June – Page 19 – Airscene News

Rare Cold War Jet Coup for Air Tattoo

One of the world’s most potent Soviet-built jet fighters, rarely seen in the UK, will make a welcome appearance at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford next month.

The Ukrainian Air Force Sukhoi Su-27 ‘Flanker’, which can fly at speeds of up to 1,550mph, was first developed in the 1970s to counter the US Air Force’s new F-15 Eagle. It is often considered to be the best and most successful Russian-built fighter of the Cold War era. The Eastern European fighters were last seen at the Air Tattoo 12 years ago, having made their debut at the airshow in 1996. When it returns for the airshow on July 16-17, the aircraft will be accompanied by a large Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft.

Air Tattoo Chief Executive Tim Prince said the Ukrainians’ participation underlined the airshow’s global reputation built up during the past 40 years.

He said: “We regularly receive wish lists from enthusiasts hoping to see specific aircraft and on almost all, the Su-27 ‘Flanker’ comes either top or close to the top. It is an incredibly large and distinctive looking aircraft with immense manoeuvrability and power.

“I’m absolutely delighted that visitors to the Air Tattoo next month will be able to see such an iconic aircraft along with another from the same era, the Vulcan bomber.”

This summer’s Air Tattoo will be marking its 40th anniversary and hosting a gathering of specially-decorated ‘Tiger’ aircraft from the NATO Tiger Association. ‘Tiger’ aircraft come from NATO squadrons that have a Tiger or Big Cat in their emblem and their association marks its 50th anniversary in 2011. The ‘operational’ spotlight STAR 11 will focus on aircraft and equipment involved in the roles of Strike and Reconnaissance.

Nine aerobatic display teams from around the world will be performing in the flying display along with aircraft from countries including the US, Oman, Turkey, Sweden Italy, Austria, Denmark and Jordan. On Sunday, visitors will also be able to see a one-off lunchtime performance by X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke.

Tickets are available by visiting www.airtattoo.com or calling 0800 107 1940. All tickets must be purchased in advance. All accompanied under-16s go free.

Unique Bomber Joins Air Tattoo Stars

The legendary Vulcan bomber will be among the stars at next month’s Royal International Air Tattoo when it demonstrates its grace and immense power during the airshow’s seven-and-a-half-hour flying display at RAF Fairford on July 16-17.

The Vulcan, one of the most iconic warbirds of the Cold War era, was restored to flying condition in 2008 following a massive £7 million public campaign. Fundraising continues to keep the aircraft in the air each year and it remains one of the most popular flying displays during the UK airshow season.

Vulcan XH558, which was built in 1960, enjoyed a 33-year career in the RAF, including service during the Falklands War. Along with the Valiant and the Victor, the three aircraft comprised the Royal Air Force’s legendary V-bomber force, designed to protect the UK from nuclear threat from the 1950s to the 1980s. It is the only flying Vulcan bomber in the world. Next year will mark the Vulcan’s 60th anniversary after first flying on August 30, 1952.

Air Tattoo Chief Executive Mr Tim Prince said few aircraft could rival the Vulcan’s iconic design and raw power.

He said: “Whenever the Vulcan displays there’s a tangible sense of excitement amongst the crowd. Like Concorde, you feel you are witnessing something quite special when you see it roar along the runway and start to take off. It’s simply awe-inspiring.”

Tickets are available by visiting www.airtattoo.com or calling 0800 107 1940. All tickets must be purchased in advance. All accompanied under-16s go free.

Fantastic Flying Kicks Off Air Tattoo Media Launch

A BEVY of fantastic flying machines touched down today (Wednesday June 8th) at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire for the media launch of this summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo, to help the event celebrate its 40th anniversary.The aircraft – from the swing-wing fast jet Tornado GR4, through the USAF’s MC-130P Combat Shadow and the Royal Navy’s tiger-striped Navy Merlin, to two ultralight EV-97 Eurostars, provided by the RAF Charitable Trust, and a Boeing Stearman biplane from the Breitling Wingwalkers – touched down at the home of the Air Tattoo to launch this year’s event, which takes place on July 16 and 17.

Sir David Jason, a great supporter of the Air Tattoo and an Honorary Vice Patron since 1999, arrived in an RAF Chinook HC2 from RAF Odiham to perform the official cutting of the Air Tattoo’s 40th birthday cake and to wish the event well. He said: “It’s a great pleasure to come to the media launch, as I like to feel it’s helping drum up the support that the RAF Charitable Trust needs.”

He added: “The Charitable Trust is close to my heart as it supports all the guys in the military who’ve fallen on hard times, as the money raised goes to help them and to make their lives more worthwhile. I feel very strongly about the role the RAF played in the Second World War, as I was born during the conflict and without them none of us would be here – so I feel duty bound, and proud, to support the Trust.”

The launch also featured three veterans from the first-ever Air Tattoo held in 1971 at North Weald, Essex. Spitfire Mk9 (MH434) which displayed at the first-ever Air Tattoo, flew in to join Tim Prince, Air Tattoo Chief Executive and a founder member of the airshow, along with aviation journalist and photographer Peter R March.

Recalling the Spitfire’s first Air Tattoo appearance (it will also be displaying at this year’s event), when it was piloted by former Red Arrows leader and legendary aerobatics display pilot Ray Hanna, Tim Prince said: “I can still recall the cold sweat I felt when Ray made his first approach: he was so low the tips of his propeller seemed to be touching the ground. But Ray went on to perform fantastically in MH434 and he helped cement the Air Tattoo’s reputation for staging spectacular aerial displays.”

Tim added: “It’s a great pleasure to welcome our guests, and this has really set the scene for an outstanding 40th anniversary Royal International Air Tattoo. The United States Air Force is firmly behind us, as shown by the participation of the MC-130P Combat Shadow from RAF Mildenhall, along with Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and civilian aircraft, and we look forward to them joining us again, with thousands of members of the public, for our anniversary Air Tattoo on July 16 and 17.”

Renowned aviation journalist Peter March from Bristol also attended the first ever Air Tattoo at North Weald. He said: “It’s been a marvellous experience being a member of such an outstanding team of aviation enthusiasts. I’ve been involved for 40 years, and I hope to continue producing the programme and taking photos as long as I’m able.”

First to touch down at the launch was the MC-130P Combat Shadow from RAF Mildenhall, representing and reinforcing the Air Tattoo’s long-standing links with the United States Air Force. It was quickly joined by a Royal Navy Merlin helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron, Culdrose, sporting a grey striped livery and representing the Tiger 50 theme of this year’s Air Tattoo, which marks the 50th anniversary of the NATO Tiger Association.

Next in was a Tornado GR4 from XV Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth, which flew the 500-plus miles from North East Scotland (in a mere 40 minutes) and put on a fly-past for the assembled media. The fast jet display was followed by a fly-past by the historic Spitfire MH434, linking past and present as one of the aircraft which displayed at the first-ever Air Tattoo in 1971.

Two EV-97 Eurostars, funded by the RAF Charitable Trust and providing Air Experience Flights for RAF trainees then joined the runway display, with the final arrival being a Boeing Stearman biplane from the Breitling Wingwalkers base at nearby Rendcomb, complete with wingwalker Danielle Hughes who performed her daring display on top of the bright orange biplane.

• This year’s Air Tattoo takes place from July 16 to 17 at RAF Fairford, in Gloucestershire, when more than 155,000 visitors are expected to view around 250 aircraft from across the world.

• The event is staged in support of its parent charity, the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, which provides financial support to a wide variety of RAF-related projects and initiatives within the RAF family. Since 2005 the Trust has gifted over £1.56 million to a wide range of projects and initiatives.

http://www.airtattoo.com/

Permanent Tribute to National Service Men and Women Unveiled at Parade

Parade 11.00am

Spitfire Display 1.00pm (weather permitting)

The National Service (RAF) Association will be holding their annual reunion and parade at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on Sunday 3rd July 2011 from 10.00am.

The parade is expected to see hundreds of ex National Service men and women participate and will form up between two of the old airfield Hangars at 11.00am. The parade will be led by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force, with additional music on the day provided by (Alsager) Sqn ATC Band and a Drill display by (Fordhouses) Sqn ATC. Visitors and guests will then be treated to a flying display by two Spitfires from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight scheduled for 1.00pm (weather permitting).

This year, as well as the parade the Minister for International Security Strategy, Gerald Howarth MP will unveil a permanent tribute to National Service men and women, consisting of three graphic displays and a video, funded by the National Service Association. The unveiling will take place before an invited audience within the National Cold War Exhibition at the RAF Museum Cosford at 2.00pm. The area will be closed to the general public for the unveiling at 1.00pm and reopen on completion of the ceremony at around 2.30pm.

This event first came to the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford in 2004 and has grown in strength each subsequent year. Last year, over 2,000 guests attended of which over 600 presented themselves for the parade. All Veterans who served in the Royal Air Force are welcome to participate and members of the public are invited to watch the parade.

National Veterans Organisations, as well as many training camp associations will be represented in Hangar 1 alongside displays of memorabilia and the Museum shop. On completion of the formal events, guests will have access to the whole RAF Museum site to catch up with old friends and colleagues, exchange news and view the exhibits.

The Museum gates will open at 9.00am on Sunday 3rd July 2011, although the Museum itself will open at 10am. Entry to the Museum is FREE. For further information, please call the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on 01902 376200 or visit the Museum website at www.rafmuseum.org.

Red Arrows Lead Top Flight for Airbourne 2011

The iconic Red Arrows will lead a packed programme of Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, British Army and civilian aircraft at the world renowned Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow this summer.

At an exclusive launch event today, organisers of the free flying spectacular announced the bumper line up of displays ready to entertain hundreds of thousands of visitors this August, including crowd favourite the Red Arrows as well as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, The Blades, Breitling Wingwalkers and many more.Local businesses and airshow partners were invited to enjoy a mini preview of Airbourne, including a solo wingwalk, Spitfire and RV8tors displays, before finding out the full flying programme that sees new for 2011, displays from the Royal Navy Black Cats and Royal Navy Raiders Parachute Display Team.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure Cllr Neil Stanley said “What a fantastic year we have coming up at Airbourne with a real variety of flying displays sure to be a hit with the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come to the event every year. We are delighted to welcome to the show displays from the Royal Navy who have been missed for the past couple of years, as well as celebrate the best of the RAF with displays by the Tucano, Tutor, Hawk, Tornado and of course, the magnificent Red Arrows who will zoom through the skies on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. With a few more displays still being finalised, Airbourne fans are certainly in for a treat this summer!

“We are also very pleased to be joined by the Eastbourne Hospitality Association today, who will again be carrying out the retiring collection, with donations going towards their chosen charity, the RNLI, as well as the future of Airbourne. Now in its 19th year, the success of Airbourne does depend heavily on being able to secure sponsors and I hope that by releasing such a fantastic flying programme, we may attract some last minute interest from businesses keen to be associated with this high profile event and use it to reach a huge footfall of potential customers in August.”

Also included on the bill for Airbourne 2011 are the impressive Blades who will return with fast paced displays in their high-performance piston aircraft, dazzling displays from the Breitling Wingwalkers, the impressive Belgian F16, Hangar 11 Warbirds, RV8tors, and the British Army Princess of Wales Royal Regiment Tigers Parachute Display Team.

With Airbourne also promising plenty of action on the ground, including the Marines Unarmed Combat team in the arena, Come Fly With Me on Friday evening with night time flying to a band performance, evening concerts at the Bandstand and a firework finale, visitors have lots to look forward to at the free event later this summer.

Another first for 2011 will see four big screens in town for the show and the launch of Airbourne TV. This will be provided by Big Bear Events and Fonix and will give visitors the opportunity to see displays on screen up close, and to interact with the show through live streaming and text to screen. Airbourne TV will also provide great opportunities for businesses to promote themselves to event visitors and coupled with the always popular Radio Airbourne, this year’s show will become truly multi-media.

For more information on the flying displays, or to find out about sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, go to www.eastbourneairshow.com or call 0871 663 0031. Airbourne enthusiasts can pre-order the official 2011 souvenir programme and book for exclusive seating tickets at Eastbourne Bandstand now at www.visiteastbourne.com.

Exclusive Bandstand Seating on Sale Now

Visitors are being invited to book early to guarantee the best views of the flying displays at Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow with exclusive seating on sale now at Eastbourne Bandstand.This summer the town’s iconic seafront landmark is offering visitors the chance to book their own seat for the day and enjoy uninterrupted views of the flying line as a packed programme of displays perform in the seafront skies.

Airbourne returns to Eastbourne seafront from 11-14 August and with exclusive seating always popular with the hundreds of thousands of visitors, airshow enthusiasts are being encouraged to book quickly for the best seats on the seafront.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “Exclusive seating at Eastbourne Bandstand is a fantastic way for visitors to settle down for the day and take in the magnificent flying displays overhead. With lots to take in on the ground too, visitors can return to the Bandstand throughout the day knowing they have their own seat go to back to. I’m sure the exclusive seating will prove a hit again this year, especially with such a packed four days of flying coming up in August!”

Airbourne visitors can book now for exclusive seating for just £12 per adult or £7 per child for the day and choose from the promenade deck or upper balcony.

This year visitors will also have the opportunity to enjoy the exclusive seating into the evening with the Bandstand opening on the Sunday evening with the chance to watch the spectacular firework finale from the historic venue. Visitors should keep checking the Bandstand website for more details and how to book tickets.

For more information on Airbourne 2011, including the flying line up which will be announced later this week, go to www.eastbourneairshow.com or call 0871 663 0031. Exclusive seating can be booked online from www.eastbournebandstand.co.uk or by calling 01323 410611.

The Face of Courage

Portraits of the British at War

1940-45, by Eric Kennington (1888-1960).

Free Art Exhibition – 10th June to May 2012

The Royal Air Force Museum London is proud to announce the re-opening of its Art Gallery to the public on Friday 10th June with the installation of an exhibition of portraits by renowned wartime artist Eric Kennington. The guest curator of the exhibition is the Senior Research Fellow in History of Art at Kingston University, Jonathan Black, who has mounted two other shows about Kennington in the last decade.

For much of his distinguished career, Kennington was counted amongst the ranks of exceptional portraitists such as: Hans Holbein the Younger; Albrecht Dürer; Franz Hals; Van Gogh and Augustus John. Many of his artistic contemporaries rated him as the finest draughtsman of his day, while he enjoyed the admiration of prominent public figures such as Winston Churchill; George Bernard Shaw and T.E. Lawrence.

The exhibition will present about three dozen works covering all of the Armed Services, the Auxiliary Services, London Transport and some notable civilians. Pictures have been loaned by the National Portrait Gallery, the Imperial War Museum, the National Army Museum, the Tate, the National Maritime Museum, the Ministry of Defence and by Kennington’s family and other private lenders and art dealers.

Kennington was among a handful of British artists who distinguished themselves as official war artists in both World Wars. His portraits were widely hailed not only as works of art, but also as capturing the indomitable spirit of British and Allied Servicemen in the struggle for victory.

This exhibition, the first to focus specifically on his Second World War Art, seeks to re-assess Kennington’s significant contribution to British War Art and to acknowledge his undoubted standing as one of the great British portraitists of the Twentieth Century. In a ‘People’s War’ he produced unforgettable images of ordinary men and women who displayed extraordinary courage and resilience under exceptional circumstances.

www.rafmuseum.org

Parade Veterans To View Model Memorial

National Service (RAF) Association Parade Sunday 4th July 2010

Spitfire Display 1.00pm (weather permitting)

A scale model of the recently commissioned Bomber Command Memorial will be on display at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford as part of the National Service (RAF) Association parade taking place on Sunday 4th July 2010.

The model will be on display in the Museum’s Hangar 1 and Project Coordinator David Forsyth, an MOD civilian who works in the RAF’s Directorate of Air Staff will be there to speak with veterans and visitors about the project and answer any questions they may have.

The Bomber Command Memorial, scheduled for construction in London’s Green Park, commemorates the 55,573 aircrew who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War II. Including bronze sculptures depicting seven aircrew members as well as parts of a Halifax bomber shot down over Belgium in May 1944, this landmark Memorial is long overdue.

The Cosford Parade will commence at 11am with participants asked to fall in between the Airfield Hangars. This year, veterans parade in the presence of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, KCB, BSc, FRAeS, RAF who will be accompanied by Air Commodore CH Green, the Commandant of DCAE Cosford.

The parade will be led by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force with visitors and guests also able to view a display by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire, scheduled for 1.00pm (weather permitting). The National ATC Championship Marching Band from Royton in Lancashire will entertain guests both before and after the parade with a dizzying display of marching, commencing at 9.45am.

This event first came to the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford in 2004 and has grown in strength each subsequent year. Last year, over 3,000 guests attended of which 600 or more presented themselves for the parade. All Veterans who served in the Royal Air Force are welcome to participate in the parade, providing them with the opportunity of being re-united with lost friends and colleagues. Members of the public are welcome to spectate.

The Museum gates will open at 9am on Sunday 4th July 2010, although the Museum itself will open at 10am. Museum entry is free. For further information, please call the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on 01902 376200 or visit the museum website at www.rafmuseum.org.

Spitfire and Bandstand Set for Airbourne Finale

A unique south coast landmark is preparing for a special concert to mark the final day of Airbourne 2010 with The Band of the RAF Regiment taking to the stage with a Spitfire flypast.

Eastbourne Bandstand promises a very special end to the town’s 2010 seafront airshow with a military band concert taking visitors back to the 1940s as the fighter aircraft flies overhead at 8pm.

With the Bandstand hosting evening concerts every night during Airbourne from 12-15 August offering big band, tributes and military music, visitors to the world’s biggest free seafront airshow can round off their packed days with alfresco entertainment in the historic seaside venue.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “Eastbourne Bandstand promises a spectacular choice of evening concerts during Airbourne 2010 taking the fantastic airshow atmosphere through into the night. The military band concert on Sunday evening is a brilliant way for us to celebrate a fabulous four days with one final flying display from the Spitfire, before fireworks launch from Eastbourne Pier. I know I’ve already booked my place at The Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment Concert and I hope plenty of others do the same.”

Eastbourne Bandstand has a bumper programme of concerts already underway this summer but will be joining in the airshow celebrations with back to back evening concerts from Thursday 12 August until Sunday 15 August.

Les Paul brings Big Band Night to life on Thursday evening with favourite hits from this classic era, while Friday and Saturday offer more music nostalgia with Dirty Dancing and Elvis tribute concerts.

With Airbourne also offering two extended evenings of flying and music in 2010 with the return of Come Fly With Me on Friday followed by BoB 70 on Saturday commemorating 70 years since the Battle of Britain, visitors can enjoy twilight entertainment to make the most of the seafront event into the evening.

Tickets for all concerts are on sale now, with advance bookings saving up to £1 off on the door prices. For more information on the Bandstand Airbourne concerts go to www.eastbournebandstand.co.uk or telephone 01323 410611.

For more information on Airbourne 2010 visit www.eastbourneairshow.com.

Model Air Show To Honour The Few

17-18 July 2010

Admission Charges Apply

Gates open 8.30am

Tickets are now on sale for the annual Large Model Aircraft Rally taking place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on 17-18 July 2010, with ticket prices held for the fifth year running. This famous air show in miniature is an absolute must see for any aviation enthusiast, attracting in excess of 10,000 visitors with hundreds of scale models of iconic aircraft taking to the skies during the two-day event.

The main theme of this year’s show will be celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain with a full 2 hours of the show dedicated to flying aircraft from the era, including a mass flypast of fighters – possibly the biggest formation ever seen at a model air show.

An exclusive for this year’s show and new to Cosford will be the first public appearance of a 1/4 full size English Electric Lightning and the new formation of Vulcan and Victor flying together. The show also features airliners history slots, where modellers will be flying airliners through from the Handley Page HP 42, Ford Trimotor, DC3 Dakota, Comet airliner and two Airbuses from the modern day.

Chairman of the Large Model Association, Dave Johnson says:

“Nowhere else in the country will be displaying such a wide variety of aircraft this year and most of these cannot be seen flying in full size form anymore, so a real pull for aircraft enthusiasts everywhere. ”

Events and activities on the airfield include trade stands selling both modelling and non-modelling related items plus for the families, there will be a fun fair to keep the youngsters entertained throughout the day. In addition to all this, why not try one of the aircraft simulators? Sit inside and feel what its like to fly in many of the full size RAF aircraft of today.

Plus, the Museum will be open to visitors on both days where you can see the full sized aircraft including the world’s oldest Spitfire and the award winning National Cold War Exhibition home to the much loved Victor, Valiant and Vulcan.

Admission prices to the Large Model Aircraft Rally including entrance to the Museum are 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. On site camping is only £40.00 for the weekend. Gates open at 8.30am and don’t forget, if you take any photos, to enter them into the Museum’s Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary Photography competition.

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