7th April 2013
10.00am – 4.00pm
FREE entry

Modelling fans from across the Midlands are invited to attend one of the region’s largest modelling events, taking place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on Sunday 7th April 2013. Nestled amongst a world-class collection of aircraft and military vehicles, thousands of intricately detailed models will be displayed alongside many of the real aircraft for the annual Shropshire Model Show.

This year Airfix will be attending the show and launching their brand new 1:72 Lancaster model kits, which go on sale for the first time worldwide to visitors at the Shropshire Modellers’ Show. A specially commissioned display, including 19 Airfix model Lancaster’s, a Wellington bomber, and Photo Reconnaissance Spitfire, depicting the Dambusters Raid will be a focal point at the show. These have been kindly donated by Airfix and built by members of the Shropshire Modellers’ Club. This bespoke Dambusters diorama will remain on display at the Museum throughout April and May, marking the 70th Anniversary of the Dambusters Raid.

Darrell Burge, Airfix and Humbrol Marketing Manager says:

“We’re very excited to be at this show, especially as it gives us the chance to show off our new Dambuster Lancaster model to the public for the first time. It’s always great to work with the RAF Museum Cosford, and this is no exception. We’ll have other new Airfix products on show, alongside new products from our sister brand Humbrol as well.”

With everything any dedicated modeller could want or need, all in one place, thousands of visitors are expected to attend the one day show. More than 80 modelling clubs from across the UK will be exhibiting their pint sized models which have taken hours of dedication to perfect. Plus, it’s not just models of aircraft that will be on show, there will be hundreds of cars, bikes, trucks and science fiction items including Dr Who and Star Wars.

In excess of 40 traders will be selling a range of modelling materials and kits to suit modellers of all ability’s, from young children who are just discovering their passion for modelling, right through to the avid modellers who have been building kits for many years. There will be everything from plastic kits in various sizes along with glues, paints and other detailed sets available to purchase on the day.

Event organiser, Gary Stevens Secretary of the Shropshire Scale Modellers and The International
Plastic Modellers Society says:

“I am particularly delighted that, for the first time in the history of this show, the world famous kit manufacturer AIRFIX and their sister brand HUMBROL will be in attendance, along with the person who creates their box art.

This year the show will feature a special Dambuster anniversary display featuring 1/72nd scale models of all 19 Lancasters that took part in that famous raid, and I thank Darrell Burge for providing us with the kits. There will also be a model of the Wellington Bomber which carried out the trials for the famous bouncing bomb, the Spitfire which carried out reconnaissance sorties before and after the raid, and some anti-aircraft guns to show what the aircrew were up against.

The show will also feature many other models from exhibitors and traders who travel from all over the country to be with us. With the show getting bigger every year it really is a great family day out.”

To make reaching the Museum even easier, organisers have introduced a free park and ride for the day to cope with the additional visitors. The show will be open to the public from 10am until 4pm and entry to the show is free of charge.

For further information, please call the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on 01902 376200 or visit the Museum website at www.rafmuseum.org.

The RAF Cosford 75th Anniversary Air Show is pleased to confirm the attendance of the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight to the event on Sunday 9th June.

The BBMF preserves the heritage of much loved RAF World War II aircraft and stands as a poignant reminder of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in conflict. The Memorial Flight consist of Spitfire, Hurricane, Dakota and Lancaster aircraft, all of which are scheduled to make their way to RAF Cosford as flying and static displays on the 9th June and will be sure to perform an awe inspiring display.

In addition to the RAF BBMF, Cosford will welcome back an old friend of the Station in the form of civilian owned Spitfire PRXI serial number PL965. Built at the Aldermaston factory in mid-1944 as a photo reconnaissance aircraft, she was designed to operate at high altitudes of over 30,000ft as well as at high speeds in excess of 400 mph. She was allocated to No.9 Maintenance Unit, RAF Cosford on 1st October 1944 for installation of service equipment and the Air Show is delighted to welcome her back this year as part of the packed flying programme.

Air show spokesman Ashley Claber-Aikman said: “We are extremely pleased that the BBMF are joining us for this year’s anniversary event. One of our key themes for the show is celebrating the 75 years since the introduction of the Spitfire and having so many here along with the majority of the BBMF will really be something special and a delight for our visitors.”

Visitors to the event will have the opportunity to marvel at the historic icons, alongside a number of current RAF aircraft including the Typhoon, Tucano and the famous RAF Red Arrows, during the flying display lasting over 5 hours. The organisers this year have also introduced several new hospitality enclosures for the 2013 Air Show aimed to enhance the visitor’s experience. For details of the range of packages on offer to suit all requirements and budgets, please visit the air show website www.cosfordairshow.co.uk.

All profits made from the RAF Cosford Air Show are donated to service and local charities.

Air show tickets can be purchased online at www.cosfordairshow.co.uk or by calling the 24-hour ticket line on 0871 230 1083. Advance tickets are priced from £20, representing a 20 per cent discount on tickets bought on the day (£25). There’s FREE car parking and FREE admission for all under-16s accompanied by an adult.

As the list of exciting displays and attractions starts to build momentum, RAF Cosford Air Show will begin selling tickets from public outlets on Wednesday (March 6).

Ashley Claber-Aikman, from RAF Cosford Air Show (pictured left), handed over the tickets to Dianne James, manager of Midland Air Museum (Coventry), one of the many outlets that this week will begin selling tickets to the air show on Sunday, June 9.

The announcement follows confirmation that RAF Cosford has been nominated to feature within the 2013 display season for the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows. Last year more than 38,000 people attended the air show and organisers are anticipating another bumper turn-out at the West Midlands’ largest aviation event.

Event organisers have tried to make it as easy as possible for the public to purchase their tickets to the Midlands’ premier aviation event. As well as the Midlands Air Museum, tickets can be acquired from the RAF Museum at Cosford, Tourist Information Centres in Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, Solihull & Shrewsbury and selected branches of Midcounties Co-operative. Alternatively, people can choose to travel by rail and enjoy combined travel and admission when travelling with Arriva Trains Wales.

Air show tickets can also be purchased online at www.cosfordairshow.co.uk or by calling the 24-hour ticket line on 0871 230 1083. Advance tickets are priced from £20, representing a 20 per cent discount on tickets bought on the day (£25). There’s FREE car parking and FREE admission for all under-16s accompanied by an adult.

All profits made from the RAF Cosford Air Show are donated to local and service charities.

Following on from the exciting announcement of the brand new hospitality and enthusiast enclosures at the 2013 RAF Cosford 75th Anniversary Air Show, organisers have unveiled that Nikon will officially sponsor the exclusive “The Cosford Club”.

The Cosford Club is a keenly anticipated feature to this year’s air show, providing a dedicated crowd line enclosure designed to keep guests close to the action with an unrestricted view of the flying display and providing private toilet facilities and refreshment outlets.

Guests to The Cosford Club will also enjoy the opportunity to trial some of the newest Nikon equipment available. Photographs taken whilst trying out the Nikon products can be downloaded instantly via the stand and even entered into the air show photographic competition with an exclusive prize up for grabs. They will also have a demonstration stand in the public trade area to raise awareness of the latest Nikon technology.

One lucky member of The Cosford Club will be chosen at random to win an amazing “day in the life of…” behind the scenes at RAF Cosford including the opportunity to ride in the back of a taxiing Jaguar T2 jet aircraft. For further information about how to become a member of the exclusive The Cosford Club then visit the official air show website at www.cosfordairshow.co.uk.

All profits made from the RAF Cosford Air Show are donated to service and local charities.

Standard admission air show tickets can be purchased online at www.cosfordairshow.co.uk or by calling the 24-hour ticket line on 0871 230 1083. Advance tickets are priced from £20, representing a 20 per cent discount on tickets bought on the day (£25). There’s FREE car parking and FREE standard admission for all under-16s accompanied by an adult.

As tickets start to go on sale today for this summer’s Cosford Air Show, organisers have unveiled the first aircraft to take part in the thrilling six-hour flying display.

The Blades aerobatic display team, who perform their breathtaking manoeuvres around the world, have confirmed they will be among a number of star attractions at the air show on Sunday, June 9, joining celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the West Midlands’ RAF station.

During their display, the four pilots, all former members of the RAF Red Arrows, perform 30 separate manoeuvres in their high-performance Extra EA-300s.

The announcement comes on the same day tickets for the popular Royal Air Force airshow go on sale (February 1). Last year more than 38,000 people attended the air show and organisers are anticipating another bumper turn-out at the West Midlands’ largest aviation event.

Air show spokesman Amanda Butcher said: “To mark RAF Cosford’s 75th anniversary, we are working on a special opening sequence to the flying display which I am sure the crowd will enjoy. Visitors will also be able to view a wide range of ground exhibits and displays demonstrating the various activities carried out at the Shropshire base since 1938.”

Air show tickets can be purchased online at www.cosfordairshow.co.uk or by calling the 24-hour ticket line on 0871 230 1083. Advance tickets are priced from £20, representing a 20 per cent discount on tickets bought on the day (£25). There’s FREE car parking and FREE admission for all under-16s accompanied by an adult.

Visitors to the website will also be able to view details of the new hospitality enclosures, offering a range of packages to suit all budgets. This includes information on the keenly-anticipated “The Cosford Club”; a dedicated crowd line enclosure designed to keep guests close to the action with an unrestricted view and providing private toilet facilities and refreshment outlets.

One lucky member of The Cosford Club will be chosen at random to win an amazing “day in the life of…” behind the scenes at RAF Cosford including the opportunity to ride in the back of a taxiing Jaguar T2 jet aircraft. Details of pricing and further information can be found on the official air show website.

All profits made from the RAF Cosford Air Show are donated to local and Service charities.

The 75th anniversary of RAF Cosford will be one of three special milestones marked at the RAF Cosford Air Show in June 2013.

The announcement was made by Air Show Chairman Wing Commander Mike Wilson at the launch of next year’s event, which will take place on Sunday, June 9.

Also being celebrated will be the 75th anniversary of the Spitfire entering RAF service and the 40th anniversary of the Jaguar aircraft.

Taking centre stage at the launch were four former RAF jets: two Jaguar GR3s, which taxied into position alongside a Jaguar T4 and a Harrier GR3. The Jaguar first entered RAF service in 1973 and was decommissioned in 2007.

Wg Cdr Wilson said he planned to build on the Air Show’s achievements in 2012 by making the event even more exciting in 2013.

He said there would be more military displays, a bigger exhibition area and hospitality areas catering for families and corporate guests. A special ‘Cosford Club’ will also be established, offering up to 200 visitors a unique opportunity to see behind-the-scenes and enjoy the Air Show from a prime viewing area. One lucky club member will also get the chance to take a ‘taxi’ ride in the back of a Jaguar.

Reinforcing the Air Show’s commitment to support local industry and business, Wg Cdr Wilson said that where possible, he will be looking to increase the £1.5 million boost given to the local economy by this year’s event.

He added: “If you come to RAF Cosford in June 2013 you will see respect for our heritage, the integrity to get the job done, an attitude that puts service before self and a desire for excellence in all that we do.”

During the launch, the RAF Benevolent Fund and the Royal Air Forces Association were each presented with a £15,000 cheque, the proceeds from this year’s Air Show. A further £5,000 went to local charities.

Among the guests at the event was Master Aircrew Chas McHugh, an aviation artist, who has designed the artwork for next year’s Air Show. Chas, who lives in Shropshire, has served in the RAF for 35 years. He is currently a helicopter crewman instructor.

Chas said: “It was great to learn that my design had been chosen as the official poster for next year’s RAF Cosford Air Show. It was a challenge to come up with the finished artwork but I am pleased with the results and I hope it will encourage the public to come along.”

Tickets for the air show, priced £20 in advance or £25 on the gate, will be on sale at www.cosfordairshow.co.uk from January but Gift Vouchers and enclosure places can be bought now. Standard admission tickets are free for children under 16 when they are accompanied by an adult.

12th to 17th November 2012

10.15am to 1.00pm

FREE Admission

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford’s award winning Conservation Centre will be opening its doors to visitors for exclusive behind-the-scenes access to aircraft conservation work from Monday 12th to Saturday 17th November. Visitors will be able to view the progress being made on the Museum’s bombers, the Handley Page Hampden and Vickers Wellington, plus other aircraft and artefacts in various stages of restoration.

Introduced into RAF service in 1938, the Handley Page Hampden TB.1 P1344 was originally designed as a medium bomber. During the early months of the Second World War the Hampden’s defensive armament proved inadequate and it suffered heavily in the daylight raids of that time. It continued as a night bomber until 1942 when it was replaced by the Halifax and Lancaster. Some Hampden’s were converted to torpedo bombers whilst the Museum’s Hampden suffered a rather different fate. The aircraft was en-route to Murmansk in Russia for convoy defence duties as part of 144 Squadron when it was shot down on 4th September 1942 during its transit flight. Three crew members died, although two survived to become prisoners of war (P.O.W’s). The wreckage lay on the Kola Peninsula, Northern Russia until 1989 when it was rediscovered. The RAF Museum acquired the airframe in 1991.The Hampden is one of the Museum’s longest running conservation projects.

Over the last few months the Hampden’s rear fuselage section has progressed considerably under the direction of Apprentice Ella Middleton. The corrosion work on the starboard side is nearing completion allowing the restored original fixtures and fittings to be reinstalled. Also, on the rear fuselage section, the structural repair to the aft frame has been progressed and should be completed soon; this is a significant part of the project with it being the interface between the rear fuselage and the tailboom section. The tailboom will be the next major part of the aircraft to undergo restoration; the coming Open week being a good chance to see its condition before the work starts.

Conservation Centre Deputy Manager Darren Priday says:

“A lot of effort has been put into the Hampden over the summer months; hopefully, regular supporters of our Open Week will see a change in the way the aircraft is now looking”.

Also on display will be a specially commissioned painting, produced by artist Ian Conway. The painting depicts the final moments of Hampden X2983, shot down over Garonne, France. The painting was commissioned by Ian Tunstall, whose father Pilot Officer DG Tunstall, was killed in the crash along with navigator Sgt Barclay; Sgt’s F Bailey and B Dixon both survived the crash and ended up as P.O.W’s. During the Museum’s Open Week, artist Ian Conway and Mr Tunstall will both be visiting the Conservation Centre and will be speaking with visitors about the painting. Proceeds from the painting will be going to the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Visitors will also have the rare opportunity to speak with the skilled Technicians and Apprentices and view current projects including the on-going refurbishments of the Hawker Siddeley Kestrel, the Range Safety Launch as well as the two aircraft featured above.

Admission to the Conservation Centre Open Week is FREE and from 10.15am to 1.00pm each day. Cosford’s main Museum will open daily from 10am. For further information, please contact the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on 01902 376200 or visit www.rafmuseum.org.

 I was fortunate enough to be invited to represent Airscene, at RAF Cosford, to see the Nimrod R1 XV249 officially handed over to the museum by Air Chief Marshall Sir Brian Burridge. I say fortunate; because the other invited guests, at the “by invitation only” ceremony, also included Air Marshall Sir Kevin Leeson and personnel, past and present, from 51 Squadron – the only squadron to have flown the Nimrod R1 during its 40 years service with the RAF.

I arrived at Cosford early, in an effort to shoot some images of XV249 before the area became too crowded and I managed to get some “people free” images of the Nimrod. The R1 is parked immediately beyond the main entrance doors to the static area and the aircraft provides a new and impressive welcome for visitors to the museum.

Getting the R1 to RAF Cosford has been a long and difficult journey. And, XV249 is not just any old Nimrod – having flown in both the Maritime Patrol and Electronic Intelligence Roles and clocked up over 18,000 hours during her service. She is one of only 4 R1 models from a total production of 46 aircraft delivered to the RAF.

Delivery of the fuselage was taken in early March 2012, after it was transported from Kemble. The wings and other parts duly followed and she was re-assembled at Cosford during the summer.

Having just about exhausted most of the camera angles I could, I joined with the other guests for refreshments and had the chance to chat to members of 51 Squadron – both past and present. They hold the Nimrod in fond esteem and like us all, they had showed concern when following a Strategic Review, the Nimrod program had been cancelled.

How ironic then, that the Sentinel R1, which is the RAF’s current electronic intelligence gathering aircraft, failed to perform the planned flypast to mark the Nimrod Ceremony. No official mention was made of the “no show” or, indeed, the aircraft’s display slot in the program, but, it could be that the Sentinel R1 had developed a technical fault which could not be rectified in time for the ceremony.

Built as a Nimrod MR. Mk 1, XV249 made its first flight in 1970 with delivery to the RAF in early 1971. In 1976 she was involved in the ‘Cod War’ and also participated in Operation Tapestry which involved Fishery Protection and Gas Platform Surveillance. In March 1985, XV249 was delivered to RAF Kinloss having been converted to MR Mk 2 standard, being fitted with a new avionics and equipment suite and having the Shackleton-era radar replaced with the EMI Searchwater System.

In October 1995, XV249 went to BAe Woodford and was stripped of all ASW equipment and converted to R1 standard with the installation of additional atenna fittings. From 1997 she was flown as a fully equipped R Mk1 aircraft and in May 2011, after operations in Libya, she was withdrawn from normal service. In 2012, dismantling began at Kemble.

Guests and Museum staff gathered around the aircraft and were addressed by Peter Dye, the RAF Museum Director General, who expressed his thanks to all those involved in getting the aircraft to Cosford and undertaking the complicated task of re-assembling this unique Nimrod.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Brian Burridge, an ex Nimrod Pilot himself, gave an interesting address about the aircraft and recounted some of his own Nimrod stories. His speech offered a great insight into operational flying of the type and was both informative and entertaining. Finally, Air Marshal Sir Kevin Leeson formally handed over the aircraft’s log book and, in return, was presented with a ‘mounted’ bolt taken from the Nimrod’s wing structure. I can only hope that the bolt does not play an important part in maintaining airframe integrity!

So now I know much more about what I thought was just a converted DH Comet – and I was impressed, both with the aircraft and the crews that flew her – the plane may be consigned to history now, but if you want to discover more, like I did, take a trip to Cosford and marvel at another fine example of British aviation design and technical innovation – the Nimrod R1.

(Report and photos by Dave Briers)

22nd September 2012

6.00pm – 8.30pm

£10.00 per person

Tickets for the ever popular ‘Open Cockpits Evening’ at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford will go on sale from Monday 2nd July at the Museum. This exclusive evening will commence at 6pm on Saturday 22nd September with a wide range of aircraft available for close viewing on the night: including transport aircraft, jet fighters and unique research airframes.

This relatively new event is fast becoming one of the Museum’s most talked about and popular events. The previous event held in May this year was a sell out and organisers are confident that the September evening will be just as popular based on the number of enquiries received so far.

Since launching in 2011, visitors have travelled from across the UK from as far as Scotland, the Lake District, Devon and Kent for the opportunity to sit inside some of the world’s most historic and iconic aircraft. One visitor travelling from Australia even planned his visit to the UK to coincide with the event so he could attend.

Visitors will be able to get a feel for what it was like to fly these much loved machines and in addition have exclusive after hours access to the Museum which displays a collection of over 70 aircraft, military vehicles, engines and aviation artefacts.

RAF Museum Cosford Events Executive, Nina Mitchell says:
“We are delighted to be offering this event again for the aviation enthusiasts, young and old. The event has gone from strength to strength over the past twelve months with tickets selling out for the evening in May within a matter of weeks. We try to introduce new aircraft to each Open Cockpit Evening, thus expanding our visitors’ experience.”

The evening will commence at 6.00pm and finish at 8.30pm, with numbers onto the Museum site strictly limited to 300 people, enabling enthusiasts to spend as much time as possible examining these wondrous aircraft. Admission is by advance ticket only and organisers are advising, given the popularity of previous ‘Open Cockpits Evening’, to purchase your tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Tickets cost £10.00 per person and will go on sale from Monday 2nd July at the Museum. Minimum height restrictions of 1.07 metres will apply. Parking charges are included in the ticket price.

For further information on the ‘Open Cockpits Evening’ visit www.rafmuseum.org or to purchase tickets over the phone, please contact the Museum on 01902 376200. (A detailed list of aircraft open on the night will be issued nearer the time.)

28th – 29th July 2012

On site camping

Gates open 8.30am

Advance tickets for the annual Large Model Aircraft Rally taking place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford are now on sale at the Museum. This famous air show in miniature is an absolute must see for any aviation enthusiast and this year’s show will mark the twentieth Anniversary of the event at Cosford.

Taking place on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th July 2012, hundreds of scale models of iconic aircraft will be taking to the skies during the two-day event. Other activities keeping the whole family entertained throughout the day include: a children’s entertainment area; trade and food stalls selling everything from modelling equipment to burgers and candy floss; plus, access to the award winning RAF Museum where you can see many of the aircraft flown during the show in full size.

Last year’s event attracted in excess of 12,000 visitors and organisers are hoping this year’s show will prove just as popular. Exclusively for the Large Model Aircraft Rally, visitors are able to camp on site, meaning you can make the most of the weekend’s flying and activities by being at the centre of all the action.

RAF Museum Cosford General Manager, Alex Medhurst says:

“This is one of the most popular and busiest events in the Museum’s calendar and we are delighted to be celebrating twenty years this summer.”

Anyone wishing to attend the event can save money by purchasing tickets in advance at a discounted rate. Advance tickets are priced at just £9 for adults, £5 for children and £7 for senior citizens with a family ticket of 2 adults and up to 2 children retailing at £20, saving £5 on the gate price. Gates open at 8.30am and flying starts a 9.00am.

On site camping available from Friday 27th to Monday 30th July, including entrance to the show both days is only £40.00 when booked in advance. Any visitors interested in camping should contact Dave Bailey for more details on 07827 675665 or email dave.bailey08@tiscali.co.uk.

For further information on how to purchase advance tickets and for on the gate prices, please call the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on 01902 376200 or visit the Museum website at www.rafmuseum.org.