Airscene.co.uk

We have taken the sad decision to cancel the Cockpit-Fest & Aeroboot Sale event that had been provisionally rescheduled for Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th August, 2020. A time that will be only five weeks after when we currently anticipate the museum being allowed to reopen.

This decision has been reached following a review of the latest the Covid-19 guidelines. It is felt that the events would have presented unworkable self-distancing arrangements around visiting cockpits, displays and also the stalls at the Aeroboot.

These combined events are typically our busiest events and we felt that it would be too difficult to cope with any large number of visitors in a safe and secure manner.

Another factor influencing the in-house discussions, was that theses provisional event dates now coincide with a new arrival ‘window’ for the Eurofighter Typhoon DA4, that was advised to us on Monday 11th May, 2020.

In order to give people as much notice as possible of our intentions it is felt that this is the best time to make this decision.

Our current thinking is to re-establish the event in 2021. We will be notifying people via email later today and tomorrow. Some people already have Aeroboot payment held over from the cancelled spring Indoor Sale and the current plan is to hold these over again for an Indoor event in October. Should that not prove possible we will endeavour to arrange for refunds to be made!

We are sorry for any inconvenience these changes may cause, especially to those people and groups who have been working on preparations on their displays for this event for many months. This includes external participants and our own museum members but we are convinced that it is the right decision.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Joint media release by BCP Council and Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch Destination Management Board

‘Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole take difficult decision to extend the cancellation of outdoor events until end of August 2020.

Major events and festivals including Bournemouth Air Festival that were due to go ahead this summer have been cancelled due to the continued impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

Responding to the government’s guidance on the outbreak, BCP Council – with support of the Destination Management Board – has taken the decision not to permit outdoor events on council public open space until the end of August 2020.

This includes, the cancellation of BCP Council organised events – the Bournemouth Air Festival, Summer Fireworks and summer events programme on Poole Quay. Other events that have had to be cancelled include BSO Concerts in Meyrick Park and Christchurch Food Festival.

Councillor Vikki Slade, Leader of BCP Council, said; “Our immensely popular summer events programme, including the Bournemouth Air Festival, attracts millions of visitors to the area bringing over £32 million income to our local businesses and supports the council’s services through our seafront offering.

“In response to the recent government guidance around the easing of lockdown, it will no longer be possible that events planned to take place this summer in public outdoor open space can go ahead.

“Cancelling major events and festivals is a decision we don’t take lightly. The most important consideration is the health of our residents, and the safety of everyone involved including visitors, festival-goers, exhibitors, traders, staff, contractors, and the many more who contribute and play a part in delivering those much-loved events.

 “Our NHS and emergency services have coped incredibly well during the Covid-19 pandemic and we would not want to risk this changing, or to try to manage events whilst adhering to government measures and advice including on social distancing.

“The government’s guidance indicated that hospitality businesses are not likely to open before July. We know there are many hotels, restaurants, bars and local contractors serving this industry whose livelihoods rely on the summer events programme and we want to assure those businesses – including the 17,000 plus people employed in this sector – that BCP Council will do everything we can to support you and work together with you to come through this.

“We’re looking at every feasible option to help to sustain this industry, and with this we have already committed to deliver a refreshed Air Festival in 2021.”
BCP Council and Destination Management Board for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will continue to work together in lobbying central government to ensure this vital sector is fully supported through the national recovery plan.

David Bailey, Chairman of the Destination Management Board, said; “The Board fully understands the decision taken by BCP Council. It is very important that as the Destination of Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole we show we are taking the sensible measures and demonstrate that in the future we want to offer visitors and residents the safest environment to enjoy the unique tourism and hospitality offer. We thank BCP Council for its continued support and the confirmation of next year’s Bournemouth Air Festival.”

A Bournemouth Air Festival for next year has been confirmed for Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th September 2021.

Dougie Scarfe, Chief Executive, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, “Our Proms in the Park concerts hosted in partnership with BCP Council are always a highlight of the summer season in Bournemouth; with audiences dancing away to our live music, the series is always a celebratory moment in the BSO year. We know that loyal audiences will be sorry to miss the party this year, and we’ll miss you all too, but we look forward to seeing you next year for a spectacular celebration”.

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

The world’s oldest Supermarine Spitfire Mk1 on display at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is illuminated red, white and blue to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

The Spitfire is the most famous British fighter aircraft in history and a symbol of victory. Its groundbreaking design and superior specifications gave the British a decisive advantage over their rivals. The Spitfire was produced in greater numbers than any other British combat aircraft before or since the War.

The Royal Air Force Museum, the National Army Museum and the National Museum of the Royal Navy are joining forces to host their first tri-service celebration with a Virtual VE Day 75 Festival taking place online from 7-9 May 2020, bringing to life the stories of those who helped deliver Victory in Europe.

Find out more about the Virtual VE Day 75 Festival at www.rafmuseum.org.

Just before the Covid-19 Lockdown Newark Air Museum (NAM) volunteers started work on the restoration and repainting of the North American F-100D Super Sabre. This particular aircraft is on long term loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force Collection Management Division (NMUSAF/MUC); located at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, USA.

This work has been featured widely in the aviation press and this has led to lots of questions being asked about the new markings that will be applied to the aircraft once the repainting work is complete. It had been thought this may replicate the previous Ohio Air National Guard markings, but this is not the case.

NAM is now pleased to confirm that the aircraft will be painted in the markings of the 494th TFS (Tactical Fighter Squadron). This unit was the last USAFE Squadron to operate the F-100 Super Sabre in Europe, operating with the 48th TFW (Tactical Fighter Wing) at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.

Despite the limitations of the lockdown, work is already underway to prepare the specific markings for the aircraft, which will carry the distinctive LT code letters and the aircraft serial number 063008. As a special honour to the 494th TFS personnel that operated the type a special nose art is also being prepared that will carry the motto “Last Huns in USAFE”.

Some final measurements need to be taken to finalise the size of the markings on the aircraft. It is hoped that this can be incorporated into one of the essential site maintenance/security check visits that have continued by NAM volunteers during the recent weeks.

In the fullness of time the museum volunteers hope to have some involvement with the 494th TFS, which still flies out of RAF Lakenheath; and the also hope to establish contact with former personnel who operated the type from the Suffolk base.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Prompted by a tweet from 2195 Squadron Long Eaton Royal Air Force Cadets the Newark Air Museum has decided to re-work our build a model plane competition from the Radio Nottingham Big Day In event last weekend.

The museum is now going to try to reach out to Air Training Corps (ATC) Squadrons and cadets across the country to ask them to build their favourite museum aircraft or helicopter out of from recycled materials such as paper, cardboard, loo rolls, sticky back plastic etc.

Once it’s completed entrants will need to take a picture of the finished model and get their ATC Squadron to tweet it on the museum’s Twitter timeline @NewarkAirMus using the hash tag #NAMplaneBuildATC

The competition will close at 5pm on Saturday 16th May 2020; when the museum will then pick its favourite models.

As an incentive the museum is providing prizes of two FREE museum visits (for when it re-opens) for the ATC Squadrons that produces the best design, for up to 20 cadets, officers and civilian instructors per Squadron.

As an added incentive the museum has also add a prize of two £30 vouchers to spend in the Museum Shop for the Cadets that produce the winning design.

The museum would also like to say thank you to 2195 Sqn Long Eaton Royal Air Force Air Cadets for allowing them to use their photo!

www.newarkairmuseum.org

•  Tri-service museums host Virtual VE Day 75 Festival from 7-9 May 2020
•  Joint Command? Debunking the myths behind the Navy, Army and Air Force roles as they vied for victory 75 years ago
•  Free virtual events bring WW2 to life, for the nation at home

Tuesday, 28 April 2020 – The three historical institutions of the British Armed Forces invite the public to ‘stand with your services’ to celebrate 75 years since VE Day on Friday 8 May. The National Museum of the Royal Navy, National Army Museum and Royal Air Force Museum are hosting their first tri-service celebration with the Virtual VE Day 75 Festival taking place online from Thursday 7 May to Saturday 9 May 2020, inclusive.

In a way that the British do so well, the three museums of the Armed Forces will keep calm and carry on with their Virtual VE Day 75 Festival to replace individual pre-Covid ambitions for marking this important anniversary. The service museums encourage members of the public to come together, while staying at home, in conjunction with the government’s communications to ‘stay home and save lives’.

The virtual programme kicks off on Thursday 7 May, the date of Germany’s unconditional surrender, with ‘Vying for Victory: Britain’s Navy, Army and Air Force in Myth and Memory’. Chaired by historian and broadcaster, James Holland, this will see each museum fight their corner, discussing the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force’s respective roles during the closing stages of the Second World War. This free event will be broadcast on YouTube at 5pm on Thursday 7 May, followed by a live Q&A on CrowdCast at 7pm.

The Second World War was the first major conflict which saw the implementation of a truly joint operations and command. This involved three different services with three different sets of traditions, cultures and experiences. Leading military historians, Matthew Sheldon (National Museum of the Royal Navy); Dr Peter Johnson (National Army Museum) and Dr Harry Raffal (Royal Air Force Museum); will explore how each of the services has cemented its own contribution in myth, tradition and popular culture and question the accuracy of that representation via the highs and lows of this unique working relationship.

On Friday 8 May, members of the public are invited to get their gardens and homes decorated and prepare for a VE Day party. Enjoy learning about life on the Home Front, get thrifty with a Make Do and Mend session, and learn how to dig for victory. Discover some of the experiences of Women in War with poignant stories from the each of the museums’ archives. Such as that from Dorrie Thomas, who served as a Telegraphist in the Women’s Royal Navy Service and sent news of peace in Europe to members of the British Naval Fleet.

Historian and author, James Holland will speak to the National Army Museum’s Dr Peter Johnston at 2pm in a live webinar discussing ‘Why the Allies Won’, just before the nation tunes into the BBC to hear Churchill’s famous VE Day broadcast at 3pm. Victory celebrations commence at 4pm with a live Swing Dance Class followed by a sing-along concert with the Bluebird Belles.

Saturday 9 May brings living history to living rooms with reenactors sharing stories from real service personnel during the Second World War. Dr Peter Johnston takes a live webinar with historian Dr Jonathan Fennell on ‘Fighting the People’s War’, and an immersive walk-through of HMS Alliance will provide an insight into the extraordinary self-isolation experience of submariners as the rest of Europe celebrated.

Defence Minister Baroness Goldie said, “As plans for VE Day 75 have been forced to change hugely due to the pandemic, this imaginative and innovative virtual festival will provide a much-needed distraction in these uncertain times. This is a chance to rediscover the Second World War and will be a poignant reminder for us all of the sacrifice our Armed Forces made in honour of King and country.

“The cooperation of these three historic institutions is a fantastic achievement and will ensure that all generations are aware of the importance of VE Day and the unforgettable impact of events which took place 75 years ago.”

The museums are encouraging those joining to share pictures on social media with the hashtag #StandWithYourServices

www.rafmuseum.org

In autumn 2019, Philip Wardell, a volunteer at the Newark Air Museum (NAM) started work on the challenging task of constructing a replica tail cone for a Yellow Sun nuclear weapon casing.

The Yellow Sun was the first British operational high-yield strategic nuclear weapon. This particular casing has been on long term loan at Newark from the RAF Museum Reserve Collection at RAF Stafford since April 2012 and has been displayed on a Yellow Sun weapon trolley that was already part of the NAM collection.

The first sign of work on the project, was when a set of concentric wooden formers were first cut in the museum’s on-site workshop in October 2019. Since then, the replica tail cone has grown steadily in size and detail; often attracting lots of ribald comments from other museum volunteers.

A trial fitting of the replica tail cone to the weapon casing took place in mid-November, using the original fixing points on the casing to secure the tail cone in place. Once this fixing concept and sizing were proven work proceeded over the winter on riveting the metal coverings and tail fins in place.

The final fixing and repainting session for the tail cone took place just before the museum closed for the Covid-19 lockdown, and it now awaits inspection by visitors when the museum is allowed to reopen.

Phil’s original aim was to have the project completed in time for the Cold War Call Up event that was scheduled to take place in mid-May. Whilst this event was sadly cancelled, Phil completed the project ahead of schedule. It is understood that he may be undertaking a similar construction project next winter, to build a replica tail cone for the V-1 Flying Bomb (Doodlebug) remains that are displayed in Hangar 1 at the museum’s site in north eastern Nottinghamshire.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Yesterday morning (07.04.20) to help some international participants not lose money on travel arrangements; we have taken a decision to postpone the Cockpit-Fest 2020 and Aeroboot event in June.

This two-day event was due to take place on 20 & 21 June, 2020.

One possibility that we are looking at is to re-arrange these combined events for Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th August, 2020.

At the moment this is not a firm date and a lot will still depend on when the current lockdown arrangements are lifted. However, we would welcome your thoughts and feedback via the usual communication routes on here or social media

We are sorry for any inconvenience these changes may cause, especially to those people and groups who have been working on preparations on their displays for this event for many months. This includes external participants and our own museum members who have been working tirelessly on many different aircraft and projects like the Yellow Sun rebuild; but we feel that this is the right decision.

We will be communicating directly with everyone who had already made a commitment to the events.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

We have taken the sad decision to cancel the Cold War Call Up event that was due to take place on 16 & 17 May, 2020.

This decision has been reached following some detailed in-house discussions; and the pessimistic outlook regarding the current coronavirus situation.

Many participants in things like the planned Meet & Greet sessions are in the age group that are now self-isolating and are likely to be doing so for the next 12 weeks.

In order to give people as much notice as possible of our intentions it is felt that this is the best time to make this decision. Our current thinking is to try and run a similar event sometime in 2021. We will be notifying people via email later today and tomorrow.

We are sorry for any inconvenience these changes may cause, especially to those people and groups who have been working on preparations on their displays for this event for many months. This includes external participants and our own museum members who have been working tirelessly on many different aircraft and projects like the Yellow Sun rebuild; but we are convinced that it is the right decision.

In the coming weeks we may use our Twitter timeline to continue with some tweets for a Virtual Cold War Call Up feed, using some materials that we were already preparing.

At the moment we are waiting to review the situation with regards to Cockpit-Fest in June and more updates will be released as and when any decision is made.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Some repainting work has been stared on the North American F-100D Super Sabre airframe, 54-2223 that is displayed at the Newark Air Museum (NAM).

The current de-corrosion and repainting project was planned before the Covid-19 virus outbreak and the work has focused on the upper surfaces of the airframe.

Like other Super Sabre, Lockheed T-33 and Dassault Mystere IV.A aircraft displayed in the UK; the F-100D is on long term loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force Collection Management Division (NMUSAF/MUC); located at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, USA.

What is not as widely known is the pioneering work undertaken by the trustees of NAM back in the mid-1970s to make such loans possible. At that time the original intention was for aircraft to be gifted to the IWM Duxford and Newark. However, tax implications of such a gift meant that NAM would have faced a significant tax bill for each aircraft.

Key personnel from NAM worked with the appropriate authorities, lobbied through both the House of Commons and the House of Lords to resolve the situation. This pioneering work led to the establishment of the long-term loan programme from the NMUSAF/MUC; something that helped a number of UK aviation museums become established.

NAM’s F-100D was move from RAF Sculthorpe, Norfolk over a period of several months in early 1978.

www.newarkairmuseum.org