This year’s Cockpit-Fest ‘migration’ has started with the first cockpit already on site at Newark Air Museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire; close to the border with Lincolnshire

Newark Air Museum is a registered charity located on part of the former site of RAF Winthorpe and its two day Cockpit-Fest event attracts exhibitors from across the UK and Europe, to sample what one aviation magazine editor calls “grass roots aircraft preservation”.

From its humble beginnings, when a few like-minded enthusiasts first displayed the cockpit sections at the museum; Cockpit-Fest now regularly attracts, many more visiting cockpits and associated displays. This year twenty-five (25) visiting cockpits are already booked to attend. It has also developed a word to describe the participants – ‘Cockpiteer’; many of whom have lovingly rebuilt and restored these projects at home, Cockpit-Fest giving them the chance to display them in public.

The event is supported by a range of organisations and individuals; with the public being encouraged to have a say in deciding, which is the best cockpit by voting on their favourite display and from these results prizes are awarded.

Cockpit-Fest also attracts other visiting displays like the Raptor Foundation with its owls; local history / archaeological groups; book launches; and even more aviation related displays such as clothing and historical artefacts. As an added bonus this year’s event has flypasts by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on both days.

Running alongside Cockpit-Fest is an Aeroboot aviation and avionics sale, which allows Cockpiteers and the public to search out those aviation artefacts, books and models.

This year’s event takes place on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16thth June; and full details can be found on the News & Information page of the museum website at www.newarkairmuseum.org 

After several failed attempts the Newark Air Museum has finally been able to secure a long-term acquisition target in the shape of a Bloodhound surface-to-air missile.

This recently acquired missile was transported to the museum’s site on the former RAF Winthorpe airfield in Nottinghamshire; close to the border with Lincolnshire on Tuesday 21st May, 2013.

After refurbishment the Bloodhound missile will be displayed alongside the museum’s Type 86 Radar Cabin, which recently underwent an external repaint. This is a complete cabin that was acquired several years ago from the Royal Radar and Signals Establishment and is believed to have carried the codename ‘Indigo Corkscrew’.

The museum also displays a Thunderbird surface-to-air missile, which was acquired several years ago.

Some key items are missing from the new acquisition and the museum is hopeful of sourcing these items in the coming months.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

First cockpits & displays booked in!

The first wave of cockpits participation bookings has now been received in for the 2013 Cockpit-Fest event at the museum. The two day event provides a focal point for cockpit owners from across the UK and takes place each June at Newark Air Museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire. This year the event takes place on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th June at the museum site off Drove Lane, Winthorpe.

Special thanks go out to Scale Aviation Modeller International and Farlam Airframes who have both generously agreed to support Cockpit-Fest 2013. The museum is currently in discussion with several other individuals and groups and the trustees are hopeful of being able to announce further support in the coming weeks.

Any company or organisation that wishes to support Cockpit-Fest, an annual charitable event, is asked to contact Howard Heeley at:

Newark Air Museum

Drove Lane

Winthorpe

Newark

Notts

NG24 2NY

Or via Email at enquire@newarkairmuseum.org

Cockpits

Lightning F.6 – XS922

Chipmunk T.10 – WZ869

Lightning F.6 – XS932

Hunter FGA.9 – XE597 (Sat Only)

Lightning F.3 – XP757

Canberra B.6 – WT319

Hunter F.1 – WT684

Scimitar F1 – XD235

* These cockpits are totally new to the event.

** A cockpit rig is a term used to describe a cockpit either without its shell, or fitted with an alternative shell. These are used to good effect when original materials are not available.

Instrument Panels & Aircraft Interiors

Assorted Instrument Panels from Victor and Trident

Phantom Instrument Panels

Meteor F.4 Instrument Panel Display

Spitfire Instrument Panels

Special Guest & Displays

Airfield Research Group

Owls from the Raptor Foundation

Crusader 80 BAOR Living History Display

Model Display & vehicle display

Lancaster W4270 Display

Helicopter Simulator Display

Book Launches & Signings

The Phantom in Focus – A Navigator’s Eye on Britain’s Cold War Warrior is a new book by
David Gledhill

Riding In The Shadow Of Death – a new book by Chris Keltie (book launch Sunday only)

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypasts

Saturday 15th June – Spitfire

Sunday 16th June – Lancaster, Hurricane & Spitfire

Photo Opportunities

A number of Exhibitors and Museum Volunteers will spend part of each day wandering around in period military clothing and flying clothing. Visitors wishing to make use of these as possible photo opportunities only have to ask.

Aircraft Opening

Museum volunteers will endeavour to open many of our operable aircraft for public visiting and viewing throughout the weekend. A small additional fee may be charge to access the museum aircraft.

Finally don’t forget the Aeroboot / Aerojumble Aviation & Avionics Sale that runs alongside Cockpit-Fest.

Opening Hours both days 1000 – 1700 hours last admission 1600 hours.

Special Notice

It should be noted by visitors that as some of these exhibits travel many miles to be here for the weekend, it must be expected that many will start to leave the site from 2pm on the Sunday. We therefore recommend early viewing to avoid disappointment.

Normal museum admission rates apply: Adults £7.50, Over 60s £6.50, Children £4.00 and Family ticket [2 adults & 3 children] £21.00.

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org