August – Page 10 – Airscene News

“King of the Junglies” has landed at the Fleet Air Arm Museum

Sea King Fleet Air Arm Museum

The longest serving Mk4 Sea King helicopter – the ZA298, known as ‘King of the Junglies’, has landed at the Fleet Air Arm Museum
Helicopter’s rich history to be told to thousands of visitors at the museum from August 4th
The ZA298 survived four wars and will be preserved in the museum
Pilots who flew Sea King over its history of nearly four decades will be in attendance

The much loved and longest serving Mk4 Sea King ZA298 has arrived at The National Museum of the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm Museum (FAAM), where her memory will inspire many generations to come.

The ‘King of the Junglies’, as she is popularly known, has survived four wars and has been a real stalwart in supporting soldiers on various missions including at the Falklands, Bosnia, Iraq and more recently in Afghanistan.

Aircraft Curator at the museum, Dave Morris, is excited to be welcoming the Sea King into the museum’s collection, which will go on display from August 4.

“It’s always exciting to get a new aircraft into the collection and none more-so than Sea King ZA298,” he said.

“From its first combat action in 1982 (Falklands) it was still in active combat service some 30 years later in Afghanistan, and in the years in between it has been active in just about every other major combat or humanitarian aid task that the Royal Navy and Fleet Air Arm has been involved with.

“It was also the helicopter that famously delivered the Olympic Flame to Tower Bridge during the London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony.

“A real ‘war horse’, 298 has taken heavy fire on several occasions and is still standing, and has some amazing stories to tell.

“This helicopter is also an important addition to the line-up of Westland aircraft that we have in the collection. The Fleet Air Arm Museum holds a collection of Westland built aircraft of world significance that dates back to The Short 184 aircraft that flew at the Battle of Jutland 100 years ago.

“ZA298 will add yet more naval aviation history to this very important collection of aircraft, built only seven miles away from the museum itself in the town of Yeovil.”

Four Sea Kings landed at RNAS Yeovilton, before a handing-over ceremony in the museum earlier this year, where around 300 servicemen from the Royal Navy, RAF and Royal Marines celebrated her career which has spanned more than three decades.

Representatives from the helicopter’s manufacturer AugustaWestland, who, with the Royal Navy, handed over ZA298 to the museum, were also there to speak about the helicopter’s illustrious career.

www.fleetairarm.com

Tackling the guerrillas of Oman is focus of museum lecture

Date: 19 August 2016

Time: 12.30pm

Cost: FREE

For more than two decades a series of counterinsurgency operations were fought in the Sultanate of Oman on the South-eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. The military action taken against the activities of guerrillas in these regions will be the focus of the next Cold War Lunchtime Lecture held at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford later this month. The lecture entitled ‘The RAF and Counterinsurgency Warfare in Oman during the Cold War’ will be presented by Dr Ross Mahoney, Aviation Historian at the RAF Museum on Friday 19 August at 12.30pm.

This forthcoming lecture is the third in the new series of lectures launched earlier this year, which each cover a different topic related to the Cold War. During this next lecture, Ross will discuss two major counterinsurgency campaigns fought in the Sultanate of Oman from the early 1950s through to the mid-1970s and how air power played a vital role in defeating the revolutionaries. Up for discussion will be the campaign fought against an uprising in the Jebel Akhdar during the 1950s and the campaign conducted in the Dhofar region against insurgents supported by Yemen which ran for just over a decade.

The role of air power during this period ranged from strike operations, such as the role played by BAC Strikemasters at the Battle of Mirbat in 1972, through to the support of ‘hearts and minds’ operations using helicopters and light aircraft. Based on research undertaken for the RAF Museum’s exhibition on the relationship between the Royal Air Force and Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) at its London site, this lecture will explore the origins of these campaigns, the role of air power in supporting their conduct and the formation of the Sultan of Oman’s Air Force. Finally, the lecture will consider the development of relations between the RAF and RAFO, after the end of the Dhofar War through to the present day.

RAF Museum Aviation Historian, Ross Mahoney said:

“It gives me great pleasure to be delivering one of the Museum’s Cold War lunchtime lectures at Cosford. The lectures, which form part of our research programme, are a significant activity for the Museum. Additionally, the opportunity to lecture on research undertaken for one of our exhibitions is important as it allows us to examine further the RAF’s role in this region of the world and the impact the Service has had on the development of air forces around the globe.”

The Cold War lunchtime lectures form part of the RAF Museum’s Research Programme for 2016. ‘The RAF and Counterinsurgency Warfare in Oman during the Cold War’, is the third of four lectures taking place at Cosford this year. The programme also consists of the Trenchard Lectures in Air Power Studies and the First World War in the Air Lunchtime Lectures, which are held at the University of Wolverhampton, the Royal Aeronautical Society in London and the RAF Museum in London respectively.

This FREE lecture will be held in the RAF Museum’s National Cold War Exhibition lecture theatre at 12.30pm on Friday 19 August. As spaces are limited, organisers advise visitors to book their tickets in advance via the museum’s website to avoid disappointment.

For further information about the museum’s research programme or to book your FREE ticket to the lecture, please visit the museum website www.rafmuseum.org/cosford. The museum is open daily from 10am and entry to the museum is FREE of charge.

October Model Show Spectacular: 15th October 2016

Fleet Air Arm Museum Model Show

The October Model Show is the largest event of its kind in the South West and is a must for all model enthusiasts.

Visitors will be able to see a broad array of scaled-down models of real aircraft, see club and trade exhibitors from across the UK and meet the enthusiasts who live and breathe model making.

Advance Tickets will be withdrawn from sale on the 14th October 2016. For any queries please contact the ticket box on 01935 842617. SAVE 20% and buy online!

Tickets for the event can be found by clicking here (after 1st July 2016).

www.fleetairarm.com

Thunder Day at Yorkshire Air Museum

• Live engine runs by aircraft from across the history of flight

• From WW1, through WW2 to Cold War Jets all running for visitors to experience

• WW1 era SE5a and Eastchurch Kitten biplanes in action

• The huge engines of the C47 Dakota and De Havilland Devon

• Cold War Jets in action with the Nimrod and Victor Lusty Lindy

• A chance to see the Museum’s AVRO 504 exhibition, returned from the Somme

The Yorkshire Air Museum will reverberate with the sound of aircraft engines on Sunday 7th August as they stage the latest of their very popular “Thunder Day” events this season.

These events really capture the imagination of visitors at the peak of the Yorkshire summer holiday season, as they provide a great opportunity to see, hear – and indeed smell – a variety of the Museum’s historic aircraft as their engines are powered up to provide a unique experience of the history of flight.

The Museum’s Thunder Day gets under way with a pair of wonderful WWI bi-planes. The Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a fighter and the diminutive Eastchurch PV8 Kitten “Zeppelin killer”, evocative of the period of “string and canvas” aircraft.

World War Two and beyond is represented by the Museum’s C47 Dakota, the smoky start up action of her big Pratt and Whitney radial engines are always a great photo opportunity for visitors.

Running to accompany the Dakota is the pretty 1947 De Havilland Devon. This VIP transport aircraft is known to have carried Lord Mountbatten during its service with the Royal Air Force

These historic aircraft with their 70 year old engines are maintained by a team of volunteer aircraft engineers and give visitors a chance to experience the sights, sounds and smells of these old aircraft coming to life.

The Museum’s collection of Cold War Jets is one of the largest in the UK and the unique experience of hearing these mighty aircraft starting in close proximity is what makes Thunder Days so popular with visitors.

The Museum’s BAE Nimrod MR2 XV250, known as the “Mighty Hunter” in its role as Cold War submarine finder will be live, with her four Rolls Royce Spey engines running up to take off power.

The second of the Cold War Jets and one of the most famous faces of the Museum will be as popular as ever. Handley Page Victor XL231 “Lusty Lindy” V-Bomber / K2 Tanker, which served in the Falklands and first Gulf War as an air-to-air refuelling tanker.

She will really make the ground shake as her four Rolls Royce Conway’s produce their awesome bellow, much loved by her loyal followers. Bring your earplugs!

These two Cold War jets are operated by volunteer engineering teams and give a real insight to the complex procedures of typical service operations of the period. a time when the nuclear threat was never far from the headlines.

The Museum’s own in house fire and rescue team will also be on hand, not just to ensure safety but also to join in the celebration of running these exciting aircraft. The Fire Team will be giving visitors a chance to operate the powerful fire hose of the 38 tonne Pathfinder rescue vehicle. Parents might want to step back!

The Fire Team will also be giving an exciting demonstration of the fire fighting capability of the huge 38 tonne Reynolds Boughton “Chubb” airport fire tender and the rapid intervention 6 wheel Range Rover vehicle, culminating with a casualty extraction from one of the Museum’s aircraft.

A full schedule of events can be found at the Museum’s website http://yorkshireairmuseum.org/event/august-thunder-day/

YouTube video to link or embed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dKRGpEeVps

New RAF Chief visits Museum

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier

Today Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, the RAF’s new Chief of Air Staff visited the RAF Museum in North London

Whilst at the Museum, Sir Stephen spoke to CEO Maggie Appleton about the Museum’s plans for the RAF’s Centenary in 2018 as well as the fundraising campaign ‘Names on a Plane’

Sir Stephen also took a tour of the Museum and also dropped into our Archive department where he was shown documents and prints relating to his time at 2 Sqn.

Say’s Maggie Appleton, RAF Museum CEO: “It was wonderful to share our plans to celebrate and commemorate the RAF’s Centenary with Sir Stephen. We are committed to making our London site more accessible, vibrant and focused on the RAF’s story. Our multi-million pound transformation will use our collections as dynamic storytellers and ensure the site becomes an inspiring space for all our visitors, reflecting our historic roots as RAF Hendon, exploring today’s RAF and imagining the future.”

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier is the Chief of the Air Staff, in command of the Royal Air Force, leading a Whole Force of some 35000 Regular and Reserve personnel, and 5000 Civil Servants, supported by thousands of contractors. He is personally accountable for the safe and effective operation of over 700 manned and unmanned aircraft and for meeting the airpower needs of Defence, which currently means thousands of people and every front-line force committed to operations world-wide. In addition to sustaining his people and this exceptionally high level of commitment, he is also responsible for delivering the significant growth in the RAF’s front-line capability announced in the 2015 Defence Review.

www.airmuseum.org

The B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B joins the Wings & Wheels line-up

Sally-B

We are thrilled to announce the inclusion of the B-17 Flying Fortress G-BEDF Sally B to the Wings & Wheels line-up. The last remaining airworthy B-17 in Europe will display on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th August at the aerodrome near Guildford in Surrey.

For 39 years Sally B has been maintained and flown as a memorial to the 79,000 Allied airmen who lost their lives in Europe during the Second World War. The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft is an important educational and heritage project, representing a chapter in our history when formations of B-17 Flying Fortresses of the United States Eighth Army Air Force flew daylight missions out of British bases.

Since 1982, Sally B has been operated by Elly Sallingboe of B-17 Preservation with the help of a dedicated team of volunteers and the backing of one of the largest supporters clubs of its kind in the world – the Sally B Supporters Club. Sally B is maintained by Chief Engineer Peter Brown and his team of volunteers, and flown by volunteer experienced professional pilots.

Sally B is permanently based at the Imperial War Museum Duxford where she is on static display when not flying. However, the aircraft is not part of the Museum’s own collection and relies solely on charitable donations, sponsorship, sales of souvenirs, and the loyal support of her working team of volunteers and 8,000 Sally B Supporters Club Members, one of the largest clubs of its kind in the world.

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the world famous Red Arrows, RAF Eurofighter Typhoon, RAF Eurofighter Typhoon & Spitfire (Synchro Pair), Vulcan, Chinook, MIG 15, B25 Mitchell, The Blades and a host of other modern and historic aircraft during the five hour flying displays. For four and two wheeled fans, supercars and classic and vintage icons put on an awe inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a two hour auto spectacular from Brooklands Museum, and over in our Wheels Zone you can expect an array of interactive and static displays to wander around.

The show also includes over 25 fixed-price catering outlets, 2 bars, hospitality facilities, free on-site parking, public camping, lost children point, disabled access, informative show commentary, opportunities to meet the pilots, official show merchandise and grandstand seating.

Tickets start from £22 for adults, £50 for a family (2 adults and 3 children aged 5 – 15yrs), £7 for children aged between 5 and 15yrs and under 5s are free. For more information visit www.wingsandwheels.net

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2015 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Help for Heroes and Brooklands Museum Trust.

Blue Skies And Farewell Flight Bring Award-Winning Festival To A Close

With a record-breaking 1300 boats in the bay on Saturday alone and total numbers topping 3/4 million, the award-winning Bournemouth Air Festival, supported by Kier, enjoyed its eighth year (20-23 August) in spite of weather extremes – welcoming new displays from the MiG 15 and Hawk T2 Role Demo Team as well as an emotional farewell from festival favourite, the Vulcan against a backdrop of a flotilla of Royal Navy ships.

Two glorious days on Friday and Saturday and unexpectedly clear skies on Sunday attracted wide eyed visitors to the UK’s largest free festival, to enjoy displays from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Chinook, Tutor, Black Cats, Twister Duo, Tigers Parachute Display Team, Eurofighter Typhoon, B-17 Flying Fortress, Blades Aerobatic Display Team and Sea Vixen. While the world-renowned Red Arrows stole the show as usual performing on all four days, 2015 also saw the welcome return of the Matadors Display Team and Patrouille Reva. The keenly awaited Vulcan XH558 gave two star turns in her spectacular final farewell to mixed emotions from South Coast fans on both Saturday and Sunday.

Kenneth Aarkvisla, flying the MiG 15 in her first appearance at Bournemouth, said: “It was fantastic to see such a huge crowd here! It’s a beautiful place to fly. We would definitely like to come back!”

RAF Typhoon Display Pilot Flight Lieutenant Jonny Dowen, said: “Bournemouth is the biggest show of the year – it’s been awesome!”

This year’s new and improved Night Air programme kept the festival flowing into the evening with a host of musical entertainment over three nights at Wave105’s Boscombe Seafront stage. Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Collingwood headlined on Thursday with a special, sea-inspired proms-on-the-beach performance. Friday welcomed a pop music extravaganza with performances from Alesha Dixon, Fuse OGD, Scouting for Girls, Sarah Harding and Lawson. Saturday took crowds on a jet-propelled journey through 25 years of dance music, with live sets from Artful (Mark Hill from Artful Dodger), K-Klass, Black Box, Livin’ Joy and Karen Harding.

The musical entertainment was accompanied by thrilling night-time air displays from the Red Devils Parachute Team, Aerosparx – a brand new pyrotechnic and LED display team – and a debut performance at Bournemouth from the Fire Flies displaying alongside O’Brien’s Flying Circus.

Building on support from the military in previous years, the Royal Navy increased their presence in Bournemouth for 2015. As well as the armed forces’ villages, featuring recruitment stands and meet and greet opportunities, the Royal Navy displayed more ships than ever before including HMS Iron Duke, offering ship visits to hundreds of members of the public and organising one of their largest practical training weekends of the year. Royal Marines Commandos entertained crowds with beach assault and unarmed combat demonstrations as well as the atmospheric Beating Retreat Sunset Ceremony performed by HM Royal Marines Band Collingwood.

Admiral Sir George Zambellas, First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, said: “Bournemouth’s wonderful seafront has provided a magnificent stage for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines to demonstrate what we can do at sea, in the air and over the land. None of this was just for show – it’s indicative of what our sailors and marines are doing right now, on operations at home and around the world. Britain is an island nation, a trading nation, with global ambition. So the Royal Navy is working to keep the maritime motorways flowing, to keep British citizens safe, and to protect and advance our interests in this age of global opportunity. I would like to thank the Council, local businesses and the entire community for making us so welcome. We’ve had a wonderful time – we hope you did too – and you can count on us to be back in 2016!”

Recently awarded VisitEngland’s UK Tourism Event of the Year, Bournemouth Air Festival creates an estimated 500 full-time jobs and brings over £30million to the local economy. In addition, the festival receives support from business sponsors including Festival Partner, Kier. It has also built Bournemouth’s profile on an international stage.

Dale Wood, Kier Partnership Director for Bournemouth said: “We’re proud to have been part of this year’s spectacular Air Festival and credit is due to the organisers who put on such a great show for both local residents and visitors. The festival brings a lot of value to the town and supports our commitment with Bournemouth Council to boost local economic growth. We would encourage more companies to support the festival next year – whether it’s as a sponsor or patron – it’s an incredible event for us all to be part of.”

Mark Smith, Director of Tourism said: “The Air Festival has received recognition at a national level with the 2015 VisitEngland Best National Event award and we know that Bournemouth residents are proud to be the hosts for such a popular, World Class event. It’s always wonderful to see local families and visitors alike enjoying the breathtaking displays and on-the-ground entertainment. I would like to pay a particular tribute to the amazing work by the dedicated and highly professional Bournemouth Tourism Events Team, to extensive Council backing and to all the local emergency services and armed forces. We are extremely grateful to Festival Partner, Kier, for their financial support and long may the resounding success of the event continue. Confirmed dates for 2016 are 18-21 August – we hope to see you all again next year!”

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

Reach for the skies on board historic planes

Bristol type 188

Date: 18-19 September

Time: 6.00pm to 9.00pm

Cost: £12.50 per person

Calling all future pilots and aviation fans….if you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to sit inside a military aircraft that’s seen action around the world, or marvel at the advanced technologies on unique airframes, wonder no more. The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford will be giving visitors the rare chance to climb on board a selection of aircraft and sit in the pilot’s seat during the ‘Open Cockpits Evening’ event taking place next month.

Over 450 visitors attended the event held in May and organisers are confident that the September event will be just as popular with an exciting line up of aircraft available on the night.

Aircraft confirmed for close viewing include the Bristol Type 188. Built mainly of stainless steel, this aircraft was designed to investigate the effects of heat on aircraft structures at very high speeds. To protect the pilot against heat build-up a special cockpit refrigeration system was installed. Nicknamed ‘Flaming Pencil’, only two Bristol 188s ever flew, a third being used for ground tests.

Other highlights include access inside the Hawker Siddeley Gnat T1, made famous by the Red Arrows. The Gnat was intended to replace the Vampire as an advanced trainer for pilots who would fly jet fighters and bombers, combining high performance with the handling qualities required for effective instruction. A total of 105 Gnats served with the RAF and its aerobatic qualities led to the formation of the Yellowjacks aerobatic team in 1964, leading to the foundation of the world famous Red Arrows the following year. The team flew their red Gnats for fourteen years until they were replaced by the British Aerospace Hawk at the end of the 1979 season.

Visitors to ‘Open Cockpits Evening’ will also have the rare chance to view inside the cockpit of Supermarine Spitfire 1. The Spitfire is the most famous British fighter aircraft in history. It won immortal fame during the summer months of 1940 by helping to defeat the German air attacks during the Battle of Britain. From the beginning pilots recognised it as a thoroughbred, combining a perfection of design with superb handling characteristics. Although Hurricanes outnumbered Spitfires throughout the Battle of Britain, it was the Spitfire which captured the imagination of the British public and enemy alike. 1,566 Spitfire 1’s were built and this machine is the world’s oldest surviving example of its type.

The event, which now runs on both a Friday and Saturday evening, allows twice as many budding pilots to enjoy some of the world’s most iconic aircraft. Just 300 tickets per evening are available for this exclusive event, ensuring visitors have plenty of time to get a feel for what it was like to fly the aircraft, ask lots of questions and take photos as memento of their visit.

RAF Museum Cosford Event Manager Abi Betteridge said:

“Museum visitors are always keen to see inside the aircraft we have on display and events like these are the perfect opportunity to make a visit to the Museum extra special. We try to offer a real mix of aircraft type for visitors to climb on board during ‘Open Cockpits Evening’, so whether it’s a fast jet to spark interest in the younger generation, or a nostalgic wartime aircraft that brings back memories for our older visitors, we have everything covered.”

Visitors will have exclusive after-hours access to the Museum which displays a collection of over 75 aircraft, military vehicles, engines and aviation artefacts within three wartime hangars and the award-winning National Cold War Exhibition. As an added extra, visitors can experience the thrills of powered flight on board the Flight Simulator and 4D Experience at a special discounted rate.

Tickets for the popular event are now on sale through the Museum’s website www.rafmuseum.org/cosford, with just 300 tickets available per evening. The Museum will close at 5.00pm on each ‘Open Cockpit Evening’ in order to set up for the event and the evening will commence at 6.00pm and finish at 9.00pm. Admission is by advance ticket only; tickets cost £12.50 per person (Lightning Members price £10.00 per ticket – please note membership cards will need to be shown on entry to the event). Parking charges are included in the ticket price. Minimum height restrictions of 1.07 metres will apply.

Duxford’s People in the Battle of Britain at IWM Duxford

A new exhibition telling stories of the people who served

Opens to the public on Friday 21 August

Marking the 75th Anniversary, Duxford’s People in the Battle of Britain is a new exhibition which presents the personal experiences and mementoes of seven people who served at RAF Duxford, a pivotal fighter station during the Battle of Britain.

The people represented in the exhibition are David Whitley (Pilot Officer, 264 Squadron), Maria Blewitt (Women’s Auxiliary Air Force), Gordon Sinclair (310 Squadron), Guy Mayfield (Chaplain at RAF Duxford), James Coward (19 Squadron), ‘Woody’ Woodhall (RAF Duxford Station Commander) and Peter Howard-Williams (19 Squadron).*

The exhibition was officially opened today by Chas and Liz Bazeley, cousins of Maria Blewitt and Gordon Sinclair’s son, Alan.

Maria Blewitt was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force at Duxford. Her letter home to her mother, which features in the exhibition, was written by Maria on 11 September 1940, the day that the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, gave a speech stating:

“‘…a heavy full-scale invasion of this Island is being prepared…it may be launched now… Therefore we must regard the next week or so as a very important period in our history.’

Maria’s letter shows how real and frightening was the threat of imminent invasion. In it, she says: “I have just been listening to Winston. Brilliant, inspiring but just a tiddly bit frightening. He seems quite sure invasion will come within the next week or so. If not I shall be home for 48 hrs on 17th…”

Gordon Sinclair joined 19 Squadron at RAF Duxford on 27 November 1937. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 25 June 1940 and in late June became ‘A’ Flight Commander of 310 (Czech) Squadron, which became operational on 17 August. Gordon Sinclair was awarded the Czech Military Cross on 24 December 1940.

The exhibition also contains transcriptions from the diary of Guy Mayfield, Duxford’s Chaplain during the Battle of Britain. It was to him that pilots would turn when they were feeling the immense pressures of the battle. One diary entry reads:

“19 Squadron were night flying after dinner… [Pilot Officer Horace Trenchard] crashed while we were there…he had crashed at Whittlesford…he was killed at once. Peter appeared with a beer and questions following on Trenchard’s death. It was a relief to be able to talk realistically to him, not about Trenchard, but about the things which we keep concealed for the most part beneath the surface. What happens when you die? Is it wrong to be frightened of dying? How should you live if you are twenty and will be dead by the end of the summer?”

James Coward’s Pilot’s Flying Log Book, in which he recorded every flight he made with beautiful drawings, also features in the exhibition, turned to the page upon which he has drawn an illustration of the flight on which he was shot down and wounded.

Many of these objects on display in the exhibition have not been previously seen by the public.

Alan Sinclair said: “It is wonderful that these personal items are on display. It seems slightly ironic that the last time I saw it [Gordon Sinclair’s flying suit] he was sitting on a lawnmower wearing it.”

Chas Bazeley said: “It is wonderful to see what Maria was involved in during the war and it’s wonderful to know that she has been chosen as the only woman amongst all those handsome chaps. She would be delighted.”

RAF Duxford was pivotal in the Battle of Britain. The first Spitfires flew from Duxford. Douglas Bader was based at RAF Duxford and it was the home of the controversial ‘Big Wing’ flying tactic. It is through the very different personal stories of the men and woman featured in the new Duxford’s People in the Battle of Britain exhibition that we discover what it was like to work and serve at an RAF Fighter Station in the relentlessly demanding days of the Battle of Britain.

Duxford’s People in the Battle of Britain is a contemplative exhibition in which visitors can learn about people who were instrumental at RAF Duxford, before they visit the Battle of Britain Exhibition to view the aircraft that fought the battle from the skies.

Entry is included in general admission to IWM Duxford.

www.iwm.org.uk

Air Festival ceremony opens with a big bang!

A breath-taking historic flypast, commando crushing Royal Marines, daring Black Cat display, Royal Marine buglers and Army canon announced the fantastic opening of the much anticipated 2015 Bournemouth Air Festival, sponsored by Kier.

The ceremony, announcing the start of the UK’s Tourism Event of the Year, was attended by Major General Martin Smith, RAF Group Captain Sanger-Davies, Brigadier Bennett and the Mayor of Bournemouth Councillor John Adams with guests treated to first class performances by all participating forces.

Bringing a host of land, sea and air assets including a stunning flotilla of ships and hosting the first Proms on the Beach, Major General Martin Smith said; “I’m delighted that we are able to support this year’s Bournemouth Air Festival. It presents a marvellous opportunity for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines to demonstrate some of our capabilities to such a huge audience.”

He added; “I hope you will take time to speak to our sailors and marines, both regular and reserve, and find out more about the Royal Navy. We want you to hear the roar of our helicopters and feel the salt spray from our landing craft as the Royal Marines storm ashore. We belong to you and we are very proud to be able to show you what we get up to when we are protecting UK interests worldwide.”

The RAF, ever present with a stunning line-up of full allocation of aircraft at the festival including the new Hawk T2 Role Demo Team, Typhoon and world famous Red Arrows, welcomed the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Hurricane and Spitfire to the launch ceremony. Group Captain Sanger-Davies said; “The Air Festival is one of our annual flagship events. Its sheer size and scale makes it a fantastic stage for us to showcase what the RAF does on a day-to-day basis and hopefully entertain you with some incredible aerial displays. There’s a fantastic allocation of RAF assets here and we look forward to showing you what we can do in the air and on the ground. For those considering career options or ready to make the commitment, there’s a great opportunity to find out more about the exciting range of careers available in the Royal Air Force, both full-time and spare-time. ”

The ceremony was also an opportunity for guests to watch the Royal Marines Commando Recruiting Team perform their unarmed combat demonstrations. Dale Wood, Kier partnership director for Bournemouth and Air Festival Partner sponsor said; “It’s incredibly exciting to be sponsoring this year’s Air Festival and we’re looking forward to enjoying the displays with residents and visitors. We’re now in our third year of sponsoring the event and are very proud to be helping to bring value to the town through the festival and ultimately boosting local economic growth.”

Councillor Lawrence Williams, Tourism Portfolio Holder added; “To have such superb support and ongoing commitment from the Armed Forces, and to be welcoming back the First Sea Lord, really shows how far we have come over the last seven years. We are the National Tourism Event of the year and I can’t wait for the next four days!”