Museum celebrates Armed Forces Day with concert and flypast

Armed Forces Day logo

Date: 25 June 2016

Time: 1.00pm and 2.15pm

Cost: FREE (Register at www.rafmuseum.org/cosford)

Flypast: Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Hurricane 3.20pm (weather permitting)

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford will once again celebrate the contributions made by Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, by hosting an orchestra concert and a Hurricane flypast on Saturday 25 June for Armed Forces Day.

The highly decorated Glebe Symphonic Winds Orchestra will be performing for veterans, serving personnel and visitors alike, in an hour long concert. This intimate musical performance will have a very British theme with classical pieces from Edward Elgar and Gustav Holst, mixed up with more modern music from Elton John and David Bowie!

The concert will take place in the museum’s National Cold War Exhibition Auditorium which seats 200 guests. As places are limited, the Glebe Symphonic Winds will be performing twice, at 1.00pm and again at 2.15pm, allowing up to 400 visitors to enjoy their harmonious renditions. Attendance to the concert is free of charge and anyone interested in attending is asked to pre-register now via the museum’s website in order to guarantee their place.

The annual Armed Forces Day is an opportunity to reflect and pay tribute to our heroes past and present, including current serving personnel, service families, veterans and cadets. In addition to performances from one of the UK’s leading orchestras, organisers have lined-up a flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Hurricane at 3.20pm (weather permitting). This icon of the Second World War will be flying overhead at Cosford and is sure to be popular with visitors young and old.

Abi Betteridge, RAF Museum Cosford Public Events Manager said:

“We are thrilled to be welcoming back the Glebe Symphonic Winds Orchestra for our Armed Forces Day event. Their performances truly have the wow factor and we are confident that visitors will have a memorable day. To top it off, we have a flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Hurricane which will be a real treat for our guests and all visitors to the Museum. Spaces to the concert are limited and are filling up fast, so we would advise anyone wanting to be part of the day to book soon.”

The museum’s on-site caterers Kudos will be offering all serving personnel and veterans a 20% discount off their Armed Forces Day lunch menu, on production of ID, which visitors can enjoy in the Refuel Restaurant overlooking the museum grounds.

To guarantee your place at the concert, book your ticket now via the museum website www.rafmuseum.org/cosford. Tickets on the day will be subject to availability. Guests are asked to arrive 10 minutes before the performance starts in order to be seated.

 

Lynx’s Air Day Farewell Finale

RN Black Cats by Peter Reoch

RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2016 will be the public’s last opportunity to see the Westland built Lynx maritime attack helicopters in action at their home event. The show’s Lynx Farewell salute includes two special flying items: an emotive formation flypast and one last Maritime Role Demo. Joining them in Air Day’s five hour flying display will be small ships’ helicopters past and present, depicting three generations of rotary capability at sea.

Equipping 815 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) – part of the Lynx Wildcat Maritime Force (LWMF) – the Lynx HMA8 is the sole ‘legacy’ Lynx model now left in Fleet Air Arm service.Introduced in the mid-1990s, it will be retired in March 2017. A poignant diamond four formation will open Air Day’s flying programme, as we pay tribute to this hard-working and much-deployed type. Later on, up to four Lynx aircraft will perform a final Role Demonstration. Involving fast-moving helicopters, troops and pyrotechnics, this will be an unmissable spectacle.

Operated by 825 NAS, the Wildcat HMA2 is the Lynx HMA8’s replacement. Based at RNAS Yeovilton, the squadron’s award-winning Royal Navy Black Cats helicopter display team has been taking the state-of-the-art new multi-mission helicopter out onto the airshow circuit since 2014. Always popular, the Black Cats’ very precise routine will again be an Air Day highlight.

Before the Lynx, anti-submarine/anti-surface warfare was the spritely Westland Wasp’s speciality. Royal Navy Wasps participated in 1982’s Falklands Conflict – a deployment that one privately-operated example’s markings now reflect. The 829 NAS-schemed Wasp HAS1 will give a lively solo display in the hands of owner Terry Martin.

Discounted advance tickets can be purchased at www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday until 27 June.

Air Show Hospitality Makes Perfect Present For Fathers Day

The RAF Cosford Air Show 2016, taking place on Sunday 19th June falls on Father’s Day, giving families everywhere the perfect way to spend the day. With a range of hospitality options available for all budgets the RAF Cosford Air Show is set to be an entertaining day for all.

The Frank Whittle Enclosure includes unbeatable views of the flying display from a dedicated and personal crowd line enclosure. Including your entry ticket, VIP parking, guaranteed seating along with a buffet lunch and afternoon tea the Whittle Enclosure is the perfect gift for Dads everywhere!

Marilyn Summers, Commercial Manager said, ‘With this year’s show being held on Father’s Day, it’s the perfect opportunity for the whole family to get together in one of our hospitality chalets where everything is organised for you so all you need to do is concentrate on spoiling Dad!’

Highlights of the flying display already confirmed include eternal favourites such as the RAF Red Arrows, inspiring historic aircraft including Spitfires, Hurricanes and Mustangs, thrilling jets such as the Sea Vixen, MiG-15 and Eurofighter Typhoon and an assortment of helicopter displays including the display debut of The Gazelle Squadron.

On the ground there’s plenty to see and do for the whole family; including four hangars full of exciting exhibitions from the UK armed forces and wider aerospace industry, the Vintage Village, static aircraft displays and of course funfair!

General Admission tickets for the RAF Cosford Air Show are available to purchase from selected Mid Counties Coops, the RAF Museum at RAF Cosford and Hendon, Midlands Air Museum in Coventry and on our website www.cosfordairshow.co.uk. Tickets are £25.00 per adult with accompanied children under 16 entering free.

New lecture will examine Britain’s tactical air power during the Second World War

Curtis Tomahawk

Date: 9 June 2016

Time: 6.30pm

Cost: FREE

The development of tactical air power in Britain during the early years of the Second World War will be the focus of a lecture taking place at the University of Wolverhampton next month. The lecture entitled ‘Tactical Air Power Development in Britain, 1940-1943′ will be presented by Dr Matthew Powell, an independent scholar and military history author. The lecture is a continuation of the joint partnership between the University’s Department of War Studies and the Royal Air Force Museum and takes place on Thursday 9 June 2016.

The history of Britain’s tactical air power development during the Second World War has largely neglected the work done by Army Co-operation Command. The Command was influential in developing the theoretical air support system used in the Western Desert, North Africa, and Europe and was responsible for trials conducted in the wake of the Battle of France, 1940. Working closely with the army’s School of Artillery, they also developed the Air Observation Post Squadron, used to great effect in several different theatres.

In this lecture, Dr Matthew Powell will discuss how the RAF had neglected the development of tactical air power during the inter-war period and how this decision impacted on their ability to provide this support when war broke out. The army’s experiences in the Battle of France and the subsequent investigations, which placed the blame firmly on the shoulders of the RAF, forced the hand of the RAF into taking tactical air power development more seriously. As a result, the RAF created the Army Co-operation Command, designed to be as toothless as possible while appearing to be what the Army wanted.

The lecture will explore the fast pace of tactical air power development during 1942, which led to discussions on a new formation: the Army Air Support Group (AASG) and the rise of Fighter Command in this field. Disputes between the Air and General Staffs over which command the AASG should be placed into ran for the entire summer and were eventually resolved by Winston Churchill, before the Army Co-operation Command was disbanded in 1943. Its replacement was however, an upgraded Army Co-operation Command with the responsibilities it had been denied during its existence.

Dr Ross Mahoney, RAF Museum Aviation Historian said:

“The RAF Museum is once again delighted to be working in conjunction with our colleagues at the University of Wolverhampton to bring the Trenchard Lectures in Air Power Studies to a wide audience. This lecture highlights the challenges the RAF faced in the realm of the development tactical air power with particular reference to the history of Army Co-Operation Command, a subject much understudied by historians.”

The Trenchard Lectures in Air Power Studies form part of the RAF Museum’s Research Programme for 2016. ‘Tactical Air Power Development in Britain, 1940-1943′ is the second of three joint lectures taking place at the University of Wolverhampton this year, also in partnership with the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Dr Peter Preston-Hough, from the University’s Department of War Studies, said:

“We’re delighted to be hosting this prestigious series of lectures, which promise to provide an interesting insight into this fascinating area of history. The University has a strong relationship with the RAF Museum and we look forward to continue to work closely with them on this prestigious lecture series.”

This FREE lecture will be held in the main lecture theatre (MC001) at the University of Wolverhampton at 6.30pm on Thursday 9 June. As spaces are limited, organisers advise visitors to book their tickets in advance via the museum’s website to avoid disappointment.

For further information about the museums research programme or to book your FREE ticket to the lecture, please visit the museum website www.rafmuseum.org/cosford.

Classic Jet Showcase at RAF Cosford Air Show

RAF Cosford MiG15

Organisers of the RAF CosfordAir Show today outlined plans for their theme showcasing the evolution of the jet engine, which will dominate the flying displays on Sunday 19th June.

The latest aircraft to be added to the flying display is a Folland Gnat, which was used by the RAF during the 1960s and 1970s for flying training and also for air displays by the world famous Red Arrows. The Gnat Display Team will be joined at the show by the Sea Vixen, a unique carrier-borne fighter of which only one example remains flying worldwide. Another jet appearing at the show is the Mikoyan-GurevichMiG-15UTi, a type never seen before at RAF Cosford. The MiG-15 is a cold war soviet fighter which is now operated by the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron to showcase the cold war ‘enemy’ of NATO. The MiG-15 is believed to have been one of the most widely produced jet aircraft ever made; in excess of 12,000 were manufactured.Of course, the Royal Air Force’s main combat jet, the Eurofighter Typhoon, will also be displaying as part of the jet engine theme to showcase the power and agility of the modern combat jets of today.

Peter Reoch, part of the Air Show Operations Team, said “Classic jets are always a crowd favourite, and we’re excited to have such a diverse array of them taking part in the flying display this year. With these exciting additions we’re reminding people that tickets for the air show will not be available to buy on the gate so they need to buy them soon to avoiding missing out!”

The Speed theme continues on the ground with rare experimental aircraft being rolled out from the RAF Museum to join the static aircraft exhibitions including the Bristol 188, Avro 707 and Fairey Delta II, which held the world airspeed record for a short time in 1956. There will also be an aircraft hangar dedicated to speed displays, including an exhibition of jet engines and displays detailing the life of Sir Frank Whittle, the British inventor of the jet engine.

Tickets for the RAF Cosford Air Show are available to purchase from selected Mid Counties Coops, the RAF Museum at RAF Cosford and Hendon, Midlands Air Museum in Coventry and on our website
www.cosfordairshow.co.uk. Tickets are £25.00 per adult with accompanied children under 16 entering free.

Important safety information in advance of The American Air Show this weekend

Ahead of The American Air Show, IWM Duxford has released some important safety information:

· IWM Duxford takes great care to ensure its air shows are as safe as possible for everyone involved.

· It is not safe to occupy the fields immediately south of the runway during the air show. If you do so you are putting yourself and the display pilots in harm’s way.

· In the event of an incident it is imperative that the emergency services have clear, unhindered access to the tracks across this land.

· There is no public access to these fields at any time.

Jointly issued by IWM Duxford, Cambridgeshire Constabulary and the owners of this land

www.iwm.org.uk

Its chocks away for the Spitfire 10K

RAF Museum 10k run

Date: 4 September 2016

Time: Race starts at 10am

Cost: Standard entry £22.50 per person (15 years & over)

Calling all runners….the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford needs you! Launching for the first time this September, the Spitfire 10K will give participants the unique opportunity to race across the airfield and down the runway at RAF Cosford, in an exclusive charity fun run!

Taking place on Sunday 4 September 2016, registration is now open for up to 700 runners to sign up and set themselves a new sporting challenge.

Taking-off from the museum’s Hangar 1, visitors will head outside and onto the airfield at RAF Cosford. Participants will run alongside the wartime hangars and past the air traffic control tower and of course, the race wouldn’t be complete without a sprint down the runway! The scenic route around the military airfield will take runners past several historic landmarks along the way, before passing the rifle range and then back onto the museum for a loop of the site on the final stretch towards the finish line. Upon completion, runners will be rewarded with a bespoke 2016 Spitfire 10K medal, a perfect and well-earned memento of their day.

With a flat, tarmac and grass terrain, the Spitfire 10K is suitable for keen runners and novices alike, so if you’re aged 15 and over why not give it a go? So whether you’ve been running for years, or you’re just getting into the sport for the first time, the race at Cosford is guaranteed to be a fun and memorable one.

Organisers are also encouraging participants to get into the spirit and don their best wartime attire. Or, why not sport a bespoke 2016 Spitfire 10K t-shirt, available to purchase when you register online. The Spitfire 10K will be a fun family day out and spectators are invited to cheer on their loved ones and show their support on the day at the start and finish line. Plus, following the race, visitors have the added bonus of being able to enjoy time wondering round the free museum, where they will find over 75 historical aircraft on display.

Runners can arrive from 9.00am onwards and it will be ready, steady….scramble at 10.00am sharp!

To register for the event visit the museum’s website www.rafmuseum.org/cosford. Entry costs £22.50 per person with proceeds going towards the RAF Museum (registered charity number 244708), to support work conserving and sharing the story of the RAF for current and future generations. Armed Forces Personnel and running clubs are eligible for the discounted entry fee of £20.50 per person. For further details about the event, visit the museum’s website or call 01902 376200.

French Navy Fast Jet Duo Set To Thrill Air Day Visitors

Yeovilton Air Day Rafale

French Navy fast jets will once again perform a spectacular role demonstration in Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton Air Day 2016’s flying display. Expected to be one of the star attractions, a pair ofRafaleM multirole fighters will demonstrate operational tactics during a fast-paced and thunderous routine that is sure to thrill Air Day’s anticipated 40,000-strong crowd on Saturday 2 July.

Once again, the French Navy’s appearance at a UK airshow flying display is exclusive to RNAS Yeovilton Air Day, demonstrating the close relationship between both navies.

The Rafale M is an outstandingly agile, Mach 1.8 (1,900 km/h) capable combat aircraft that equips two French Navy squadrons. In service since 2001, it has seen much frontline service including operations in Afghanistan and Libya. Air Day’s expected Rafale M duo will be supported by aan additional Rafale M as a spare and a Falcon 10MER transport and communications aircraft, appearingin the static display.

Air Day’s static display will also feature contributions from other NATO partner nations. They include a Belgian F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole fighter and Falcon 20E VIP transport aircraft, a first-footing Royal Netherlands Navy NH90 anti-submarine/anti-surface warfare helicopter and, from Germany, a Tornado strike aircraft and C-160 Transall tactical transporter.

Further display team, fast jet and historic aircraft participation news will be announced in due course. Discounted advance tickets can be purchased at www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday.

Légion d’Honneur to be Presented to 21 Normandy Veterans at Yorkshire Air Museum

Sunday 22nd May 12 Noon.

The Allied Air Forces Memorial & Yorkshire Air Museum is proud to announce that once again we have been requested by the French Embassy to host another regional ceremony to present the Légion d’ Honneur, the highest Military Honour the French Government can bestow, to 21 veterans of the Normandy “D-Day” Invasion campaign of June 1944. The Presentation will take place on Sunday 22nd May, commencing at 12 noon, in the impressive setting of the Yorkshire Air Museum’s Main Display Hangar, with the stunning visual backdrop of the WWII Halifax bomber, and other historic aircraft.

The Légion d’Honneur will be presented to the veterans on behalf of the French Government by the French Consul to Yorkshire, Mr Jeremy Burton and Colonel Bruno Cunat, who is the French Liaison Officer to the Ministry of Defence, based at RAF High Wycombe. The City of York Civic Party will be in attendance, along with representatives from the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

The Museum & Memorial has hosted three such ceremonies since April 2015, but this is by far the largest, with veterans attending from as far afield as Lincolnshire and Morpeth in Northumberland, and including Newcastle, Sunderland, Manchester, Leeds, York, Doncaster, Wetherby and Brighouse.

The veterans served with the Royal Navy, Army (various Battalions), Royal Artillery, Royal Marines, Royal Army Medical Corps and of course the Royal Air Force, making for a fascinating cross section of personnel gathering in one place, for a very special occasion.

Museum Director, Ian Reed, comments: “This is a historic and increasingly rare event with these very special people who represent a fast decreasing number of veterans from a period of our past history which still affects us to this day. From our experience, we know that this will be a very emotional time for all the veterans, as they remember many lost colleagues and friends, but a day also of pride, particularly for the many family members supporting them on this special day.”

http://www.yorkshireairmuseum.org

B-17 and Great War Team Leads an All-Star Century of Flying at Eastbourne Airshow

B-17 by Dan O'Hagan

Eastbourne Airshow is set to celebrate over a century of flying with the long anticipated return of the Flying Fortress and a large scale WW1 air display, both at this year’s free show from 11 – 14 August.

After a 15 year wait, Europe’s only flying B-17 Flying Fortress, Sally B, will make a welcome return for historic fans, while the Great War Display Team brings its first ever 10-ship display of WW1 aircraft to Eastbourne seafront.

The historic line-up joins the already popular RAF Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, King Air and the sky scraping Typhoon.

Fans can look forward to even more teams plotting their flight path direct to Eastbourne, including the Blenheim Bomber and firm family favourite, the heavy duty Chinook.

The addition of the Great War Display team will see Eastbourne’s first ever WW1 display on this scale, demonstrating 10 iconic aircraft in one sequenced display, from the early prototype Sopwith Triplane to a Fokker Dr1.

Eastbourne Borough Council Lead Cabinet Member for Tourism and Enterprise, Cllr Margaret Bannister said “Many new types of aircraft joined military service during the Great War in 1916 so this is the perfect time 100 years on, to commemorate the part they played in WW1, along with their pioneering influence on the aircraft and pilots of today.”

The Blades, Breitling Wingwalkers, Jet Provost duo, Mustang, Spitfire and The Tigers Parachute Display Team all make a welcome return, while Team Raven bring a new display to Eastbourne featuring a mix of RV-4 and RV-8 aircraft.

Flying the international flag, the B-25 Mitchell Bomber makes its first ever appearance from the Royal Netherlands Air Force Historical Flight, along with an Airbourne debut from the Belgian Bronco and the return of the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron Vampire and MiG 15.

Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow returns from 11 – 14 August with ground displays, military exhibition and pleasure flights, entry is free.

Sunday evening sees the fireworks return back to the traditional end of show finale, with a pyrotechnic twilight display from the Fireflies Aerobatic Display Team and music acts for the Airbourne Live stage announced soon.

For prime views or as a special treat, upgrade to first class hospitality in the Aviator Club or Cirrus Rooms from £70 per person, with exclusive dining and drinks on the lawns. Or reserve a spot in the exclusive seating area all day from just £10 per adult (£6 per child).

Opportunities are also available for businesses to support the show and receive exposure to hundreds of thousands attending, with sponsorship and partnership packages available.

To book hospitality, seating, exhibition space or sponsorship, visit www.eastbourneairshow.co.uk