AIR DAY ALL SET FOR TAKE OFF

Vulcan Bomber at RNAS Yeovilton Air Day

Final preparations are taking place to welcome over 30,000 visitors to the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton’s annual International Air Day on Saturday 26 July. Few events can rival the intensity, drama and spectacle on offer at the award winning show, one of the Southwest’s largest one day events. It promises to be an action-packed day out for all the family with thrilling flying displays and plenty to see and do on the ground.

RNAS Yeovilton’s Air Day will be celebrating Carrier Aviation following the recent naming of the Royal Navy’s largest ever aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. Visitors will experience over five hours of amzing flying displays which will include naval aircraft through the ages from rare historic warbirds like the Swordfish, Sea Fury and Skyraider to classic jets such as the mighty Sea Vixen and Hunter. The resident squadrons will perform spectacular role demonstrations such as the famous Commando Assault Finale, full of pyrotechnics. The ground displays will showcase modern Royal Navy assets and equipment with interactive displays showing the qualities, skills and professionalism of Royal Navy personnel working as a team to provide Front Line support to Protect Our Nation’s Interests.

Undoubtedly, the stars of the show for many will be roaring displays by the Swiss Air Force F/A-18 Hornet and the award winning Belgian Air Force F-16 representing the cutting edge of modern global fighter technology. Further participants include a trio of foreign military aerobatic teams from Belgium, Jordan and Denmark. Amongst the helicopter displays the Royal Navy Black Cats Display Team will incorporate the Wildcat into their routine and the unbelievably agile RAF Chinook will return to amaze all. The RAF will also be represented by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Dakota, Spitfire and Hurricane. The Dakota’s debut Air Day appearance will be particularly poignant with it being the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Landings. One of the nation’s favourite aircraft, the iconic Vulcan bomber XH558, will also be firing up her four mighty engines for another majestic performance over the Somerset skies. Another notable classic jet will be the world’s only airworthy example of the Canberra which will be a display not to be missed!

Although the aircraft and their amazing displays take most of the limelight at Air Day there is plenty to entertain the family on the ground. The Sporting Bears Motor Club has arranged a special static display for Air Day consisting of 40 rare and expensive cars. There will be arena displays from HMS Heron Volunteer Band and the fiercely contested Field Gun Competition between HMS Heron and HMS Seahawk (RNAS Culdrose). In the hangars, the Yeovilton Military Wives Choir will be performing and you will also find engineering fairs presented by My Future My Choice and Imagineering. These two organisations aim to inspire the next generation in a fun, hands-on, interactive way towards a career in engineering. A Forward Operating Base will be set-up by the Commando Helicopter Force with plenty of equipment and demonstrations to demonstrate how the Force supports the Royal Marines in theatre. There will also be trade stalls, funfair, simulators and pleasure flights if you manage to take your eyes off the sky.

Advance tickets are still available from local Tourist Information Centres until 25 July. Visit www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday or call the Ticketline on 08445 781 781 for more details.

*Photo by Jason Bryant

Airscene seeks VIP

Eastbourne Airbourne Airshow

Venue: Eastbourne Airbourne Airshow

Date: Saturday 16th August

Airscene is giving one lucky person the chance to attend Eastbourne Airshow as a VIP with reviewer Dave Briers.

As a VIP at Eastbourne you can expect: lunch, refreshments and arena side seats in the Pilots Enclosure. The VIP pass also includes a helicopter pleasure flight and the opportunity to meet with, and chat to some of the display pilots.

You will of course be helping Dave; more than likely fetching his tea or holding his spare memory card while he takes the full one out of his Nikon. Dave will be more than happy to give a few pointers if you are a novice and will probably share a wartime story or two (Sorry Dave).

To enter you will need to submit a VALID entry into this years calendar competition before midday on 10th August 2014. Please give your entry the subject “VIP entry” to ensure inclusion in the draw. Give yourself 2 entries in the draw by submitting 2 separate entries (max permitted).

www.airscene.co.uk/competitions/2015calendar.php

**Anyone who has already submitted an entry can send a blank email with the subject “VIP entry” to be eligible, however Early Entry Phase entries ARE NOT eligible.

Good Luck

Airscene 2015 Airshow Calendar Competition

The recent addition to the prize board courtesy of Icon Stamp Art has been placed in the pot for 2nd prize. The approx prize value as it currently stands is as follows:1st prize: £400
2nd prize: £200
3rd prize: £100
3 x runner up prizes: £40 – £55

A full break down of the prizes can be found at:
http://www.airscene.co.uk/competitions/2015calendar.php

Please do visit the sponsors, hopefully you will find something you wish to purchase. This is after all what keeps the competitions going and the prizes coming in.

*Waddington Airshow are expected to confirm prize offering soon

The competition leaderboard at the start of the competition is very interesting…

Mark Jarvis, Martyn Crookston, Adrian Glazzard and Robert Clarke all look set to join the 100 club this year – fingers crossed… Martyn Crookston is by default the man to beat again this year – 2nd place on the Ranking Total column with 79 points, but there will be no entries from the current 1st place as Ken Brannen jumps in as a sponsor this year – so the pressure is on Martyn!

And will Ian Schofield retain his stranglehold on the top and break through into the 200 club (if he does he will likely be the only member) – the only other person who could join him is Neil Darby, but the quality of entries keeps on getting better and it is doubtful whether one individual will stand out on their own.

Looking forward to receiving your entries, Good Luck!

league table

 

New exhibition on the History of Friendship between the Royal Air Force and the Royal Air Force of Oman

RAF Oman

Dates: 16th July 2014 – 14th July 2015

Entrance: FREE

Great Britain and Oman have enjoyed an enduring relationship for over 200 years that stretches back to a Treaty of Friendship in 1798. This broader relationship has been replicated in the close professional co-operation that has developed between the Royal Air Force and the Royal Air Force of Oman. It is a relationship that continues to develop into the 21st Century with the Royal Air Force of Oman’s purchase of the Eurofighter Typhoon and the latest Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer from BAE Systems.

Formed in 1959 from a nucleus of Scottish Aviation Pioneers and Hunting Percival Provosts, and manned by Royal Air Force loan officers, the Royal Air Force of Oman (originally named the Sultan of Muscat and Oman’s Air Force) has grown into one of the most capable air forces in the Middle East. This achievement has been supported throughout by mutual respect, friendship and encouragement between the Royal Air Force and the Royal Air Force of Oman.

In a brand new exhibition, curated with the support of the Archives Division of the Royal Air Force of Oman, the Royal Air Force Museum tells the story of this enduring relationship through the experiences of officers and men, from the Royal Air Force, the Royal Air Force of Oman and British industry who have played an important part in creating a modern, professional and highly effective air force.

The story ranges from the Royal Air Force’s involvement in the Middle East from its formation in 1918 and includes highlights such as the visit of Sultan Taimur bin Faisal to Royal Air Force Hendon in 1928 as the guest of the British government to watch an Air Pageant as well as the vital support offered by Oman to Great Britain during the Second World War through the purchase of Spitfires flown by the Royal Air Force.

The Commander of the Royal Air Force of Oman AVM Matar Al Obaidani, conducted the opening ceremony which was also attended by the RAF Chief of Air Staff ACM Sir Andy Pulford. The opening event at the Museum included traditional Omani musicians, a cultural display and souk providing coffee and dates to guests.

Aviation Historian and exhibition curator Ross Mahoney: “Throughout its history, the Royal Air Force has supported the development of a family of air forces that share a common set of values. The RAF’s relationship with RAFO is proof of the enduring importance of this shared set of values based on respect and friendship, which began with the latter’s formation in 1959 and continues to this day and into the future.”

Air Commodore Musallam Al-Zeidi, Royal Air Force of Oman: The outstanding and deep-rooted relations between the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) signify the close cooperation and mutual understanding between the two services in various fields in general and the field of defence in particular. Under the umbrella of this distinguished relations, the Royal Air Force has contributed greatly to Oman through providing expertise and technical knowhow to our personnel and we are sure that Royal Air Force will spare no effort in providing the requisite training which will put our fledgling Air Force in a good stead and enable it to keep abreast with the latest technological advancements. The close cooperation has carved a worldwide niche as unique relation and will continue to be so for years to come.

BAE Systems’ Vice President in Oman, Sir Simon Bryant, commented: “It is a great honour for BAE Systems to be supporting this exhibition. We, along with our predecessor companies, have taken delight in working with the Omani armed forces for decades. Through our current Hawk and Typhoon programmes we are looking forward to continuing with this relationship. The exhibition will provide the many people that visit it with a wealth of information of how the Royal Air Force of Oman has developed into the great Air Force that it is today.”

www.rafmuseum.org.uk

Chinook, Canberra and Transformers Truck Joins Airbourne 2014 Line-Up

The RAF Chinook and historic Canberra cold war jet will join the Airbourne line-up this August, along with the Optimus Prime Transformers truck which will display on the ground, as the Hollywood blockbuster is released in cinemas this month.

The show already features the Red Arrows on all four days celebrating their 50th anniversary, along with the arrival of the much anticipated Canadian Lancaster, which returns to Europe after 50 years, joining the only other Lancaster in the world for their first display together as part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

The huge twin rotor Chinook helicopter, a firm favourite with Airbourne fans, will return demonstrating its superb agility and heavy lifting capabilities during Eastbourne’s international free airshow which returns from 14 – 17 August.

Brand new for Airbourne on Sunday, will be a display by the World’s only airworthy Canberra, a 1950’s jet aircraft with immense power and noise. The RAF’s first jet bomber, the Canberra had nuclear capabilities and such was its strength, that it continued in service until as late as 2006 and has only recently begun to display again.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Leisure & Sports Services, Cllr Carolyn Heaps commented “The Canberra has an amazing history and a powerful, low rumbling display that will captivate both historic aircraft fans and fast jet fans. I am delighted we will get to see it here for the first time, it is an exciting addition to the Red Arrows 50th year and the much anticipated arrival of the Canadian Lancaster.”

On the ground, fans of the Transformers will be able to see a full scale replica of the Optimus Prime truck featured in the latest film Transformers Age of Distinction, released in UK cinemas last weekend. As the film maintains its number one position in the US Box Office, Airbourne was chosen to host the truck on its UK tour, after the success of last year’s Disney Planes display at Airbourne. The giant truck joins an impressive list of attractions, which also features the Delorean time travel car from Back to the Future.

Shadow Cabinet Member for Tourism, Leisure & Sports Services, Cllr Philip Ede said “This is set to be a fantastic year for Airbourne both in the skies and on the ground. The Chinook has been such a valued workhorse for our troops in recent campaigns and I look forward to seeing the return of this huge but remarkably agile helicopter. With a strong family audience at the show, I am sure the Optimus Prime truck will be a huge attraction and great fun for children and fans of the film.”

Latest Flying Line-Up

The Canberra and Chinook join an amazing line-up with the Red Arrows displaying on all four days, as they celebrate their 50th anniversary with some new moves and new look Union Jack tail fins. Another first, will be the arrival of the Canadian Lancaster TCAF FM213, as the last two Lancaster bombers in the world display together for the first time in 50 years, with Eastbourne chosen for this poignant once-in-a-lifetime display alongside the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight which will consist of the British Lancaster, Hurricane, Spitfire and Dakota.

Fast jet fans can also enjoy the resounding heavy metal of the Eurofighter Typhoon and precision aerobatics from The Blades, Breitling Wingwalkers, Gnats, Rv8tors, Jet Provost, O’Briens Flying Circus, Tucano, Tutor, Lynx and Sea King. An impressive historic line-up includes the Mustang, Vampire, solo Spitfire and parachute displays from the Army Tigers and the Royal Navy Raiders freefall parachute display teams, who will be dropping in on the beach throughout the show.

Fireworks

Also celebrating the Red Arrows 50 years, Airbourne will close with a special red, white, blue and gold firework display on Sunday night.

New Music Stage

A new music stage on the beach will entertain the crowds with live music well into the evening, including Britain’s Got Talent boy band The Mend, a DJ set with Made in Chelsea’s Jamie Laing and a performance by X-Factor finalist Luke Friend. On Sunday night, the end of show party with Heart Breakfast will close a fantastic four days with the Red Arrows themed firework display at 10pm.

The Heart Angels will also be on the beach every day of the airshow with a special Heart viewing zone by the stage, and the opportunity to have your photo taken in Heart’s giant deckchairs, in a fun photo competition.

WWI Display

BBC History will be bringing their WWI tour to Eastbourne on 16 – 17 August. Visitors can try their hand at making ID permits, learn about communications, become a war reporter and meet experts from the Imperial War Museum to search their families’ connection to the war.

Alongside the new BBC tour, the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Living History Group will be at Airbourne over all four days giving visitors the chance to experience life as a soldier, including uniforms, weapons, equipment and training. Featured in both TV and film, the Living History Group have appeared in shows such as ‘Downton Abbey’ and advised on the film ‘War Horse’.

On the Ground

The RAF, Army and Navy village returns with a bigger exhibition than ever before featuring a new field hospital, an inflatable assault course, AAC Gazelle and a tank. In addition to the Transformers Age of Distinction display and Delorean time travel car, will be the Barny Bear Interactive Digital Wall and the Haribo Big Bag Tour – a fun-filled sensory experience in giant inflatable bags of sweets, and little drivers can get behind the wheel of a mini tank for the ultimate driving experience!

Children’s entertainment beaches provide non-stop fun throughout the day and top flight display line hospitality in the Aviator Club offers 3 course lunch from £85 per person and Cirrus Rooms buffet from £66 per person. Exclusive seating can also be booked online at £12 per adult and £8 per child.

Fans can also get a birds eye view of the flying from iconic beauty spot Beachy Head or take to the skies with a helicopter pleasure flight over the scenic South Downs National Park.

Airbourne returns from 14 – 17 August from 10am every day with free entry and live music until 7.30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, followed by Bandstand concerts each evening. On Sunday evening an end of show party with the Heart Breakfast team kicks off at 6pm, with a fantastic firework display at 10pm.

For more information visit www.EastbourneAirshow.com or telephone the Tourist Information Centre on 0871 663 0031.

Three iconic First World War Aircraft arrive at RAF Museum Cosford

WW1 aircraft arrive at Cosford

On Tuesday 15 July staff at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford received three iconic First World War aircraft, which will form the centre of a new First World War Exhibition. The Bristol M1c, the Sopwith 1 ½ Strutter and the Sopwith Pup are due to go on display within the Museum’s War Planes Hangar in December 2014.

The Sopwith Pup is an original aircraft which was active during the First World War. The Pup, thought of by its pilots as the perfect flying machine, was used extensively by the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps both at home and abroad. The Bristol M1c and Sopwith 1 ½ Strutter are full scale reproductions.

The aircraft were transported from the RAF Museum London, along the M1, M6 and M54 motorways by two low loader lorries. Delighted members of the public and Museum staff welcomed the aircraft arrivals late afternoon, before they were placed inside the Museum’s Conservation Centre. The Sopwith Pup will undergo some minor fabric repair work to the tail before going on public display later this year.

The three aircraft are to be exhibited as part of the Museum’s First World War Exhibition, opening in December 2014 which will allow museum audiences to discover and explore the unique and often overlooked role of air power during the First World War through the incredible stories of the men and women who took part. The exhibition ‘First World War In The Air’, was made possible with a grant of £898,558 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Alex Medurst, RAF Museum Cosford General Manager said:

“These three iconic aircraft will provide a dramatic focus for our upcoming First World War exhibition. The Museum at Cosford looks forward to sharing them with its visitors and marking the historic anniversary.”

www.rafmuseum.org

SELL-OUT SHOW FOR REDS 50th SEASON

Royal International Air Tattoo

A SELL-OUT crowd of 140,000 turned up at RAF Fairford over three days to join celebrations marking the Red Arrows’ 50th display season at the Royal International Air Tattoo.They were rewarded with breath-taking aerobatic displays from fast jets, transport aircraft, helicopters and classic warbirds. The aviation fans’ favourite was the rare appearance of two classic Cold War ground-attack strike aircraft, the Sukhoi Su-22s from Poland, while the visitors were also treated to the last UK appearance of the A-7 Corsair from the Hellenic Air Force.

Seven aerobatic display teams flew in to join the Red Arrows’ celebrations thrilling the crowds with their precision flying. On Friday (July 11), team leaders from the Patrouille de France, Frecce Tricolori, Patrouille Suisse and the Breitling Jet Team performed a special anniversary formation flypast with the Red Arrows.

Red One, Squadron Leader Jim Turner, said: “We love all the European display teams and are most grateful to all those that have helped us celebrate this weekend.”

In total 240 aircraft from 31 air arms representing 25 countries took part in the Air Tattoo.

Senior military guests included: Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford and US Air Force Chief of Staff, General Mark Welsh III; plus air chiefs from 48 other countries including Turkey, Singapore, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Japan and Montenegro.

Industry guests at the Air Tattoo included Mrs Marillyn Hewson, CEO of Lockheed Martin; Mr Hakan Buskhe, President of Saab Global and Mr Simon Laffin, Chairman of the Flybe Group. Celebrities Alan Carr, Robson Green, Carol Vorderman, Adam Henson, Sir David Jason and Bruce Dickinson also attended the three-day show.

Royalty was also represented at the airshow with HRH The Prince of Wales, HRH Prince Michael of Kent and HRH Prince Feisal of Jordan enjoying the airshow.
Air Tattoo Chief Executive Tim Prince, who retires immediately after the airshow, said: “It’s great that such a bumper crowd was able to enjoy what we had to offer over the three days. The weather was good, the flying was fantastic and once again the Red Arrows lived up to their star billing. My thanks go to all those who visited the airshow, the many aircrew who participated and everyone who contributed to the successful staging of this event. Under my successor Andy Armstrong, I am confident the Air Tattoo will continue to be a wonderful celebration of international aviation and an event of which UK plc can be rightly proud.”

The Air Tattoo medical teams reported no major incidents and a relatively quiet time for those on duty. Senior Medical Officer Sqn Ldr Darren Ellison said: “We dealt with 250 patients with no major problems, just a range of minor illnesses from heat-related issues to blisters and abrasions.”

Senior Fire Officer Barry Scott said: “We’ve enjoyed a very quiet show. The main excitement was being on stand-by for the Apache role demo when we thought the pyrotechnics might set the grass on fire, but we weren’t needed, and that’s the way we like it.”

First-time visitors to the show were a Colony of Beaver Scouts from 1st Purton & Lydiard Scout group. Parent Emma Hudson-Ellis, from Swindon, said: “We’ve been here since 7.30am and have had a fantastic day. The flying displays are absolutely brilliant, especially the Red Arrows, who we always love to see, and we’ve still got quite a lot to see on the ground before we go home.”

Mark Smeaton from Nailsworth in Gloucestershire, had brought his family on their first visit to the Air Tattoo. He said: “The quality of the flying is just amazing, especially the formation displays. The whole show seems very well organised, and everything’s covered. Our five-year-old was more than slightly traumatised by the noise of the Eurofighter, but two members of the Air Tattoo CREW instantly leapt to our rescue, supplying earplugs and generally saving the day. We were impressed, and we’d definitely come again!”

www.airtattoo.com

Time Runs Out For F-35b At Air Tattoo

Despite everyone’s best endeavours, it has now been decided that the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II will not fly at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) 2014 as all of the aircraft currently remain grounded.

Air Tattoo Chief Executive Tim Prince said the decision was a great disappointment given the amount of planning that had gone into bringing the aircraft over to RIAT for its international display debut.

He said: “It’s not unusual for there to be delays in the development programme of any new military aircraft, and the Air Tattoo has been working closely with teams from Lockheed Martin, the US Marine Corps, Department of Defence and MoD to ensure the aircraft touched down at RAF Fairford for the Air Tattoo. Unfortunately we’ve simply run out of time.”

An MoD spokesman said “The safety of pilots and aircraft has to be our priority. Of course, it is disappointing that the Lightning II has not arrived in the UK in time for the Air Tattoo but we fully support the decision not to grant clearance for the aircraft to make their first transatlantic flight to the UK until the technical investigations following an engine failure are complete.”

Mr Prince added: “We fully understand and support the decision as safety of pilots and aircraft has to be paramount.

“Fortunately, the F-35B is only one of more than 200 exciting aircraft representing 33 air arms from 27 countries around the globe that will be taking part in RIAT 2014, which begins tomorrow (Friday, July 11). We are looking forward to staging the UK’s biggest celebrations marking the RAF Red Arrows 50th display season at the world’s largest military airshow.”

www.airtattoo.com

Cosford to hold Centenary Charity Ball

Saturday 30 August 

A glittering Centenary Charity Ball will be held at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on Saturday 30 August to commemorate the First World War and raise much needed funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund and the RAF Museum.

In what will be the highlight in Shropshire’s summer calendar, the evening will commence with a champagne reception under the wings of the mighty Vulcan bomber and other legendary aircraft within the Museum’s National Cold War Exhibition. Guests will be treated to a poignant military sunset ceremony with buglers, an RAF Cosford honour guard, followed by a spectacular helicopter flying display. A piper will then escort guests into the hangar for dinner.

Attendees will have the rare and unique opportunity to fine dine within the Museum’s War Planes Hangar and enjoy a four course dinner, set against a panoramic backdrop of some of the world’s most iconic and historic aircraft including a Hurricane and Spitfire.

There will be a variety of entertainment throughout the evening, including live music supplied by the RAF ‘Shades of Blue’ Swing Band, a surprise musical treat and a fabulous prize auction and grand raffle. Plus, a disco will ensure that guests are having a good time and dancing late into the evening as the party continues until 1.00am.

Graham Wynn OBE, Shropshire Businessman and member of the organising committee says:

“This promises to be a unique and most enjoyable occasion. It is one of the most outstanding black tie events of the year and will truly be a most memorable evening.”

The dress code for this poignant event is black tie or mess kit and miniatures. The evening will raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund who gives vital support to past and present servicemen and women and their families in need of financial support through injury or ill health. Money raised will also go towards maintaining the growing aircraft collection at the RAF Museum.

Karen Dixon, RAF Museum Corporate Events Manager says:

“Dining among Cosford’s legendary aircraft is a unique and special experience for guests and a must for anyone who enjoys high quality entertainment, supports the RAF, or has an interest in our aviation heritage. We look forward to welcoming visitors to the Gala Ball in August and we are confident it will be as popular as ever.”

This is a unique corporate entertaining and networking opportunity with tables of 10 or individual seats available. To find out more information about this prestigious event, please visit the Museum’s website www.rafmuseum.org. To purchase tickets, please email cosfordgalaball@rafmuseum.org or contact the event organiser on 01902 376200.

Culdrose Kicks Off Flying Display Season

RNAS Culdrose Sea King

Aircraft from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose have kicked off their flying display season by visiting Lincoln at weekend for the RAF Waddington International Air Show.

A Merlin MK2, from 824 Naval Air Squadron performed in the air for the first time in a public arena. Also on the ground for a static display, was a Merlin MK2 from 814 Naval Air Squadron (the Flying Tigers), a Beechcraft Avenger T1 from 750 Naval Air Squadron and a Sea King ASaC Mk7 from 849 Naval Air Squadron.

Aircraft from Fleet Air Arm, past and present, will also be present at a variety of other air shows throughout the display season and the general public will also get an opportunity to see the Navy’s aircraft on their home tuft at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose’s Air Day on Thursday 31st July 2014.

Air shows that Culdrose aircraft will display at include:

• Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford
• Farnborough Air Show
• Sunderland Air Show
• RNAS Yeovilton Air Day
• Blackpool Sea Front Air Display
• Dawlish Air Show
• Bournemouth Air Festival
• Jersey Air Display
• Lands End Air Sea Rescue Day
• Dartmouth Royal Regatta
• Prestwick World Festival of Flight
• Duxford Air Show
• Southport Air Show

Culdrose’s Air Day on Thursday 31st July promises to fill the skies of Cornwall with magnificent sights and sounds from across the world of aviation, both past and present. From high above the Air Station, down to mere feet above the runway, there will be gravity defying displays that Culdrose Air Day is famous for.

Commander Peter Munro-Lott, Commander Air at Culdrose or ‘Wings; as he is known at the Cornish Naval Air Station said: “This year we have a fantastic air display with over four hours of flying planned. The highlight of the show for many will be the return of the mighty Vulcan, which will fill the skies with its massive delta wing and thunderous noise. We also have aerobatic display teams, and a variety of other historic jets visiting, such as the Canberra, Hunter and the supersonic Sea Vixen. Of course no Air Day at Culdrose would be complete without the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm attending in force. Demonstrating the versatility and adaptability of maritime helicopters, the Lynx, Merlin and Sea Kings will be put through their paces, while the nimble Hawks of 736 Naval Air Squadron will show off their agility and speed.”

Advance tickets at a reduced price (£14 for adults, £5 for children and £35 for families – children under 5 are free) are now on sale online (www.ticketzone.co.uk), by phone (08444 99 99 55) and over the counter through the following outlets:

• Bodmin Visit Information Centre
• Fal River Tourist Information Centre
• Hayle Tourist Information Centre
• Liskeard Information Centre
• Lostwithiel Tourist Information Centre
• Newquay Tourist Information Centre
• Padstow Tourist Information Centre
• Perranporth Information Centre
• Plymouth (Barbican) Tourist Information Centre
• St Austell Tourist Information Centre
• St Ives Visit & Information Centre
• Truro Information Centre
• Helston Community Centre
• Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Gweek
• Heathercraft, Helston
• Pictures and Things, Helston

All advance ticket holders will automatically enter into a prize draw and the owner of the ticket number picked at random, will get the chance to visit the Royal Navy’s Sea King Simulator and take the controls of a helicopter similar to those currently serving overseas. The multi-million pound, state-of the-art Simulator is used to train aircrew for their overseas deployments and is not usually open to members of the public – this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

*One ticket holder plus one guest only will be allowed entry to the simulator and at least one person must be aged 18 years, or over. See www.culdroseairday.com for more details.