2015 – Page 14 – Airscene News

BBC’s Flog It at RAF Museum

The popular BBC One antiques programme Flog It presented by Paul Martin, is coming to London on Thursday 29th January 2015.

Flog It – the major BBC antiques show is now on its fourteenth series and regularly achieves an audience of over two million viewers in its weekday afternoon slot.

RAF Museum London will be hosting the Flog It valuation day. Rather like a treasure hunt, members of the public are invited to bring along up to three antiques and collectables they might be interested in selling. Once valued, the owner and a team of experts decide whether an object should go forward for auction. If the item is chosen it is included in a sale a few weeks later – hopefully when the auctioneers hammer falls its owners make a tidy sum. Everyone who goes along to the Valuation Day will receive a free valuation – even if their antiques are not chosen to go forward for auction.

The show recently made a significant find when a rare Aboriginal Broad Shield that had been kept hidden away in a Flog It viewers wardrobe was brought along to a valuation day in North Lincolnshire and went on to sell at auction for £30,000! The series also uncovered an unusual Royal Doulton Spook figurine in Blackpool which had been bought at a car boot sale for £2; it went on to sell at auction for £5000.

Alex Habgood, Location Manager says “Paul Martin and the entire Flog It team are really pleased to be bringing the show to RAF Museum London. We always receive a warm welcome when we come to the capital. The museum will provide the perfect setting for our filming; our experts are all looking forward to welcoming people along for their free valuations amongst such a significant collection of aircraft. If you’ve ever wondered how much your boot sale bargains or clutter in the loft might be worth, now is your chance to find out.”

Paul Martin, Presenter of Flog It said “I’m delighted to be bringing Flog It to RAF Museum London, and I hope as many people as possible will come along to see us with their items for valuation.”

Vicki Hibbert, RAF Museum London Corporate Events Manager said “The Museum is looking forward to hosting the Flog It team. Our collection of historic aircraft should make for a great setting and a really special set of shows!”

Paul Martin will be joined on the valuation day by Flog It on screen experts Anita Manning, Mark Stacey and Michael Baggott. The BBC are planning to transmit the four editions of Flog It featuring RAF Museum London within a year of recording.

Flog It will be at RAF Museum London, Grahame Park Way, London, NW9 5QW on Thursday 29th January 2015 between 10.00am and 4.30pm. The items selected at the valuation day will go under the hammer at Chiswick Auctions, 1 Colville Road, London, W3 8BL on Tuesday 17th February 2015.

www.rafmuseum.org

Air Tattoo To Welcome Aviation Icon

Vulcan Bomber

ONE of the world’s most iconic aircraft will touch down at RAF Fairford in the Cotswolds this summer to take part in the Royal International Air Tattoo.

Vulcan XH558 is the only flying example of this large Cold War bomber having been restored to flying condition in 2007 following a public fundraising campaign by the Vulcan to the Sky Trust (VTST).

Since then, displays by the aircraft, demonstrating both its grace and immense power, have been among the most eagerly-anticipated on the UK airshow circuit.

Based at Robin Hood Airport in Doncaster, XH558 is the first aircraft to be confirmed for the airshow which takes place on July 17-19.

Named The Spirit of Great Britain, Vulcan XH558 will fly into RAF Fairford on Friday, July 17for a special ‘Pit Experience Day’ offering people close access to the aircraft and the opportunity to meet members of the Vulcan to the Sky team and the dedicated band of volunteers who help keep the aircraft airborne.

The aircraft will perform two flying displays during its visit, one on Saturday July 18 and the other on Sunday July 19. Weekend visitors will also be given the opportunity to visit her on the ground in return for a small donation toVTST.

Air Tattoo Chief Executive Andy Armstrong said: “The Vulcan is arguably the most popular historic aircraft flying today and I am delighted that we’re able to welcome her back to the Air Tattoo this summer.

“What better way to launch our 2015 theme Securing the Skies – Past, Present and Future than with an aircraft that performed a crucial role in the UK’s strategic nuclear strike force during the Cold War, on standby 24 hours a day with crews ready to launch the aircraft with two minutes’ notice.

“I am confident the Vulcan will be the first of many exciting aircraft from around the world to confirm their participation over the coming months – but what a start!”

VTST Chief Executive Dr Robert Plemingsaid: “We are really delighted to return XH558 to such a prestigious event on the aviation calendar.”

The Air Tattoo is staged annually in support of the RAF Charitable Trust. Tickets for the event on July 17-19 are only available in advance. Special Super Earlybird tickets priced from £26 are available until January 31 from www.airtattoo.com or by calling 0800 107 1940. All accompanied under-16s go free. Free parking.

RAF Museum Cosford Events 2015 Diary Date

Forthcoming events taking place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford during 2015:

	Event	Date
Jan	Airfix Make and Take	17 January
Feb	Model Making Half Term	16-20 February
Mar	Easter Activities	30 March – 2 April
Apr	Easter Activities	7-10 April
	Shropshire Scale Model Show	12 April
	Bike4Life Fest	26 April
May	Open Cockpits Evening	15-16 May **
	Half Term Activities	25-29 May
Jun	Dornier Do 17 – Two Years On	10 June **
	RAF Cosford Air Show	14 June **
	Armed Forces Day	27 June
Jul	Large Model Aircraft Rally	18-19 July **
	Cosford Food Festival	25-26 July **
Aug	August Activities	1-31 August
Sep	Battle of Britain Weekend	12-13 September
	Battle of Britain Afternoon Concert	13 September **
	Open Cockpits Evening	18-19 September **
Oct	Half Term Activities	26-30 October
Nov	Remembrance Service	8 November
	Conservation Centre Open Week	9-14 November **

** Admission Charges Apply.

More details on each event will be issued closer to the time. Some events may incur a small participation fee and additional events may be added during the year.

RAF Museum Cosford Public Events Manager Abi Betteridge said:

“This year’s event calendar is packed with popular favourites including the Large Model Aircraft Rally and the Cosford Food Festival, plus we will also see the return of the Battle of Britain Weekend as 2015 marks the 75th anniversary of this significant milestone in RAF history. We have doubled the number of Open Cockpits Evenings to try and keep up with demand and we have plenty of fun packed activities planned for each of the school holidays to keep the youngsters entertained.”

For further information on forthcoming events taking place at the RAF Museum Cosford in 2015, please contact the Museum on 01902 376200 or visit www.rafmuseum.org.

Super Offer For Air Tattoo Earlybirds

Air Tatto 2015 promo art

A special commemorative flypast marking the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain will be among the highlights of next summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford.

The details were announced as specially-priced tickets for the three-day airshow, which takes place on July 17-19, went on sale for a limited period.

Super Earlybird admission tickets, priced at £26 for the Friday and £36 for Saturday and Sunday are available until January 31, 2015. The prices represent a saving of more than 20 per cent off the cost of a standard admission ticket.

Next summer’s airshow will focus on aircraft from around the world whose primary role is to protect their nations’ skies whether in support of combat missions, intelligence gathering, providing an airlift capability or delivering humanitarian aid.

Themed ‘Securing The Skies – Past, Present, Future’, the airshow will look to feature legendary aircraft such as the Spitfire and Hurricane, that proved so effective during World War Two; operational aircraft such as the RAF Tornado, currently in action over Iraq; and the RAF Typhoon, which remain on 24-hour standby in the UK and were scrambled recently to intercept Russian bombers.

The Air Tattoo also hopes that the futuristic Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, which was due to take part in the 2014 airshow, will make its much heralded European display debut at RAF Fairford next summer.

Air Tattoo Chief Executive Andy Armstrong saidthat with so much instability in the world, it was the ideal time to turn the spotlight on the important role air power has played and continues to play in making Britain and our allies around the world, safer.

He added: “Already, the response from international air arms has been extremely positive and we’ll be looking to build on last summer’s hugely successful event. With ticket prices starting at £26 and all under-16s enjoying free admission, the Air Tattoo continues to offer extraordinary value for money.”

The Royal International Air Tattoo is staged annually at RAF Fairford in support of the RAF Charitable Trust. To purchase Super Earlybird admission tickets and to view enclosure options, visit www.airtattoo.com. All under-16s go free. Free parking.

Bournemouth Air Festival through to regional awards for Event of the Year

Bournemouth’s world-famous Air Festival has been given the prestigious accolade ‘Event of the Year’ at this year’s Dorset Tourism Awards and now qualifies for entry into the South West England Awards.

Holding off competition from other popular Dorset events, Purbeck Folk Festival and Sherborne Abbey Festival, the Air Festival’s record-breaking visitor numbers, significant contribution to the local economy and employment generation were key factors in the nomination. The award was presented at a ceremony last night in Bovington’s Tank Museum with judges citing the Air Festival’s ‘impressive wow factor’ as a key consideration in their deliberations.

Tourism portfolio holder, Councillor Lawrence Williams, said; “We’re thrilled to receive this award in recognition of the hard work and passion that goes into putting on the largest air festival in Europe.
“There are countless people who contribute to the success of the Air Festival, ensuring that it’s much more than just an air show – rather, a unique, world-class event comprising a host of land, sea and air assets, three miles of show ground, pier-to-pier trading stalls and night air entertainment. I’d like to thank our Festival Makers in particular who give up their time with dedication and enthusiasm.

“The festival also prides itself on being a community event and not simply a tourist attraction – 60 per cent of festival-goers are local people. That’s why the Dorset Tourism Award is so important to us. It places us firmly at the heart of what makes this county such a great place to live.”

The Air Festival now proceeds to the regional South West Tourism Awards and, if successful, will go forward to the National Awards.

Bournemouth Air Festival took place between 28th and 31st August this year, attracting over 1.2m festival-goers, generating in excess of £25m for the town and creating over 350 full-time jobs.

Other Bournemouth winners included: Large Hotel of the Year, Hotel Miramar; Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year, Andrew Lennox of Koh Thai; The Green House Hotel and its own Arbor Restaurant which won the Sustainable Tourism and Eating Out Awards respectively.

Councillor Williams added; “The host of other winners from Bournemouth helps to consolidate the town’s reputation as the UK’s premier resort.”

For details of next year’s festival, visit www.bournemouthair.co.uk.

Air Tattoo appoints new Chief Executive

The man who will step into the shoes of Tim Prince, as Chief Executive of the RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises following RIAT 2014, says he feels privileged to be taking over such a unique organisation.

Andy Armstrong, whose appointment was announced this week, said he hoped to use his business experience to give something back to the RAF family.

He said: “I am genuinely excited and feel very privileged to be taking over the controls of such a unique organisation. I look forward to working alongside everyone at Douglas Bader House and hope to meet many of the extraordinary volunteers, whom I have heard so much about, as we get ready for this summer’s Air Tattoo.”

Andy, who is married with two children, will be working closely alongside Tim throughout the build-up to this summer’s airshow before formally taking over immediately after.

A marketing graduate, Andy has a strong track record in developing a wide range of consumer businesses, most recently managing the transition from physical to digital delivery of filmed entertainment as Managing Director Northern Europe for Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

He believes his interest in the Royal Air Force and his desire to support it was inherited from his father, who was the ATC Corps Chaplain for more than a decade.

“My enthusiasm definitely came from him,” said Andy. “I remember being taken to anAir Tattoo when I was very young, to see one of the first displays of the Harrier. Watching an aircraft stop in mid-air, hover and then fly backwards for the first time was something I, and thousands of others that day, will never forget.”

On leaving school, Andy was awarded a Cadet Flying Scholarship, which enabled him to obtain his Private Pilot’s Licence and he continued flying with the University Air Squadron whilst studying at Strathclyde University.

Andy said: “Having personally benefited from the support of the RAF family, I think joining the RAFCTE and RIAT team is a fabulous opportunity to use all my experience to ‘give something back’.”

Tim said he was pleased to be handing over the reins to someone who not only valued what had been achieved in the past but who had the experience to take the organisation forward.

He said: “I know Andy has been attracted by the determined yet caring ethos of our highly capable and enthusiastic team and fully understands that aircraft comprise the core element of the Air Tattoo. I am so pleased that I will be handing it all over to someone who values all that we have done in the past and who is looking forward to using his considerable experience to take the organisation forward.”

Andy, who lives in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire, was appointed following a rigorous recruitment process, which attracted a number of very strong candidates.

Air Tattoo and RAFCTE Chairman Alan Smith said: “I am delighted that Andy has agreed to take up the job of leading our unique organisation following Tim’s decision to retire after 43 years spent making a fantastic contribution to military aviation in general and the Royal Air Force and its charities in particular.”

“In discussing the job with him, I was immediately struck by Andy’s strong commitment to continue to support the RAF Charitable Trust whilst safeguarding the interests of our permanent staff and our thousands of volunteers. Most importantly, Andy clearly understands what our customers expect from the company in running what is still the largest military airshow in the world.”

Model enthusiasts converge at Cosford

Shropshire Model Show

6th April 2014

10.00am – 4.00pm

FREE entry

Modelling fans are expected to descend on the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford next month, as they attend the annual Shropshire Scale Modeller’s Show, taking place on Sunday 6th April 2014. Nestled amongst a world-class collection of aircraft and military vehicles will be thousands of intricately detailed models, displayed alongside many of the real aircraft.

As one of the region’s largest modelling events, everything any dedicated modeller could ever want or need, will be on sale during the one day show. An excess of 40 traders, including Airfix, will be selling a range of modelling materials and kits to suit modellers of all ability’s, from young children who are just discovering their passion for modelling, right through to the avid modellers who have been building kits for many years. There will be everything from plastic kits in various sizes along with glues, paints and other detailed sets available to purchase on the day.

More than 80 modelling clubs from across the UK will be exhibiting their pint sized models which have taken hours of dedication to perfect. Plus, it’s not just models of aircraft that will be on show, there will be hundreds of cars, bikes, trucks and science fiction items including Dr Who and Star Wars.

Event organiser, Gary Stevens Secretary of the Shropshire Scale Modellers and The Telford Branch of The International Plastic Modellers Society says:

“The show will feature many other models from exhibitors and traders who travel from all over the country to be with us. With the show getting bigger every year it really is a great family day out. I am particularly pleased to have on board a group of modellers from Germany who have taken time to come over and display their models, giving the show a truly international feel.”

To make reaching the Museum even easier, organisers have introduced a free park and ride for the day to cope with the additional visitors. The show will be open to the public from 10am until 4pm and entry to the event is free of charge. For further information, please call the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on 01902 376200 or visit the Museum website at www.rafmuseum.org.