During the year the Aeropark holds a number of events where subject to availability we open up the cockpits of our aircraft in order that visitors can view the inside and in certain of the aircraft actually have the opportunity to get inside the aircraft and/or cockpits.
The late evening opening events will also see some of our aircraft lit up for the chance of a great photo opportunity and to also view movements at the airport later in the day including possible movement of cargo aircraft.
This week we are unveiling assets from the Turkish Air Force, Belgian Air Force and Draken Europe to join the RIAT24 line-up.
A highlight for aviation enthusiasts will be the participation of a pair McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II on static display, coming from the Turkish Air Force as part of our NATO 75th anniversary theme. In addition, for the first time in six years, the Turkish Air Force will be sending their SOLOTÜRK demo, with their Lockheed Martin F-16C Fighting Falcon, to perform in the flying display.
Joining them in our celebration of the F-16’s 50th anniversary, we have a further F-16 to join the ‘Viper Line’ on static display, with a F-16AM courtesy of the Belgian Air Component.
Finally, a further two civilian aircraft for static display, with a L-159 Honey Badger and a Falcon 20, both coming from Draken Europe.
Following a short meeting on 9th April 2024, the ownership title of several objects that had been on long-term loan from the Royal Air Force Museum (RAFM), were formally transferred over to the Newark Air Museum [NAM].
These items comprised of: A Rolls-Royce R.B.108 engine and jet pipe; a Yellow Sun bomb casing; and a Fireflash Missile and trolley. Some of these items have been displayed at NAM’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire, close to the border with Lincolnshire, for more than fifteen years.
The generous donation was made as part of ongoing discussions between the two organisations, about a range of subjects. It follows a similar donation of the Lockheed TriStar simulator from the RAFM, back in autumn 2015, which is now displayed in Hangar 2 at the museum.
“The museum trustees are grateful to the RAF Museum for donating these objects to the museum,” commented Newark Air Museum Trustee, Colin Savill. He concluded, “Such donations illustrate the benefits of our Accredited Museum status, and we look forward to the possibility of working with the Royal Air Force Museum to explore similar loans and donations in the future.”
An additional comment has also been made by Dr Harry Raffal, Head of Collections and Research, RAF Museum. “The Royal Air Force Museum is proud to be gifting these objects to Newark Air Museum with the knowledge that we are sharing the RAF story and making it more accessible to people across the country. We look forward to continuing to develop our relationship and working together to inspire new generations.”
This week we’re pleased to announce the return of two popular favourites for the flying display at RIAT24, in the form of the SAAB JAS-39C Gripen of the Hungarian Air Force and the Royal Jordanian Falcons display team.
In addition, as part of our theme celebrating 50 years of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, we’re very excited that the Royal Jordanian Air Force will be sending us a pair of their jets to RIAT for the first time, with one F-16AM and one F-16BM. They’ll also be sending a C-130H Hercules to accompany them on static display.
Finally, the Qatar Emiri Air Force will be showing two of their BAE Systems manufactured aircraft on static display, with a Typhoon and Hawk, in addition to their NH90 helicopter and the large Boeing C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft.
In what is their only planned UK appearance this year, we are delighted to announce Switzerland’s elite Patrouille Suisse display team are heading to RAF Fairford with their colourful F-5E Tiger II jets this summer.
Also participating in the flying display, a first-time attendee in the shape of the German Air Force’s Eurofighter solo display. Furthermore, also from Germany, we also have an Airbus A400M in a solo flying display, in what will be an eye-catching display of this large transport aircraft.
On the ground, under our operational theme of Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space, we’re very excited to be welcoming a Panavia Tornado from the German Air Force’s special Flight Test unit, WTD 61. Other German aircraft on static display include their unique A319 ‘Open Skies’ jet, mighty CH-53 helicopter and another Tornado.
Celebrating 75 years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), we have one of their Boeing E-3A Sentry aircraft attending, performing a flypast on Friday and then on static display over the weekend.
The RAF Cosford Air Show are thrilled to announce that the Red Arrows will return on Sunday 9th June 2024. The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, more commonly referred to as ‘The Red Arrows,’ will be performing a brand-new display in the skies above Cosford as part of their 60th Diamond Season celebrations.
A capacity crowd of 55,000 people attended the Air Show in 2023 and organisers are promising more excitement in the air and on the ground for 2024.
The Red Arrows formed in 1964, and have since performed almost 5,000 shows in over 57 countries. Celebrating their 60th ‘Diamond’ Anniversary in 2024, a new nine-aircraft show is part of plans for the milestone season.
Squadron Leader Chris Wilson said: ‘We’re so pleased to confirm today that the Red Arrows will be returning to Cosford this year. As a crowd favourite, the Red Arrows always thrill audiences with their jaw-dropping displays.
‘Performing in their brand-new livery for 2024, the Red Arrows’ display routine will feature manoeuvres not seen for a generation.
‘It’s exciting that the display team will be back as a nine-ship display this year, performing the Red Arrows’ trademark Diamond Nine formation in their diamond year, bringing back an iconic shape not seen since 2021.
‘We can’t wait for audiences to experience this very special display and we’re looking forward to welcoming the Red Arrows’ to Cosford again this year.’
Tickets for the RAF Cosford Air Show are now on sale and can be purchased at www.CosfordAirShow.co.uk/Tickets
Saturday 13th April, 2024
The next Newark Air Museum Outdoor Aeroboot / Aerojumble Sale at the museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire takes place on Saturday 13th April, 2024. This charity fund raising event has attracted interest from a wide range of sellers across the UK and is taking place alongside the quarterly meeting of Aviation Heritage UK (formerly known as BAPC).
The funds that the museum raises from organising the event will be used to support the development of facilities at its Gateway Aviation Site, which is located in eastern Nottinghamshire close to the Lincolnshire border.
More than thirty (30) sellers, who come from around the UK have pre-booked selling spaces on the wide expanses of our Southfield Site, close to the aircraft display line and the museum café.
Buyers / visitors who attend this fund raising event will have the opportunity to search through a varied selection of aviation and avionic items: including books, paintings, prints, DVDs, plastic kits, die-cast models, clothing, radio equipment and a wide range of aircraft parts.
Normal museum admission rates will apply: Adults £11.00, Over 65s £10.00, Children £5.50 and Family ticket [2 adults & 3 children] £30.00.
The museum opening times will be 09.00 to 17.00 hours; with the sale taking place between 09.00 and 14.00 hours; to get the best bargains we suggest that you get there early.
Further details are available on the Events Page of the museum website www.newarkairmuseum.org or by telephoning 01636 707170.
Last announcement of April here, big announcements from France and the Netherlands!
Let’s start off with our flying display announcements. From the French Air and Space Force, we are pleased to confirm the participation of the Rafale Solo Display. The team will have a newly painted display jet for the 2023 season which we look forward to seeing, so keep your eyes out on all our socials for the reveal of this nearer to the show. In addition, as part of our SKYTANKER23 theme, visitors on Friday will be treated to an exclusive appearance from a C-135FR Stratotanker!
Also, this week, we are adding more aircraft to our special static display to celebrate the Italian Air Force’s centenary, with a pair of MB.326 and Fiat G.91 all confirmed.
To round up, we have a large contingent from our friends in the Royal Netherlands Air Force to join the RIAT 2023 static displays! Fast jets include a brand-new pair of F-35A Lightnings alongside a pair of F-16AM Fighting Falcons, C-130H Hercules, a pair of Chinook helicopters and an NH90 helicopter.
Now that the announcements are coming thick and fast, why not enjoy RIAT from a whole new perspective with a FRIAT pass? From £300 you can enjoy an exclusive grandstand seat in a prime location along with marquee, wifi, and private toilets! The FRIAT pass allows you to be at RIAT from Wednesday to Monday, to see every aircraft arrive at the show and know that your seat alongside fellow aviation fans is secure.
The FRIAT pass gives complete flexibility with access to Park & View arrivals on the Wednesday right through to departures on the Monday.
The Shuttleworth Collection and Gardens are proud to announce their first air show of the 2023 season.
The event will be held on the 7th May 2023, the Sunday following the coronation of King Charles III. The theme for the air show reflects the celebration of the coronation and also the significance the Royal Family has had on the Shuttleworth Trust and the aircraft and vehicles that are maintained and displayed to this day.
The Season Premiere promises to be an incredible spectacle with dramatic air displays over the Old Warden Aerodrome. As well as a host of Shuttleworth operated aircraft, such as the Blériot XI (the world’s oldest airworthy aeroplane), there are also fantastic visiting acts lined up like the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Avro Lancaster, the Fairey Swordfish, the de Havilland Chipmunk, that King Charles learnt to fly in, as well as the display debut of the Westland Lynx AH7 XZ179.
Shuttleworth Air Shows are not just about what happens in the air, but provide a thrilling day out for all ages and interest types. The historic collection of vintage vehicles will be showcased to the public, Discovery Zones will be located across the site for some hands on activities, and food and fun are provided by the vast array of traders and ground attractions.
A Second World War Vickers Wellington bomber has been restored to its former glory after more than a decade of conservation at the Royal Air Force Museum Midlands.
The Wellington, one of only two remaining, has moved from the Conservation Centre into the public display hangar and will be the centre piece of a new Bomber Command exhibition opening in May.
The fuselage and inner wings section can now be viewed by visitors, while the remaining work of attaching the huge 31ft outer wings, engines, propellers and front turret to the aircraft will be carried out over the next few weeks. Members of the public will be able to view some of the final steps towards its completion as the Museum’s Conservation team work within the hangar.
The Wellington was widely used as a night bomber in the early years of the Second World War, and famous for its geodetic fuselage structure designed by Barnes Wallis. By 1942 Wellingtons were the most numerous aircraft in Bomber Command. They began to be replaced by more capable four-engined heavy bombers such as Halifaxes and Lancasters. Wellingtons continued to operate with Bomber Command as a training aircraft and served in North Africa, Italy, the Far East and Coastal Command.
The Museum’s example was constructed in 1944 and served with No. 1 Air Navigation Training School between 1949 and 1953. Although not operational in the Second World War, it represents the role played in the bombing campaign against Germany. This much-loved aircraft is one of only two Wellingtons to survive into the present day and the only one complete with its fabric outer skin. The aircraft is now on public display at the RAF Museum Midlands for the first time.
After almost 40 years on display at the Museum’s site in London, the aircraft was transported by road to the Museum’s Conservation Centre in the Midlands in July 2010, for work treating corrosion to its structure and a complete replacement of its fragile Irish linen outer skin.
The extensive restoration of the Wellington is one of the largest aircraft projects to be undertaken by the Museum’s Conservation Centre team. Work has been carried out by Technicians, Apprentices and a team of Volunteers, including one Volunteer who previously worked on Wellingtons during his RAF instructional airframes training more than half a century ago. During the conservation process the Wellington was regularly visited by the late Mary Stopes-Roe, daughter of the aircraft designer Barnes Wallis.
The final stages of the project will be completed within the next few weeks, in time for the Bomber Command exhibition opening on 16 May.
The Museum is open daily from 10am and admission is free. Pre-book your arrival time online at www.rafmuseum.org/midlands.
