Tag: Museum

Last Sea Voyage for RAF Boat

Lawrence of Arabia’s launch is the last RAF boat to set sail on historic final voyage.

Date: April 30th – May 4th

A Seaplane Tender from the 1930s is to sail around the south coast and up the Thames to complete a display at the Royal Air Force Museum. It will be the last RAF boat to fly the RAF Ensign on the water.

Docking at: Newhaven; Dover; Ramsgate; Sheerness & St Katherine’s Dock

The small launch, ST206, was used by the RAF to ferry passengers and crew to and from the giant flying boats of the 1930s and was used as a fire tender and rescue launch during the Second World War.

The launch was developed by TE Lawrence – Lawrence of Arabia – in his little-know career after his famous desert exploits in World War One. He entered the Royal Air Force’s Marine Section in 1925 under the pseudonym TE Shaw and worked with the British Power Boat Company to develop faster and more effective rescue boats after witnessing a fatal seaplane crash in 1931. The project made a vital contribution to speed boat design and ensured that the new generation of boats specially designed to rescue pilots during the Second World War were faster and more effective.

The 1930s was the golden age of the flying boat and enormous craft flew around the world offering luxury conditions for international travellers. The RAF used them as transport and long-range escort bomber aircraft in Coastal Command. ST206 was built to service the Short Sunderland and will join the RAF Museum’s Sunderland on display at Hendon, North London.

Nearly every major port in England was used as a rescue base and ST206 will visit many former seaplane bases on her journey where the RNLI have kindly offered their facilities. The launch will set sail at Lymington on a four day journey by sea to St Katherine’s Dock in East London and then on to Shepperton Marina. En route it will be docking at Shoreham; Newhaven; and Dover. At Shepperton it will be lifted out of the water and placed on a lorry for the final leg of its journey as it travels by road to the Royal Air Force Museum London.

The boat will be skippered by its previous owner Phil Clabburn with a crew that includes veteran members of the RAF Marine Branch. The voyage and subsequent restoration for display of the launch has been organised by the RAF Museum’s Marine Craft Team Volunteers. As part of the voyage, they will also be recreating the speed trails conducted by T.E. Shaw on ST206.

The RAF formed its Marine Section in 1918 to service the needs of its extensive and expanding fleet of seaplanes. Its motto was ‘The Sea Shall Not Have Them’ and the service saved 13,000 lives during World War Two. The branch was disbanded and its remaining role was privatised in 1986.

www.rafmuseum.org

Nimrod MR2 for Yorkshire Air Museum

The Royal Air Force announced today that the Yorkshire Air Museum & Allied Air Forces Memorial at Elvington, York is to receive an iconic Nimrod MR2.

Yorkshire Air Museum will soon be the only Museum in the world to display a LIVE example of the remarkable Nimrod military reconnaissance aircraft.

Nimrod MR2, XV250 will be flown from RAF Kinloss into Elvington on Tuesday April 13th where it will be maintained in full ground operational capacity as a ‘live’ aircraft.

From now XV250 will be part of the Museum’s world class collection, alongside the huge Victor V-Bomber and Buccaneer Strike aircraft and will stand as a permanent tribute to the 14 British servicemen killed in Afghanistan when Nimrod XV 230 crashed at Kandahar on 2nd September 2006.

The multi million pound Nimrod was developed from the Comet, itself a revolutionary design which was the world’s first jet airliner. Much of the development for the Nimrod was undertaken at BAe Systems at Brough, East Yorkshire, giving the aircraft a special local connection.

Nimrod, the ‘mighty hunter’ is found in the Book of Genesis, and for over 30 years the aircraft has continued to play an exceptional role in the defence of the British Isles and support in other operational theatres. The ‘submarine hunting’ role has developed into strategic military intelligence gathering, utilising state of the art equipment. The Nimrod MR2 has been described as the world’s largest fighter, with the capability to carry Sidewinder air to air missiles!

Museum Director, Ian Reed said, “We have been working closely with our colleagues in the RAF for over a year on this project and are delighted at the confirmation announced today. Yorkshire Air Museum is probably the only major Museum in Europe capable of operating large jets of this type and in this way. It is also very appropriate that, as the Allied Air Forces Memorial, we are able to make a significant contribution to the memory of those servicemen in Afghanistan and Iraq who have lost their lives and those who daily risk their lives in the service of our country”.

Details of arrival timings on Tuesday 13th April will be issued as soon as they are known.

www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk

Bryan Adams Vists RAF Museum

The rocker swapped the Summer of ’69, for the Summer of 1940 as he popped in for a visit to the Museum’s Battle of Britain Hall.

Legendary rocker Bryan Adams was spotted over the weekend at the RAF Museum in Colindale. He was there to take pictures of aircraft in the Battle of Britain Hall, which includes iconic classics such as the Spitfire and Hurricane.

Well known for filling stadiums with hits such as Summer of ’69, Everything I Do and Run To You, whilst at the Museum he also took the time out to sign autographs and have his picture taken with fans.

This year marks the 70th Anniversary of The Battle of Britain and the Museum will be celebrating it with a number of exhibitions and events.

In the past few years celebrity visitors to the Museum have included Angelina Jolie, Tom Conti, Matt Lucas and David Walliams and Dame Judy Dench.

 http://www.rafmuseum.org/

Spitfire Flypast to Honour Veterans

A Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire will be making a special flypast over the Royal Air Force Museum to honour the Veterans in attendance at the Museum’s annual Joint Service Veterans Day.

Date: Wednesday 5th May

Time: 1320

Each year this exclusive day gives Veterans the chance to catch up with each other, reminisce over shared experiences and enjoy themselves in the authentic atmosphere and sensations of the Royal Air Force Museum. With Service men and women joining in from across the country, it is set to be a truly memorable and sentimental gathering.

On the 5th of May the Royal Air Force Museum is inviting Veterans of all three Services to join as one to celebrate Veterans’ Day. During this special reunion, hosted by the Museum staff, the veterans will be treated to a full day of events and activities including talks, special films screenings and tours.

Also as a special treat, there is a FREE programme of music by The Jive Aces swing band from underneath the Lancaster (at 1130am and 2pm).

The Bomber Command Association will be supporting the event and will be holding a special raffle. There will also be exhibition stands by The RAF Benevolent Fund Enterprises and The Royal British Legion.

 http://www.rafmuseum.org/

Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary

2010 marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The historic conflict over the skies of England determined the outcome of WWII and is seen as the nation’s ‘finest hour’.

The Royal Air Force Museum stands on the site of RAF Hendon, which was an active Battle of Britain station. Where better to begin the voyage of discovery into this important chapter in history?

THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN HALL:

The largest and most wide-ranging exhibition dedicated to the Battle. It contains a unique and exclusive collection of relevant RAF aircraft and the most comprehensive collection of Luftwaffe aircraft in the world: the iconic Spitfire and Hurricane set against the Messerschmitt Bf 109; Junkers Ju88 and Ju 87 Stuka; Heinkel He 111 and more.

Step into the Battle of Britain Hall and step back into London in the year 1940. The Royal Air Force Museum invites visitors to experience first hand the sights and sounds of London during the Blitz.

Follow the exhibits and walk through history, as every step takes you through the events that led to the Battle. From a seemingly peaceful picnic on a village green, to a war torn London street and even a face to face meeting with Winston Churchill.

The climax of the exhibition comes with the emotionally charged multi-media show “Our Finest Hour.” Set across a backdrop of a London Skyline it uses film, image projection, sound and lighting together with the static exhibits to tell the story of the Battle of Britain. A truly awe inspiring experience; The Battle of Britain Hall is FREE to enter.

EVENTS

This year the Museum will be running a series of special events to mark the anniversary. These include a living history weekend (11-12th Sept), with re-enactments of a scramble scene, Ops Room, Home Guard and more. Visitors will be able to speak to the re-enactors and learn more about life during the Battle.

ARCHIVE DEPT:

The Museum holds a vast resource of information including historical documents, pictures, letters, log-books, personal items, fine art, medals, uniforms and published books. These are all accessible with prior booking.

EXPERTS & ACADEMICS:

A number of the Museum’s researchers and historians are experts in the Battle and are available for advice and interviews. They include published authors who have written articles for specialist magazines and books.

EDUCATION:

The Museum runs a number of related educational initiatives tied in with the national schools syllabus. These include reflections on life during the Battle of Britain.

http://www.rafmuseum.org/

 

Car Parking charges at Royal Air Force Museum London

From 1st April 2010, a small car parking charge will be payable by visitors to the Royal Air Force Museum’s London site. The income generated will be used to assist in meeting the costs of maintaining the Museum’s national collection and of operating its sites.Free admission to the museum will continue as normal.

The fees for vehicles will be introduced on the 1st April 2010 and will be £2.50 for up to 3 hours parking and £3.50 for 3-6 hours.

The RAF Museum London houses a collection of 100 aircraft in 5 hangars and is home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of Battle of Britain aircraft, which is housed in the site’s Battle of Britain Hall. The museum also offers an interactive gallery for children, Aeronauts as well as an hourly sound and light show ‘Our Finest Hour’ plus 3D cinema.

The museum is located just off Junction 4 on the M1 and also enjoys good public transport links with the 303 bus providing a regular direct service to the Museum from Colindale Underground Station (take the bus from directly outside the station to Edgware) or from Mill Hill East Thames Link Station (take the bus directly to Colindale).

For more information on the Royal Air Force Museum, please visit the Museum website www.rafmuseum.org or call 020 8205 2266. Alternatively, if you require assistance during the course of your journey, please visit our mobile phone website www.rafmuseum.mobi. The Museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm (last admission 5.30pm). Entry to the Museum is FREE of charge.

Behind Enemy Lines

If you have ever wondered what life was really like for those airmen taken as Prisoner of War during WWII, or the harrowing exploits of those that managed to evade capture, then the forthcoming lecture taking place at the Yorkshire Air Museum on Saturday 20th March will answer all your questions. Internment was a life of squalor, deprivation, and almost unending monotony, with only the light relief of banter with fellow prisoners to keep alive a glimmer of hope for freedom.

‘Behind Enemy Lines’ will be presented by well known author and Aircrew Association historian Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork, drawing on his research for books such as ‘Shot Down’ and ‘On the Run / In the Drink’. Graham will be supported with recollections from John Morrison (76 Squadron) whose Halifax was shot down over Norway on the night of 30th / 31st January 1942 in the first of the attacks on the German battleship Tirpitz, spending the remainder of the war as a POW. We are also honoured to have ex Lancaster crewman Harry Levy, author of ‘The Dark Side of the Night’. As a 19 year old Jewish airman, Harry was the sole survivor after his aircraft crashed during a raid on Dusseldorf in July 1942. He was helped by Belgian patriots before being captured and held in solitary confinement for 10 weeks before moving to a POW camp. His presentation is bound to captivate the audience.

Neil Galloway, from 90 Signals RAF Leeming, will also be discussing the recent re-enactment of the 1945 ‘Long March’ of POW’s across Poland, which was undertaken by RAF personnel from across the country.

In addition, a fantastic line up of other veterans, all either POW’s or Evaders, and all with their own amazing tales to tell has been gathered and all of the veterans will be joining in the Question and Answer session and memorabilia signing opportunity that will take place after the lunch break. There will be book, print and model sales available.

The line up and the aircraft type they flew on is as follows:
POW’s are John Morrison (Halifax), Harry Levy (Lancaster), Fred Heathfield (Halifax), Philip Bates (Stirling).
Evaders: Tom Wingham (Halifax), Ray Worrall (Lancaster), Ralph Forster RCAF (Wellington), J R Parkinson (Lancaster), Rev. Les Hood (Lancaster) and Eric Hirst.

As all these gentlemen are now into their eighties, this event provides a rare opportunity to meet and hear at first hand their incredible experiences of life behind enemy lines.

Tickets are available now and cost just £10, to include 2 items for signing. (Additional charge for more items) but don’t delay as numbers are limited. Available online at: www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk (Shop / Tickets) or call 01904 608595 during office hours.

Sir Richard Branson Narrates Museums latest podcast

The Royal Air Force Museum is delighted to announce that as part of its monthly podcast series aviation entrepreneur and the founder of the Virgin Group Sir Richard Branson has generously given his time to narrate this month’s podcast “Bader: Fighter Pilot”.

The podcast was specially commissioned to mark the centenary of Bader’s birth on 21st February 2010 and forms part of the Museum’s commemoration of the former Battle of Britain pilot. It examines the life of Douglas Bader from his near fatal air crash in 1931 – with the loss of both his legs at the knee – through his wartime service as one of the highest scoring aces in the Battle of Britain and his subsequent efforts to escape from German captivity after being shot down and captured in August 1941.

Douglas Bader’s story, however, did not cease with the end of the Second World War. Until his death in 1982 Bader worked tirelessly on behalf of disabled people – particularly for the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association. Work for which, he received the CBE and was knighted. After his death, in keeping with Bader’s spirit, the Douglas Bader Foundation was established to advance and promote the physical, mental and spiritual welfare of persons who are without one or more limbs.

Peter Dye, Director of the Museum’s Collections Division, commenting on the podcast stated: “Douglas Bader was an exceptional individual and an outstanding pilot whose determination to overcome apparently overwhelming odds exemplified Fighter Command’s struggle to save Britain in the summer of 1940. His example has inspired countless others in their own battles with injury or disability while the values shown by Bader and his generation, who gave so much in the defence of freedom, are as important today as they were in 1940.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sir Richard Branson for his narration. I am certain that his support will help us inspire a new generation and ensure that Douglas Bader’s story is never forgotten.”

To listen to the podcast, visit www.rafmuseum.org/podcasts. The Royal Air Force Museum will also being showing a small exhibition of Bader artifacts, including his log book, at its London site from 8th February to 31st March. The Royal Air Force Museum London is open daily from 10am to 6pm, with last admission at 5:30pm. Admission and parking at the Museum is free.

www.rafmuseum.org

Revving up for a great display

Auction house BONHAMS is delighted to announce the sale of an important collection of 100 motorcycles, mainly pre-1950 machines, from Pamplona, Spain, at the Museum.

Public viewing date date: 26th Feb
Auction date: 27th Feb

The Pamplona Collection represents an important group of motorcycles assembled by a prominent Spanish private collector.

Over 100 in number, this extraordinarily diverse collection includes a brace of De Dion Bouton-engined machines dating from the closing years of the 19th Century, as well as nine four-cylinder models from the likes of Ace, Cleveland, Excelsior, FN, Henderson, Indian, Nimbus and Zündapp. V-twin engined motorcycles are another predominant theme, with no fewer than 18 in the collection including examples from Harley-Davidson, Sunbeam, Vincent, Motosacoche, Peugeot, Matchless, BSA and, of course, Brough Superior in the form of a 1931 SS100. Rare marques represented include Vindec, Wanderer, Acme, Rikuo, Böhmerland, PMZ, Griffon, Standard, Diamant, Laurin & Klement, Phebus and Mabeco.

The collection was assembled over the past few years for the enjoyment of the owner’s friends and family, and was housed at various locations before coming to its purpose-built museum home 12 months ago. Almost all of the machines were in running condition at time of purchase, since when they have been carefully stored.

Ben Walker, Head of the Motorcycles Department at Bonhams comments, “It is a pleasure to be offering for sale such a fine and outstanding collection of motorcycles. The vendor has managed to assemble, over a relatively short period of time, a world-class collection of rare machinery and this sale represents a fantastic opportunity for the enthusiast and collector to acquire something really special for their garage.”

The collection will be on public display in the Museum’s Bomber Hall, for one day only: Friday 26th February

www.rafmuseum.org.uk

Museum Launches Mobile Phone Website

The Royal Air Force Museum is proud to announce the launch, of its mobile phone website – www.rafmuseum.mobi

Aimed at the potential visitor who has to juggle family life with the various challenges of today’s frenetic lifestyle, this website tells them clearly and concisely the latest news and events taking place at the Museum’s London and Cosford sites; gives directions on how to reach either site via public or private transport and contains a direct dial option to either Museum’s switchboard in case they require further assistance.

Deputy Director of the Museum, Peter Dye, comments:

” The launch of the Museum’s mobile phone website is in keeping with our policy of using technology to make our London and Cosford sites more accessible. With the increasing sophistication and reliability of mobile handsets we aim to enhance the experience of our many existing visitors and attract new users.

We also believe that overseas visitors will find this new service particularly helpful. By using our mobile phone website they will have an additional reference source to understand what the museum offers and how to reach us quickly and safely. If at any stage they need further information they can speak directly to a member of Museum staff through the site’s quick dial option. The young mother or father, while out shopping with their children, can also check what’s happening at the Museum that day, particularly our many special events.

This development builds on existing initiatives, such as our guide-by-cell tours, that have already proved popular with the more than 650,000 visitors that come to the Museum each year to enjoy the aircraft on display, to use our state-of-the-art interactive displays and to learn more about the history and heritage of the Royal Air Force – the world’s oldest air service.”

The Royal Air Force Museum has 2 sites located in Colindale, North London and in Cosford Shropshire. Both sites are open daily until 6pm and offer free admission. For further details of activities taking place at either site and directions to them visit www.rafmuseum.mobi