Demand for our super early bird tickets has been incredible, so make sure that you get yours before the price increases. Buy now to get up to 15% off our range of tickets!
You’ll have to act quickly, with only a limited number of Super Early Bird tickets available; once they are gone they are gone.
Midlands Air Festival organiser James McDonald has confirmed the addition of a pair of tickets for next years air show to be added to the prize pot.
Regularly featuring acts such as the barnstorming Turbulent Team, Catalina Flying Boat, Auster and Westland Wasp – all on top of a mass balloon launch, Midlands Air Festival is one of the first traditional Air Shows on the UK calendar each year.
Next year’s Midlands Air Festival is scheduled for 3 days from May 31st – June 2nd 2024 at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire. With model aircraft, Nightfire display and a busy arena schedule it really is a show with something for everyone. Tickets will be going on sale on 1st September at: https://www.midlandsairfestival.com/tickets.html
James McDonald has confirmed he will also be joining the judging panel again this year – James said after last year’s judging that he isn’t really a technical expert when it comes to photography, but that “I’ve just gone on my gut reaction to the images, I guess it’s all about interest and impact for me”. As Airscene usually sorts out the technical stuff when shortlisting, James’ approach to judging is perfect in order to hopefully achieve a balanced playing field 🙂
If you haven’t yet entered the 2024 Calendar Competition, you still have up until the 31st September to get your entries in (2 in total but please read the rules fully). For full rules and to enter visit: http://www.airscene.co.uk/competitions/2024calendar.php
The countdown is on for the Bournemouth Air Festival as more displays and attractions are announced. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to visit the town on 31 August for the free four-day event.
In a first for the festival, the North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco plane will join the line up and making their debut will be the Starlings Aerobatic team, who will bring a two aircraft aerobatic display to the event.
Visitors will be treated to a new performance by former RAF Tornado pilot Richard Goodwin in his unique G-JPIT bi-plane, which he has recently reengineered to include two ATM Lynx Jet engines.
Making a welcome return will be the Yakovlev 50 and the Norwegian Historical Squadron with their classic jet the deHavilland Vampire FB.52
The Night Air programme will include The Firebirds Display Team and Otto the Schweizer 300C helicopter with their vibrant pyrotechnics, not forgetting the Typhoon with its roaring night display.
Back on land, and in another first for the festival, Madame MOJO’s Cabaret Club will be offering performances throughout the four days.
Visitors can also take advantage of funfairs, big screens showing films and 1.5 miles of food and drink stalls.
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Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities and Tourism, Cllr Millie Earl, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back for this year’s Bournemouth Air Festival.
“An incredible amount of work has gone into ensuring this event will be fun for everyone.
Festival Director Jon Weaver said: “We encourage everyone to travel sustainably to the festival and try the Park and Ride, walk or cycle their own bike or a Beryl bike to the festival.
“If you are from out of town, we have some excellent coach operators offering great prices down to the festival.
“We’ve been made aware of planned strike action on the trains on Saturday 2 September and we are waiting for confirmation on how this will affect trains. Please check the South Western Railway website for more information.
“While enjoying the festival, please help keep our beautiful seafront clean by recycling and disposing of your rubbish responsibly and leaving only footprints.”
Also returning to the festival will be the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, who will be performing Sunday morning 11am-12pm and the Beat Retreat Sunset Ceremony in the Lower Gardens on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 6.45pm.
The Commando Recruiting Team will be giving Unarmed Combat demonstrations on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 6.20pm.
Crowd favourites the Red Arrows will perform at 5.30pm on Thursday, 5pm on Friday and Saturday and 2.45pm on Sunday. You can get up to date access to the full Flying programme by purchasing the Coronation Souvenir programme here.
The RAF Typhoon will display each day and the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster will perform the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
There’s still time to snap up the last few VIP hospitality tickets for the best view of the festival here.
Last Sunday saw Ian Schofield, the winner of the Airscene 2023 Calendar Competition, take up his Trial Flight prize with Phoenix Aviation, at Solent Airport in Hampshire.
Weather was partly cloudy with a bit of a breeze when Ian arrived at the airfield in Lee on Solent. After a quick photo shoot Ian went upstairs for his breifing from his pilot Hugh, before heading back to the Ikarus for his flight.
Ian flies a lot on commercial aircraft, but had never been in a microlight before – so a totally new experience. He did get the opportunity to have a go at the controls and made a few turns, but suspected that Hugh was doing a lot of rudder work. Ian enjoyed the trial lesson and had this to say about it afterwards:
“For such a lightweight aircraft it wasn’t bumped around the sky and you could feel the power. It felt like you were flying rather than being blown around by the wind”.
Phoenix Aviation offer trial lessons, for anyone considering taking flying lessons who wants to see what it is like. They do currently have a hold on the sale of trial flights while they clear a backlog due to non-flying weather in recent months, but hopefully they will be back on sale soon.
Trial lesson prices currently start at £105 in the Ikarus C42 or £155 in the Piper PA28, with options to pay extra to land at other local airfields. So if you are interested in a trial flight around the Solent area, do bookmark their website below:
The Super Early Bird catches the worm…
…but hurry! We have a limited number of tickets left at 15% off.
We’re so excited, that we’ve already put tickets on sale below the full price of RIAT23.
There are only 349 days to go until the Royal International Air Tattoo 2024 – not that we’re counting.
Super Early Bird tickets are running out fast. Once they’re gone at this price, they’re gone…
What are you waiting for? Get yours today!
https://www.airtattoo.com/tickets-hospitality/tickets-packages/
A Top Gear themed high-octane stunt in the air and sea has been revealed ahead of this year’s Bournemouth Air Festival.
Sunseeker’s high performance day boat, the Hawk 38, will be pitted against aerobatic plane G-JPIT, in the new Sea and Sky Sprint at the UK’s best free air, land and sea show this September.
G-JPIT is a custom built, highly modified Pitts Biplane that gives it enhanced manoeuvrability and unparalleled power-to-weight ratio.
Meanwhile the Sunseeker Hawk 38 delivers an incredible top speed of up to 70mph (62kts).
The Sea and Sky Sprint will take place on Saturday September 3 and Sunday September 4 of the four-day festival.
Bryan Jones, Marketing Manager at Sunseeker International, said: “We are delighted to have helped put together this incredible stunt which will see the Hawk 38 being driven at its limits across a 1km slalom course just in front of the beach, while the plane will be following both a horizontal and vertical flight path in an attempt to cross the finishing line first.
“Given the agility and performance of both machines, it’s going to be an exceedingly tight race.”
Jon Weaver, Air Festival Director said: “We are delighted that renowned aerobatics pilot Rich Goodwin has agreed to take on this exciting Sea and Sky Sprint challenge. He has had a regular presence at the Bournemouth Air Festival for a number of years performing mind-blowing aerobatic stunts in his muscle biplanes.
“The Air Festival provides a great platform to showcase the prominent international status of local brands including Sunseeker International, based in Poole. We are looking forward to our partnership going from strength to strength and we cannot wait to see this spectacular demonstration play out on sea and in the air.”
Cllr Beverley Dunlop, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Vibrant Places, said: “Now in its 14th year, Bournemouth Air Festival is the biggest date in the area’s calendar.
“This Platinum Jubilee year, the festival is not only a chance for residents and visitors alike to celebrate, it also represents a major opportunity to showcase local businesses and for traders to get in front of consumers.
“In 2019 Air Festival made a major contribution of £32m to the local economy attracting over 600,000 visitors, retaining its reputation as an important attractor event for the region.
“With stunts like this Sunseeker and muscle bi-plane on the display programme to draw in the crowds, we hope this year will be another huge success.”
Retired RAF pilot Richard Goodwin, who will be flying the Sabio Group-sponsored Muscle Biplane, G-JPIT, will be pulling off some dare-devil loop-the-loops and barrel rolls at between 200ft and 1,800ft as part of another individual display during the air show.
He said: “I am very excited by the challenge of doing something a little bit different at the Bournemouth Air Festival; an event which is a real highlight in the UK Air show calendar and one that I look forward to each year.
“We aim to push the boundaries of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to create a unique experience and I am passionate about inspiring our future STEM aviators and engineers.
“Taking on the incredible Sunseeker Hawk 38 at Bournemouth Air Festival is a great opportunity to push the boundaries of aerobatic flying once more. It’s shaping up to be a wonderful occasion!”
Across the weekend a myriad of exhilarating aircraft will rip through Bournemouth’s skies including the RAF Typhoon and The Battle of Britain Memorial planes – the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster.
The world’s only two-seater Hurricane and airworthy Bristol Blenheim will join the famous flying finale of warbirds at this year’s IWM Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show. With plenty of Spitfires and Hurricanes confirmed to take flight and a showground packed full of historical and 1940s entertainment, this annual event pays tribute to those who defeated the German Luftwaffe for control of the skies over Britain at a site where real history happened.
Other must-see aerial displays over the weekend include the much-loved Boeing B17 ‘Sally B’, the last airworthy Flying Fortress in Europe; a visiting display from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight; the P-51D Mustang ‘Miss Helen’; and the Tiger 9 Aeronautical Display Team, amongst many others and with more flying acts soon to be announced. Across the showground, the summer of 1940 can be seen and heard at every turn as jazz, blues and swing music fill the air, living history groups recreate life on the home front during the Second World War and a traditional steam fairground delights families with classic rides. Visitors can also enjoy access to IWM Duxford’s exhibitions and hangars throughout the day, packed full of aircraft, vehicles, collection items and personal stories of war and conflict.
IWM Air Show Event Manager, Phil Hood, said: “This year’s Battle of Britain Air Show is set to be a memorable one with a fantastic array of Second World War aircraft participating in the finale flypast, a site which never ceases to capture audiences as Spitfires and Hurricanes take to the sky in unison to close out the event. What makes this Air Show so special is its connection to the history of Duxford which visitors can explore during their visit and find out more about the men and women who worked at RAF Duxford to help secure some of the most important victories in the skies. The Battle of Britain Air Show gives us the opportunity to commemorate these efforts whilst delighting audiences with aerial displays and history packed entertainment on the ground.”
In addition to the Air Show, IWM Duxford will also be commemorating the Battle of Britain with the following:
Duxford In A Different Light: Battle of Britain Photography Evening – taking place on 15 September, known as Battle of Britain Day, this after-hours photography event is dedicated to this pivotal moment in 20th century history. Using innovative lighting techniques, Second World War and Inter-War aircraft will be illuminated to create evocative photography opportunities and scenes will be brought to life with the help of period vehicles and living history actors dressed in authentic period costume, all against the backdrop of Duxford’s historic buildings.
IWM In Conversation: Battle of Britain – on 17 September, come and listen to fascinating lectures from IWM curators, Adrian Kerrison and Craig Murray, as they delve into the history of the summer of 1940, including Duxford’s controversial Big Wing and its contribution to the Battle of Britain and the development of The Dowding System. Author of The Forgotten Few, Paul Beaver, will pay homage to the overlooked efforts of 57 naval pilots who flew in the Battle of Britain, whilst historian Victoria Taylor will re-tell this iconic British victory from the Luftwaffe’s perspective.
The Battle of Britain: A Visual History by Anthony Richards – out 8 September 2022, this new highly illustrated book brings together multiple elements of IWM’s collection, many of which have rarely been seen before by the public, to explore one of the most testing periods in Britain’s history and the stories of the individuals who witnessed it all, on the ground as well as in the skies.
This year’s Remember A Charity Week (6-12 September), the Royal Air Force Museum is offering a free Will writing service for supporters who wish to leave a gift to the Museum in their Will.
After taking care of your family and friends, even a small legacy donation can make a huge impact, assisting the Museum, a registered charity, in its vision of inspiring future generations with the RAF story.
No matter how big or small your gift is, supporters can access free advice and a Will writing service through the Museum’s partnership with Bequeathed, an accredited legal firm.
Charities and museums underpin so much of community life in the UK and bring people together. Now more than ever, the RAF Museum is relying on gifts in Wills from supporters to help conserve the nations RAF heritage.
The last 18 months have prompted many of us to reflect on the things that matter the most – family, friends, and the causes close to our hearts. We’ve also been reminded of the value of planning for the future, to help look after the things we care about most.
Aimee Pitchford, Legacy Manager at the RAF Museum says:
‘Remember A Charity Week, from 6 to 12 September, is the perfect opportunity to consider passing on something wonderful by leaving a gift in your Will. By leaving a gift in your Will to the Royal Air Force Museum, your gift can reflect your own interests and passions, inspiring others through our collections and exhibitions as we continue to inspire everyone with the RAF story, the people who shape it and its place in our lives.’
The RAF has been responsible for some of the greatest stories ever told…not just of the heroism of the Battle of Britain that took place over the skies of Britain 80 years ago, but also of the RAF today. Underpinning these stories is a collection of more than 1.3 million objects, ranging in size from aircraft to lapel badges, and spanning more than a century of aviation history.
If you would like to find out more about leaving a gift to the RAF Museum in your Will, please visit www.rafmuseum.org.
#RememberACharityWeek
Preparations for the 2021 Cockpit-Fest are well underway at Newark Air Museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire; close to the border with Lincolnshire. Newark Air Museum is a registered charity located on part of the former site of RAF Winthorpe; this year’s three-day Cockpit-Fest event is one of our first since the recent enforced Covid closures.
This will be the twenty first (21st) time that like-minded enthusiasts have displayed their aircraft cockpit sections at the museum. Cockpit-Fest has become a fixture on the aviation calendar and each year attracts many visiting cockpits and associated displays. Cockpit-Fest allows the owners the chance to display their prized exhibits to their fellow enthusiasts and the general public.
At this year’s event a diverse range of aviation will be represented; this includes a range of military jet cockpits and perhaps most notably this time a cockpit from a once famous Balderton landmark will be on display at the event.
The museum trustees are pleased to confirm that the Lightning F2A cockpit from XN728 – “The A1 Lightning” is being displayed in the UK for the first time, after it was saved by enthusiasts from a Newark scrapyard several years ago. Visitors to the event will get the chance to get close up to this much talked about local landmark.
Cockpit-Fest 2021takes place on Saturday 28th, Sunday 29th and Monday 30th August; and the event is being staged around the museum’s 16-acre site, alongside an Aeroboot / Aerojumble aviation and avionics sale. Here enthusiasts and the public can search out those aviation artefacts, books and models.
The event is supported by a range of organisations and individuals; with the visitors being encouraged to have a say in deciding, which is the best cockpit by voting on their favourite display and from these results, prizes are awarded.
Cockpit-Fest also attracts other visiting displays like local history / military vehicle groups; re-enactors; and even more aviation related displays such as clothing and historical artefacts.
Full details about the events and a full list of visiting cockpits and displays can be found on the Museum Events page of the museum website at www.newarkairmuseum.org
Date: 29 August 2021 / Time: 10.00am / Cost: Standard entry £22.50 / Register: www.rafmuseum.org/cosford
The annual Spitfire 10K will return to the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford this August bank holiday weekend, with exclusive access to the airfield at RAF Cosford for up to 1,500 participants. Taking place on Sunday 29 August, the 10-kilometer race will take-off with a loop around the Museum and includes a sprint up and down the runway, finishing with a huge spinning Spitfire 10K medal!
It will be ready, steady…..scramble at 10.00am sharp as the race begins with a dash around the Museum grounds, passing by iconic aircraft including the VC10, Hercules and Nimrod, before runners make their way onto the airfield at RAF Cosford. Participants will enjoy a scenic route around the military airfield, taking them past several historic landmarks along the way including wartime hangars, an air traffic control tower and of course, the race wouldn’t be complete without a sprint down the runway! Then it’s back onto the Museum site to cross the finish line where runners will be rewarded with a highly sought-after bespoke 2021 Spitfire 10K medal, a perfect and well-earned memento of their day.
The Spitfire 10K is held in memory of RAF Battle of Britain personnel. All runners will each receive a roll of honour card containing the name of a Battle of Britain pilot or crew member to wear with their race number, sharing the story of those who served in this pivotal aerial campaign with a new generation.
RAF Museum Public Events Manager, Ulrike Stuebner said:
‘It’s great to have the physical race back at the Museum this year. We received brilliant support and participation for the virtual race in 2020, but there is nothing like the thrill of running down the runway on an active RAF base, it’s such a unique experience.
We are well known for our brilliant Spitfire 10K race day medals, and this year’s design will not disappoint. We are keeping it under wraps until the end of the race, but I can confirm it includes our notorious spinning element, and there is still time for people to sign up and get their hands on one!
One of the most popular elements of the race is the Roll of Honour cards. It’s wonderful to see runners researching the incredible life of ‘their’ pilot or crew member and sharing these stories with family, friends and even on social media. We encourage people to get involved and keep their memory alive, sharing RAF stories is what the Museum is all about.’
The Spitfire 10K is a UK Athletics licensed race and a great event for keen runners, achieving a personal best is aided by the flat airfield terrain. But for those who just want to have fun, why not get into the spirit of the Spitfire 10K by dressing in wartime attire – don your victory curls or flying jacket and run this event in style! If you’re aged 15 and over why not give it a go? Whether you’ve been entering races for years, or you’re just getting into running, the RAF Museum’s Spitfire 10K is guaranteed to be fun and memorable.
Friends and family are invited to cheer on their loved ones and show their support on the day at the start and finish line. Following the race, visitors have the bonus of being able to enjoy time wondering round the free Museum, where they will find a world class collection of aircraft and artefacts on display, including the world’s oldest Spitfire.
To take part in this unique racing experience, register online at www.rafmuseum.org/cosford. Entry to the Spitfire 10K costs £22.50 per person, or £20.50 per person for Armed Forces Personnel and members of UK Athletics affiliated clubs. 2021 Spitfire 10K technical running t-shirts and vests are also available to purchase in advance and on race day (subject to availability).
Or pledge to raise £80 and receive your race day t-shirt for free. Help us honour those who defended our skies during the Battle of Britain by fundraising for the RAF Museum. Support for this event enables the RAF Museum, a registered charity, to tell the inspiring stories of RAF personnel, just like The Few – the courageous Battle of Britain Pilots and Crew who fought in the skies above Britain in 1940. Select the sponsorship option when signing up online.
If you can’t make it to Cosford for race day, why not sign up for the Virtual Spitfire 10K which launches on the bank holiday weekend and runners have until Battle of Britain day on the 15 September, to complete the challenge. The virtual race allows you to tailor the racing experience to fit your schedule and ability. You can take part in real time with other runners at 10.00am on race day, or if running 10K is not for you, why not split the distance into a few runs, a long walk, row, or a cycle. Runners from all over the UK, and across the world can take part, running in honour of a Battle of Britain pilot while supporting the RAF Museum. Further details on the virtual event can be found online at www.rafmuseum.org/cosford.
The Museum is open daily from 10.00am and admission is free, simply pre-book your arrival time online at www.rafmuseum.org/cosford. Then it’s chocks away as you explore the Museum’s vast collection of aircraft, vehicles, artefacts and the fascinating story of the RAF!
