Aircraft from Turkey, Belgium and Draken Europe at RIAT24

RIAT Viper

This week we are unveiling assets from the Turkish Air Force, Belgian Air Force and Draken Europe to join the RIAT24 line-up.

A highlight for aviation enthusiasts will be the participation of a pair McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II on static display, coming from the Turkish Air Force as part of our NATO 75th anniversary theme. In addition, for the first time in six years, the Turkish Air Force will be sending their SOLOTÜRK demo, with their Lockheed Martin F-16C Fighting Falcon, to perform in the flying display.

Joining them in our celebration of the F-16’s 50th anniversary, we have a further F-16 to join the ‘Viper Line’ on static display, with a F-16AM courtesy of the Belgian Air Component.

Finally, a further two civilian aircraft for static display, with a L-159 Honey Badger and a Falcon 20, both coming from Draken Europe.

www.airtattoo.com

Objects gifted to Newark by the RAF Museum

Yellow Sun at Newark

Following a short meeting on 9th April 2024, the ownership title of several objects that had been on long-term loan from the Royal Air Force Museum (RAFM), were formally transferred over to the Newark Air Museum [NAM].

These items comprised of: A Rolls-Royce R.B.108 engine and jet pipe; a Yellow Sun bomb casing; and a Fireflash Missile and trolley. Some of these items have been displayed at NAM’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire, close to the border with Lincolnshire, for more than fifteen years.

The generous donation was made as part of ongoing discussions between the two organisations, about a range of subjects. It follows a similar donation of the Lockheed TriStar simulator from the RAFM, back in autumn 2015, which is now displayed in Hangar 2 at the museum.

“The museum trustees are grateful to the RAF Museum for donating these objects to the museum,” commented Newark Air Museum Trustee, Colin Savill. He concluded, “Such donations illustrate the benefits of our Accredited Museum status, and we look forward to the possibility of working with the Royal Air Force Museum to explore similar loans and donations in the future.”

An additional comment has also been made by Dr Harry Raffal, Head of Collections and Research, RAF Museum. “The Royal Air Force Museum is proud to be gifting these objects to Newark Air Museum with the knowledge that we are sharing the RAF story and making it more accessible to people across the country. We look forward to continuing to develop our relationship and working together to inspire new generations.”

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Hungary and Jordan display teams with Qatar on static at RIAT24

RIAT Falcons

This week we’re pleased to announce the return of two popular favourites for the flying display at RIAT24, in the form of the SAAB JAS-39C Gripen of the Hungarian Air Force and the Royal Jordanian Falcons display team.

In addition, as part of our theme celebrating 50 years of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, we’re very excited that the Royal Jordanian Air Force will be sending us a pair of their jets to RIAT for the first time, with one F-16AM and one F-16BM. They’ll also be sending a C-130H Hercules to accompany them on static display.

Finally, the Qatar Emiri Air Force will be showing two of their BAE Systems manufactured aircraft on static display, with a Typhoon and Hawk, in addition to their NH90 helicopter and the large Boeing C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft.

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Patrouille Suisse and German Air Force set to attend RIAT24!

Patrouille Suisse at RIAT

In what is their only planned UK appearance this year, we are delighted to announce Switzerland’s elite Patrouille Suisse display team are heading to RAF Fairford with their colourful F-5E Tiger II jets this summer.

Also participating in the flying display, a first-time attendee in the shape of the German Air Force’s Eurofighter solo display. Furthermore, also from Germany, we also have an Airbus A400M in a solo flying display, in what will be an eye-catching display of this large transport aircraft.

On the ground, under our operational theme of Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space, we’re very excited to be welcoming a Panavia Tornado from the German Air Force’s special Flight Test unit, WTD 61. Other German aircraft on static display include their unique A319 ‘Open Skies’ jet, mighty CH-53 helicopter and another Tornado.

Celebrating 75 years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), we have one of their Boeing E-3A Sentry aircraft attending, performing a flypast on Friday and then on static display over the weekend.

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Red Arrows to Thrill Crowds at the RAF Cosford Air Show with Diamond Season Display

RAF Cosford Air Show Red Arrows

The RAF Cosford Air Show are thrilled to announce that the Red Arrows will return on Sunday 9th June 2024. The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, more commonly referred to as ‘The Red Arrows,’ will be performing a brand-new display in the skies above Cosford as part of their 60th Diamond Season celebrations.

A capacity crowd of 55,000 people attended the Air Show in 2023 and organisers are promising more excitement in the air and on the ground for 2024.

The Red Arrows formed in 1964, and have since performed almost 5,000 shows in over 57 countries. Celebrating their 60th ‘Diamond’ Anniversary in 2024, a new nine-aircraft show is part of plans for the milestone season.

Squadron Leader Chris Wilson said: ‘We’re so pleased to confirm today that the Red Arrows will be returning to Cosford this year. As a crowd favourite, the Red Arrows always thrill audiences with their jaw-dropping displays.

‘Performing in their brand-new livery for 2024, the Red Arrows’ display routine will feature manoeuvres not seen for a generation.

‘It’s exciting that the display team will be back as a nine-ship display this year, performing the Red Arrows’ trademark Diamond Nine formation in their diamond year, bringing back an iconic shape not seen since 2021.

‘We can’t wait for audiences to experience this very special display and we’re looking forward to welcoming the Red Arrows’ to Cosford again this year.’

Tickets for the RAF Cosford Air Show are now on sale and can be purchased at www.CosfordAirShow.co.uk/Tickets

Newark Air Museum Outdoor Aeroboot Aviation & Avionics Sale

Newark Aeroboot

Saturday 13th April, 2024

The next Newark Air Museum Outdoor Aeroboot / Aerojumble Sale at the museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire takes place on Saturday 13th April, 2024. This charity fund raising event has attracted interest from a wide range of sellers across the UK and is taking place alongside the quarterly meeting of Aviation Heritage UK (formerly known as BAPC).

The funds that the museum raises from organising the event will be used to support the development of facilities at its Gateway Aviation Site, which is located in eastern Nottinghamshire close to the Lincolnshire border.

More than thirty (30) sellers, who come from around the UK have pre-booked selling spaces on the wide expanses of our Southfield Site, close to the aircraft display line and the museum café.

Buyers / visitors who attend this fund raising event will have the opportunity to search through a varied selection of aviation and avionic items: including books, paintings, prints, DVDs, plastic kits, die-cast models, clothing, radio equipment and a wide range of aircraft parts.

Normal museum admission rates will apply: Adults £11.00, Over 65s £10.00, Children £5.50 and Family ticket [2 adults & 3 children] £30.00.

The museum opening times will be 09.00 to 17.00 hours; with the sale taking place between 09.00 and 14.00 hours; to get the best bargains we suggest that you get there early.

Further details are available on the Events Page of the museum website www.newarkairmuseum.org or by telephoning 01636 707170.

Introducing aircraft from Canada and Slovenia

RIAT Spartan

Aircraft celebrating Slovenia and Canada make up this week’s announcement with debutants and an award-winning display heading to RAF Fairford.

A pair of Pilatus PC-9Ms will be joining us this summer, which includes demo pilot Lt Fiorelli’s popular display which won Best International Flying Demonstration at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in 2017 and 2015, with the second aircraft on static. Sticking with the static line-up the Slovenians are also providing their C-27J Spartan, which is a first-time visitor to RAF Fairford.

Ahead of their 100th anniversary on Monday we have also announced some aircraft in recognition of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s centenary.

In special liveries, we have a De Havilland Vampire FB.52 and a Canada Chipmunk both on static from the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron and Shuttleworth Collection respectively.

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Newark Air Museum Chinook Update

Newark Air Museum Chinook

Following the arrival of BV Chinook HC.1, ZA717 from RAF Cranwell back in February 2018 Newark Air Museum became the first Accredited Independent museum in the UK to acquire and display a Royal Air Force (RAF) registered Chinook helicopter.

Since its arrival the museum staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to acquire missing airframe panels and structures from many normal disposal sources, including the original manufacturer.

Sadly, these efforts have been to no avail, so the museum’s resourceful volunteers have now started to fabricate missing and damaged items for the nose section and side sponsons on this unique Chinook rebuild project.

The majority of the damage that is being repaired was caused during a non-fatal flying incident on 25th July, 1989 that saw ZA717 ‘written-off’ at RAF Mount Pleasant, in the Falkland Islands. Having been transported back to the UK, ZA717 was later used at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire to train Aircrew Loadmasters in slinging techniques and load securing methods.
These ongoing repair and restoration works will soon be more visible as the museum is planning to reposition the Chinook and nearby Puma XW208 helicopter, to make them both more accessible. This move will also benefit the museum’s long-term plan to use ZA717 as an interactive education space / resource for visiting groups of school children, Scouts, Cubs, Beavers and Air Training Corps (ATC) cadets.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

More NATO aircraft revealed!

RIAT NATO

The Swedish Air Force will return to RIAT with their SAAB JAS-39C Gripen to perform in the flying display, and in addition they’ll bring a JAS-39D Gripen for the static display.

Another returning aircraft will be the NH90 TTH of the German Army, appearing in both the flying and static displays, as part of our NATO 75th Anniversary theme. Their NH90 has been a popular display item for the last two years with it’s attractive camofluage livery, so we’re pleased to be welcoming them back to RAF Fairford this summer.

A rare addition to the static displays comes in the form of a Bréguet Alizé. Now operated in civilian hands, the type flew with the French Navy for many years in the anti-submarine warfare role. This will be the first time we’ve seen an Alizé at RIAT in over 20 years, and the plan is that the aircraft will arrive on Friday afternoon, then be on static display over the weekend as part of our NATO 75th Anniversary theme.

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Cleaners embark on a high-flying mission!

Cleaning at RAF Museum Midlands

When the suspended aircraft at the Royal Air Force Museum Midlands need a spring clean, it calls for a specialist team of dustbusters with a head for heights to carry out the work!

Suspended from the ceiling, up to 100ft in the air, eight aircraft including a Vulcan bomber, will all be given a light dusting this week as part of the annual clean and inspection. Other aircraft being spruced up include a Canberra, Meteor, Sabre, Hunter, Lightning, Dakota and Javelin.

Strapped into harnesses and with nerves of steel, the specialist cleaning team climb the rafters of the building and abseil down to access the aircraft. No cleaning solutions are used on the aircraft, just a good dusting using large soft fibre mops. In addition to cleaning the aircraft, the team will also be inspecting the suspension cables supporting the aircraft in their flying display positions.

Tom Hopkins, Curator at RAF Museum Midlands said:
‘The Museums commitment to preserving objects within our collection extends beyond mere display. It involves each aircraft and vehicle undergoing a regular inspection by our skilled Technicians and Volunteers. However, when it comes to the aircraft suspended from the ceiling of our National Cold War Exhibition, a unique challenge emerges. These iconic aircraft, reach up to 100 feet in places, and navigating such dizzying heights requires a specialist team equipped with the necessary skills and equipment.’

During the clean the Museum will remain open to visitors who can see the high-flying team from Rappel, industrial rope access specialists, in action.

The Museum’s National Cold War Exhibition features 19 aircraft, tanks, vehicles, models and memorabilia, and is the only place in the world where people can view all three British V-Bombers, the Vulcan, Victor and Valiant, together and under one roof.

The Museum is open daily from 10.00am and admission is free. Pre-book your arrival time online at www.rafmuseum.org/midlands.