Posts Tagged ‘2013’

Handley Page Hastings repaint at Newark Air Museum

Saturday, August 24th, 2013

Handley Page Hastings Newark Air Museum

The recent spell of reasonably settled weather has enabled the Newark Air Museum Restoration Manager and a small team of museum volunteers to make good progress with the restoration work on Handley Page Hastings TG517.

Most of the difficult to reach sections of the fuselage have now been cleaned, de-corroded and repainted. Work has also been completed on the undersides of the wings and is now underway on the engine nacelles, propeller sand upper wing surfaces.

The Handley Page Hastings TG517 was flown in to join the collection, landing on the runway at the former RAF Winthorpe airfield on 22nd June 1977 and is greatly valued part of the themed display of training aircraft at Newark Air Museum.

TG517 saw service during both the Berlin Airlift (Operation Plainfare) and the Icelandic Cod War (Operation Heliotrope). The aircraft is regularly opened to the public, where they can see the T5 equipment fit that it operated with at the RAF Bombing School at RAF Lindholme and then at RAF Scampton, where it trained Vulcan crew members to operate radar bomb-sight equipment mounted in the distinctive ventral radome.

Everyone at the museum is hoping for continued spells of good weather so the repaint can be completed before the winter months.

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/

Wings & Wheels set to soar through the airwaves

Sunday, August 18th, 2013

Wings & Wheels is excited to announce that we are teaming up with Eagle Extra over the Show weekend, Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August, to bring you all the latest traffic and travel news, Show stories and live commentary through the *New* Wings & Wheels Radio Station.

From 6am to 9pm we’ll be broadcasting on 87.9FM with Eagle Extra. Kim Robson will bring special reports from the aerodrome between 7am and 9am and then again at 5pm to 7pm chatting to drivers, pilots, participants in the arena and the Wings & Wheels Crew as she brings you exclusive behind the scenes interviews. Latest traffic and travel news will feature throughout the day as we help you to and from the Aerodrome.

From further afield you can listen to Eagle Extra available on 1566MW or http://www.eagleextra.co.uk where you’ll get all of the Airshow radio news, along with the best songs of all time.

Kim Robson, Eagle Extra comments: “I love Wings & Wheels and have been to the Show every year. To get to go behind the scenes and chat to everyone from pilots to drivers, the team who organize it and the visitors in an official capacity is really exciting. At Eagle Extra we’re also going to bring the most up to date traffic and travel news with focus on the immediate roads around the Aerodrome.”

Jamie McAllister, Event Director, comments: “Communicating with our visitors is really important so we’re delighted to be working in partnership with Eagle Extra to bring Wings & Wheels Radio to the Show this year. As well as exclusive behind the scenes interviews, the radio show will bring travel updates, Show information and commentary as it happens so we’d recommend all our visitors, on and off site, tune in.”

The 9th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th August 2013, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 20:00.

Tickets start from £20 for adults, £45 for a family (2 adults and 3 children aged 5 – 15yrs), £6 for children aged between 5 and 15yrs and under 5s are free. Hospitality packages start from £150 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.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2013 will be assisting fundraising efforts for Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Unique flypast by Boeing 747-8F at The Duxford Air Show on Saturday 7 September

Saturday, August 17th, 2013

Duxford 747 flypast

We are delighted to announce that a Boeing 747-8F, operated by Stansted Airport-based Global Supply Systems Limited and leased to British Airways World Cargo will be appearing at The Duxford Air Show on Saturday 7 September. This will be the debut air show appearance by a Boeing 747-8F in the UK.

The largest freighter aircraft on the British register, the Boeing 747-8F will make two flypasts at The Duxford Air Show. It will be a magnificent sight as it fills the skies over IWM Duxford.

David Curgenven, Head of Quality and Safety at Global Supply Systems Limited said: “We are delighted to be flying over The Duxford Air Show on Saturday 7 September and hope that visitors will be thrilled by the spectacle of the Boeing 747-8F as it overflies IWM Duxford’s historic airfield.”

David Curgenven, Head of Quality and Safety at Global Supply Systems Limited said: “We are delighted to be flying over The Duxford Air Show on Saturday 7 September and hope that visitors will be thrilled by the spectacle of the Boeing 747-8F as it overflies IWM Duxford’s historic airfield.”

The Boeing 747 carries around half of the world’s air freight. In November 2011, Global Supply Systems Limited became the first operator in the UK of the 747-8F, receiving the second and third aircraft in December 2011. All three aircraft went into service immediately after arrival at Stansted Airport.

Compared to passenger models of the aircraft, the upper deck is shorter, while the fuselage is stretched by 5.575 metres. It has a maximum take-off weight of 442,000 kg, with a maximum payload of 140,000 kgs. The aircraft can fly non-stop for 4,390miles.

David Curgenven says: “We carry everything from Formula One cars to live animals to outsize cargo such as wind turbine blades.”

Don’tmiss this rare opportunity to see the majestic Boeing 747-8F dominate the skies over IWM Duxford on Saturday 7 September at The Duxford Air Show.

Purchase your tickets for The Duxford Air Show by Bank Holiday Monday 26 August at our advance booking rate and enjoy 10% off our ‘on the day’ ticket prices. Also, one free child ticket is available with every adult or senior ticket purchased in advance.

For further information on The Duxford Air Show, including ticket prices, go to www.iwm.org.uk

Excitement builds with only 10 days to Wings & Wheels

Tuesday, August 13th, 2013

Dunsfold Wings & Wheels Hurricane

The Wings & Wheels press launch kicked off with a preview taste of the air and motoring Show today (Tuesday 13th August 2013). GliderFX, the Hangar 11 Hurricane, model jet championship winning Reds Duo team and a host of motoring participants from Brooklands Museum, including the Benetton Formula One car, descended on the Aerodrome to showcase their displays ahead of the Show on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August.

First in was Guy Westgate from GliderFX in his MDM-1 ‘Fox’ glider which is capable of ‘unlimited’ aerobatics. Next to display was a new addition to the Wings & Wheels line-up the Reds Duo team. Current Model Aircraft World Champions, father and son duo Steve and Matt Bishop, flew their 1/4 scale Red Arrows Hawk models in a formation display. They both hold private pilots licenses’ and describe the models as ‘harder to fly than the real thing’.

Concluding the flying demonstrations was the rare version of a famous and much loved classic British fighter, the 1942 Hurricane flown by Peter Teichman. The historic former Royal Canadian Air Force Hurri-bomber did a captivating flypast before landing and allowing guests a firsthand look.

Hitting the Top Gear track was a collection of modern and historic cars and motorbikes from Brooklands Museum which included John Reaks’ Benetton B190 which was used in the 1990 Formula One season. Nelson Piquet drove the car and won the final two races of that year, in Japan and Australia, to come overall third in the drivers’ championship. Also along for the ride were a selection of AC Cobra’s, GT40’s, E-Type Jaguar’s and a Yamaha Formula 1 Racing Sidecar from Des Lindsey.

The UK’s most famous Boeing 747 threw open its doors for a very special tour of behind the scenes trivia and a guided journey through the plane from our team of 747 aficionados.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director, comments: “Wings & Wheels is a great value, affordable family day out and this year we have lined up incredible aviation, motoring and military entertainment for the weekend. We are delighted to welcome back the Red Arrows and the Vulcan Bomber but also the Chinook, Typhoon and the Reds Duo – our first model flyers to perform at the Show. The Wheels has taken another step forward this year with a new crowd line parade from the Wheels Club Zone, the returning motoring demonstration and some incredibly interesting and rare military vehicles in the Military Zone where re-enactors will also be re-creating a battle for visitors. It’s going to be our best Show yet!”

The 9th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th August 2013, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 20:00.

Tickets start from £20 for adults, £45 for a family (2 adults and 3 children aged 5 – 15yrs), £6 for children aged between 5 and 15yrs and under 5s are free. Hospitality packages start from £150 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.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2013 will be assisting fundraising efforts for Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

IWM Duxford-based Catalina takes on a round-Britain trip

Tuesday, August 13th, 2013

Commemorating a 100 year old flight in the aircraft’s own 70th birthday month.On Wednesday 21 August, Catalina G-PBYA, operated by Plane Sailing Air Displays Limited and based at IWM Duxford, undertakes a remarkable aviation challenge.

Honouring the daring flying expeditions of the pioneer aviators, the Catalina will undertake, in its centenary year, the 1913 Circuit of Britain flight, which was flown by pilot Harry Hawker and mechanic Harry Kauper, both Australians, in a Sopwith Waterplane.

The Catalina celebrates its 70th birthday this month, making it the oldest UK-based airworthy amphibian.

In 1913, the Circuit of Britain Race was the firstmajor British competition for seaplanes. It was supported by Lord Northcliffe, the proprietor of the Daily Mail, who was a great fan of aviation races. Shell Aviation provided the lubricants for the original race and will be doing the same 100 years on.

The route in 1913, as reported by Flight magazine, started and finished at Southampton Water, with eight control points en route. These were the Royal Temple Yacht Club in Ramsgate, the Naval Air Station in Yarmouth, the Grand Hotel in Scarborough, the Palace Hotel in Aberdeen, the Naval Air Station in Cromarty, the Great Western Hotel in Oban, the Royal St George Yacht Club in Kingstown, Dublin and the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club in Falmouth.

While the airspace in 2013 is somewhatmore restricted then 100 years ago, the crew of the Catalina intends to follow the 1913 route as closely as possible. The full route is outlined below. The crew will take off from IWM Duxford onWednesday 21 August to complete the 1600mile route over approximately five days. They will be flying over some key historic sites, including Kingston, where the Sopwith Factory was based; Hook in Chessington, where Harry Hawker is buried and Brooklands Aerodrome (now Brooklands Museum), where Harry Hawker learnt to fly and tested aircraft for use in the First World War. The Catalina will also orbit the Classic Boat Museumat Cowes, which has on display a 1/8 scale replica of the Bat Boat tested by Harry Hawker in 1913.

The Catalina crew aspires to succeed where Harry Hawker and Harry Kauper did not.

Harry Hawker was the Chief Test Pilot for the Sopwith Aviation Company, while Harry Kauper was an experienced mechanic and Foreman of Works at Sopwith.

Although four aeroplanes were originally entered for this aerial challenge in 1913, of their competitors, Samuel Cody was killed in a flying accident on 7 August, while F K McLean withdrew his Short S.68 aircraft due to engine trouble. The Radley-England Waterplane was withdrawn for the same reason. Only the two Harrys took off on the day of the race.

Their first attempt ended at Yarmouth with a cracked cylinder head and pilot exhaustion. They started again on 25 August andmanaged to fly to just north of Dublin, but crashed in the sea when Harry Hawker’s foot slipped off the rudder while landing. The aircraft was destroyed and Harry Kauper broke his arm. Harry Hawker got a soaking, but was otherwise unharmed. While the Daily Mail prize money of £5,000 could not be given, a consolation award of £1,000 was donated. Shell commissioned Mappin & Webb to make amodel of the Sopwith Waterplane, which was presented to Harry Hawker.

The 2013 Catalina commemoration is led by pilot Jeff Boyling, who, like Harry Hawker, was born in Australia and shares a passion for aeronautical adventure. Bymarking this occasion, Jeff hopes to inspire younger generations with the wonder of flying and to keep the golden era of aviation alive today. Jeff said: “Flying the Catalina G-PBYA is a huge privilege and honour. It is wonderful that this historic aircraft can pay tribute to a great aviator who was a real pioneer. May the memory of Hawker live on.”

Why not come down to IWM Duxford and see Jeff and the Catalina team depart in grand style as they take off for this challenging aerial expedition on Wednesday 21 August?

We’ll be tracking the Catalina’s progress on the Imperial War Museum Duxford facebook page and also via our twitter feed at https://twitter.com/I_W_M

The Roaring Return of the Vulcan

Saturday, August 10th, 2013
The magnificent Vulcan will now be making an appearance at the 2013 Bournemouth Air Festival. The fantastic Cold War bomber is guaranteed to please the crowds with its deep rumble and impressive visual splendor.

Thanks to the substantial sponsorship of Adrian Gunner of Merley House and the generous contributions from Lord Stephen Young and the brilliant fundraising efforts of Maggie Keet of the Bournemouth Aviation Museum, we are thrilled to say that the Bournemouth Air Festival will welcome the Vulcan on Sunday 1st September.

There had been fears that Vulcan XH558 – the world’s last flying example – would not be visiting due the cost of a display, which is over £10,000. That triggered a fundraising effort from the Bournemouth members of Vulcan to the Sky, who set up a Just Giving page and collected donations via members of Bournemouth Aviation Museum.

Wimborne’s Merley House got on board and, alongside Lord Young’s contribution; they have secured enough to let the Vulcan fly at Bournemouth.

Maggie Keet, from Vulcan to the Sky, said: “It’s excellent news, in two weeks we hit the target. We’re looking forward to seeing her.”

Adrian Gunner, MD of Merley House, added: “When we learned that Maggie had undertaken some fundraising to have the Vulcan fly at the Bournemouth Air Festival, we just couldn’t resist the opportunity to help out to make sure that the beautiful plane graced the skies of Bournemouth once more.”

“The Vulcan is such an iconic aircraft with an enormous following and I knew from parents at a very early age what a special aeroplane it really is.

Lord Young said he had grown up near RAF Benson in Buckinghamshire and saw Vulcans regularly as a child.

“I’ve been passionate about aircraft from about 14 years of age. I’m just in awesome of the Vulcan,” he said.

Colston Nichols, who lives in Poole and flew on XH558, added: “It tugs at the old heart strings seeing it.”

Jon Weaver, Air Festival Director, stated “It’s fantastic that through generous fundraising efforts the Vulcan will now be making an appearance. The Bournemouth Air Festival is built of the generous support of people like Adrian Gunner, Lord Stephen Young, Maggie Keet and David Bailey – Patrons Ambassador. The Patrons scheme has demonstrated the positive effect that such contributions can achieve with £15,000 being raised, funding this year’s Night Air displays in addition to over £20,000 raised for the Air Festival charities by both the public and the Patrons Scheme – thank you all so much’

The Bournemouth Air Festival will be taking place from Thursday 29th August to Sunday 1st September. For more information visit www.bournemouthair.co.uk

All aboard the 747 – destination Wings & Wheels!

Monday, August 5th, 2013

Dunsfold Boeing 747

This summer reserve your space on the UK’s most famous Boeing 747 at Wings & Wheels 2013 as the Show throws open the jumbo’s doors for a very special tour. Book your place online, bring your boarding pass to the Show and enjoy a behind the scenes look and guided tour from our team of 747 aficionados.

Located in the Wheels Zone by the plane park, the 747 has made its name as the film set of major Hollywood Blockbusters including the recently released Brad Pitt movie World War Z and forthcoming Formula One themed film Rush with Chris Hemsworth. Visitors will be able to tour the set, learn more about its flying history, sit in the same seat as the meerkats, view the aircraft cock-pit and get up close to the 4 huge engines which were installed for the filming of Casino Royale.

Nancy Edwards, Wings & Wheels Event Manager comments; “Opening the 747 for the first time last year was a huge hit but we knew we could improve on it. This year we’re taking the experience to the next level and our hosted tours will provide even more information and stories on the illustrious flying and filming career of our resident 747. We want visitors to fully interact from the boarding process right through to disembarking and to help with the queues we’ve introduced a new online reservation system and on the day booking process so visitors can just turn up and tour!”

Wings & Wheels Volunteer Flight attendants will be on call throughout the day to ensure visitors fully enjoy their experience. Flights can be pre-booked online by visiting our shop at www.wingsandwheels.net or by visiting the check-in desk at the 747 over the Show weekend. Spaces are limited and a suggested donation of £4 per adult and £2 per child (aged 2 to 15 years) is requested on the day. Book now to avoid disappointment.

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the world famous Red Arrows, Wildcat Helicopter, Typhoon, Vulcan, Team Breitling Wingwalkers and a host of other modern and historic aircraft during the 5 hour flying displays. For four and two wheeled fans, supercars and both 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 from Brooklands Museum.

The 9th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th August 2013, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 20:00.

Tickets start from £20 for adults, £45 for a family (2 adults and 3 children aged 5 – 15yrs), £6 for children aged between 5 and 15yrs and under 5s are free. Hospitality packages start from £150 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.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2013 will be assisting fundraising efforts for Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Autumn events at Newark

Sunday, August 4th, 2013

Here at Newark Air Museum, a registered charity, we’re already making plans for our Autumn 2013 special events…

1 August to 31 August 2013 – Fuel Tank Trail

Throughout this August children visiting the museum will be able to take part in a Fuel Tank Trail around the museum to search for aircraft fuel tanks. Entry to the Fuel Tank Trail will be FREE to each child that has paid to visit the museum with their parents, grandparents and guardians. There will be a small sweet based prize for each correct entry received during this period.

7 September 2013 – Autumn Aviation Book, Die-Cast & Model Sale

Following several recent bequests and donations of aviation books the Newark Air Museum has decided to host a special Autumn Aviation Book, Die-Cast & Model Sale on Saturday 7th September 2013 from 10am until 5pm in the Dambusters Hut at the main museum site. {Special discount admission rates apply}

12 October 2013- Indoor Aeroboot Table Top Sale

46 sellers tables all hosted inside Display Hangar 2 amongst the aircraft at the museum site in eastern Nottinghamshire. {Special discount admission rates apply}

Full details about these and other museum activities can be found on the news pages of the website, which is regularly updated www.newarkairmuseum.org

Airbourne welcomes Disney’s Planes with the Matadors!

Thursday, August 1st, 2013

Airborne welcomes Disney Planes with the Matadors

Celebrating the new feature film release of Disney’s Planes, in UK cinemas 16 August 2013, Disney and the Matadors Aerobatic Team present Team Dusty and Team Ripslinger to Eastbourne’s skies for an out of this world display at Airbourne.

Airbourne 15-18 August is just weeks away and the line up is phenomenal this year. The Matadors are undergoing a Planes makeover and will be entertaining crowds with a movie inspired display!

The two fully Planes branded Sbach XtremeAir XA41s are piloted by air racing champion Paul Bonhomme (Team Dusty) and Steve Jones (Team Ripslinger).

From above the world of Cars and Cars 2, Planes is an action packed 3D animated comedy adventure featuring Dusty, a plane with dreams of competing as a high flying air racer. But Dusty’s not exactly built for racing and happens to be afraid of heights. Dusty turns to a seasoned naval aviator who helps him qualify to take on the defending race circuit champ; Ripslinger. Dusty’s courage is put to the ultimate test as he aims to reach heights he never dreamed possible.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure, Cllr Carolyn Heaps said “It is very exciting to have Disney here in Eastbourne at Airbourne and during the launch of the new movie Planes. The Matadors’ Team Dusty and Team Ripslinger display will be great to watch for all the family!”

Visitors should look out for the Disney Racing Hangar near the arena, where they will also have the chance to meet the pilots, test their flying skills and participate in other fun activities! More details including meet and greet times can be found in the Airbourne Programme.

To find out more about Disney’ Planes and to share your photos of the display, check out DisneyMoviesUK on Facebook and Twitter.

For more information on Eastbourne Airbourne go to www.eastbourneairshow.co.uk

History in motion at Wings & Wheels

Thursday, August 1st, 2013

Dunsfold Wings & Wheels 2012

Wings & Wheels has an interactive, explosive Military Zone this year as the Show brings over 80 military vehicles, re-enactors, a living history zone and 1940s DJ and dancers together for visitors entertainment. Displaying on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August at Dunsfold Aerodrome near Guildford, Surrey is an incredible line-up of military history.

Amongst the vehicles is a 1942 Diamond T Wrecker brought to the Show by Peter and Lyn Read and boasting an incredible pedigree. It was one of many trucks involved in the Red Ball Run, a famous World War II truck supply route that originated in Normandy in the autumn of 1944. The Red Ball continually re-supplied allied troops advancing swiftly across France toward the Siegfried Line in Germany. This trucking supply mission ran around-the-clock for some 90 days. During that period the Red Ball delivered over 412,000 tons of much needed supplies to the allied troops that ultimately overwhelmed the enemy.

Brian Irving’s Chevrolet Town Sedan was used by Rear Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd, an American naval officer who was the recipient of the highest honour for heroism given by the United States – the Medal of Honour. Byrd used this vehicle between 1947 and 1952.

Only one of 18 built and in service until 1996, John Bailey’s Landrover FC101 Intercept and Comms Trailer was used by the British Army 14 Signals Regiment. The vehicle is a rare example of the electronic warfare Vampire body variant of which less than half survive today.

And finally, Nick John’s US Military Officers Staff Car, a Dodge D11 Luxury Liner, was imported from Kentucky USA for the Marvel Comics Hollywood blockbuster Captain America.

Nancy Edwards, Event Manager comments: “These vehicles are just a tiny sample of what we have on display at Wings & Wheels. The Military Zone is shaping up to be really exciting thanks to the overwhelming support of military vehicle owners and re-enactors. The Zone is set to make a real impact this year with battles, trenches, air raid sirens and tours of the DC-3 – a part of the Show visitors won’t want to miss.”

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the world famous Red Arrows, Wildcat Helicopter, Typhoon, Vulcan, Team Breitling Wingwalkers and a host of other modern and historic aircraft during the 5 hour flying displays. For four and two wheeled fans, supercars and both 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 from Brooklands Museum.

The 9th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th August 2013, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 20:00.

Tickets start from £20 for adults, £45 for a family (2 adults and 3 children aged 5 – 15yrs), £6 for children aged between 5 and 15yrs and under 5s are free. Hospitality packages start from £150 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.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2013 will be assisting fundraising efforts for Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.