It’s a welcome return to some RIAT regulars as we’re delighted to confirm the attendance of the Royal Jordanian Falcons at this year’s show! Their Extra 330LX aircraft will be participating in the flying display, while they’ll also be bringing a Hercules for static display alongside the traditional Jordanian exhibition marquee.

Launching our celebration of the Italian Air Force’s centenary, we are pleased to confirm the participation a range of historic aircraft from Italy. The static display will including a significant number of aircraft, all adorned in Italian Air Force markings and parked together in a display celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Italian Air Force. Today we have added 10 aircraft to the participation list, including the colourful P-166C and a trio of FIAT G.46 training aircraft.

Tickets are on sale for all days, with a four hour flying display on Friday, featuring many of the weekend highlights, followed by full-length flying displays featuring all aircraft on Saturday and Sunday.

www.airtattoo.com

Amongst the diverse efforts to prepare for the museum’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, the Restoration Manager at Newark Air Museum has signed off to start on the restoration work on Fairey Gannet XP226.

This much need work had been planned for 2022, but it was delayed by the major repaint work required on Vulcan XM594. In recent weeks some surface preparations work has been carried out on the Gannet, and with the warming temperatures in recent days the first primer has now been applied to the fuselage spine.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

To celebrate the Easter weekend, we are launching the RIAT 2023 clothing range!

This year it’s all about The Awe Inspiring Home of Flight, so our ever popular show range features a dynamic Typhoon in a colourful, illustrative design. Our show t-shirts are available in two fantastic colourways, in either navy or white for unisex adults. We would love to see you wearing your shirts, whether that’s out and about or at the show, please use #RIATMERCH to engage with us on social media!

Other products we are launching today include the polo shirt, pens, #RIAT keyring and some fantastic Wallace & Gromit kits (Build Your Own Rocket or Sidecar Plane, from the extremely popular animations!). Don’t worry we will have the full range of magnets, patches and stickers available at the show in July!

All of our clothing this year is 100% organic cotton and is packaged in compostable bags.

www.airtattoo.com/shop

We loved seeing the reaction to last week’s announcement of the Spanish Harriers, so you can imagine our excitement when we received confirmation that we will have another Harrier at this year’s show! The Italian Navy will provide one of their AV-8B+ aircraft for static display in their first appearance at RIAT since 2005!

If that’s not enough, we’re delighted to welcome the Czech Air Force back to RIAT: In the air we’ll be treated to a solo display from their JAS-39C Gripen, plus a tactical pairs display from their L-159 ALCA jets. They will also be bringing their Mi-171 Hip helicopter for static display.

Joining the HM Coastguard static display area at RIAT 2023 will be two fixed-wing SAR aircraft operated by 2Excel, in the form of their King Air and DA62 aircraft.

Tickets are on sale for all days, with a four hour flying display on Friday, featuring many of the weekend highlights, followed by full-length flying displays featuring all aircraft on Saturday and Sunday.

www.airtattoo.com

We’ll have participating aircraft on the ground of RAF Fairford in just 100 days and will be counting down the hours until the showground opens on Friday morning.

We are offering an Early Bird discount on Sunday tickets until the end of April so make sure that you book soon to save. Following on from the success of last year, Sunday’s show will feature all the thrills you have come to love from RIAT, matching Saturday’s seven-hour flying display and giving the same great access to all areas of the showground.

The line-up is beginning to take shape with the Spanish Navy’s Harriers joining the Red Arrows, the Swedish Air Force’s Gripen display, and many more for what promises to be an excitement-filled show.

www.airtattoo.com

Easter Saturday 16th April 2022 Sywell Aviation Museum’s Grand Opening and 21st Birthday Party

SAM first opened its doors in 2001 in three Nissen huts dismantled from RAF Bentwaters and re-erected at the Northamptonshire aerodrome. It expanded twice in 2011 and 2012 with two more huts having been added. 2012 saw the addition of its first complete airframe – unique Hawker Hunter F.2 WN904 from RAF Waterbeach courtesy of the IWM.

After an epic effort, their second airframe Handley Page Jetstream 200 G-RAVL arrived from Cranfield University in March 2020 and since then much work has been done to restore her. The Museum is actively seeking Jetstream parts including seats and interior trim or related memorabilia.

In 1970 with the demise of Handley Page, Terravia Ltd set up Jetstream Ltd at Sywell to continue production of the type. RAVL (then N1035S) was bright back from the USA by the CEO of the company – Captain Bill Bright – for use as a company demonstrator. Indeed he flew her to victory in the 1971 Daily Express National Air Race in June 1971 between Sywell – Biggin Hill.

The Museum was able to track down his children who remember flying on holiday in the machine in the early 1970s. Now living in Spain, Marcus and Rebecca Bright attended the event as guests of honour to be reunited with the aircraft they last saw 45 years earlier.

In addition to a huge number of military and classic vehicles and re-enactors, the Museum welcomed resident and visiting aircraft including a Miles Gemini & Messenger, a brace of Austers, Avro 504 and Fokker DR1 replicas, Beagle Pup prototype, DH Leopard Moth, Piper Cub, Yak 50 and a pair of DH Chipmunks!

This free event was a fine way to mark over 2 decades of opening during which time the Museum has never charged an entry fee and relies on donations to survive.

The Museum is very grateful to readers for their kind donation of military/aviation books, model kits and accessories and diecast models earlier in the year which helped raise funds at a recent book sale – more are always sought to help fund the Jetstream restoration – if you can help please get in touch.

The Museum is open weekends & Bank Holidays 1030-1630 until the end of September and Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons 1200-1600 from Mid May to Mid October. Entry is free, donations welcome.

www.sywellaviationmuseum.org.uk

The Heritage Centre at Bircham Newton has a unique collection of memorabilia from the former Royal Air Force station’s past service, which spanned more than 44 years, including two world wars and the Cold War. On display are photographs and personal memories of service personnel who served there and other related items from its fascinating history. The Centre is staffed and run entirely by volunteers, many of whom are ex-service or children of service personnel. Close by there are two stone memorials to remember those who served at Bircham Newton and its main satellite airfield near Docking.

Easter Sunday 17th April
Sunday 1st May
Sunday 29th May
Sunday 12th June
Sunday 26th June
Sunday 17th July
Sunday 31st July
Sunday 14th August
Sunday 28th August
Sunday 11th September
Sunday 25th September
Sunday 30th October
Sunday 13th November (Remembrance Sunday)

Opening times are from 10am to 4pm

Disabled access & toilets will be available, and car parking and entrance will be free.

www.rafbnmp.org.uk

On Newark Air Museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire; close to the border with Lincolnshire preparations are well in hand for the Falklands 40th & Cold War Call Up event, which takes place on Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May, 2022.

This two-day event has been organised to tie in with the commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the successful Black Buck 1 Vulcan bombing raid on the runway at Port Stanley Airport in the Falkland Islands. The raid was co-ordinated by the Vulcan Wing at nearby RAF Waddington, Lincs; in conjunction with the Victor Tanker Wing at RAF Marham, Norfolk; and launched from Ascension Island on April 30th 1982.

Whilst our Vulcan XM594 was part of the Waddington Vulcan Wing it did not fly in the Falkland War, unlike our Sea Harrier aircraft ZA176, which flew Combat Air Patrols off HMS Hermes during the successful campaign to liberate the Falkland Islands. These aircraft will form a central element of the event, which will be supported by a host of visiting displays and exhibits dispersed around our 16-acre site.

On Saturday 30th April, an RAF Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Memorial will be dedicated in the Museum Memorial Garden at 11.00 hours, in a short service led by Rev Alan Boyd. This will be followed by the official unveiling of the new RAF EOD Display in Hangar 2. On Saturday afternoon and throughout the day on Sunday, Sqn Ldr Mick Haygarth will also host various Question & Answer sessions about his time in the RAF and with various RAF EOD units; he will also be available to sell and sign copies of his book: “From The Cold War To The War On Terror”.

Another aspect of the displays will aim to remind visitors of the tremendous role undertaken by many aircraft and aircrews during the Cold War Era and helped maintain a relatively peaceful situation in Europe for many years. Plus, we will be hosting an Outdoor Aeroboot aviation sale on our Southfield Site.

For members of the general public normal museum admission rates apply and full listing details about the events can be found on the Museum Events page of the museum website at www.newarkairmuseum.org

The sole surviving Chinook helicopter flown by the RAF during the Falklands campaign is now on display at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford. The legendary Chinook HC6A ‘Bravo November’ is displayed alongside the Harrier GR3 in a new Falklands 40 cluster, commemorating 40 years since the start of the conflict.

Arguably the most famous aircraft the RAF has flown in the last 40 years, Bravo November is one of the original 30 Chinooks ordered by the RAF for its heavy lifting capability.

During the liberation of the Falklands Islands in 1982, Bravo November earned itself the nickname ‘The Survivor’ when the MS Atlantic Conveyor container ship it was sailing on, was struck by a missile causing a fire to break out, subsequently sinking a few days later. The chinook fleet along with all the supplies, spares, and maintenance kits were lost, Bravo November was the only survivor, forcing a radical redesign of how the campaign would be fought. Bravo November remained in service for the rest of the campaign, helping deliver victory through carrying out essential tasks, moving troops, supplies, casualties, and prisoners of war. Its significant contribution was a testament to the skill of the aircrew.

For the first time ever Bravo November is now on public display, and visitors to the RAF Museum Cosford are the first in the UK to be able to get up close to the iconic helicopter.

Dr Peter Johnston, RAF Museum Head of Collections said:
‘We’re absolutely delighted to add Bravo November to the RAF Museum’s collection and have her on display at the start of the Falklands 40 anniversary commemorations. Bravo November is an iconic aircraft, with a fascinating history in the Falklands and beyond, she’s been a real witness to war, having travelled the world doing her job.

Indeed, four of her pilots have been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), a remarkable achievement for one aircraft, that brings with it amazing stories of courage and bravery. She is a wonderful addition to our collection, and we’re thrilled to display Bravo November alongside the Harrier GR3, to talk about the role the RAF played in the Falklands campaign, a role that has been overlooked in comparison to that of the Royal Navy and the Army at the time, but still just as important.’

Alongside the aircraft, new Falklands 40 interpretation displays, including 3D touch models and footage in operation will highlight the role the RAF played in the conflict at this important time of remembrance, reflection, and commemoration. People stories from the Falklands, including first-hand accounts of Bravo November will be shared through the Museum’s RAF Stories platform.

Group Captain Donal McGurk, Station Commander RAF Odiham.
‘As the Station Commander at RAF Odiham and the Commander of the Chinook Force, it has been a pleasure to be part of the dedication of this iconic aircraft. Bravo November has been at the heart of RAF Odiham’s operational commitments since she joined the Chinook Force in 1980. It is fitting that we remember her, and all who have served on her, and this exhibit is a fantastic way to showcase her history with the Chinook Force.’

Bravo November recently retired after more than 40 years of service with the RAF and was transported by road from RAF Odiham by the Joint Aircraft Recovery and Transportation Squadron (JARTS) and reassembled over five days by a team of Technicians from RAF Odiham and RAF Cosford, before being moved into the Museum’s hangar for public display.

Be one of the first to view Bravo November, the Harrier GR3 and the new Falklands 40 display at the RAF Museum Cosford. The Museum is also home to the Vulcan and Victor bombers, as well as the VC10, Nimrod and Hercules, all examples of the type used by the RAF in the Falklands campaign. Entry to the Museum is free, simply pre-book your arrival time online at www.rafmuseum.org.

Sally Cordwell joins Aerospace Bristol as the first new CEO since the popular museum and family visitor attraction opened in 2017

Filton, South Gloucestershire, 4 April 2022: The home of Concorde has a new captain at the controls, as Aerospace Bristol welcomes Sally Cordwell as its new CEO.

Sally becomes only the second CEO in Aerospace Bristol’s history, replacing Executive Director, Lloyd Burnell as Chief Executive of a museum that, since opening in 2017, has quickly established itself as one of the region’s most popular visitor attractions, an award-winning school visit destination, and a leading events venue with Concorde as its star attraction.

Sally brings significant experience of senior leadership roles in visitor attractions and culture venues in Bristol and the South West, including as Interim Executive Director at Bristol Old Vic Theatre, and as Deputy CEO at SS Great Britain Trust. Her appointment comes at a key time, as Aerospace Bristol welcomes visitors back to the museum and recovers from covid-19 closures that put its future in real jeopardy.

Sally Cordwell, CEO, Aerospace Bristol said:

“I’m thrilled to join Aerospace Bristol as its new CEO at this exciting time, as the museum celebrates its fifth anniversary year and, following a hugely challenging period, once again looks ahead with optimism and enthusiasm.

Bristol’s world-class aerospace heritage – and the unique collection of objects and exhibitions on display at Aerospace Bristol – presents us with so many opportunities to share remarkable stories, celebrate our local history, preserve Bristol’s aerospace heritage, and inspire future generations.

I can’t wait to get started.”

Iain Gray CBE, Chair, Bristol Aero Collection Trust added:

“On behalf of everyone at Bristol Aero Collection Trust, I’m truly delighted to welcome Sally Cordwell as the new Chief Executive Officer of our museum, Aerospace Bristol.

Sally’s predecessor, Lloyd Burnell did a remarkable job of leading Aerospace Bristol through its development and launch, successfully securing vital funding and getting Aerospace Bristol off the ground, and navigating the unexpected and unprecedented challenges of the pandemic. We are enormously grateful for everything Lloyd achieved in his 13 years at Aerospace Bristol and we wish him all the very best for the future.

I have no doubt that our new CEO will continue this success and that Aerospace Bristol will go from strength to strength. The museum will benefit enormously from Sally’s significant experience, keen enthusiasm, and positive vision, as we look ahead to the exciting next phase of Aerospace Bristol’s journey.”

Aerospace Bristol is home to the last Concorde ever to fly, which touched down at Filton – where all British Concordes were built and made their maiden flights – for the final time in November 2003. The museum tells the story of Concorde and of Bristol’s illustrious aviation heritage, with visitors able to step on board the famous supersonic passenger jet, explore more than a century of aerospace achievements, and watch as Bristol aircraft are restored in the museum’s new Conservation Workshop.

Aerospace Bristol is operated by Bristol Aero Collection Trust, a registered charity that aims to inspire the next generation of engineers through its STEM & local history learning programme for schools and fun family events, activities and days out at the museum.

For more information or to book a visit to Aerospace Bristol, go to www.aerospacebristol.org.