March – Page 2 – Airscene News

Shuttleworth aims to assemble every airworthy mark of Spitfire for landmark anniversary

Shuttleworth Spitfire — credit: *Caroline Haycock*

90th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire celebrated this summer at
Shuttleworth – Goal to have one of every airworthy mark of Spitfire currently in the UK at Shuttleworth’s Summer Air Show

Old Warden, 5 March 2026 – Thursday 5 March 2026 marks the 90th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire, an aviation milestone that introduced one of the most influential fighter designs of WWII. To honour this extraordinary aircraft, Shuttleworth aims to assemble one example of every airworthy Spitfire mark currently in the UK at its Summer Air Show on Saturday 25 July 2026.

With its advanced aerodynamic design, elliptical wing, and exceptional performance
envelope, the Spitfire gave the RAF a critical edge against the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain. On D-Day, the Spitfire played a pivotal role in securing Allied air superiority, providing essential fighter cover and helping ensure the success of the invasion that marked the beginning of Europe’s liberation from Nazi control. Throughout the war, the engineering of the Spitfire evolved to make it an even more powerful fighter, resulting in 24 marks being produced.

WWII veteran aircraft flying at Shuttleworth

Many of the exact Spitfires confirmed to be flying at Shuttleworth this summer saw real action in WWII, including:

• Supermarine Spitfire Mk Ia N3200 was shot down during the evacuation of Dunkirk in May 1940 and had to ditch on Sangatte beach. It was recovered in 1986 and a restoration to airworthiness began in 2012 with the first post-restoration flight being in 2014. It is one of only five Mark Is still flying today.

• Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vc AR501 was issued to both No 310 and No 312 (Czech) Squadrons during its active service and even escorted the Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress ‘Memphis Belle’. This aircraft is part of Shuttleworth’s permanent collection.

• Supermarine Spitfire Mk IXc MK912 served with No 312 (Czech) Squadron and was heavily involved in missions during the build-up and aftermath of the Normandy landings. Post WWII, it served with the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

• Both Supermarine Spitfire PR.XI PL983 and Supermarine Spitfire PR.XIX PS853 in their distinctive PRU blue colours were used for photo reconnaissance, taking images behind enemy lines.

• Supermarine Seafire XVII SX336 was the naval equivalent of the Spitfire and is believed to have served with No 833 Naval Air Squadron.

The heroes behind the Spitfire’s success

The success of the Spitfire would not have been possible without its designer and test pilots. To celebrate the Spitfire’s designer, RJ Mitchell, Shuttleworth will be flying its de Havilland DH.60X which is the same model which Mitchell flew in to understand how f lying works.

Test pilot Alex Henshaw was known for his record-breaking flights pre-war and flight tested approximately 10% of all Spitfires and Seafires ever built. Shuttleworth owns the exact Percival Mew Gull which Henshaw broke the London to Cape Town record in, so will be flying this aircraft amongst other types he flew in his memory at this display.

James Butt, Air Displays and Aviation Coordinator at Shuttleworth, commented: “Ninety years ago, the Spitfire took to the air for the first time before becoming influential in the course of WWII. Its design and performance were exceptional for its time and remain impressive even today. The fact that visitors are still excited to see and hear a Spitfire flying at our air shows is a powerful reminder of its enduring legacy, and we’re proud to help preserve this history for future generations.”

For more details on Shuttleworth’s air shows and how to book, visit: https://www.shuttleworth.org/events

All aircraft appearances are subject to weather and serviceability.

Brooklands Museum visitors to get rare access to motorsport and aviation history

Brooklands Wellington Bomber — *credit: Brooklands Museum*

Visitors to Brooklands Museum in Weybridge, Surrey are about to get the chance to step back in time like never before with behind-the-scenes exclusive access exploring some of the most iconic aircraft, racing cars and motorcycles in British history.

The experiences, which begin in March, give rare up-close access to legendary machines including the Vickers Wellington MK1A bomber, Hawker Hurricane MK.IIA, Napier-Railton, Delage 15-S-8, Rudge V-Twin motorcycle, and AKD motorcycle. The tours are carefully curated for enthusiasts and history lovers alike and include expert insight and exclusive archive experiences.

2026 Signature Technical Tour Dates:

10 March and 4 June – Vickers Wellington (bomber) MK1A
12 March, 14 May and 3 September – Napier-Railton
21 April and 4 August – Hawker Hurricane MK.IIA
21 May – Rudge V-Twin Motorcycle
18 June and 6 August – Delage 15-S-8
16 July – AKD Motorcycle

Every tour, of no more than 12 people, begins in the historic Edwardian Clubhouse with refreshments of hot or cold drinks and pastries. Guests will then step back in time and be immersed in the rich history of Brooklands, discovering how the site has evolved over the years. Visitors will then get up close to their chosen vehicle or aircraft, exploring its hidden secrets. The experience takes a more immersive turn when it moves trackside or into the shed or hangar for a detailed technical tour, offering a unique opportunity to get up-close to the icons of the track and air. Guests will have exclusive access and a hands-on discovery in Brooklands Museum’s archive store; which includes object handling and insight into rarely seen artefacts connected to the chosen vehicle or aircraft.

Alex Patterson, Director and CEO at Brooklands Museum, said, “We’re incredibly excited to open up parts of Brooklands Museum that most visitors never get to see. Our Behind the Scenes Technical Tours are about so much more than looking at historic aircraft, racing cars and motorcycles – they’re about discovering the untold stories and experiencing the engineering genius up close, with unprecedented access to historical objects not available on public display. With places strictly limited, it’s a great opportunity for families and enthusiasts to connect with Britain’s pioneering spirit in a way that’s powerful, personal and unforgettable.”

**NOTES**

Tickets are from £80 per person and are limited to ensure an exclusive, intimate and special discovery experience – adults and children 16 years only or older. Advance booking is essential.

These special tours are aimed at motoring and aviation enthusiasts, historians, and anyone passionate about engineering excellence, Brooklands Museum’s Behind the Scenes Technical Tours offer an unforgettable journey into Britain’s pioneering past.

www.brooklandsmuseum.com

Newark Air Museum Fund Raising Aeroboot Sale

Newark Air Museum Outdoor Aeroboot Aviation & Avionics Sale

Saturday 12^th April, 2025

The next Newark Air Museum Outdoor Aeroboot / Aerojumble Sale at the museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire takes place on Saturday 12^th April, 2025. This charity fund raising event has attracted interest from a wide range of sellers across the UK and is taking place as a standalone museum event.

The funds that the museum raises from organising the event will be used to support the development of facilities at its Gateway Aviation Site, which is located in eastern Nottinghamshire close to the Lincolnshire border.

More than thirty-five (35) sellers, who come from around the UK have pre-booked selling spaces on the wide expanses of our Southfield Site, close to the aircraft display line and the museum café.

Buyers / visitors who attend this fund raising event will have the opportunity to search through a varied selection of aviation and avionic items: including books, paintings, prints, DVDs, plastic kits, die-cast models, clothing, radio equipment and a wide range of aircraft parts.

Normal museum admission rates will apply: Adults £12.00, Over 65s £11.00, Children £6.00 and Family ticket [2 adults & 3 children] £33.00.

The museum opening times will be 09.00 to 17.00 hours; with the sale taking place between 09.00 and 14.00 hours; to get the best bargains we suggest that you get there early.

Further details are available on the Events Page of the museum website www.newarkairmuseum.org or by telephoning 01636 707170.

Help us welcome the German Air Force to RIAT25!

It’s Guten Tag from Germany this week as the German Air Force confirms their participation in RIAT25.

For the flying display, we are excited to add an Airbus A400M to the line-up in a display that will demonstrate the aircraft’s agility despite its size. We’ve also got a further four aircraft making the trip to RAF Fairford, for static display.

Firstly, RIAT favourites, we’ve got a pair of Panavia Tornados. Joining them on the tarmac and following up on some recent RIAT rarities, we have a new arrival from Germany, with their C-130J Hercules and a special forces H145M which has only been sighted at a British airshow once before! Bringing this week’s update to a close, there is a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota for static display. Incredibly, this aircraft also visited the show the first time it was hosted at RAF Fairford back in 1985.

View Confirmed Aircraft

Tickets for the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) have been selling even faster than last year, so don’t delay and buy yours today HERE.

The icons are returning!

We’ve got something for everyone this week with updates from the Royal Air Force and Swedish Air Force!

Starting with the RAF, this summer we will be joined by the iconic Red Arrows, the ever-popular Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which will be made up of an Avro Lancaster, Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire, plus the BAE Systems Typhoon FGR.4 which will all be taking to the skies this summer.

Moving over to Sweden, we have a RIAT debut in the flying display with a Sikorsky Hkp16 Black Hawk joining the line-up with another one lining up on static display this July in what is a great addition to this year’s programme. Rounding off this week’s update, we also have a civilian-owned Hawker Hunter T.72 and a Rheims-Cessna F152 on static.

View Confirmed Aircraft

Tickets for the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) have been selling even faster than last year, so don’t delay and buy yours today HERE.

Red Arrows become latest attendees for this summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo

The Royal Air Force has become the latest to confirm their participation at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) by announcing the Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and Typhoon will be touching down at RAF Fairford in July.

So far, the aviation showcase has announced 40 aircraft from 11 different nations, ranging from everything to helicopters and fast jets to huge transport aircraft – with almost 20 weeks still remaining until this year’s show.

Not only have aircraft confirmed their attendance, to date organisers say over 80,000 people have secured their spot at the event which takes place on Friday 18^th, Saturday 19^th and Sunday 20^th of July.

This year’s show will be celebrating the role of aviation in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, search and rescue and more under the theme of ‘Eyes in the Skies’. This July also marks 40 years since the Air Tattoo first moved to RAF Fairford.

Squadron Leader Jon Bond, Team Leader of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team and Red 1, said: “The Red Arrows have a great deal of heritage with RAF Fairford – having been based there in the team’s earliest days until a move late in 1966.

“This strong, historic connection with the airfield is one of the many reasons why displaying at RIAT is always a special moment for the Red Arrows.

“However, what makes performing at RIAT particularly enjoyable, is knowing just how many families are there, watching and enjoying the event and understanding the opportunity we have, as a display team, to hopefully inspire future aviators.

“RIAT also gives the Red Arrows team – both air and ground crew – a good chance to meet countless people and we can’t wait to see everyone and display our brand new 2025 show.”

Joining the Red Arrows at this year’s show will also be iconic warbirds from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, as well as the RAF’s modern-day combat Typhoon aircraft.

In addition to the iconic nine-ship display team, the announcement also sees the return of the BBMF Spitfire, which will be participating alongside fellow historic aircraft in the Lancaster and Hurricane. They join an already exciting line-up of aircraft, including displays never seen before at the Air Tattoo such as the Swedish Black Hawk and Portuguese Merlin.

Chief Executive Officer at Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, Paul Atherton, said: “The Red Arrows announcement is always met with huge excitement from our visitors and rightfully so as they fly the flag for United Kingdom and the Royal Air Force around the world.

“We are very lucky to have them with us across the weekend and there will plenty of opportunities for people to engage with the pilots and their groundcrews while they are with us in the Cotswolds.

“This announcement also sees the return of BBMF which will be a welcome sight as well as the Typhoon, which of course flew on sustainable aviation fuel for the first time when it was with us in 2024.” Participating aircraft are unveiled on a weekly basis via Air Tattoo social channels, with tickets available via www.AirTattoo.com.

Wallop Wheels & Wings – a Perfect Partnership

The Army Flying Museum at Middle Wallop in Hampshire are thrilled to announce local company Andover Norton International, have shown their support for the charity’s annual fundraising event Wallop Wheels and Wings, which this year will take place on Saturday 12 July.

The company, which was founded in 1977, is home to the biggest stock of Norton parts worldwide, selling more Norton factory spare parts for Norton Commandos, Dominators and other models, than anyone else in the World. The company are a perfect partnership with the Museum for their fifth Wallop Wheels and Wings event as they look to grow the display and cavalcade of motorcycles in 2025, having already achieved record numbers of car exhibitors for this year’s event.

Karl Smith, Managing Director of Andover Norton International said: “We’re incredibly proud to partner with the Army Flying Museum for their Wallop Wings and Wheels 2025 event. As a local business based in Andover, who’re connected to a classic British motorcycle brand, it felt like a perfect affiliation.

We can’t wait to attend and showcase some of our own incredible Classic Norton collection and see the vehicles on display on the day.”

The confirmation of support from Andover Norton comes as very welcome news to the Museum as they grow from strength to strength with their packed event programme and record visitor numbers, following their Silver Award for Small Visitor Attraction of the year at the Beautiful South Awards in December.

Chief Executive of the Army Flying Museum, Lucy Johnson said: “Wallop Wheels and Wings is our main fundraising event for the charity and now, in its fifth year, we hope it will be bigger and better than ever. It is fantastic to have secured Andover Norton as a sponsor this year to develop the motorcycle element of the event and we are delighted to be working with them and can’t wait to see the array of Norton bikes on display.”

The event will again feature a wide array of classic and super cars, motorcycles and aircraft, to please both aviation and motor enthusiasts, with a small number of air display elements during the day.

For non-enthusiasts, there will be the opportunity to browse the artisan trader village, with over 40 stalls selling a wide range of arts, crafts, food and drink. New to the event this year will be a speaker’s tent for visitors with an avid interest in military history.

Activities for families and children will be in abundance, with mini go-carts, circus skills, pedal planes, mini tanks, face painting and lots of craft and interactive activities to keep little ones busy throughout the day.

For further information or to book tickets, visit https://armyflying.com/what-s-on/events/wallop-wheels-wings-2025/

Red Arrows return to Shuttleworth Festival of Flight

The Red Arrows are set to make a welcome return to Shuttleworth, in Biggleswade, this summer on the Saturday of their Festival of Flight air show (Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 June). Better still, tickets start from £39, and kids go free.

An iconic staple of British culture – from flying over Buckingham Palace to featuring in the film version of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical – the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, is the public face of the Royal Air Force, representing the service’s speed, agility and precision. The display team fly distinctive Hawk fast-jets in thrilling formations, using red, white and blue smoke to add to their stunning displays.

The Festival of Flight air show is the jewel in the crown of Shuttleworth’s air show season, spreading across two days and featuring the most extensive line up of thrilling visiting aircraft – including the Red Arrows on the Saturday of the Festival. All the Shuttleworth Collection’s own iconic aircraft will also appear across the weekend*. As well as the thrilling aerobatic performances, Festival of Flight also offers visitors a free fun fair, vintage vehicle parade and bus rides, tours of the stunning Victorian mansion, Shuttleworth House, STEM activities and a 9-acre Regency Garden to explore. The site will feature a range of fantastic catering outlets and trade stalls too.

James Butt, Air Display Organiser at Shuttleworth, said, “We are so excited to see the Red Arrows back at Shuttleworth for the second consecutive year. They returned last year for the first time since 2019, so we’re delighted to welcome them back again in 2025. If you’re looking for an incredible display of incredible technical skill, this one is not to be missed!”

The Festival of Flight air show takes place at Shuttleworth, Biggleswade, on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 June – the Red Arrows appear on Saturday. Tickets start from £39 and kids go free, with ground attractions included in the price of your ticket. To book, visit www.Shuttleworth.org.

*All aircraft and vehicle appearances are subject to weather and serviceability.

The spectacular RAF Red Arrows will display at Midlands Air Festival 2025

Organisers of the Midlands Air Festival have revealed that the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, will be appearing on all three days at this year’s festival, marking some of the very first opportunities to see the team’s spectacular displays in the UK at the start of their summer season.

The RAF Red Arrows are one of the finest and most respected jet aerobatic teams in the world and a national favourite whenever they display. The team will showcase their astonishing signature precision wingtip to wingtip formations, along with breathtaking high-speed opposition passes and spectacular breaks. The internationally acclaimed team, will be flying their nine distinctive bright red BAE T1 Hawk jets over the skies of the beautiful and historic Ragley Hall estate on the 30th, 31st May and 1st of June. Led this year by ‘Red One’ Squadron Leader Jon Bond, the RAF Red Arrows have been inspiring literally hundreds of thousands of young potential pilots and aero engineers for over 60 years.

The Royal Air Force will also be sending the much loved Battle of Britain Memorial flight of Lancaster, Dakota, Spitfire and Hurricane, along with the Tutor aerobatics trainer, the daring RAF Falcons mass parachute team and a Friday flypast from the RAF Typhoon.

The RAF participation is just one part of a much bigger air display. Other items appearing include classic jets, formation teams, warbirds, flying circus, aerial ballet, helicopters and high energy aerobatics. Unusual highlights include, from Austria, the Flying Bulls aerobatic helicopter that can actually fly upside down and the Pitts Special bi plane which has an additional pair of screaming jet engines bolted to its fuselage!

Across the three days of the festival, visitors can also see the largest gathering of giant multi coloured hot air balloons and airships in the UK. Over 150 of them can be seen either tethered or flying in the spectacular massed take-offs, including a number of massive character ‘special shape’ balloons, many standing over a 100ft tall.

The Festival kicks off on Friday 30th May with the unique ‘Nightfire’ show, with an afternoon air show, pyrotechnic air displays, choreographed balloon ‘Fireglow’ and a giant firework finale. The RAF front line fighter the Typhoon, will also drop by to say hello with a very noisy flypast!

Flying Display Director Trevor Graham said, “We deeply appreciate the continuing support we receive from the Royal Air Force and indeed all of our pilots from all over the world. We also thank our loyal audience which continues to grow and return year on year.” Tickets are available, in advance only, through the website www.midlandsairfestival.com , along with options for camping and caravanning. Tickets are currently free for children under 13 years old when accompanied by a paying adult.

We’re 6 weeks in already!

This week we have three additions to our static display with aircraft coming from the Belgium Air Component and the Hungarian Air Force.

Starting with the Belgian contingent, they’ll be providing an Airbus A400M which is always a welcome sight on the tarmac at RAF Fairford. Moving on, we are pleased to announce one of their F-16 Fighting Falcons will also be in attendance in Gloucestershire this summer.

We are also pleased to unveil a new aircraft type from the Hungarians as their Airbus H225M will be lining up on the static display after joining service in 2023. We look forward to welcoming them for their first visit!

View Confirmed Aircraft

RIAT25 will return to RAF Fairford on 18th, 19th and 20th July and it’s already promising to be a real extravaganza, in the air, on the ground and all around. Tickets are selling fast though, so be quick to secure your place. Early Bird tickets are now only available for Friday and Sunday and for a limited time only. Get yours today HERE.