Airscene News – Page 148 – Airshow and Aviation Museum news.

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

ACTION PACKED PROGRAMME AT COSFORD AIR SHOW

The latest announcements from the Cosford Air Show promise a thrilling new aspect to the flying display with role demonstrations from a host of military aircraft.

The RAF Sea King from HRH Prince William’s unit at RAF Valley will be working with the RAF Mountain Rescue team to provide a demonstration of the work done by the Search and Rescue teams. This is a unique opportunity to see winching operations at first hand and to meet members of the team on the ground afterwards.

The Tornado GR4 Role Demo will show how the RAF employs aircraft on operations in support of people on the ground. You can expect some loud bangs and the noise of aircraft in full re-heat with pyrotechnics being used to simulate various attack profiles.

More action comes from the Apaches of the Army Air Corps with their stunning attack helicopter role demonstration. The Army Apaches play a key role in Afghanistan and this display gives the public a taste of the skill shown by these front line pilots.

Other new announcements include a Lynx from the Royal Navy Helicopter display team The Black Cats and a welcome overseas visitor, the Augusta 109 from the Belgian Air Force with its special flying display. The line up of historic aircraft includes the Swordfish and Sea Fury of the Royal Navy Historic Flight and a selection of aircraft representing 100 years of the Central Flying School.

All of this alongside the Red Arrows, the Typhoon, the Blades, the RAF Falcons and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will make this year’s show one of the most exciting yet.

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

Best of British at Cosford Airshow

Cosford Air Show is set to be one of the highlights of the aviation year with a full line up of RAF aircraft just confirmed. As well as the Red Arrows and the RAF Falcons parachute display team there will be an opportunity for nostalgia in the Queen’s Jubilee year with a display from the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Other confirmed historic aircraft include the vintage pair of Meteor and Vampire.

For those hoping for some fast jet thrills both Typhoon and Tornado will be displaying their 2012 routines along with classic jets such as Gnats, the aircraft type once flown by the Red Arrows.

All-day ground entertainment includes something for all the family with a children’s funfair, an indoor craft fair, bands and exhibits and free entry to the RAF Museum. Many of the displays and exhibits are under cover, so whatever the British weather does there will be somewhere to go to get out of the rain or the sun!

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