HRH The Princess Royal Attends Aerospace Bristol Gala Dinner

HRH Princess Royal at Concorde50 Gala Dinner

Filton, Bristol, April 9, 2019: Aerospace Bristol, a family visitor attraction that is home to the last Concorde ever to fly, has celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of Concorde’s first British flight with a dinner kindly attended by HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of the museum.

Delivered in partnership with Airbus, the Concorde50 gala dinner was held under the wings of the supersonic passenger jet in Aerospace Bristol’s Concorde Hangar, on the edge of the historic Filton Airfield. It was from there that Concorde first took to the skies from British soil on 9th April 1969, and landed for the final time on 26th November 2003.

Fittingly, it was the pilot of that final flight, Captain Les Brodie, who returned to the Flight Deck and – as Her Royal Highness and distinguished guests looked on – operated the controls to lower and raise Concorde’s droop nose and activate her landing lights. The manoeuvre was possible thanks to careful restoration work by Aerospace Bristol’s Conservation team and volunteers, with Concorde smoothly returning to motion as if waking for the first time since touching down more than 15 years ago.

Professor Iain Gray CBE, Chair of Aerospace Bristol, said “I am most grateful to Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Patron of Aerospace Bristol, for so kindly accepting our invitation to join us in celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of Concorde. The iconic Concorde was an engineering marvel, developed far ahead of its time by talented engineers working on the cutting- edge of 1960s technology. Through our exhibition, inspiring workshops for schools, and Concorde50 events, it is this spirit of innovation that Aerospace Bristol aims to ignite in the engineers of the next fifty years and beyond, encouraging the young people of today to develop the big ideas of tomorrow.”

Katherine Bennett, Senior Vice President Airbus, said: “Concorde has a special place in Airbus’ heart and history. Many of its innovations, from electronic flight controls to anti-skid braking systems, helped inform future aircraft designs. We also maintained the aircraft at Filton for more than 10 years after its final flight.

“To see the aircraft once again at the centre of celebration, helping inspire the next generation of engineers, is fantastic, particularly as we are fast approaching Airbus’ own 50 year milestone which is a celebration of everyone who has the courage to bold and improve things, just as Concorde did.”

Aerospace Bristol will continue its Concorde anniversary celebrations with a series of Concorde50 events taking place throughout the year. The first public moves of Concorde’s droop nose will take place on Saturday 13th April 2019 at 11am and 1pm. An Aerospace Bristol ticket is required and further details can be found at www.aerospacebristol.org.

NATO Anniversary to be Celebrated at RAF Cosford Air Show

Slovak Air Force LET-410

With just two months to go until this year’s RAF Cosford Air Show, tickets are selling faster than ever before and visiting Air Forces continue to confirm their participation in the Midlands’ largest one-day event.

Today, the Air Show organisers announced that the Slovak Air Force will be participating in the Air Show for the first time and they will be sending one of their LET-410 transport aircraft for static display on Sunday 9th June. This will be on display in a special area dedicated to celebrating 70 years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), alongside other NATO aircraft such as a Belgian SF.260M and German Sea Lynx. In total, six nations have already confirmed their attendance to the Air Show, with more expected to notify of their plans in the coming weeks.

One of the key themes for this year’s show is celebrating the NATO 70th anniversary. In 1949, the United States and 11 other Western nations formed NATO, with its membership growing larger over the course of the Cold War era. Now an Alliance that consists of 29 independent member countries, its purpose is to guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means.

Air Show Operations Manager, Mr Peter Reoch, said, “We’re grateful to the Slovak Air Force for supporting the RAF Cosford Air Show 2019 with this interesting aircraft, which will be a great addition to our NATO celebration.”

With the Air Show fast approaching, and with no tickets available at the gate, those wishing to attend are being encouraged to purchase their tickets soon. Air Show tickets, priced £29.00, are currently available from the Air Show website www.cosfordairshow.co.uk and RAF Museums at Cosford and Hendon, as well as selected Tourist Information Centres. Accompanied under-16s enter the Air Show for free, making the event a great value family day out.

Concorde’s 50th anniversary celebrated by cavalcade of Bristol Cars & Buses

Bristol Buses

Over 150 passengers travelled from Aerospace Bristol to the Fleet Air Arm Museum on board classic buses and cars

Filton, Bristol, April 9, 2019: Today marks 50 years since the first test flight of a British-made Concorde was completed – flying from Filton Airport to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, a journey taking just 22 minutes but changing the course of aviation history.

To celebrate the anniversary, Aerospace Bristol – the museum that is now home to the last Concorde ever to fly – and the Fleet Air Arm Museum – home to Concorde 002, which first took to the skies 50 years ago today – teamed up to organise a nostalgic journey across the West Country.

Over 150 people visited Concorde Alpha Foxtrot at Aerospace Bristol this morning, before boarding Bristol Buses and Cars and travelling to Yeovilton, where they visited Concorde 002.

The two museums give visitors the opportunity to discover more about the world’s most famous aircraft, from the people behind its initial forays to the edge of space and record-breaking speeds, to the experience for passengers and even the food served on-board.

Aerospace Bristol tells the story of Bristol’s aviation and engineering heritage – from the first powered flights through to the modern day – including how Bristol diversified into the automobile industry and produced the cars and buses that formed the cavalcade today.

The museum will be celebrating Concorde50 throughout the year, with special events taking place around its star attraction Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, the last Concorde ever to fly. Upcoming events include:

9th April: Meet Concorde pilot Captain Colin Morris
13th April: The first public move of Concorde Alpha Foxtrot’s ‘droop nose’
16th April: A talk on the life of a Concorde pilot, with Captain Tim Orchard
20th April: Special tours to mark 40 years since Concorde Alpha Foxtrot’s maiden flight

www.aerospacebristol.org

First to the Fastest opens at Brooklands Museum

First to the Fastest at Brooklands

Opening 8th April 2019…

Alcock and Brown’s non-stop crossing of the Atlantic in a Brooklands-built Vickers Vimy in June 1919 was a significant moment in aviation history. Just sixteen years earlier the first ever powered flight was made by the Wright Brothers in 1903, followed by the flight trials of A.V. Roe at Brooklands in 1907. Fifty years later, in 1969, Atlantic flights had become routine but to celebrate that great endeavour and spirit of Alcock and Brown’s ground-breaking crossing, a new air race was staged. It showcased how far and fast aviation had changed with innovation at the heart of the race.

Both races were launched by the Daily Mail who put up the prize money but in ’69, the rules were even more ambitious: the race began and ended at check-in stations on the public viewing platform on the 33rd floor viewing platform of the Post Office Tower in London and the 86th floor of New York’s Empire State Building. Journeys had to be made on any of the eight days between 4th and 11th May and could be attempted more than once though only in the same direction and with the same modes of transport. It was open to professionals and enthusiasts and because it was almost certain that a military aircraft would record the fastest time, eighteen different categories of prizes were offered including one for the ‘most meritorious and ingenious’ non-winning entry. The Daily Mail race organisers clearly wanted to put some fun and excitement back into flying.

This exhibition will explore how Alcock and Brown achieved their amazing feat in the wider context of what was happening at Brooklands during a time when flight was still in its infancy. The rapidity of the technological advancements made in aviation will also be explored by discovering how, just fifty years later, it was possible to get from the heart of London to the centre of New York in just under seven hours. At the centre of this exhibition will be Brooklands Museum’s replica Vimy (which, itself, has flown across the Atlantic, to Australia and South Africa) and the Harrier GR1 XV741, which achieved the fastest time to New York from St. Pancras in London in the 1969 race. These stories are told using archive footage, historic imagery and personal accounts to bring this incredible episode in aviation history to life, celebrating the role that Brooklands played in achieving what was often seen as the impossible.

Entry to the exhibition is included in the general admission price.

Visit: www.brooklandsmuseum.com for all up to date event and Museum information.

RAF Aircraft showcased at RAF Cosford Air Show Media Launch

RAF Chinook by Airscene

Today’s Media Launch of the RAF Cosford Air Show 2019 revealed further details of this spectacular annual event. The Air Show organisers were excited to announce the iconic Chinook helicopter will be performing in the skies over Shropshire on Sunday 9th June, and the RAF Chinook Display Team was present at the Media Launch.

The Royal Air Force has one of the largest fleet of CH-47 Chinook helicopters in the world, primarily used for troop movements, resupply, and battlefield casualty evacuation. However, despite its size, the Chinook is an extremely agile aircraft and the flying display will showcase its incredible manoeuvrability to Air Show visitors.

Also on hand at the Media Launch, Flt Lt Jim Peterson from 29 Squadron talked about the Eurofighter Typhoon’s display sequence, which he will be performing at the Air Show demonstrating the aircraft’s speed, agility and power.

The display pilots for the Tutor and Tucano were also present today. Both aircraft will be performing in the flying display in June.

The RAF Cosford Air Show will also be one of the few UK opportunities this year to see the world-famous Red Arrows performing their thrilling show before they depart for a tour of North America.

As well as dazzling displays in the air, there will also be an array of aircraft on static display across the airfield on Sunday 9th June, allowing visitors to get up close and even climb into some of the cockpits. A full list of British and overseas aircraft coming on 9th June is available on the show website, www.cosfordairshow.co.uk, more aircraft will be announced over the coming weeks.

The sell-out centenary RAF Cosford Air Show 2018 raised £189,000 which will be donated to the RAF100 appeal and local charities, to further support and encourage those who are involved with the Royal Air Force and the local community.

With the Air Show fast approaching, and with no tickets available at the gate, those wishing to attend are being encouraged to purchase their tickets soon. Air Show Tickets, priced £29.00, are currently available from the Air Show website and RAF Museums at Cosford and Hendon, as well as selected Tourist Information Centres. Accompanied under-16s enter the Air Show for free, making the event a great family day out.

The primary focus of the RAF Cosford Air Show is to give visitors the opportunity to engage with the Royal Air Force, and to better understand the work they do, not only in the West Midlands and the United Kingdom, but across the world. Air Show Chairman Wing Commander Jamie Thompson, said “RAF Cosford Air Show is a fantastic opportunity for the public to see what goes on behind the scenes on an operational Royal Air Force base. We are delighted that the Chinook Display Team will be joining us as it is a great addition to the Air Show line-up.”

Harrier 50th Anniversary event at Newark Air Museum

Sea Harrier at Newark Air Museum

Harrier 50th Anniversary event
Sunday 14th April 2019

On Sunday 14th April, 2019, the day after its Indoor Aeroboot / Aerojumble Sale, the Newark Air Museum is hosting an event to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Harrier entering British military service back in April 1969.

This Harrier Day event has attracted visiting Harrier cockpits and Harrier related displays to the museum’s site here in north eastern Nottinghamshire. Here they will join the museum’s Sea Harrier ZA176 and VTOL (Vertical Take Off & Landing) test-bed aircraft Meteor FR9 VZ608, to help illustrate Nottinghamshire’s part in the VTOL Story.

The event will also include participation by Harrier and Sea Harrier veterans (air and ground crew); visiting authors; model displays; aviation artists. Visiting displays confirmed for the event include:

Mainly Military Model display
John Cox & museum – Falklands book of remembrance & scrapbook
Newark Air Museum model display – AV-8B and associated aircraft models
Airfield Research Group display
Harrier related sales stall
Phil Jarvis – Harrier GR.7 Simulator, ex RAF Wittering
Bikini Sate – Newark Air Museum re-enactors
Richard Scarborough – Harrier GR.3 & possible Sea Harrier cockpit & display
Dave Wright – Harrier GR.3 cockpit XZ138
Andy Godfrey – Harrier & VTOL artwork
Andy Ward – Large Model display
Nick Greenall & Harrier Special Interest Group – Display of about 50 detailed Harrier scale models
Martyn Steele & Ian Hodgkiss – Harrier GR.3 instrument panel; selection of Harrier stick grips
Gary O’Keefe & Al Partington – Harrier miscellany
Stephen Dring – 3D display/sales
Hucknall Flight Test Museum – Flying Bedstead model, display and videos
Harrier Preservation Group – model & display

Confirmed reunion attendees from the following:

Harrier Types
GR.1; GR.3; GR.3A; GR.7; GR.7A; GR.9; T.10; T.12

Harrier Squadrons
1(F) Sqn; 3 Sqn; IV (AC) Sqn; 20(R) Sqn

RAF Bases
RAF Gutersloh; RAF Wildenrath; RAF Wittering
The event is open to the general public and normal museum admission rates apply:
Adults £9.00, Over 65s £8.00, Children £4.50 and Family ticket [2 adults & 3 children] £24.00.

Opening times; 10am to 5pm; last admission 4pm.

Full event details and updated exhibit lists can be found on the News & Information page of the museum website: www.newarkairmuseum.org

Headliners announced for D-Day 75 event

D-Day at Solent Airport

Organisers of D-Day 75 in Fareham are delighted to announce some high-flying headline acts for a weekend event to commemorate the special anniversary.

The Great War Display Team will take to the skies over Fareham in replica World War One aircraft and the Round Canopy Display Team will do a parachute display at the Solent Airport event.

The World’s only wing walker display team, the AeroSuperBatics, will perform and a spitfire G-Spit will carry out a flypast before joining a P51 mustang for a static display during the special event on Saturday 8 June and Sunday 9 June.

The Round Canopy Display Team will be at the event on Saturday, but all the other acts will perform on both days – and there’s more acts still to confirm, which Fareham Borough Council will announce in due course.

Tickets go on sale on Monday 25 March and reflect the family-friendly focus of the event with a ticket option that includes unlimited free funfair rides and children’s activities.

A family ticket (two adults, two children) bought in advance is £25 for one day or £40 for the weekend; adult tickets are £8 each day or £15 for both and all-inclusive children £8 for one day or £12 for both. Under 2s go free. Concessions and non-inclusive children’s tickets are also available.

A total of 7,000 tickets will be available for each day with tickets expected to sell out fast, so people are advised to get them early.
Aircraft is the focus of the event and Solent Airport at Daedalus is the perfect place to mark the occasion. It was the busiest airport in the UK on D-Day with more than 400 aircraft movements – the largest number from any UK airbase.

Tickets can be bought in advance from Ferneham Hall, online and at the Control Tower at Solent Airport. Free parking permits can be requested when buying tickets and will be issued on a first-come first-served basis.

Children’s activities will include a fun fair, face painting, craft activities, character walkabouts and a vintage car display. Arena events will include a display from the children’s motorcycle display Green Rockets team, historical re-enactments, marching bands and music from the D-Day era.

To mark the event, a special D-Day memorial plaque will be unveiled by the Mayor of Fareham on Saturday 8 June.

A range of market stalls and food and drink stalls will be at the event and families can also bring their own picnics and use designated seating areas.

Chairman of the Daedalus Steering Group, Cllr Trevor Cartwright, said: “We are delighted to be able to announce such amazing headline acts for our special D-Day 75 event. The skies will be full of incredible aircraft and parachutes – it will be a real sight.

“Tickets are now on sale and we’ve had so many enquiries that we’re expecting them to sell fast. We only have a limited number of tickets, so don’t delay in getting them.

“This is going to be an incredible event which will be remembered for years to come so come along and join in the fun celebrations.”

Further details are available at: http://www.fareham.gov.uk/leisure/out_and_about_in_fareham/dday75.aspx

Stunning line-up of iconic RAF Aircraft join the RAF Cosford Air Show flying display

RAF Cosford Air Show Typhoon

A number of star attractions today confirmed their attendance at the RAF Cosford Air Show, all set to wow the crowds as part of the flying displays on Sunday 9th June.

The awesome power and agility of the RAF’s Typhoon will be showcased in the flying display. The Typhoon is the Royal Air Force’s primary air defence fighter protecting UK skies, as well as reinforcing NATO in the Baltic and Black Sea regions.

Another Air Show highlight from the Royal Air Force will be the distinctive demonstration of freefall and canopy skills from the RAF Falcons, the UK’s premier military parachute display team.

The well-known Grob Tutor T1 will also display its aerobatic skills above the airfield. Tutors are no stranger to the skies over Shropshire as they are based in RAF Cosford with the University of Birmingham Air Squadron, but their Air Show display will be sure to show off their impressive aerobatic capabilities.

We are delighted to confirm there will once again be an iconic display from the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. This classic trio of a Hurricane, Spitfire and Lancaster is always an evocative display and a special addition to the already impressive line-up.

Lastly, making its swansong display, the Tucano T1 will return to the RAF Cosford Air Show for the first time since 2014. This aircraft has been used by the RAF to provide basic training for fast jet pilots and retires from service later in 2019 after 30 years.

Air Show Director, Mr Clive Elliott, said, “We’re thrilled to be offering such a diverse array of aircraft as part of our six-hour flying display, showcasing the best of the Royal Air Force in the skies above RAF Cosford, the Home of RAF Engineering.”

The RAF Cosford Air Show is an advance ticket-only event, with last year’s event completely selling out in the week prior to the show. Tickets are on sale at www.cosfordairshow.co.uk and will be available from a selection of Tourist Information Centres from the beginning of April.

Red Arrows to Headline Farewell Wings & Wheels this Father’s Day

Red Arrows by Mike Rivett

(image by Mike Rivett)

Wings & Wheels is delighted to confirm the Red Arrows will be headlining the air display on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th June (Father’s Day) as the team returns for the fifteenth and final airshow at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.

The Wings & Wheels team has taken the decision to celebrate and go out on a high in their old June spot and bid farewell with the nine-aircraft formation, officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, taking centre stage.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director comments: “It is a special year, tinged with sadness, as we celebrate returning to our original June spot for our fifteenth event having made the decision to make this our last but greatest show. We are thrilled the Red Arrows will be headlining Wings & Wheels before heading off on their North America tour over the summer. It has not been an easy decision to say goodbye to Wings & Wheels but, like other airshows, it has been challenging to keep putting on the best airshow we can in the current aviation and economic climate. We hope all our loyal visitors will join us in our final hurrah – we are going to make it a good one!”

The role that is at the heart of the Red Arrows is to inspire people of all backgrounds and ages through a display of speed, agility and teamwork. Just like those personnel at other Royal Air Force units, the 120 people who make up the entire Red Arrows team are highly-skilled individuals who are all motivated in the pursuit of excellence.

Flying the distinctive Hawk jets, which flew off the production line at Dunsfold Aerodrome in 1974 in the hands of the late Duncan Simpson, the Hawk is the Royal Air Force’s advanced trainer and has been used by the Red Arrows since 1979. The squadron is renowned across the world for displaying in the British-built fast-jets.

The first half of the Red Arrows’ display consists of synchronised, formation aerobatics, followed by a more dynamic second half. Reds 1 to 5 form the front section of the team’s formation, known as Enid, and Reds 6 to 9 make up the rear part, called Gypo. The Synchro Pair, Reds 6 and 7, perform the highly-popular opposition manoeuvres during this latter section of the show. During a display, Red 10 acts as the team’s Supervisor who maintains two-way radio contact with the Team Leader. He also provides the commentary.

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy other air displays in a five hour show, accompanied by witty and knowledgeable commentary from aviation experts and display pilots. More display announcements will be made in April.

The ‘Wings’ of the event would not be complete without a close-up inspection of all the weekend’s visiting aircraft including Dunsfold’s resident Boeing 747 in the ‘Wings Park’, the Brooklands VC10 and Aces High DC3, all open for tours.

Supercars and classic and vintage icons put on an awe-inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a 2 hour auto spectacular. The ‘Wheels’ of the show includes displays from McLaren 12C, Lamborghini Aventador Roadster and Huracan, Pagani Zonda, Ferrari California T, Aston Martin Rapide, Dodge Monaco, TVR Tasmin 280i, Ducati Multistrada 1200s, Ferrari F355 Berlinetta, Ford GT40 and Lotus Elise. Visit the Wheels Zone with a bigger and better crowd line parade and interactive displays from car and motorbike clubs.

The Military Zone & Parade is interactive and explosive bringing re-enactors in a living history zone and our popular military vehicle parade. The Zone has over 80 military vehicles, six re-enactment groups, tank rides, as well as the history of Dunsfold Aerodrome and Army, Navy and RAF recruitment stands for everyone’s enjoyment.

Sid’s Zone is an action packed free area for the little ones. From 10:00 until 16:00 the kids can join in with colouring competitions, arts and crafts, paper plane challenges, face painting and the popular Sid’s Trail which encourages the whole family to search the arena for questions and answers to win a goody bag. Meet and greets with show mascot Siddeley and the display pilots are not to be missed.

The excitement and anticipation doesn’t stop at the main displays as the 32 acre public arena is bursting with a huge variety of interactive attractions containing all you need for a great family day out. The show arena boasts go-karts, kit-plane demonstrations, aviation and motoring simulators, military outlets and displays, static aircraft, fairground and over 80 retail outlets selling a wide variety of products and gifts. Shopping in the arena includes a craft marquee full of tempting tea time treats to take home and craft gifts and a vintage village.

As the last plane touches down the party starts across the arena with musical evening entertainment from Champagne at the Blitz, a 1940s songbird trio armed with smooth harmonies, seamed nylons and lots and LOTS of red lippy!

Taking the hassle out of your day the show includes added extras to make your experience even more enjoyable; over 18 fixed-price catering outlets, two 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 15th annual Wings & Wheels will be held on Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th June 2019, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 20:00.

Advanced rate tickets from £24 for adults or £55 for a family. Single child tickets (for children aged 5 – 15) will be £8. Children under 5 go free. Hospitality packages start from £199 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.

Red Arrows confirm their return to the RAF Cosford Air Show 2019

Red Arrows

The RAF Cosford Air Show is thrilled to announce that the RAF Red Arrows will be headlining the flying display on Sunday 9th June.

The Red Arrows team is one of the world’s premier aerobatic display teams, famous for the patriotic red, white and blue smoke. Officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (RAFAT), the team is made up of pilots, engineers and essential support staff with frontline, operational experience. Flying with nine distinctive Hawk T1 jets, they represent the speed, agility and precision of the RAF and act as ambassadors for the United Kingdom, promoting the best of British.

The RAF Cosford Air Show will be one of the few opportunities to see them performing their thrilling show across UK skies this year. This summer, the Red Arrows will display at several US air shows and areas with strong UK links – the first time they have done so in more than a decade.

Air Show Director, Mr Clive Elliott, said, “We’re excited to be welcoming the Red Arrows, once again, to the RAF Cosford Air Show this summer. They are always one of the most spectacular displays and I’m sure they will be a highlight of the day for all of our visitors.”

The RAF Cosford Air Show is an advance ticket-only event, with last year’s event completely selling out in the week prior to the show. Tickets are on sale at www.cosfordairshow.co.uk and will be available from a selection of Tourist Information Centres from the beginning of April.