May – Airscene News

RIAT Saturday sells out in record speed

Tickets for this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo are flying with Saturday selling out earlier than ever before.

To date, the event has sold over 130,000 tickets to this year’s show, which will see hundreds of aircraft from all over the world descend on RAF Fairford for the three-day aviation showcase which is set to take place on Friday 18th to Sunday 20th July.

With a theme of Eyes in the Skies, highlighting the vital role aviation plays across domains of aerial surveying, airborne early warning, maritime patrol, search and rescue, reconnaissance, signals intelligence and surveillance. This summer also marks 40 years since Air Tattoo first touched down at RAF Fairford with a heritage centre also due to be installed on the showground.

So far, in addition to hoards of visitors, the event has had confirmation of over 200 aircraft ranging from the RAF’s iconic display team, the Red Arrows, more unusual aircraft relating to the theme, plus crowd favourites such as the Spanish Harrier.

Paul Atherton, Chief Executive Officer at Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, said: “Demand for our event has been incredible since we came back from COVID and we are always grateful for the support we receive, from visitors, international air forces and our volunteers.

“This year’s event is set to be another brilliant show with aircraft from all over the world and their crews which will be on hand to talk to visitors about their airframes and their careers in aviation.

“For anyone who is still hoping to join us this year, I’d encourage you to act fast as tickets are selling extremely quickly and once they’re gone, they’re gone!”

Profits generated by the Royal International Air Tattoo fuel the event’s parent charity, the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, which aims to inspire young people into careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

In addition to the awe-inspiring displays in the air, there is plenty for people to explore on the ground with an extensive static display, the Techno Zone® where people can get hands-on with the latest tech exhibits in air and space, plus the Inspire Stage which is run by the charity and features speakers from aviation and tech.

Dr Kevin Stenson, Director, Royal Air Force Charitable Trust said: “The popularity of RIAT is hugely important for our charity as we continue to spark the imagination of young people.

“RIAT as a whole is an incredible showcase of the possibilities in aviation and space, and the Inspire Stage is a key part of it. This year’s Stage will include live lessons, pilots, astronauts, Everest climbers, TV presenters, Minecraft. a robot dog and more.”

www.airtattoo.com

It’s almost here! Check out this week’s thrilling aircraft additions

There are less than two months to go until the first aircraft touches down at RAF Fairford for this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo!

Meanwhile, Take Off Thursday continues and this week we are pleased to announce some assets from the Qatar Emiri Air Force that will further bolster our static line-up.

They’ll be bringing an AH-64E Apache Guardian as we celebrate 50 years of Apache, plus a C-17 Globemaster, Hawk and a Typhoon.

From further afield and visiting for the first time in almost 10 years, we have the Royal New Zealand Air Force and their Boeing 757-2K2 – their last trip to Gloucestershire came back in 2016.

Finally, we’re rounding off the week with Royal Air Force training aircraft to the static line up this week with the Prefect, Tutor and Hawk. More to come from the Royal Air Force in the next few weeks… To view every aircraft confirmed for RIAT25 so far, click the link below.

View Confirmed Aircraft

If you’re looking for a more intense experience then why not treat yourself to one of our FRIAT six-day packages. They’re fantastic value, with amazing benefits including:

Park & View entry on Wednesday
Thursday, choice of Park & View or FRIAT enclosure
Friday to Sunday general admission to the showground and access to the FRIAT enclosure
Monday, choice of Park & View or FRIAT enclosure
Allocated grandstand seat and access to the exclusive FRIAT enclosure
Free official souvenir programme

Plus, the opportunity to meet other like-minded aircraft enthusiasts who love RIAT.

Book Tickets HERE

BAE Systems supports RAF Museum transformation with major investment

The Royal Air Force Museum is delighted to announce a new partnership and major investment from BAE Systems, in support of the Inspiring Everyone: RAF Museum Midlands Development Programme.

This significant contribution towards the redevelopment of the Museum’s Midlands site will help transform the visitor experience. Funding will support the refurbishment of a historic hangar to house a new exhibition, alongside enhanced learning and community engagement opportunities aimed at broadening access and deepening public understanding of the RAF’s role, past, present, and future.

The investment was formally announced by RAF Museum CEO Maggie Appleton and Sir Stuart Atha, Director of Defence Capability at BAE Systems, at the Museum’s spring reception on 13 May, attended by key supporters, stakeholders, dignitaries and members of the community involved in developing the programme.

As a founding partner, BAE Systems’ generous funding will be directed towards the redevelopment of a 1930s hangar which will house a new exhibition and state-of-the-art learning centre alongside visitor facilities. The new immersive exhibition will explore the RAF’s critical role from 1980 to the present day. As a trusted partner to the RAF and expertise in aerospace, defence, and advanced technology, BAE Systems is uniquely positioned to support the Museum as it explores the RAF’s evolving role in Air, Space and Cyber operations.

Highlights of the hangar will include a BAE Systems Red Arrows Hawk T1, greeting visitors as they enter, and a 1:1 model of the future Tempest combat air system, both cutting-edge technologies developed by BAE Systems.

Alongside the transformed hangar, the Museum will also deliver:

A major engagement programme that will harness the power of RAF heritage todeliver a range of creative, wellbeing and skills development activities

A purpose-built Collections Hub, enabling the Museum’s stored collection to be brought on site and opened to the public for the first time

A new public realm providing spaces for outdoor learning, activities, and picnicking, while increasing biodiversity

Maggie Appleton, RAF Museum CEO, said:

‘The RAF Museum is hugely grateful to BAE Systems for their significant investment and continued commitment to helping us transform how we share the RAF story. Our ambitious redevelopment programme will explore the Royal Air Force’s enduring impact on global aviation, innovation, and defence, while bringing to life the personal stories of those who have served, in powerful and engaging ways. This support will play a vital role in ensuring the Museum remains a place of inspiration, learning and remembrance for generations to come.’

Sir Stuart Atha, Director of Defence Capability, BAE Systems, said:

‘As a proud and long-standing supporter of the Armed Forces, we are delighted to help fund the RAF Museum Midlands Development Programme. This is an initiative that will help tell the story of the RAF and through outreach programmes inspire current and future generations. Having worked alongside the RAF throughout their history, we are honoured to help preserve our common heritage and are proud to support those who serve and protect us.’

Work on the hangar redevelopment and wider transformation programme will begin later this year, with completion expected by summer 2027. The project has been made possible with the support of funders including The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Royal Air Force, as well as the RAF Museum’s own investment. To find out more about the redevelopment project and how you can get involved, visit rafmuseum.org/midlands. The Museum is open daily from 10.00am and admission is free.

Prepare for take off – less than 10 weeks to go!

It’s less than 10 weeks until aircraft start arriving at RAF Fairford for this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo!

In this week’s update, we have an array of aircraft from the Royal Netherlands Air Force, including their Pilatus PC-7 training aircraft appearing at a British airshow for the first time in over a decade. They’ll also be sending the Airbus A330 MRTT from the Multinational Multirole Tanker Transport Unit, an NH90 NFH, and their new AH-64E Apache Guardian. We also have a Eurocopter EC135 for static display from the Irish Air Corps as well as a further five civilian additions also lining up on the Gloucestershire tarmac.

View Confirmed Aircraft

We all love the iconic film ‘Top Gun’, and believe it or not, this week marks 39 years since the original film’s release in 1986. For your own ‘Top Gun’ moment, join us at RIAT25. Be quick though, as tickets for Friday and Saturday are very close to selling out!

If you want to make your day extra special this year, then why not upgrade to one of our enclosures. While Saturday is completely sold out for all enclosures except Altitude, our newest enclosure, there are still enclosures available for Friday and Sunday. There is an enclosure for every taste and budget. Browse our range of options here. Upgrade your experience today!

Book Tickets HERE

Celebrate the RAF Museum’s Big Lift Off with free family fun!

Location: RAF Museum Midlands

Date: Saturday 31 May

Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm

Cost: Free

Celebrate the start of a new chapter for the RAF Museum Midlands!

Strap in for an unforgettable day out! The RAF Museum Midlands is inviting families from across the region to take part in The Big Lift Off, a spectacular free event celebrating the start of an exciting site-wide transformation.

Taking place on Saturday 31 May, The Big Lift Off event will see thrilling aerial displays and lively ground activities for all ages. Look to the skies for a jaw-dropping skydiving display and awe-inspiring flypast, while on the ground, enjoy toe-tapping live music, sizzling BBQs, and interactive family games – and the best part, entry is completely FREE!

The Big Lift Off event highlights:

A spectacular Lancaster flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (weather permitting)
A dramatic skydiving display, with parachutists landing in the Museum grounds (weather permitting)
Live music from the RAF Cosford Pipes and Drums, a vintage 1940s crooner, and the RAF Cosford Voluntary Band
Step aboard the legendary Chinook ‘Bravo November’, a rare opportunity not to be missed!
Family activities galore including rocket car races, mystery prize games, photo booths with RAF uniforms and more
Be the first to see exciting new artefacts being delivered on the day via skydivers, bicycles, vintage vehicles, and on foot!
Soak up the atmosphere with BBQ and ice cream stands.

The Big Lift Off event isn’t just a great family day out, it also marks the launch of the Museum’s new fundraising appeal – The Crate Escape. This appeal will help raise the final funds needed for the exciting new redevelopment plans that include a brand-new Collections Hub at the Museum. Once completed, the new hub will house over 50,000 historic objects, making them accessible to the public for the first time.

As part of The Big Lift Off celebrations, visitors can witness the first wave of these objects begin their journey from off-site storage at MOD Stafford to the Museum, travelling across the Midlands by every means imaginable – including by parachute! These treasured items will be delivered in style by skydivers, vintage vehicles, cyclists, and even on foot. A special selection will be unveiled at the event, going on temporary display, offering visitors an exclusive first look at the Museum’s stored collection.

In addition to all the excitement of The Big Lift Off activities, both in the air and on the ground, the Museum will be open for visitors to explore a collection of more than 80 historic aircraft and enjoy flying entertainment for the whole family with flight simulators, an airfield inspired playground, interactive exhibits and more.

Pre-book your free tickets to the Big Lift Off event now at rafmuseum.org/midlands. The Museum is open daily from 10.00am, with free admission.

Work on the Museum’s major transformation will begin later this year, with completion expected in 2027 – made possible thanks to a number of funders including The National Lottery Heritage Fund, as well as the RAF Museum’s own investment.

Shuttleworth’s Military Air Show Returns with the First Split Flying Display of the Season

Saturday 31 May sees the hotly anticipated return of one of Shuttleworth’s most popular air shows. This year’s Military Air Show is also the first of the venue’s new split flying displays.

The Military Air Show will feature an afternoon display from 14:00 to 17:30 and an evening display from 19:30 to 20:30 with fantastic visiting and Shuttleworth Collection aircraft in each display. By presenting a unique split flying display, Shuttleworth is excited to offer two thrilling displays at one event, the chance to see some amazing aircraft in spectacular dusk lighting, and to increase the chance of getting the Collection’s oldest airworthy Edwardian aircraft into the air – as these delicate machines require very specific weather conditions.

The Collection’s Westland Lysander – in its iconic Special Duties Service operations livery – will play out a mock special operations scenario, and a visiting Albatros D.Va will display a mock dogfight with Shuttleworth’s WWI Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a aircraft. There will be a special Dunkirk formation featuring two genuine Battle of France veterans: the Hawker Hurricane Mk I and Supermarine Spitfire Ia. The day will also celebrate the f ighters of the era with the Collection’s own Spitfire taking to the skies too.

This year’s displays will include a number of Shuttleworth debuts: the Douglas R4D-6S ‘Ready 4 Duty’ will display, as well as being available to explore as a static exhibit prior to the display, the Curtiss P-40C and P-36C will feature in the evening display, with the Fairey Swordfish appearing in the afternoon.

There will be plenty of entertainment for visitors between displays with live music, vintage bus rides, an extra vehicle parade for the Shuttleworth Collection’s veteran vehicle fleet, a free fun fair, and much more to explore at Shuttleworth House.

Outside the usual ground attractions (all of which are included in the cost of a ticket), the Military Air Show is well known and loved for its military camp featuring various reenactors. This year sees a number of reenactor groups heading to the aerodrome, including the No 9 Airborne Field Company Royal Engineers, Rifles Living History Society from the Isle of Wight, Beds and Herts Regiment Re-enactment – who cover the 1950’s Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment on duty in the Middle East; and Feeding Tommy – the chance to experience a WWI field kitchen.

As with any Shuttleworth air show, there’s always plenty of ways for customers to enhance their visit. From Flightline Tours – where you can go onto the airfield itself – to pleasure flights with Cambridge Flying Group and Scillonia Airways, or accommodation at Shuttleworth House to make the most of a weekend.

James Butt, Flight Display Organiser at Shuttleworth, said, “In this new-look Shuttleworth 2025 air show season, we are delighted to bring back the ever-popular Military Air Show honouring those who have served and still serve today. We are very excited to bring you our first split flying display, showcasing some truly rare and unique military aircraft as well as giving our audience the ultimate Shuttleworth experience with an afternoon flying display and an evening flying display all included in one ticket.”

Shuttleworth’s Military Air Show takes place on Saturday 31 May. Tickets start from £36, and kids go free. For tickets and more details, visit www.shuttleworth.org

Royal International Air Tattoo looking for your memories ahead of anniversary celebrations

Organisers of the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) are asking for people to share their memories of the aviation showcase as they celebrate 40 years since moving to RAF Fairford.

This summer’s show marks four decades since Air Tattoo first touched down in Gloucestershire, with 32 shows taking place at the rural airfield since then.

As part of the celebrations, the event is set to have a heritage area on the showground to recognise the show’s history and organisers are looking for people to contribute with their photos and memories of attending the show.

To take part, you will need to email your photos and stories to 40Years@rafcte.com for a chance for them to feature on a memory wall at this year’s show, which is due to take place from Friday 18th-Sunday 20th July.

Chief Executive Officer, Paul Atherton said: “We are hugely proud of our relationship with RAF Fairford and the local area and are looking forward to celebrating it at this summer’s event.

“Since 1985 we have been inviting people and aircraft from all over the world to be a part of what we do, and we would love to be able to share some of your memories with visitors who are joining us this year.”

With less than 75 days to go until this summer’s event, RIAT have already announced over 50 different aircraft including the Royal Air Force Red Arrows, Swedish Air Force Blackhawk and a Royal Danish Air Force F-16.

Tickets are available via www.airtattoo.com.

Wartime fun this half term at the RAF Museum!

Date: 24 May – 1 June 2025

Time: 10.00am – 5.00pm

Cost: Activities range from £0-£5

This May half term, the RAF Museum Midlands invites families to step back in time during World War Two Week, running from 24 May to 1 June. Packed with immersive experiences, hands-on workshops, and creative wartime crafts, it’s the perfect way to enjoy a fun-filled family day out, while learning about one of the most extraordinary chapters in British history.

Step into the shoes of wartime families during Raid the Shelter experience, where visitors will explore a real Anderson Shelter, build a paper model version to take home, then dress up in period clothing and take part in a simulated air raid — complete with a dramatic and authentic soundscape for a truly immersive experience.

Join in the Lego Racers activity, where children can build their own World War Two-inspired vehicles and race them down a track using the power of balloons. The Campaign Poster art activity is perfect for budding artists, where they can design their own posters inspired by vintage propaganda art. Gather the family together and strike a pose at the Dress-Up Drill Sergeant Selfie Station wearing authentic wartime attire.

As you explore the Museum hangars, listen in to Audio Stories told by the charming Antis the Dog and Percy the Penguin, accessible via QR codes throughout the Museum. Join the Spy-Hunter Trail, where young code-breakers are called into action to track down stolen aircraft plans hidden somewhere in the Museum. Solve the clues correctly and earn your mission badge!

Plus, don’t miss the incredible collection of miniature aircraft and vehicle models from the Aero Space and Vehicle Club Wombourne IPMS, showcasing engineering marvels of the Second World War.

But that’s not all! The RAF Museum Midlands is also home to iconic aircraft from the period, including the world’s oldest Spitfire. Families can also enjoy a Pilot experience by climbing into an exact replica Spitfire cockpit section, or by popping on VR goggles and taking a flight in 360° as you pilot a real Spitfire in a thrilling virtual reality experience.

With free entry to the Museum and small charges between £0-£5 for selected activities, this is a brilliant and budget-friendly day out that promises fun for all ages. For full details and to book activities in advance, visit rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands. The Museum is open daily from 10.00am and admission is free.

Army Flying Museum Crowdfunding Appeal

The Army Flying Museum at Middle Wallop in Hampshire has launched its first ever crowdfunding campaign!

The much-loved Museum which recently won the Silver Award for Small Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Beautiful South Awards, installed an Apache AH Mk.1 attack helicopter on permanent display last year, making it the only Museum in the UK that the public can see this formidable aircraft.

The exhibit has been a popular one at the Hampshire Museum, with record visitor numbers achieved in 2024/25 following the installation. However, the Museum now needs to update their popular ‘Helicopters in Action’ audio-visual display. They have been working with the fantastic team at Ay-Pe to create an exciting digital experience that showcases the fascinating development of the Army’s armed and attack helicopters with the Apache front and centre.

The Museum is hoping to raise the funds it needs to make the new display a reality. Half the funds have already been secured, and the Crowdfunding campaign has got off to a great start with a generous donation of £5000 from the Army Air Corps Charity.

Lucy Johnson, Chief Executive of the Army Flying Museum said: “It has taken over a decade for the Museum to install an Apache and we are delighted to have been the first museum in the UK to have done so. The next challenge of bringing our audio-visual display up to date and truly showcase the development of these amazing aircraft is really exciting and we can’t wait to see the finished product. We hope that our visitors and supporters will get behind this and help us to achieve our fundraising target and get themselves a limited-edition gift too!”

Members of the public are encouraged to donate online to access some unique rewards designed by Runway25, a business created by Army veteran and former Apache technician, Tom Newey who said: “As a former aircraft technician with 3 Regt AAC, I actually owe my business to the Apache and the opportunities that being part of the AHF gave me. A chance encounter in 2014 led to me starting the business that eventually became Runway25. As a company, we are honoured to be working with the Army Flying Museum to help them raise funds for the display of ZJ224 which is such a special aircraft in AAC history.”

To find out more and support the Museum in their fundraising venture, visit: https://armyflying.com/support-us/army-flying-museum-apache-ah-mk-1-display-fundraiser/

Welcome back to favourites the Royal Navy Black Cats, and more!

This week we have more additions to the flying display with the Royal Navy Black Cats.

Returning after wowing the crowd last year, where they picked up the Steedman Display Sword for the British participant with the most notable contribution, we can’t wait to see what they have in store for you this summer.

Elsewhere and part of our Eyes in the Skies theme, we’ve got a Boeing E-3F Sentry on static courtesy of the French Air & Space Force as well as Royal Navy Merlin and privately owned Piper Super Cub – which has only been seen at RIAT once before – as well as a Defender from the Finnish Army. We are aware of incidents involving aircraft which are due to display at RIAT25. We await news from their respective national authorities on any impact to their appearance at the show and will update in due course.

View Confirmed Aircraft

Tickets for this year’s show are flying and with aviation in the news this week following the RAF’s incredible flypast to commemorate 80 years since VE Day.

In total there were over 20 different types of aircraft taking part and if you’d like to catch a glimpse of some of them again, you can at this year’s RIAT!

Less than 2000 Saturday and 1000 Friday Tickets left… don’t miss out!

Book Tickets HERE