Museum – Page 8 – Airscene News

Millennium Squadron Print exhibition goes on display

On display from 29th July 2011

A unique collection of aviation prints will be on display at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford from Friday 29th July 2011. The ‘Millennium Squadron Print’ exhibition is a collection of aviation prints of UK Armed Forces Flying Units that were in existence at 12.01am on the 1st January 2000.

In 2000, the RAF Museum Cosford displayed the “Millennium Squadron Print” exhibition. Now, 11 years on, the Museum is revisiting this unique collection to examine how many of the units in existence in 2000 are still active, and what fate has befallen the exhibition’s featured aircraft.

The collection consists of 116 prints from units as diverse as the Red Arrows, 1435 Flight (RAF), patrolling the skies of the Falkland Islands, many of the Royal Naval Air Service squadrons, Army Air Corps units, and RAF flying training units. As an added feature, the aircrew on each unit signed their print. Famous signatures on the prints to look out for include Tony Blair and Geoff Hoon, UK Prime Minister and Defence Secretary respectively on 1st January 2000.

This popular collection was compiled by Group Captain W.A.W. James MBE, now Station Commander of RAF Shawbury. In 1999 when the collection was produced, he was the commanding officer of the RAF Central Flying School (Helicopter) at RAF Shawbury.

RAF Museum Cosford Assistant Curator, Clare Carr says:

“The Millennium Squadron Print collection is a fascinating insight into the range of UK military flying units. We thought it would be an interesting exercise, in the light of various defence reorganisations, to review the units featured (not every flying unit participated) and see how many are still operational today and whether their home bases and aircraft have changed. We hope visitors will enjoy viewing the prints and seeing for themselves how the Royal Air Force, Royal Naval Air Service and Army Air Corps have changed over the past decade.”

The Exhibition will be on display to visitors from Friday 29th July 2011 until Easter 2012 in the Museum’s Exhibition Gallery in Hangar 1. For further information on the Museum please call 01902 376200, visit www.rafmuseum.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. The Museum is open daily from 10am – 6pm. Entry to the Museum and the exhibition is FREE.

A thrilling start to the Flying Legends weekend at Imperial War Museum Duxford

Thousands of visitors enjoyed a spectacular day of flying and forties nostalgia at the first day of the Flying Legends weekend, on Saturday 9 July.

The Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire Lindy Hoppers danced up a storm on the Hangar Base, teaching visitors how to dance the ‘Lambeth Walk’.Living history groups brought the Second World War to life at Duxford’s historic airfield. Ops 1939-45 represented Battle of Britain-era pilots and ground crew and re-enacted Bomber Briefings, giving visitors a taste of the preparations for Bomber Command raids during the Second World War.

The 42nd Field Hospital portrayed US Army medical personnel from the Second World War, while the Screaming Eagles Living History Group represented servicemen who served with the 101st US Airborne Division, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Batallion, Easy Company during the Second World War.

A stunning aerial display commenced with seven Spitfires alongside a Hurricane and three Hispano HA-1112 MIL Bouchon aircraft in celebration of the aircraft of the Battle of Britain. This was followed by a display of US Navy aircraft, comprising a rare appearance by three Skyraiders, a Bearcat and a Corsair. B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B flew escorted by her ‘little friends’, six P-51 Mustangs. Two DH-84 aircraft, including the debut appearance by Aer Lingus’Iolar aircraft, flew alongside a de Havilland Dragon Rapide. The legendary Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster performed a majestic display, followed by the Fokker tri-plane. The German Luftwaffe were represented by a Junkers ju52 and a Jungmeister, and were followed by a display of Curtiss aircraft, comprising a P36 Hawk 74 and three P-40 aircraft.

A stunning display of Hawker bi-planes featured two Nimrods, a Hind and a Demon breezing around the Duxford skies. The heritage of the Royal Navy was represented by three Sea Fury aircraft and the Royal Naval Historic Flight’s Swordfish.

In their first appearance in the UK, and at Flying Legends, the Flying Bulls’ P-38 Lightning and F4U-4 Corsair wowed the packed crowds. In homage to the aircraft of the First World War, a Fokker dr1 and Nieuport 17 took to the skies. This was followed by a display by an Ms 406 accompanied by a Yak 9; two Dakota DC3s and the grand finale which is the traditional Balbo, comprising an encore display by many of the aircraft which presented such a stunning flying performance.

Flying Legends proved yet again why it is one of the world’s finest warbird air shows.

A Special Day for Sally B

B-17 Preservation and Imperial War Museum Duxford are delighted to present Sally B and Friends Day on Sunday 31 July 2011.

A celebration of B-17 Flying Fortress G-BEDF Sally B, in her 66th year, this special event offers 1940s nostalgia, fantastic flying and the opportunity to hear from the pilots and ground crews who keep historic aircraft in pristine condition for the enjoyment of future generations.

Duxford’s historic airfield will revisit the evocative days of the Second World War, with living history groups representing different aspects of Britain at war. Rangers Re-enactors represent the ‘Friendly Invasion’ of the United States Forces into wartime Britain, while the Pitsford Home Guard present demonstrations and displays in appreciation of the real ‘Dad’s Army’, the Local Defence Volunteers who were the first point of defence against invasion on British soil.

Fabulous forties music is provided by Room 21, a 21-piece Big Band who will be performing instantly recognisable Swing and Big Band classics from the wartime period.

There will also be a display of wartime military vehicles.

Duxford’s Wing Co Joe’s Cafe will be bedecked with victory bunting and propaganda posters, with a special wartime menu on offer – ration books not required!

Why not get into the Blitz spirit and arrive dressed in your 1940s finery? We’d love to see visitors in wartime uniforms or forties frocks, really becoming part of this special celebratory day! While this event is not an air show, there will be moments of superb flying during the afternoon of Sally B and Friends Day.

Sally B will fly three set pieces to the atmospheric sounds of Glenn Miller and Vera Lynn. She will fly a solo display and then will be joined by her ‘little friends’ – the North American P-51 Mustang, which escorted Flying Fortresses on their outward bombing missions from the East Anglian airfields, and the iconic Supermarine Spitfire IXB, the quintessential British wartime fighter aircraft.

Two de Havilland Dragon Rapides will display, representing the airliners of the golden age of air travel.

The SWIP Team of Peter Wells and Guy Westgate will perform stunning aerobatic routines in their graceful and agile Twister SA1100 aircraft.

A Douglas Dakota DC-3 and Beech 18 Expediter will perform a duo display, representing the United States transport aircraft of the Second World War. They will then join Sally B for a very special salute to the Sally B Supporters Club, without whom it would not be possible to keep Sally B flying.

Two T-28 Trojan aircraft, used by the US Navy for training purposes, will fly simultaneously, followed by aerobatic master Mark Jefferies in the Extra 330SC.

The grand flying finale will feature Sally B with the SWIP Team in their Twister SA1100 aircraft – a display that has never been previously performed!

Visitors can find out more about the passion and commitment needed to keep historic aircraft flying. Pilots and ground crew of the Sally B, together with representatives of many of the historic aircraft on display at the Sally B and Friends Day, will be available to chat to visitors about their individual roles in historic aviation.

There will be fun family activities on offer, with science and technology experiments in AirSpace and the opportunity to experience the 1940s Home Front with costumed characters and hands-on craft activities in Hangar 4: Battle of Britain.

There will also be tours of the American Air Museum, giving visitors the opportunity to learn more about the United States Army Air Force Bombing Campaign during the Second World War.

Join us to celebrate Sally B’s 66th year, and her 36th display season – an incredible achievement for an iconic aircraft that delights air show crowds and is a favourite with IWM Duxford visitors all year round.

Sally B and Friends Day is included in standard admission to the Museum. Children aged 15 and under go free when accompanied by an adult.

http://www.iwm.org.uk/duxford

Ray Winstone takes a flight in a P-51 Mustang at Imperial War Museum Duxford

Yesterday, film and TV actor Ray Winstone visited The Fighter Collection at Imperial War Museum Duxford to absorb the atmosphere prior to Flying Legends, one of the world’s largest warbird air shows, which will be held on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 July. Flying Legends features classic Second World War-era propeller-driven aircraft in an amazing aerial display.

A keen historic aviation fan, and a particular fan of Second World War aircraft, Ray Winstone enjoyed a flight in a P-51 Mustang which was piloted by Steve Hinton, a Reno Air Race Champion. This was accompanied by two other P-51 Mustangs, one flown by Stevo Hinton (Steve Hinton’s son) who is the youngest ever Reno Air Race Champion.

With only days to go until Flying Legends on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 July, The Fighter Collection and Imperial War Museum Duxford are delighted to announce that over 55 aircraft will be participating in this year’s warbird spectacular, with three Second World War Hispano HA_1112 MIL (Buchon), a debut by the Aer Lingus DH-84 Dragon Iolar, a rare air show appearance of three Skyraiders, The Horsemen, the world’s only P-51 Mustang formation aerobatic team, displaying as a two-ship with pilots Dan Friedkin and Ed Shipley showcasing the aircraft that made America great, and The Flying Bulls’ Lockheed P-38 Lightning reg. N25Y and Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsair reg. OE-EAS. On the ground there will be fun activities and a 1940s atmosphere with dancing, music and living history groups.

For further information go to www.iwm.org.uk/duxford.

A Special Day for Sally B

B-17 Preservation and Imperial War Museum Duxford are delighted to present Sally B and Friends Day on Sunday 31 July 2011.A celebration of B-17 Flying Fortress G-BEDF Sally B, in her 66th year, this special event offers 1940s nostalgia, fantastic flying and the opportunity to hear from the pilots and ground crews who keep historic aircraft in pristine condition for the enjoyment of future generations.

Fabulous forties music is provided by Room 21, a 21-piece Big Band who will be performing instantly recognisable Swing and Big Band classics from the wartime period.

There will also be a display of wartime military vehicles.

Duxford’s Wing Co Joe’s Cafe will be bedecked with victory bunting and propaganda posters, with a special wartime menu on offer – ration books not required!

Two de Havilland Dragon Rapides will display, representing the airliners of the golden age of air travel.

The SWIP Team of Peter Wells and Guy Westgate will perform stunning aerobatic routines in their graceful and agile Twister SA1100 aircraft.

Two T-28 Trojan aircraft, used by the US Navy for training purposes, will fly simultaneously, followed by aerobatic master Mark Jefferies in the Extra 330SC.

The grand flying finale will feature Sally B with the SWIP Team in their Twister SA1100 aircraft – a display that has never been previously performed!

There will also be tours of the American Air Museum, giving visitors the opportunity to learn more about the United States Army Air Force Bombing Campaign during the Second World War.

Sally B and Friends Day is included in standard admission to the Museum. Children aged 15 and under go free when accompanied by an adult. http://www.iwm.org.uk/duxford

Duxford counts down the days to Flying Legends 2011

With only weeks to go until Flying Legends on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 July, The Fighter Collection and Imperial War Museum Duxford are delighted to announce that over 55 aircraft will be participating at this year’s warbird spectacular.

In the 30th anniversary year of The Fighter Collection, Flying Legends promises to be a memorable celebratory occasion.

Highlights include:

For the first time since the filming of the famous Battle of Britain film in 1968, three Second World War Hispano HA-1112 MIL (Buchon) fighter aircraft will display in the skies over Duxford.

The Aer Lingus DH-84 Dragon Iolar will make its debut at Flying Legends this year. Built in 1936, the Iolar was acquired by Aer Lingus in the 1960s, as the airline’s original DH-84 was destroyed during the Second World War. The original Iolar was Aer Lingus’ first aircraft that flew the airline’s inaugural flight from Baldonnel to Bristol in May 1936. The Iolar will be flown alongside a second DH-84 Dragon and a de Havilland Dragon Rapide.

In a rare air show appearance, there will be three Skyraiders displaying at Flying Legends.

As previously announced, The Flying Bulls’ Lockheed P-38 Lightning reg. N25Y and Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsair reg. OE-EAS will perform a stunning display as part of an unrivalled programme of aerial excitement.

The Horsemen, the world’s only P-51 Mustang formation aerobatic team, will perform at Flying Legends as a two-ship team with pilots Dan Friedkin and Ed Shipley showcasing the aircraft that made America great.

On the ground, there will be fun activities for all ages.

The Airfix Make and Paint Zone will give families the opportunity to make their own Airfix model and paint it with the accompanying paint colours. Once complete, the finished model aircraft is placed into a hanger box so that visitors can take their aviation masterpiece home as a souvenir of their day at Duxford.

Tank Heroes will be offering mini tank rides for children. Hands on History will be giving visitors of all ages the opportunity to dress as a British Army private or a Royal Air Force airman from the Second World War (no additional charge). There is also the opportunity to have a go at shooting paintballs at a mock-up of a ruined Normandy village with three-dimensional tank and soldier targets (additional charges apply).

Creating an authentic 1940s wartime atmosphere, the Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire Lindy Hoppers will be dancing up a storm on the Hangar Base on Saturday 9 July and encouraging toetapping visitors to join in.

On Sunday 10 July, direct from New York City, The Manhattan Dolls bring their Andrews Sisters style show to Flying Legends.

Performing on the Hangar Base, they’ll be taking visitors on a sentimental journey through those evocative songs of the 1930s and 1940s.

In addition, visitors will be able to interact with living history groups, who will be bringing the Second World War to life at Duxford’s historic airfield. Ops 1939-45 will be representing Battle of Britain-era RAF pilots and ground crew, while the 42nd Field Hospital portrays US Army medical personnel from the Second World War.

The Screaming Eagles Living History Group will be representing servicemen who served with the 101st US Airborne Division, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2ndBattalion, Easy Company during the Second World War.

For daredevil visitors, the Parachute Regiment will be offering jumps from their Parachute Tower.

The Royal Air Force Recruiting Team will be showcasing a replica Red Arrows Hawk and chatting to visitors about life in the RAF.

Without doubt one of the finest warbird air shows in the world, Flying Legends will again provide an unrivalled line-up of the classic propeller-driven combat aircraft from both the First and Second World Wars, many of which are now either rare or unique.

With legendary aircraft and superbly talented pilots coming from across the globe to display at Flying Legends, a spectacular performance of stunning aerial displays awaits. Coupled with fantastically fun ground activities and an authentic evocation of the 1940s, Flying Legends is a unique event not to be missed!

All flying is subject to weather, serviceability and operational commitments.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.iwm.org.uk/duxford or by calling the box office on 01223 499 353.

World Record-Breaking Pilot Drops into Duxford

On Wednesday 15 June, world record-breaking round-the-world pilot CarolAnn Garrett flew into Duxford in her Mooney aircraft.CarolAnn has circumnavigated the world twice and set a world record by completing a round the world trip in 8.5 days, at an average speed of 115.35mph.

CarolAnn was born in the UK and emigrated to the USA as a child in 1964. Her father passed on his passion for aviation to the whole family and it was whilst flying her father to visit his sister in New Zealand, who he hadn’t seen for many years, that the idea of a round the world trip was born. The first world circumnavigation was undertaken as a fundraising exercise for DASH for a Cure, supporting ALS Research (www.alsworldflight.com), while Carol’s second round the world trip resulted in her record-breaking achievement.

This wasn’t the first time that Carol had visited Duxford, as in 2004 she brought her father to see the Valentine, the type of tank that he drove during the Second World War under General Montgomery’s command, which is on display in Land Warfare.

Visit www.iwm.org.uk/duxford for details of our events and activities.

75th Anniversary of the first Wellington Flight

Wednesday 15th June 2011 marked the 75th Anniversary of the first flight of the Vickers Wellington. Part of the Royal Air Forces bomber strength during World War II, the prototype Wellington (K 4049) first took to the skies on the 15th June 1936.The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is home to the world’s only complete example, Vickers Wellington B.X MF628. The Wellington is currently undergoing restoration work in the Museums award winning Michael Beetham Conservation Centre, where it will spend the next four years being carefully restored, before going back on display at the RAF Museum London.

The Wellington went into active RAF service in 1938 and played a significant role in the RAF during World War II. This twin-engined, long-serving, medium-range bomber was utilised heavily within Bomber Command at the outset of World War II, and was affectionately known as the ‘Wimpy’ by its crews. Flying on many of the Wars defining bombing operations, the ‘Wimpys’ last mission with Bomber Command was in October 1943. During WWII the Wellington served in other theatres including the Middle East and Far East and as a maritime patrol and anti-submarine craft in Coastal Command; some also served with Transport Command illustrating what an incredibly versatile aircraft the Wellington was. As an aircrew trainer it served with the RAF until1953.

With a wingspan of 86ft, over 60ft in length and a height of 17ft, the Wellington had a bomb carrying capacity of 4,500lb. In total 11,461 Wellington’s were built, the bomber typically carried a crew of five or six which would vary depending on the operation.

The Wellington is famous for its unique geodetic construction, built up from a number of strong channel-beams that were formed into a large geodesic-based network. Originally designed by Barnes Wallis, the geodetic construction gave the aircraft tremendous strength because any one of the stringers could support some of the weight from even the opposite side of the aircraft.

The Museums Wellington B.X MF628 will be on display to visitors during the Conservation Centre Open Week taking place from Monday 14th to Saturday 19th November 2011. Open each day from 10.15am -1.00pm, a range of aircraft and other artefacts in various states of restoration will be on display, including the Centre’s largest project, the Wellington Bomber.

The Museum will open daily from 10am – 6pm (last admission 5pm). Admission is FREE of charge. For further information, please contact the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on 01902 376200 or visit www.rafmuseum.org.

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.

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.