Tag: 2022

Helicopter legend ‘Bravo November’ heads to Cosford

Chinook Bravo November

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is thrilled to announce the acquisition of the legendary RAF Chinook HC6A ‘Bravo November’ helicopter.

The newest addition to the Museum’s collection has a distinguished career within the Royal Air Force. It was one of the original 30 Chinooks ordered by the RAF in 1978 and has been in service ever since, serving in every major conflict of the last 40 years. As a veteran of the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan, Bravo November has seen four of its pilots awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for actions whilst at the controls of the aircraft.

Bravo November will depart RAF Odiham in Hampshire on 16 March and will travel by road on a low loader lorry. The Chinook will be on public display for the first time ahead of the nation’s Falklands 40 anniversary celebrations commencing 2 April.

Dr Peter Johnston, RAF Museum Head of Collections said:
‘The Chinook, and in particular Bravo November is a significant addition to the RAF Museum’s collection in the Midlands. As we look ahead to Falklands 40, Museum visitors will be able to appreciate the enormous efforts and sacrifices that were required for the campaign to be successful by seeing this most famous of airframes. Yet having also performed a variety of roles in worldwide operations since 1982, this highly decorated aircraft has been involved in major moments in British and global history, and carries further extraordinary stories of service, sacrifice, and heroism at home and abroad. The RAF Museum is delighted to welcome Bravo November into our collection, ensuring an icon of British aviation is secured for future generations to enjoy.’

www.rafmuseum.org

Second World War aircraft restored using original doping techniques

Lysander at London

A Second World War Westland Lysander III (SD), the only surviving Special Duties variant of its type has been restored to its former glory and will be on display at RAF Museum London.

The aircraft has undergone conservation work including a new fabric outer skin and complete repaint in the Museum’s Michael Beetham Conservation Centre. Formerly displayed at the Museum’s London site in No. 225 Squadron markings, the Lysander is now painted in No. 161 Squadron Special Ops colour scheme, reflecting its service towards the end of the war in non-operational special transport services.

Beginning in November 2016, the aircraft underwent an in-depth inspection and condition assessment followed by a few minor structural repairs. The airframe’s damaged fabric covering was replaced while a team of volunteers cleaned and lubricated mechanical systems back to a functional state.

The aircrafts biggest transformation comes from the recovering of its airframe in a traditional Irish linen fabric, hand sewn by the Museum’s Surface Finish Technician and then strengthened using original doping techniques.

RAF Museum, Surface Finish Technician Clive Roberts said:
“Thousands of stiches were made attaching the linen to the fuselage, wings and tailplane followed by six coats of doping, a UV microwave protection layer, primer and then finally painted in its 161 Squadron Special Ops colour scheme. It’s a slow process but essential to preserving the aircraft for as long as possible. We sought the help of a Lysander expert based in Switzerland, who provided us with original photographs and technical drawings to help with the paint scheme. One of the photos shows that during R9125’s service with 161 Squadron the cooling gills were incorrectly fitted so the camouflage no longer lined up. Since this has been documented we will change ours to match that.”

The Museum’s example, serial number R9125 first became operational with No. 225 Squadron in 1940 as a coastal patrol and photo reconnaissance aircraft, based along the south coast of England. It took on the Special Duties role with No. 161 Squadron in 1944 and was operational for a further two years until they became obsolete from the RAF in 1946.

The Lysander was originally designed for Army Co-operation duties including artillery spotting and reconnaissance. However, its lasting fame is not in this role, but as a Special Duties aircraft ferrying Allied agents in and out of enemy occupied Europe. Despite some notable successes, the Army Co-operation units suffered extremely high casualties – over 170 Lysanders were sent to France in 1939 and only 50 came back. Following their withdrawal from France, Lysanders patrolled the coastal areas of south and east England as an anti-invasion reconnaissance measure and later, began air-sea rescue duties in the Channel and North Sea.

Visitors to the RAF Museum London will get the first glimpse of the aircraft in Hangar 5 this Spring.

www.rafmuseum.org

2022 Air Shows go on sale as IWM Duxford announces bumper flying season

IWM Duxford Airshows

Running from May through to October, IWM Duxford’s flying season brings the historic airfield to life and, this year, a jam-packed programme of events promises plenty of thrilling aerobatics, roaring Spitfires and entertainment on the ground. Tickets to all flying events for 2022 will be on general sale from today.

Returning for 2022, the Duxford Summer Air Show will be taking place on 18-19 June promising fun for all the family with fast-flying, all-action aerobatics and spectacular sights in the air and on the ground. The annual Battle of Britain Air Show will return on 10-11 September offering visitors an immersion into the 1940s when RAF Duxford played a pivotal role in the Battle of Britain, helping to defend the United Kingdom against Nazi air attacks. Expect plenty of Spitfire nostalgia as history is brought to life across the site for this much-loved weekend of flying entertainment.

Thanks to our friends at Aerial Collective, we are thrilled to be able to offer an exclusive prize of an unforgettable flight in a Spitfire. Any visitor who books a ticket to either Air Show before midnight on Tuesday 8 March will be automatically entered into the prize draw.
In addition to these two fantastic weekend events, the IWM Duxford Air Show team will also be welcoming visitors to its Duxford Flying Evening on 27 August to catch spectacular aircraft in flight as dusk descends over the airfield. Whilst Duxford Flying Finale on 8 October will bring together highlights from the year as we say farewell to another fantastic season of flying.

IWM Duxford’s flying season wouldn’t be complete without Flying Days and there will be six of these taking place between May-October 2022. From commemorating D-Day to celebrating the 25th anniversary since the American Air Museum opened at Duxford, each of these individually themed events will present aerial displays and specially curated ground activities.

IWM Air Show Event Manager, Phil Hood, said “Last year, our Air Shows were the biggest in the country and we were thrilled to welcome thousands of visitors back on site for these two fantastic weekends. For 2022, we have been working hard behind the scenes to create even more events to pack into our six-month flying season. Over the coming months there will be more announcements, including display acts and showground content, but we can say for certain that it will be a flying season to remember.”

www.iwm.org.uk/airshows

RAF Museum celebrates Jewish and Indian Hidden Heroes

Hidden Heroes

On Thursday evening the Museum invited guests from the Indian and Jewish communities to commemorate the immense diversity within the RAF in its 100+ years.

The RAF Museum is committed to sharing the RAF story with everyone and the evening included a Jewish Hidden Heroes talk by the Jewish author and historian Joshua Levine, and an Indian Hidden Heroes talk by the Indian journalist and author Shrabani Basu, both Ambassadors for the RAFM. Special guest AVM Simon Edwards (ACAS) was also in attendance, along with a group of RAF officers from the both the Jewish and Indian communities.

The event was sponsored by Advinia Healthcare (Main Sponsor), Mizrahi Tefahot Bank and the Asian Jewish Business Network.

The RAF Museum Jewish Hidden Heroes project gathers and shares untold stories, both online and in our galleries, of the Jewish personnel in the RAF during the Second World War. The project is supported by Roman Abramovich and the CFC Foundation for its Say No to Anti-Semitism Campaign.

• Joshua Levine, RAFM Ambassador – Jewish, bestselling author who has written seven critically acclaimed histories. Most recently he worked as Historical Consultant on Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed Dunkirk. His book, Dunkirk: The History behind the Major Motion Picture spent five weeks at the top of the Sunday Times bestseller list.

• Shrabani Basu, RAF Museum Ambassador – Indian journalist and historian who is a Sunday Times best-selling author which include the critically acclaimed: ‘Victoria and Abdul: The Story of the Queen’s Closest Confident’ (an Oscar nominated film starring Dame Judy Dench and Ali Fazal) and ‘Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan’.

www.rafmuseum.org

RAF Museum acquires Goodman medals

Benny Goodman medals

Expert Medal Auctioneers, Dix Noonan Webb have arranged the sale of the Second War campaign group of six awarded to Lancaster pilot Squadron Leader L. S. ‘Benny’ Goodman to the RAF Museum. Goodman, who died in July 2021, aged 100 and his memorial service will be held at St. Clement Danes Church, this Friday (February 4, 2022) was the last surviving RAF pilot of 617 (Dambuster) Squadron to attack the German battleship Tirpitz. He went on to be one of the few pilots to drop the 22,000lb ‘Grand Slam’ bomb, the heaviest ever dropped by the Royal Air Force, and by the end of the war he had flown on 30 bombing operations.

The medals were sold with Squadron Leader Goodman’s brown leather Irvin flying jacket, five Royal Air Force Pilot’s Flying Log Books plus several photographs and photographic images of the recipient as well as a variety of books.

Christopher Mellor-Hill, Head of Client Liaison (Associate Director), Dix Noonan Webb commented: “DNW are pleased to have facilitated the sale of “Benny” Goodman’s medals and memorabilia to the RAF Museum by mutual agreement before the auction. They will be part of a major exhibit being planned by the museum.”

Squadron Leader Goodman’s son, Robert, also added: “I’m very pleased that my father’s medals and artefacts will be purchased by the RAF Museum with the proceeds of the sale benefitting the Royal Air Force No 617 Squadron Association. I’m sure that he would have been thrilled that his legacy will be kept alive for the nation and shared with the world at the RAF Museum while giving back to No 617 Squadron, with which he fought so valiantly during the Second World War.”

Dr Peter Johnston (Head of Collections and Research, the RAF Museum) explained: “The Museum is delighted to have acquired this wonderful piece of history which enables us to tell a unique part of the Royal Air Force story. “Benny” Goodman had a fantastic relationship with the Museum and was featured in the Jewish ‘Hidden Heroes’ project that was launched in 2018. We are planning that his medals and log book will go on display in the Bomber Command Hall as part of its redevelopment in 2023.”

www.rafmuseum.org

Model Mania lands at the RAF Museum

Scale Model Weathering Workshop

Date: 27 February 2022 / Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm / Cost: Free entry
Airfix Make and Take: £5.00 per Airfix Kit
Weathering Workshop: £40.00 per person

Discover the exciting world of model aircraft at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford’s Model Mania event on Sunday 27 February.

Hangars will be filled with large model aircraft displays nestled amongst the real aircraft, and visitors will be treated to a day packed full of hands-on Airfix model making activities for families. Modellers who want to fine tune their skills can pick up tips from an expert in an exclusive workshop, and a collection of traders will be selling all the model kits and equipment you could ever wish for.

The Museum has partnered with the Large Model Association to showcase almost 100 large model aircraft throughout the Museum hangars, many alongside their full-size counterparts. Some of these ‘not so mini’ models have a wingspan of more than 20ft including a replica Vulcan. Other displays include stunning large-scale model versions of Spitfires, a Wellington, examples of a Lancaster and a host of aircraft drawn from the history of aviation. From high-tech jets to First World War bi planes, all models have been exquisitely created and engineered with absolute precision to mirror the original aircraft.

The model themed fun will continue in the ‘Airfix Make and Take’ area – where better to get into Airfix kits for the first time, than under the wings of iconic aircraft! This family friendly model making activity will offer children aged 8+ the opportunity to build and paint their own aircraft model. You don’t have to be a skilled modeller to take part as helpers are there to lend a hand. If building an Airfix kit is too fiddly, the little ones can assemble and decorate a personalised glider. Participation in the activity is £5.00 per Airfix Kit.

If you’re an avid modeller and want to take your models to the next level, the Introduction to Weathering your Scale Model workshop is perfect for you. While some scale models look amazing with a clean coat of paint, others benefit greatly from a more aged, authentic look, but weathering your model can be daunting. During this hands-on four-hour workshop attendees will learn the fundamentals of weathering techniques in a step-by-step guide, from planning your work, choosing your materials, and how to apply them, to produce authentic and realistic results. The workshop begins at 11.00am and will cover a variety of techniques from general wear and tear effects to creating and applying rust and realistic colouring. Tickets cost £40.00 per person and places are limited to 15 people.

If the Model Mania activities inspire you to get into modelling for the first time, or if you’re a pro on the lookout for a rare model edition, several model traders will be selling everything from kits and paints to magazines. Plus, there will also be short drop-in sessions throughout the day for model enthusiasts in Hangar 1.

Take the model fun home with you with a 20% discount on all Airfix Model Kits bought on the day from the RAF Museum Shop.

If you thought getting into modelling was fun, how about getting into a real cockpit! In addition to the Model Mania activities, the Museum will be opening the Hunter cockpit for a close view inside and giving visitors the opportunity to sit in the pilot seat of the Phantom. There’s no need to pre-book, but youngsters must be a minimum of one metre tall to sit inside the cockpit and be accompanied by an adult.

For a virtual experience, head to the new dedicated Flight Zone where visitors can fly with the Red Arrows from their cinema seat in the amazing 4D Theatre. In our Virtual Reality Zone you can experience the thrill of flying in a Spitfire during a 6-minute flight in full 360. Or, test out the Typhoon ride on the Flight Simulator, perfect for thrill-seeking visitors of all ages!

For further information on Model Mania and to pre-book your arrival time visit www.rafmuseum.org. Entry to the Museum and the large model aircraft display is free, charges apply for some activities.

RAF Museum Cosford 2022 Events Diary

Cosford aviation art workshop

Forthcoming events taking place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford in 2022:

RAF Museum Cosford events 2022

Visitors to the RAF Museum Cosford can expect to see all the big favourites making a return this year, including the Cosford Food Festival, Large Model Air Show and the Spitfire 10K. Brand-new additions to the events calendar include Pilot Training for youngsters over the Easter bank holiday weekend and a Battle of Britain Proms in August.

RAF Museum Cosford Public Events Manager, Ulrike Stuebner said:
‘We’re delighted to have the big events and festivals back in the Museum’s diary this year following a two-year break. One of the big highlights to look out for is our new Battle of Britain Proms taking place on 13 August. There will be music to suit all tastes, everything from classical to pop, opera to swing, accompanied by food, fizz and a nostalgic atmosphere we think visitors will love!’

The busy schedule of events caters to the Museum’s wide and diverse audience, with aviation photography and art workshops available for those who want to get up close to the aircraft collection. The Museum’s younger fans are also catered for with youth groups invited to a sleepover and an evening of activities nestled amongst the aircraft in March. Families visiting the Museum in April can see if they have what it takes to pass the Pilot Training sessions running over Easter, embarking on a mission that will test their speed, brain, and teamwork skills.

Ulrike continues:
‘It’s going to be a busy summer! Our Vintage and Handmade Festival is back in May, celebrating music, fashion, design and style through the decades, along with a vintage fairground, beauty parlour, re-enactors and car displays. The Large Model Air Show in July will see hundreds of scale models of iconic aircraft taking to the skies, with plenty of flight themed fun for families on the ground. This July will also see the Cosford Food Festival return with more than 100 local food and drink exhibitors, chef demos and live music. Plus, we are offering festival goers an exciting and unique rum and whisky tasting experience on board the VC10 aircraft. We have been busy planning these events and we can’t wait to welcome visitors back to them.’

For further information on any of the events taking place at the RAF Museum Cosford throughout 2022, visit www.rafmuseum.org/cosford. Admission charges apply for some events and activities, tickets are available online. Events may be subject to change and additional events may be added during the year.

The Museum is open daily from 10am and while still offering FREE entry to all, visitors are kindly asked to pre-book their arrival time online at www.rafmuseum.org

Boost for the Home of Concorde, as Aerospace Bristol Achieves Arts Council Accreditation

Aerospace Bristol

Filton, South Gloucestershire, 11 January 2022: Following an extremely challenging period that has seen the museum and charity seek urgent support to continue operating through the Covid-19 pandemic including successful applications to all three rounds of the Culture Recovery Fund, receiving a total of £1.1 million – Aerospace Bristol has received another major boost in the form of Arts Council accreditation: the UK industry standard for museums and galleries.

Accredited status means that Aerospace Bristol is operated to professional industry standards and shows that the museum takes proper care of its collection including the last Concorde ever to fly and the many other important objects and archive records in order to make them accessible and safeguard our aerospace heritage for the future.

Lloyd Burnell, Executive Director, Aerospace Bristol said:
“Achieving Arts Council accredited status is an important step forward for Aerospace Bristol. As the national benchmark of a well-run museum, this award is testament to the professionalism and high standards that our staff and volunteers work hard to maintain. Accreditation demonstrates that our collection is in safe hands, opens up exciting funding and partnership opportunities, and will give confidence to donors and supporters who wish to join us in preserving our aerospace heritage and inspiring future generations.”

Stefanie Vincent, Collections Manager, Aerospace Bristol added:
“Aerospace Bristol has always been committed to managing and caqring for our collection to the highest possible professional standards and ensuring that as many people as possible can access and engage with the objects, stories and records in our collection. to see this hard work being recognised with Arts Council accredited status.”

David Gelsthorpe, interim Chair of the UK Accreditation Committee, said:
“I’m delighted that Aerospace Bristol has achieved the UK accreditation standard for museums and galleries. Accreditation is a fantastic achievement which provides an important framework to support ongoing development and future planning, especially during these challenging times. I am extremely pleased to welcome Aerospace Bristol to the scheme, which will help to increase access to the collection and protect it for generations to come”

Aerospace Bristol is currently open Tuesday to Sunday during term time and 7 days per week during school holidays, with more information and tickets available at www.aerospacebristol.org.

RAF Cosford Air Show to Return With The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022

RAF Cosford Air Show

The RAF Cosford Air Show is delighted to announce its much anticipated return to the skies on Sunday 12th June 2022, celebrating Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022.

The grand return of the RAF Cosford Air Show in 2022, will tell a 70-year story of aviation and royalty – proudly showcasing landmark achievements in aviation and engineering through its showstopping flying action and across the showground. Themed displays will help to tell the story of countless accomplishments of HM Queen Elizabeth II, the first British Monarch to celebrate 70 years of service.

Plans for the Air Show are already well underway, featuring a wide range of exciting RAF flying displays, hands-on experiences for all ages in our interactive STEM hangar and RAF Zone, as well as immersive story-telling experiences and entertainment in our much loved Vintage Village.

Air Show Chairman, Wing Commander Kenny Wickens, said, “We are delighted to announce the return of the RAF Cosford Air Show after two difficult years. A huge amount of work has been done in the early stages of planning this event to ensure we can provide a safe and enjoyable show for all of our visitors and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to RAF Cosford for a day of celebration and entertainment.”

The Air Show will again be an Advanced Ticket Only event. Tickets are now available to purchase – available online via the RAF Cosford Air Show website (www.cosfordairshow.co.uk). Standard adult tickets will cost £34 with under 16s and parking free, providing great value for money for families.

All ticketholders from the cancelled 2020 RAF Cosford Air Show, who did not request a refund, will be carried over to the 2022 Air Show. New tickets will automatically be emailed out to these customers in due course.

Soar into 2022 with the Vulcan Challenge

Vulcan Challenge at RAF Museum

Date: Registration now open, challenge finishes on 14 April 2022
Cost: £20 per person / £15.00 Armed Forces entry

Soar into the new year with the Royal Air Force Museum’s Vulcan Challenge, and walk, run, or cycle your way to reach the 100km, 250km or even 500km distance! The Challenge commences on Friday 14 January and advance registrations are now open.

Celebrating 70 years since the Vulcan’s first flight, participants will have until 14 April to complete the Challenge and be rewarded with a bespoke medal featuring the iconic aircraft. And if you’re completing the challenge with your furry four-legged friend, there’s even a pet tag medal for them too.

Whether your new year’s resolution is to be more active, or you’re feeling the need to walk off the Christmas calories, this virtual race can be completed anywhere in the world, at a time and pace to suit you. This could be daily walks with the dog, cycling to work, weekend hikes or even rowing your distance in the gym, it could even be a combination of them all.

To redeem the exclusive Vulcan Challenge medal, participants simply need to record their 100km, 250km or 500km distance in the downloadable logbook and submit their total at the end of the Challenge. Medals will be posted to participants after the challenge closes on 14 April.

Online registration is now open at www.rafmuseum.org, entry costs £20 per person and all proceeds will go towards supporting the RAF Museum charity (registered charity number 244708) to enable the Museum to continue sharing the story of the RAF and the thousands of service men and women who served in it.

RAF Museum London Public Events Manager, Ella Hewitt said:
‘We are excited to kick start the new year with the Vulcan Challenge, celebrating 70 years of arguably the most famous of Britain’s three V-bombers, operated by the RAF. Participants can select the distance that best suits their ability and complete it anytime, anywhere, individually, or with friends and family. Support from our Challengers enables us to keep the doors of our Museums open for all generations to enjoy.

The Challenge’s bespoke medal features the Vulcan, and just like the real aircraft, the medal is huge! In previous Challenge events, we’ve seen hundreds of dogs taking part with their owners, so this year we have introduced a new Vulcan pet tag, a mini version of the main medal, so they are rewarded for their efforts too.’

The Vulcan first flew in 1952, and along with the Valiant and Victor, it provided part of Great Britain’s nuclear deterrent force for fifteen years. In 1970, following their withdrawal from the nuclear deterrent, Vulcans switched to the conventional bomber role in support of NATO forces in Europe. The Vulcan’s range could be greatly increased by in-flight refuelling which was used to good effect in the long-range attacks on the Falkland Islands from Ascension Island in 1982. The last Vulcans retired from operational service in 1984. Both RAF Museum London and Cosford have a Vulcan on public display.

Participants can stay connected and make new friends as they complete the Challenge by joining the RAF Museum Virtual Running Group on Facebook. Meet other Challengers, share your progress and ask fellow participants for advice, as well as enjoying exclusive Vulcan content during the course of the Challenge. If you’re posting updates on your social media, don’t forget to tag @rafmuseum or #VulcanChallenge2022.

Limited edition Vulcan Challenge T-shirts and Hooded Sweatshirts are also available to purchase when registering online. The souvenir T-shirts and Hoodies cost £15.00 and £30 respectively and will be delivered with your medal following the end of the challenge. Sizes range from Extra Small to XX Large.

Or why not consider fundraising for the RAF Museum, pledge to raise £100 and receive your Vulcan Challenge t-shirt for free. Starting your fundraising could not be simpler, select the sponsorship option when signing up online and head to our Vulcan Challenge JustGiving page. Once your JustGiving page is set up, our team will be in touch with some handy tips to kick start your fundraising.

To register for the Vulcan Challenge visit www.rafmuseum.org. Entry costs £20 per person (£15.00 Armed Forces entry), additional booking and postage charges apply for overseas participants. The Challenge is open to participants of all ages, but we recommend under 16’s are accompanied by an adult.