January – Page 7 – Airscene News

Captain Eric Winkle Brown Medals

Eachan Hardie

Yesterday at The National Museum of the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm Museum, an 11-year old schoolboy got a sneak preview of the medals and log books of his hero Captain Eric “Winkle” Brown that he campaigned to save. When he heard the news that they were to be auctioned following the world record breaking test pilot’s death Eachan Hardie wrote to numerous company executives urging them to help.

His fears were unfounded as it transpired they were secured for the nation following the intervention of an incredibly generous, anonymous donor by The National Museum of the Royal Navy for display at its Fleet Air Arm Museum, a real favourite of Captain Brown.
Eachan Hardie struck up a correspondence with Captain Brown after it emerged he had written to him seeking advice on how to become a test pilot. Eachan was inspired by “Winkle” Brown’s world record for the most aircraft carrier take-offs – 2,407 and the most landings – 2,271.

The Fleet Air Arm Museum’s Curator of Aircraft, David Morris, got to know Captain Brown well. He showed Eachan the collection before it goes on display for a short period from 21st January, which would have been Captain Brown’s birthday, until 19th February.

Following his death on 21st February 2016 age 97 the news broke that the collection could be sold at auction. At the time Eachan said: “I think they should be in the Fleet Air Arm Museum so that young people like me can see them and be inspired.

“I think British test pilots of the future should be able to read his log books to understand the testing of the very important aircraft that he flew.”
It is fair to say that Captain Brown was by many measures the Fleet Air Arm’s most significant pilot of the post-war period. On 3rd December 1945 he became the first ever pilot to take off and land a jet aircraft – the Sea Vampire – on a carrier. The Fleet Air Arm Museum displays the very same Vampire in which he completed his jet-powered flight.

Also included in the museum collection are the goggles and wrist compass which he wore during his tests and in 2015 Captain Brown himself unveiled a new bronze bust commissioned by the Society of Friends of FAAM.

www.fleetairarm.com

Air Tattoo’s ‘super’ offer is just the ticket

RIAT

People planning to attend one of the UK’s most exciting family days out have until the end of January to take advantage of a ‘super’ offer.

Specially priced Super Earlybird tickets to the world-famous Royal International Air Tattoo are available until January 31, offering savings of up to 25 per cent on the price of a standard admission ticket.

This summer’s airshow, which takes place at RAF Fairford on July 14-16, will feature exciting aircraft from around the world including the hugely popular Thunderbirds demonstration team from the US. The team, whose last appearance in the UK was in 2009, will be returning to mark the 70th anniversary of the US Air Force (USAF).

Prior to February, Super Earlybird Friday tickets are priced £29, offering a saving of £10 off the standard admission price whilst Saturday and Sunday Super Earlybird tickets are priced £42, representing a saving of £13. Entry is free for all children under 16 who are accompanied by an adult ticket holder.

Head of Marketing Helen Webb said: “The airshow provides an exciting day out for the whole family, with attractions suitable for all ages. Aside from the riveting air displays, youngsters can get to grips with the latest engineering technology in the Techno Zone, while parents take a walk down memory lane in the Vintage Village.

“This year we also have a new adrenaline-fuelled feature coming to the Autodrome called the ‘Wall of Death’, which we’re really excited about. People may recognise it from a Channel 4 programme featuring Guy Martin earlier this year which saw him brake the World Record for the fastest speed travelled around the ‘Wall of Death’ on a motorbike.”

This year the Air Tattoo will have an American theme as it celebrates the 70th anniversary of one of the largest air forces in the world, the US Air Force. The Thunderbirds’ performance will form part of the airshow’s official tribute to the occasion and will be the team’s only UK appearance in 2017.

Helen added: “People expect bigger and more exciting air displays from the show year after year, and 2017 will be no exception. Visitors can experience first-class entertainment, both in the air and on the ground, and we are confident that, yet again, the Air Tattoo will be a sell-out success.”

The Royal International Air Tattoo is the world’s biggest military airshow, held annually at RAF Fairford in aid of the RAF Charitable Trust. The Trust funds a wide range of projects and initiatives that Promote the Royal Air Force, Support its people and Encourage in youngsters an interest in aviation.

Super early-bird tickets are priced at a reduced rate of £29 on Friday and £42 on Saturday and Sunday for a limited time only. All accompanied under-16s are admitted free of charge. To buy your tickets or to find out more about the Air Tattoo, please visit www.airtattoo.com or call 01285 713456.

Sea Vixen Repaint

Newark Air Museum Sea Vixen repaint

During 2016 a steady programme of preparation work has been underway for the repaint of de Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.2 XJ560 at Newark Air Museum.

The full extent of this work was recently captured in the warm wintery Nottinghamshire sunshine, from one of the high-level work platforms that is now being used to carry out the work.

It is expected that the Sea Vixen will be returned to the markings that it wore when serving with either 892 Squadron or 893 Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm, during the 1960s.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

High-flying offers at low prices this January

Christmas may be over for another year and the high street January sales are already in full swing, but if you’re looking to treat yourself to something special with your left over Christmas money, the Royal Air Force Museum has a huge selection of unique items available with savings of up to 50% off the RRP.

Sale items are available to purchase in both the London and Cosford on-site museum shops as well as online at www.rafmuseum.org.

Items on offer include a stunning collection of Winston Churchill china mugs with iconic Churchill quotes. Crafted from English fine bone china and hand gilded with gold, these mugs are a light hearted and fun way of commemorating Churchill’s great wit and bullish sense of humour. With three designs to choose from, these mugs are presented in gift boxes and are now half price at £14.00 each.

There are now huge savings on a selection of DVD’s, including ‘Remember the Stirling’ DVD. At eighteen feet longer than the Lancaster, the Short Stirling was the first and largest of the RAF’s wartime four-engine bombers. Produced and directed by Brian Harris, DFC, himself and ex-navigator on Stirlings, this unique DVD combines rare and exclusive wartime footage with the reminiscences of surviving aircrew members. Reduced to just £7.99 as part of our January savings, this 1 hour 15 minute film is ideal for aviation fans to enjoy on these gloomy winter nights. Also on offer is the ‘Luftwaffe at War’ DVD, now just £7.99. This extra length DVD provides the definitive film history of the Luftwaffe from its secret origins to the end of the Second World War. Packed with original film footage, all the main aircraft types are featured, along with full coverage of advanced jet and rocket planes and the fearsome V-Weapons.

Fans of spectacular aircraft images will love the 2017 RAF Museum Calendar. This year’s calendar features twelve stunning photographs of Royal Air Force aircraft including a Spitfire, Lancaster, Vulcan and VC10. The calendar also includes a free pull-out poster and is ideal for aviation fans to keep a note of special dates. Calendars are now available to purchase for just £3.99.

Young or old, what aviation fan doesn’t enjoy making paper planes? With the Ladybird Paper Plane Kit you can make 60 paper planes out of iconic Ladybird Book covers from the 1960s. This kit comes with all the supplies and instructions with the fold lines pre-printed so you can’t go wrong. A wonderfully nostalgic way to have flying fun! Now just £5.00.

It’s back to school and who wouldn’t want to start the school term off without a Bixbee LED Space Racer or Fairy Flyer backpack? Complete with LED light up wings, the Space Racer backpack will take your child’s imagination on an intergalactic journey, perfect for travelling to a Galaxy far, far away – or just up the road to school or grandma’s house! The Fairy Flyer will convince little sprites of their own magical powers and will set your precious pixie’s imagination aflight on gossamer wings with this enchanting backpack. Both bags come complete with matching lunch box and are now half price, down to just £17.49 each.

There is also 20% off ‘Names on a Plane’ merchandise including a silk scarf, china mug, pen and t-shirts. To see the full range of January offers which also includes books, cufflinks and RAF ties to name but a few, plus many other items available from the RAF Museum Shop, visit www.rafmuseum.org . Sale ends 31 January 2017.

RAF Museum Cosford 2017 Events Diary

RAF Museum Cosford Open Cockpits Evening

Date Event

7 February               National Cold War Exhibition 10 year anniversary
20-24 February      Airfix Make and Take
22 February             Airfix V-Bombers Walking Talk

17 March Cold War Lunchtime Lecture

2 April Shropshire Scale Model Show
8-23 April Easter Activities

19-20 May Open Cockpits Evening

30 May – 2 June Half Term Activities

11 June                        RAF Cosford Air Show
16 June                       Cold War Lunchtime Lecture
24 June                       Armed Forces Day

15-16 July Large Model Aircraft Rally
22-23 July Cosford Food Festival

1-31 August Summer of Spies

3 September             Spitfire 10K
15 September            Cold War Lunchtime Lecture
15-16 September      Open Cockpits Evening

23-27 October Airfix Make and Take

12 November Remembrance Service
13-18 November Conservation Centre Open Week

15 December Cold War Lunchtime Lecture

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