force MC-130 Hercules, operated by US Special Forces, also flew in, symbolising the close links between the airshow and the USAF.

Air Tattoo Chief Executive Tim Prince said: “It’s been great to provide a preview of what’s in store in July, as we have an exceptional line-up of aircraft. As well as a special mass flypast of Hawks in an E II R formation, the Air Tattoo will feature seven aerobatic display teams including Al Fursan, a newly-formed team from the United Arab Emirates who’ll be making their European debut at the airshow.

“Two countries, Colombia and South Korea, will be making their Air Tattoo debuts, the iconic Avro Vulcan will be here to thrill the crowds, and many of the world’s top fast jets will also be joining us in July. The world really is coming to Fairford this year – make sure you don’t miss out on the action.”

www.airtattoo.com

Fantastic flying announced for The Jubilee Air Show

We’ve a fantastic flying display now confirmed for The Jubilee Air Show on Sunday 27 May.

The Royal Air Force will be flying a range of powerful contemporary aircraft, including the BAe Hawk, from 208 (R) Squadron, Eurofighter Typhoon from 6 Squadron, RAF Leuchars and the Beechcraft King Air from 45 (R ) Squadron, RAF Cranwell.

16(R ) Squadron, RAF Cranwell will be displaying the Grob Tutor 115E. Used for elementary flying training, this was the type of aircraft that Prince William was taught to fly on at RAF Cranwell. He went on to fly a Shorts Tucano at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, which is also represented in the flying display.

The Westland Sea King, fromB Flight, 22 Squadron, RAF Wattisham is the type that Prince Andrew has flown and that Prince William is currently flying as a fully-operational Search and Rescue co-pilot with 22 Squadron, RAF Valley, Anglesey.

The Westland Lynx, from815 Naval Air Squadron, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, is the type of helicopter that Prince Andrew flew.

Many of the historic aircraft performing in The Jubilee Air Show also have connections to the Royal Family.

DCH-1 Chipmunk WP903 was built in 1952 and served with The Queen’s Flight. It was the actual aircraft on which Prince Charles learnt to fly. Two DCH Chipmunks will be flying at The Jubilee Air Show. In addition to Prince Charles, several other members of the Royal Family learnt to fly on this aircraft type, including Prince Philip and Prince Andrew.

The DH89A Dragon Rapide, owned by D & M Miller, is the type of aircraft owned by Prince Edward VIII in 1935. Prince Edward flew to and fromRAF Duxford in his Dragon Rapide to see the spectacular sight of the Royal Review on 6 July 1935, which celebrated the jubilee of his father, King George V. On his accession to the throne, a year later, as King Edward VIII, his Dragon Rapide became the founding aircraft of the King’s Flight.

Prince Philip flew both the North American Harvard, of which two are displaying at The Jubilee Air Show, and the Gloster Meteor T7, an example of which, operated by Air Atlantique Classic Flight, wowed the crowds at last year’s Autumn Air Show and makes a welcome return to IWM Duxford at The Jubilee Air Show.

Glorious historic aircraft flying at this celebratory show include two stunning 1930s Hawker Nimrod single-seat biplanes; three examples of the iconic Spitfire, synonymous with IWM Duxford’s famous heritage; the famous B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B ; the stalwart wartime multi-role Avro Anson and the iconic Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Avro Lancaster, Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire.

In celebration of this year’s Olympics, there will be a display by the Bucker Jungmeister, which swept the board in the aerobatic competition at the Berlin Olympics in 1936.

There will be a rip-roaring display by the F-16 Fighting Falcon from360 Squadron, Belgian Air Force, and aerial dynamics from the French Air Force’s Patrouille Cartouche Dore aerobatic teamand the SBach Duo of top aerobatic pilots Steve Jones and Paul Bonhomme.

On the ground, there will be fun-packed activities for all the family to enjoy and the whole museum is open to explore. The Airfix Make and Paint Zone will be in AirSpace, where you canmake and paint your own Airfix model and take it home as a souvenir of your day at The Jubilee Air Show. There will be family activities in AirSpace and the American Air Museumplus exciting children’s rides across the museum.

Advance ticket booking has now closed, but tickets can be purchased on the gate at The Jubilee Air Show
on Sunday 27 May.

For further information go to www.iwm.org.uk.

Cosford Countdown

With less than four weeks to go the Cosford Air Show (Sunday, June 17) is counting down the days to the biggest aviation event in the West Midlands. The flying display promises to be one of the most exciting yet with everything from fast jets to biplanes and from helicopter to gliders. The Great War Bird Team will be honouring the hundredth anniversary of the Royal Flying Corps and a line up of training aircraft in the air and in the specially themed static park area acknowledge another centenary, this one for the Central Flying School. Other highlights include role demos from the Tornado and Sea King from the Royal Air Force and the Apache from the Army Air Corps. Of course no Cosford Air Show would be complete without the appearance of the Red Arrows, the Falcon Parachute display team and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. The famous Blades display team, the Agusta 109 helicopter display from Belgium and a stunning performance from the Typhoon round off the spectacular air display.

The thrills in the air are matched by a new and exciting ground programme. As well as the traditional indoor craft fair and three hangars packed with military exhibitions and interactive displays from all three services, this year sees the first ever appearance of the RAF Field Gun Display in the new arena. The arena programme, which also includes military bands and Guide Dog displays, runs from the moment gates open until the start of the flying display making RAF Cosford Air Show a full day of entertainment for the whole family.

Full information on the show including details of all participating aircraft can be found on the air show web site – www.cosfordairshow.co.uk

RAF TO FLY EPIC EIIR TRIBUTE AT AIR TATTOO

The dramatic flypast of RAF Hawks that flew over Windsor Castle at the weekend as part of the Armed Forces’ tribute to HM The Queen will provide the centrepiece of the Royal International Air Tattoo’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire this summer.

Visitors to the airshow on July 7-8 will be able to see a repeat of the EIIR flypast, comprising 27 BAE Systems’ Hawk fast jets from RAF Valley in Anglesey and RAF Leeming in Yorkshire.

Other Diamond Jubilee attractions will include specially-painted aircraft, a display of current and historic aircraft with ‘Royal’ connections and a Diamond Jubilee Lawn featuring a wide variety of themed attractions with a street party atmosphere.

Air Tattoo spokesman Richard Arquati said the Air Tattoo would provide the perfect complement to this summer’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

He said: “Mass flypasts are only rarely staged because of the incredible amount of practice and planning involved. To have the opportunity to feature the EIIR element of the Armed Forces’ official tribute to the Queen at Fairford is not only a great honour but it will also provide a wonderful spectacle for our visitors.”
Also at the Air Tattoo will be a number of legendary aircraft also celebrating their 60th anniversaries, including the Vulcan bomber, the US Air Force B-52 and the Vampire T11.

BLADES and AEROSTARS to appear at Cosford Air Show

The first details of the RAF Cosford Air Show have just been released. The Air Show organiser Wing Commander (retired) Amanda Butcher said “Although we are still waiting for formal confirmation from the Royal Air Force we are expecting to see most of the RAF’s best displays at Cosford on Sunday 17th June. However we have already started to book some of the other stars of the show and can confirm that both the Aerostars and the famous Blades display team will be here”

One of the themes of the 2012 Cosford Air Show will be 100 years of the Central Flying School and there will be a selection of aircraft both in flying display and in the static aircraft the ground to celebrate this special event.

On the ground the RAF Regiment Band will be just one of several bands playing as part of the all day entertainment.

Tickets went on sale two weeks ago and are already selling well. This year’s airshow is already shaping up to one of the best family days in 2012.

Full information on the show can be seen on the air show web site – www.cosfordairshow.co.uk