Tag: January

TriStar Simulator Reassembly

Tristar

In recent weeks a significant amount of effort has been expended on the reassembly of the Lockheed TriStar simulator at Newark Air Museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire, close to the border with Lincolnshire.

The exhibit was donated to the museum by the Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon, back in autumn 2015; and arrived on site in February 2016. Initially it had been anticipated that the simulator would arrive in one piece, but this was not the case as the simulator had already been disassembled.

After various location options were considered the reassembly is now taking place in an area of Display Hangar 2 behind the Gloster Javelin and Saab Viggen aircraft. The reassembly work has focused around the main instrument panel, which is now in situ; along with the majority of the external cockpit panels. This is proving to be quite a complex task, but one that is being tackled in a methodical manner; but this will culminate in quite an impressive exhibit in the future.

At this time it is still not confirmed to what extent the simulator will be returned to an operational condition; although an appropriate power is located nearby. This latest acquisition complements the museum’s growing collection of ‘synthetic’ trainers and adds part of a notable airliner cockpit to the museum collection.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Sea Harrier at Newark Air Museum

Newark Air Museum Sea Harrier

Since the start of 2016 Sea Harrier FA.2, ZA176 at Newark Air Museum has been receiving an ‘armament upgrade’, which has given the airframe more of an operational appearance.

For several years the museum has been acquiring a selection of Sea Harrier compatible weapons fit, which, until now this has been displayed underneath the airframe. A new volunteer has recently joined the museum and he has been using his former skills as an Armourer to assist with fitting the weaponry to the aircraft.

Amongst the first items fitted were a set of CBLS (Carrier Bomb Light Stores) units. In service the CBLS units allows military aircraft to carry up to 4 light stores (or practice bombs) on each weapon station. The use of practice bombs during training helps reduce costs and minimises risks during aircrew weapons training. These units help illustrate the important training aspect of Sea Harrier operations and fits in with the museum’s own themes of flight training.

Two rare, ADEN 30 gun pods have also been fitted to ZA176 to replicate the units carried operationally by the Sea Harriers until they came out of service in 2006. These pods have been refurbished and repainted using a grey paint that has been carefully matched to the airframe colour.

Sea Harrier ZA176 joined the Newark Air Museum collection from RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset, on Wednesday 21st July, 2004. ZA176 helped complete the V-STOL airframe lineage displayed at the museum. This started with the Meteor FR.9 flying test-bed and associated RB.108 vertical lift engine and now moves along to the Sea Harrier, which is complemented by a recently acquired Pegasus engine. ZA176 was also the seventh Fleet Air Arm aircraft to be displayed in the museum collection.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Rare Experimental Aircraft To Be Showcased At Air Show

Bristol 188 by Peter Reoch

The RAF Cosford Air Show today announced exciting plans to display threeof the RAF Museum’s rarest experimental aircraft at this year’s show being held on Sunday 19th June 2016.

As part of the air show’s key theme – ‘SPEED: Evolution of the Jet Engine’ – the Bristol 188, Fairey Delta II and Avro 707 will all be rolled out from their usual spots inside the RAF Museum’s hangars and be exhibited outside across the air show site.All three aircraft which are due to be displayed at the air show played a vital role in the advancement of British aviation technologies in the 1950s and 1960s, and their airing is one of many unique attractions planned for the award winning event.

Known as ‘the flaming pencil’ for its sleek looks and intended role as a supersonic research aircraft, the Bristol 188 will be one of the stars of the air show’s ground displays. Master Aircrew Mark Reid, part of the Air Show Operations Team, said “These three aircraft will form part of a unique line-up of vintage British jet aircraft as part of our award winning static aircraft displays, and we are extremely grateful to the RAF Museum for their continued support of the event.”

Tickets for this year’s show are selling fast and are ahead of sales at the same time last year so the Air Show Office is encouraging people to buy their tickets early. Clive Elliott, Air Show Director, said “It is wonderful to be in this position, having sold out of tickets for last year’s event we are expecting the same this year and would recommend buying soon to avoid disappointment. 2015 was our first year as an advance ticket only event, it proved highly successful and we will be repeating this in 2016.”

Discounted Early Bird tickets for the RAF Cosford Air Show 2016 are on sale until 23rd March 2016, priced at £22 and with free entry for accompanied under-16s. Tickets are available online from www.cosfordairshow.co.uk

New Year, new additions to the Wings & Wheels team!

Wings & Wheels team

Wings & Wheels are excited to announce two new recruits to the team this year, Ed Lowman and Laura Johnson. Both have been regulars at the show over the past few years and are keen car and plane enthusiasts.

Ed (24) will be taking up the position as Events Coordinator, whilst Laura (19) will be joining as PR, Marketing and Events Assistant.

Joining us from Help for Heroes where he worked as a Regional Coordinator, Ed will be project managing the Wheels Zone and Camping, as well as assisting with the recently launched Surrey Hills Challenge. Ed has a strong passion for motorsport, spending one weekend a month leading a service crew for a rally team and has recently gained his MSA Co-Driver license. He is currently in training for the Bournemouth Marathon, and has previously cycled from Edinburgh to London!

Ed Lowman, comments: “I can’t wait to get started at Wings & Wheels, I have been lucky enough to attend the show for the last four years, through working for Help for Heroes. I’m looking forward to putting my petrol head side to good use and helping the show to get bigger and better.”

Laura has recently moved to Dunsfold to take on her first office role. She has a keen interest in aviation and has been a volunteer with The Vulcan to the Sky Trust for the past eight years which means that she, too, has been a regular visitor to W&W. Laura is a keen gymnast and football supporter. She comes from a Musical Theatre background and loves dancing! She has been to many air shows with the Vulcan, but her favourite is our very own Wings and Wheels, as it was her first air show as a Volunteer.

Laura Johnson comments: ‘I’ve been coming to Wings & Wheels with the Vulcan to the Sky team for over seven years now, and love the show. Aviation has always been a keen interest of mine and so working with the Wings & Wheels team is a dream come true!”

Wings & Wheels returns to Dunsfold Aerodrome on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th August 2016. Visitors have previously enjoyed the world famous Red Arrows, RAF Eurofighter Typhoon, Chinook, The Blades and a host of other modern and historic aircraft during the five hour flying displays. The aviation line-up will be announced in March.

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.

The show also includes over 25 fixed-price catering outlets, two 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.

The 12th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th August 2016, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 21:00.

Advanced rate tickets from £22 for adults or £50 for a family are available. A family ticket consists of two adults and three child’s tickets. Single child tickets (for children aged 5 – 15) will be £7, whilst children under the age of 5 go free. Hospitality packages start from £155 per person, weekend passes, grandstand tickets and camping are also available. For more information visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book standard tickets call 08712 305 572.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2016 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Newark Air Museum Events for 2016

Newark Air Museum Vulcan

Here at Newark Air Museum, a registered charity, we’re have some exciting special events planned for our 2016 season:

5 March 2016 – Indoor Aeroboot / Aerojumble Table Top Sale 48 sellers tables all hosted inside Display Hangar 2 amongst the aircraft at the museum site in eastern Nottinghamshire. {Special discount admission rates apply, open to everyone to attend.}

6 March, 2016 – Ransome & Marles Commemorative Day throughout the day re-enactors will be participating in a variety of commemorative activities at the museum to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Newark bearing factory being bombed.

21 & 22 May, 2016 – Tribute to the V-Force event dedicated to the aircraft and personnel that flew Valiants, Victors and Vulcans. This slimmed down event includes a reunion of former V-Force personnel. Based around the museum’s Vulcan aircraft it will also feature many visiting displays and is open to the public. {Normal admission rates apply}

18 & 19 June 2016 – Cockpit-Fest 2015 & Aeroboot / Aerojumble; this regular two day event provides the perfect opportunity for the public to view a diverse range of visiting aircraft cockpits. {Normal admission rates apply}

15 October 2016 – Indoor Aeroboot / Aerojumble Table Top Sale 48 sellers tables all hosted inside Display Hangar 2 amongst the aircraft at the museum site in eastern Nottinghamshire. {Special discount admission rates apply, open to everyone to attend.}

Full details about these and other museum activities can be found on the news & event pages of the website, which are regularly updated www.newarkairmuseum.org

RAF Museum Cosford Events 2016 Diary Dates

Forthcoming events taking place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford during 2016:

 RAF Museum Cosford 2016 events

Admission charges apply for some events and activities. Events may be subject to change and additional events may be added during the year, please visit the Museum website www.rafmuseum.org/cosford for details.

RAF Museum Cosford Public Events Manager Abi Betteridge said:

“This year’s event calendar is packed with popular favourites including the Large Model Aircraft Rally, Cosford Food Festival and Open Cockpits Evenings. Plus, we have added a new lunchtime lecture series themed around the Cold War and fascinating talks with special guests from Airfix and the Author of ‘How the Girl Guides Won the War’. In addition to the special events, we also have each of the school holidays covered with plenty of fun packed activities to keep the youngsters entertained.”

www.rafmuseum.org

Paul Beaver Lecture Series

Paul Beaver Lancaster Lecture

The Museum of Army Flying’s 2016 event calendar kicks off with a special new lecture series from Paul Beaver. As an aviation author, historian, commentator and pilot Paul is an expert in his field and will be giving three lectures on three much loved World War Two aircraft: The Lancaster, Mosquito & Spitfire. In each lecture, Paul will be joined by a special guest veteran to provide us with personal accounts and insights.

This exciting Museum of Army Flying lecture series will be brought to you with the help of Iconic Aircraft Partnership, Spitfire People and the International Bomber Command Centre.

14 January (7pm) 2016 – Lancaster at 75

The greatest bomber of the Second World War was born 75 years ago. Paul Beaver explores some of the lesser than known achievements of this greatest of aeroplane designs. Veteran Guest: Paul will be joined by Wing Commander Jim Wright DFC, a Pathfinder navigator on Lancasters from 1943.

*glass of wine / soft drink included in price
**Apache Cafe will be serving a curry supper at 6pm – this must be booked in advance (not included in ticket price)

18 February (7pm) 2016 – Mosquito: The Secret of the Wooden Wonder

To celebrate the 75th Anniversary, Paul Beaver explores some of the less known exploits of a unique flying machine which first flew 0n 25 November 1940 – the de Havilland Mosquito. The illustrated talk will also have unique posters, memorabilia on sale and Paul will be joined by a special veteran guest.

10 March (7pm) 2016 – 80th Anniversary: The Spitfires Maiden Flight

Best-selling Spitfire author, Paul Beaver reveals some newly discovered information about the design, first flight and development of the world’s most iconic aeroplane. The illustrated talk will also have unique posters, memorabilia on sale and Paul will be joined by a special veteran guest.

www.armyflying.com

BA Flies Business Class To Air Tattoo

BA A318

Britain’s national airline will make a rare airshow contribution at this summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford.

A British AirwaysAirbus A318, one of the rarest aircraft in its fleet, will go on static display at the airshow on July 17-19.

The A318serves a route aimed at the business community between London City Airport and New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport. It is unique among aircraft types in the British Airways fleet in operating with an all-business class interior comprising 32 seats, each convertible into a fully flat bed.

British Airways flies just two A318s, this being the smallest member of the hugely successful Airbus A320 family of aircraft. In order to be certified for operations at London City, the A318 was subject to a stringent steep approach test programme, the airport requiring specific operational procedures. This the Airbus passed with flying colours, the first example being delivered to British Airways in September 2009.

Air Tattoo spokesman Richard Arquati said: “For many years, British Airways has kindly supported the Air Tattoo, most memorably sending Concorde and, more recently, the giant A380. I am very pleased that our national airline is able to spare an A318 for a rare appearance at a British airshow.”

The BA A318 joins Vulcan bomber XH558, a C-130J Hercules from Qatar and a Super Puma from the Swiss Air Force as confirmed participants at this summer’s airshow. The Swiss are also sending their PC-7 aerobatic display team.

Mr Arquati added: “Though it’s still early days, the Air Tattoo is already shaping up to be one of the UK’s most exciting outdoor events this summer. Anyone planning to attend has until January 31 to take advantage of our special Super Earlybird ticket offer.”

The Air Tattoo is staged annually in support of the RAF Charitable Trust. Tickets for the event on July 17-19 are only available in advance. Special Super Earlybird tickets priced from £26 are available until January 31 from www.airtattoo.com or by calling 0800 107 1940. All accompanied under-16s go free. Free parking.

Qatar Makes UK Airshow Debut

Qatar C-130J RIAT

Qatar will make its UK airshow debut this summer when it takes part in the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in the Cotswolds.

The Qatar Emiri Air Force will send for the show’s static display a C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft, one of four such aircraft delivered to the small but strategically and economically-important Arab state by manufacturer Lockheed Martin in 2011-12. Qatar thus became the first Middle Eastern customer for the C-130J model.

Based at Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, the country’s capital, the C-130J-30s -the stretched version of the so-called Super Hercules – and four Boeing C-17A Globemaster IIIs have provided Qatar with a much-improved air transport capability, for use on both military airlift and humanitarian taskings.

The Qatari aircraft joins the legendary Vulcan bomber and Swiss Air Force aircraft on the list of early confirmed participants for this summer’s Air Tattoo on July 17-19 and brings to 55, the number of nations that have taken part in the airshowsince it was first staged in 1971.

Air Tattoo Chief Executive Andy Armstrong said: “Our thanks go to the Qatar Emiri Air Force for agreeing to participate in this year’s Air Tattoo. I’m particularly pleased that new nations continue to be added to the long list of those that have supported the event over the years. We look forward to welcoming the C-130 and its crew to Fairford in July.”

The Air Tattoo is staged annually in support of the RAF Charitable Trust. Tickets for the event on July 17-19 are only available in advance. Special Super Earlybird tickets priced from £26 are available until January 31 from www.airtattoo.com or by calling 0800 107 1940. All accompanied under-16s go free. Free parking.

Swiss To Star At RAF Cosford

Swiss Hornet at Cosford

The organisers of the RAF Cosford Air Show today announced details of the first international participant for this year’s show. Visitors on Sunday 14th June will be treated to a stunning display of noise, power and agility from an F/A-18C Hornet provided by the Swiss Air Force.

The Hornet was designed as a naval fighter with reinforced undercarriage, folding wings and tail-hook, however it is used by many land based air arms across the globe. Air Show spokesperson Peter Reoch said, “The Swiss Hornet Display is likely to be one of the stars of the flying display, and another great attraction for both new and returning visitors to RAF Cosford.This is the first time a Hornet has featured in the flying display at RAF Cosford and will hopefully be the first of many international participants at this year’s event.”

Visitors to the show will be witnessing one of the world’s most capable fast-jet aircraft with the F/A-18C Hornet having a top speed of nearly twice the speed of sound and the ability to climb at 50,000ft per minute.The Swiss Air Force operate a fleet of 32 Hornets, which are used for air defence duties, armed with a 20mm Cannon and Sidewinder missiles.

For the first time, tickets for the RAF Cosford Air Show 2015 are advance sale only. Adult tickets are priced £22.00 with accompanied under-16s coming free! For more details on the event and to purchase tickets, visit www.cosfordairshow.co.uk