Airscene.co.uk

A ‘take off’ of a different kind has been planned for what would have normally been Bournemouth’s summer highlight the much anticipated 13th air festival. This year, the team behind the event have been working with Centre VR in Bournemouth to broadcast an online festival – celebrating all that is loved about it…on land, at sea, in the air and community fun!

Broadcasting online and via social media platforms, the Virtual Air Festival 2020 will be live Friday 21st, Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd August from Europe’s largest VR Centre with support from Live TV. Entertainment will have hourly themes including Friday’s Royal Navy, Night Air and Air Festival Celebrations, Saturday’s Royal Air Force hour, the Red Arrows and Festival Fun and Sunday’s Daredevil Flying, Vintage Hour, a not to be missed Army slot.

There’s also the chance to find out more about the festival’s armed forces nominated charities, the Soldiers Charity, Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity, Royal Air Force Association and RAF Benevolent Fund.

Cllr Vikki Slade Leader BCP Council said: “The air festival is an integral part of our events calendar one which is enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people. We want to broaden the programme to reflect the plans for 2021 to appeal to a wider audience, engaging both residents and visitors. The team have worked really hard to make sure we don’t miss the air festival. It’s a shame we’re not on the beach but the line-up is impressive with something for everyone.”

Supported by Wave105, Daily Echo and Hotel Miramar (supporters of the Strikemaster Pair and vintage hour prize), there will also be an art and craft session with Martin Bridge, who famously created the air show in his back garden for his family which went viral at the start of ‘lockdown’, and a specially recorded acoustic music set from Roy Stride, lead singer from Scouting for Girls, who have previously appeared on the Wave105 ‘Night Air Stage’.

Squadron Leader Martin Pert, Red 1 and Team Leader of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the virtual Bournemouth Air Festival – it’s one of our favourite, best-attended venues of the display season, and if we can’t be over the Pier or at a meet-and-greet on this occasion we’ll be online, doing something a little different for 2020.”

Presented by Andy Marlor who has previously fronted Air Festival TV and everyone’s favourite, voice of the air festival, George Bacon, entertainment is live online. Viewers can engage with competitions, including the chance to win exclusive prints and even help to design next year’s brochure front cover, fancy dress Friday, online voting and Facebook Q&A sessions with star pilots! You can tune in on the hour and watch back online via the official YouTube channel Love Bournemouth – so you can pick and choose what you want to watch without having to watch it all day.

David Bailey, chairman of the BCP Destination Management Board said: “The tourism industry always looks forward to the air festival, the footfall, the incredible amount of money spent within the local economy and the chance for us to really showcase our wonderful resort. It’s important we keep going in these unprecedented times and a move for 2020 to a virtual event is going to be great fun – we are obviously looking forward to welcoming festival goers back next year. Huge thanks to everyone who has given their support including pilots, display teams the armed forces, local businesses and of course Centre VR for their incredible team, venue and technology!”

The Air Festival will be back 2nd-5th September 2021.

www.bournemouthair.co.uk/virtualair

Brooklands Museum, heritage site and home to an incredible collection of cars and aircraft, including Concorde, has been awarded a grant of £250,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help secure its future.

Like many organisations up and down the country, Brooklands Museum is facing financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst the Museum was closed the cost of looking after the Museum’s collections, buildings and site continued.

Tamalie Newbery, Director and CEO for Brooklands Museum said:
“This grant enables Brooklands Museum to remain open to visitors and continue its work preserving the Brooklands site and collection, to inspire generations of the future. We’re grateful that The National Lottery Heritage Fund is supporting us at this crucial time – it’s a lifeline to us and others who are passionate about sustaining heritage for the benefit of all.”

The funding, made possible by National Lottery players, was awarded through The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Emergency Fund. £50million has been made available to provide emergency funding for those most in need across the heritage sector.

The UK-wide fund will address both immediate emergency actions and help organisations to start thinking about recovery.

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:
“Heritage has an essential role to play in making communities better places to live, supporting economic regeneration, and benefiting our personal wellbeing. All these things are going to be even more important as we emerge from this current crisis.

Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players we are pleased to be able to lend our support to organisations such as Brooklands Museum during this uncertain time.”
Like Brooklands Museum, other charities and organisations across the UK that have been affected by the unprecedented impact of the coronavirus outbreak are being given access to a comprehensive package of support of up to £600 million of repurposed money from The National Lottery. This money is supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and span the arts, community, charity, heritage, education, environment and sports sectors.

National Lottery players raise an average of £30 million every week for good causes, including heritage of local and national importance. By playing The National Lottery, people up and down the country are making an amazing contribution to the nationwide-response to combatting the impact of COVID-19 on local communities across the UK.

Brooklands Museum reopens to the public on Saturday 1st August, visitors are able to book tickets in advance to step back in time and see up-close, the cars that raced across Brooklands’ famous race circuit over a hundred years ago. The aircraft on display were all built at Brooklands, including the Hurricane, the Wellington Bomber, and of course Concorde. Timed-entry ticket to the Museum can be booked online at www.brooklandsmuseum.com

Saturday 26th September 2020

Newark Air Museum has now been re-opened to the public for three weeks and visitors have adapted well to the Covid-Secure processes implemented around the 16 acre Gateway Aviation Site, which is located in eastern Nottinghamshire close to the Lincolnshire border.

Building on the experiences of this challenging time the museum trustees have decided to move forward with hosting an outdoor Aeroboot / Aerojumble Sale at the museum’s site on Saturday 26th September, 2020.This charity fund raising event has attracted interest from a wide range of sellers and around 70% of the spaces have already been booked..

This sale will take place on the western end of our Southfield Site, and will follow a similar format to the outdoor sales that have previously accompanied Cockpit-Fest. The Aeroboot will be a stand-alone event, with no general access to the main museum site or facilities; these will continue to operate on the current Covid-Secure basis. Toilets will be provided and there will be a catering unit on site; car parking for the sale will be close by, on the northern section of the grassed site.

Buyer’s admission rates to the Aeroboot will be £3 per person. To help buyers enter the event quickly they will be encouraged to have the correct cash available when they arrive. The Aeroboot admission ticket will allow buyers a discounted admission to the museum, but this will need to be made via the new Covid-Secure one-way system that now operates around the whole Museum site. The funds that the museum generates from organising the event will be used to support the development of additional facilities at this challenging time

Buyers / visitors who attend this fund raising event will have the opportunity to search through a varied selection of aviation and avionic items: including books, paintings, prints, DVDs, plastic kits, die-cast models, clothing, radio equipment and aircraft parts. Regular updates / seller’s information are being posted on the news page of the museum website www.newarkairmuseum.org

The Aeroboot sale and museum opening times will be 09.00 to 16.00 hours; with the sale taking place between 09.00 and 14.00 hours; to get the best bargains we suggest that you get there early.

Further details are available on the Events Page of the museum website www.newarkairmuseum.org or by telephoning 01636 707170.

THE RAF Museum have generously offered a prize bundle towards this years Airscene Christmas Competition, which already includes family entry tickets for Newark Air Museum and the Museum of Berkshire Aviation. As 2020 is the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the prizes have been sourced from their commemorative range of products and includes the following 3 prizes:

Emma Bridgewater Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary mug
https://www.rafmuseumshop.com/bob-80th-anniversary-mug-by-emma-bridgewater.html

Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary T-shirt
https://www.rafmuseumshop.com/battle-of-britain-80th-anniversary-print-t-shirt.html

Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary Beanie Bear
https://www.rafmuseumshop.com/bob-80-beanie-bear.html

This years theme is “Aerobatics”, and in a departure from the usual rules, entrants are invited to submit ONE entry taken at any airshow between 2013 and 2018. Entries should not have been entered into any other competition past or present, and must not be available for sale prior to the closing date. This competition is open to UK entrants only.

The Airscene 2020 Christmas Competition will now open on 1st September, and will close on 14th December with results announced on Christmas Day.

Sunday 30th of August
Open from 10am until 4pm.

We have now received approval from our hosts at the National Construction College to conduct a trial re-opening of the RAF Heritage Centre on Sunday, 30th of August. www.rafbnmp.org.uk

The centre will be opened in compliance with current covid 19 guidance. Hand sanitisation will be required and face masks or some form of face covering will be recommended when you are inside the Centre. We are going to implement a one-way system with social distance markers similar to that found in shops and supermarkets. We are also going to limit the number of family groups inside the centre at any one time to a maximum of three. In addition, there will be a welcome desk outside where you can sit down and meet the staff in the open air to discuss any specific items of interest or to ask questions. Strict social distancing will also apply here.

Disabled access & toilets will be available, and car parking and entrance will be free. Please don’t all turn up at exactly 10am, which would result in queueing to enter the Centre. Staggered arrival times would be more convenient for us all. DO VISIT IF YOU ARE ABLE!

If this trial opening is successful, and our hosts agree, we hope to conduct further openings in September, October and on Remembrance Sunday in November.

It’s time to ‘Get back behind the wheel’ as Surrey’s most famous historical site and home to an incredible collection of cars and aircraft, is set to reopen its doors after 4 months of closure.

Fans of Brooklands are now able to book timed-entry tickets in advance to step back in time and see up-close, the cars that raced across Brooklands’ famous race circuit over a hundred years ago. The aircraft on display were all built at Brooklands, including the Hurricane, the Wellington Bomber and of course Concorde.

Whilst some new safety procedures and hygiene measures have been put into operation, the site, renowned for its quirky charm will see many of its key exhibits out of the sheds and on display outside. Not forgetting the army of exceptional volunteers that are ready and waiting for visitors to get under the bonnet of the place again.

Alex Patterson, Director of Collections, Interpretation & Heritage said:
“We are thrilled to be reopening in a couple of weeks and have invested a lot of time preparing the Museum so that the experience for our visitors is the best it can be, as well as being safe.

We’ll have daily live demonstrations of our cars and motorcycles on the track and an exciting new trail has been developed so that people can explore outdoors as much as possible.”

Speaking of the impact of being closed due to Coronavirus, Tamalie Newbery, Director and CEO for Brooklands Museum said:
“Being closed has been financially challenging but we’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve had, especially through our ‘LoveBrooklands’ campaign; an initiative set up when we closed in March which has raised much-needed funds to enable us to reopen.”

Brooklands’ famous motoring and aviation events are still postponed for the moment but this summer promises a great Brooklands experience with a few surprises to boot.
Check out the Museum’s vintage-style reopening video on the website www.brooklandsmuseum.com and be reminded of just how much you’ve missed Brooklands this summer.

Date: 29 August – 15 September 2020
Cost: Standard entry – £22.50
Discounted entry – £20.50 (Armed Forces Community including Veterans, Personnel and Cadets)
Family Run entry – £10.00
(booking fee applies, additional fees apply for entries from abroad)

The popular Spitfire 10K held annually at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford and London is going virtual this year!

The RAF Museum starts the Battle of Britain commemorations with the annual Spitfire 10K event, but in a slightly different format. Ordinarily, the event would see runners racing across the airfield at Cosford and through the streets of north London, but with the health and wellbeing of participants in mind, organisers are making the 2020 Spitfire 10K event a virtual one and online applications are now open.

Participants of the Virtual Spitfire 10K are invited to join others in a virtual race across the country over the August bank holiday at 10.00am on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August, the original race days, for the real race experience. Trophies and prizes are up for grabs, and runners who submit their times will appear on the leader board.

Or, why not complete the 10K at a more leisurely pace and tailor the racing experience to fit your schedule and ability, by splitting the distance into a few runs or walks. The virtual race gives participants the opportunity to complete the 10K any time between the 29 August and 15 September, wherever and however they want – running, cycling, rowing, or even walking the dog!

The Virtual Spitfire 10K challenge will end on 15 September, the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Participants will then be rewarded with one of the highly sought after 2020 Spitfire 10K medals, an absolute must for any runner’s medal collection!

The Museum is delighted to announced that the “RAF Spitfires” (RAF Rugby 7s Team) will be taking part in the Spitfire 10K. The team members will be running the race, raising funds for the RAF Museum and will be sharing their tips and tricks on how to get ready for the race with other runners on social media.

Any families with younger children who would like to join in the fun can sign up for the Spitfire Family Run, a shorter 1km race suitable for all ages, and participants will be rewarded with a medal upon completion.

RAF Museum Public Events Manager, Ulrike Stuebner said:
“It’s great to see that more than 1,000 runners have decided to support the RAF Museum by transferring their entry from the physical race to the virtual challenge. We’ve also had more than 500 new sign ups since tickets opened and there is still plenty of time for people to register. The great thing about the virtual race is that it can be completed anywhere, and participants will each receive one of our spectacular bespoke medals, which are guaranteed to be popular. Some exciting new additions for the virtual race include a Spitfire 10K Facebook community group, where you can read tips to motivate yourself to get moving, share photos, running routes, hikes and dog walks, it’s a great opportunity to talk to like-minded runners. We also have a brand-new technical running t-shirt and vest again this year, and have created a running playlist to help keep you motivated when completing the 10K.”

The Spitfire 10K is held to commemorate the Battle of Britain and the Royal Air Force personnel who defended Britain’s skies during the summer of 1940. Participants will each receive a roll of honour card with the name of a Battle of Britain Pilot to wear as they complete their 10K, sharing the story of those who served in this pivotal aerial campaign with a new generation.

Help us honour those who defended our skies during the Battle of Britain by fundraising for the RAF Museum and pledging to raise £80 for the 80th anniversary and receive your race day t-shirt for free.

Spitfire technical t-shirts (£10.00), running vests (£12.00) and cotton family run t-shirts (£5.00) can be purchased when registering for the Virtual Spitfire 10K. If purchased before the 1 August, t-shirts will be posted with the race packs, all purchases after this date and overseas participants will receive their t-shirts with their medal.

All those who enter the virtual race will get a head start for the 2021 Spitfire 10K by receiving advanced notice of the race entry details at both museums.

Register for the Spitfire 10K Virtual race online at www.rafmuseum.org. Entry costs £22.50 per person (UK entries), a discounted rate of £20.50 is available for the Armed Forces Community. A booking fee and additional fees for entries from abroad will apply. All proceeds from the event will go towards the RAF Museum, registered charity number 244708.

The Museum is now open daily with a range of measures in place to ensure a safe and great day out for the whole family. While still offering FREE entry to all, visitors are kindly asked to pre-book their arrival time online at www.rafmuseum.org.

The family visitor attraction, which offers the chance to step aboard the last Concorde ever to fly, is certified as ‘Good to go’ by Visit Britain, with new Covid-19 safety measures in place

Aerospace Bristol has announced that it will reopen its doors to visitors from Saturday 1st August, with tickets available to book now at www.aerospacebristol.org.

The museum will open from 10am to 4pm, Wednesday to Sunday. Tickets must be booked in advance and numbers are strictly limited to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Rachel Chivers, Visitor Services Manager, said: “We can’t wait to welcome visitors back to Aerospace Bristol from the start of August. The museum is always so popular in the summer, with children enjoying our time-travel trail, the outdoor play area, the interactive exhibits and, of course, all the amazing aeroplanes, helicopters and space technology on display.”

Aerospace Bristol is set to open its doors having received ‘Good to go’ certification from Visit Britain. The ‘We’re Good To Go’ COVID-19 industry standard and consumer mark confirms that the attraction adheres to Government and public health guidance.

New safety measures include a one-way route around the museum, with visitors encouraged to stick to the ‘flight path’ as they follow the story of Bristol’s aerospace achievements. The story begins with the formation of the Bristol Aeroplane Company and some of the earliest powered flights, before exploring Bristol’s contribution to two World Wars, the space race, the supersonic Concorde, and the cutting-edge technology of today’s aerospace industry.

“We’re fortunate that the museum is situated in large, spacious aircraft hangars”, Chivers adds. “There’s lots of space between the exhibits and an easy-to-follow one-way route, which will allow people to enjoy a family day out while maintaining safe social distancing. We also have a large outdoor space, where the kids can enjoy the Little Pilots play area, while the grown-ups grab a coffee and bite to eat from the cafe.”

The museum’s star attraction – the last Concorde ever to fly – will be open, with visitors able to step on-board the supersonic jet and glimpse into the cockpit.

Due to the confined nature of the aircraft, visitors will be asked to take extra precautions if they wish to go on board Concorde as part of their visit. These include wearing a face covering while on-board and using hand sanitiser both prior to boarding and upon exiting Concorde.

The museum exhibition includes a stunning show projected on to the side of Concorde, giving visitors the chance to learn all about a remarkable aircraft that cruised at 1,350mph – twice the speed of sound – and reached altitudes of 60,000 feet, where passengers could see the curvature of the Earth from their windows.

Tickets to Aerospace Bristol are available to book now at www.aerospacebristol.org. Discounted family tickets are available, as well as reduced price tickets for seniors and students. Aerospace Bristol tickets include free return visits for 12 months from the date they are first used.

The Royal Air Force Museum has announced an exciting new programme which offers members of the public the opportunity to adopt one of over 50 objects within the Museum’s collection.

‘Adopt an Artefact’ is a unique opportunity for everyone to be part of the RAF’s story, while raising funds for the RAF Museum. With a collection of more than 1.3 million items, spanning more than a century of RAF history, Adopt an Artefact highlights a selection of iconic objects, each with their own fascinating story to tell.

Adopt online at rafmuseum.org, where you can explore the Museum’s unique collection and browse through more than 50 items up for adoption, including everything from lapel badges, lucky mascots and a Red Arrows flying suit, to aircraft and even fragments of the Möhne Dam and an Operation GRAPPLE commemorative beer mat, there really is something for everyone! Available to adopt across three tiers (Standard, Enhanced and Exclusive), starting at £25.00, adoptions last 12 months from the date they are adopted. Adoptees can make their adoption go even further by opting to add Gift Aid which will increase their donation by 25% for no extra cost.

All adoptees will receive a digital adoption certificate and photo of their adopted artefact, along with exclusive updates and information on your chosen object throughout the year. Recognition of your adoption will feature alongside the object on Collections Online, the Museum’s new digital collections system. If purchased as a gift, or in memory of a loved one, you have the option to include a dedicated message along with the name of adoptee. Artefacts can be adopted on an individual or corporate basis and those adopting one of the Exclusive tier items will receive additional benefits tailored to their adoption.

Within the Standard tier, objects can be adopted by several people and include many unusual items such a pack of Playing Cards with Hidden Maps. Used by RAF prisoners of war in Germany, during the Second World War, playing cards were often used to smuggle maps into prison camps. Or how about the small but mighty Twinkletoes the Cat, the lucky charm of Arthur Whitten Brown. Twinkletoes flew alongside Brown and Captain John Alcock on the first ever non-stop transatlantic flight in a Vickers Vimy in 1919, quite an adventure for a pocket size cat. A Chocolate and Sugar Confectionery Coupon Card is the perfect guilt free chocolate adoption for anyone with a sweet tooth – thank goodness sugar rationing ended in 1953! If accessories are your thing, step into the world of RAF 1940/50s sweetheart fashion by adopting an RAF Evening Bag, there’s not a Prada or a Gucci logo in sight but the opportunity to adopt a one-off adorned with a pair of pilot’s wings on fabric from the skies. Other items in the standard tier include a Jamaica Uniform Badge, Burma Star and even Powdered Egg!

Items in the Enhanced tier are exclusive to one adoptee and include the Uniform of Avis Hearn. After refusing to leave her post at an RAF radar station while under devasting attack by German dive bombers, her actions were to see her awarded one of only six Military Medals given to WAAFs during the Second World War. Or how about adopting a small dish containing links to one of the most infamous Second World War stories, The Great Escape. Sand from Stalag Luft III Parade Ground, The Great Escape, is a small but fine testament to the 76 Allied prisoners, the majority RAF aircrew, and their legendary feat of engineering. Other artefacts in the Enhanced tier include a Red Arrows Flying Suit, RAF flying ace Douglas Bader’s Log Book and a Fordson Balloon Winch.

The Exclusive tier consists of thirteen aircraft, each available to only one adoptee and includes aircraft such as the Hawker Siddeley Gnat T1, previously flown as Red 3 by the world-famous Red Arrows, thrilling crowds with their precision formation aerobatics! The Gnat T1 was the RAF’s standard advanced training aircraft for some time, and the initial equipment of the Red Arrows until replaced by Hawk T1s in 1980. Or how about adopting something with a royal connection? The Westland Sea King HAR3 was flown in 2011 by HRH The Duke of Cambridge, while serving as a Search and Rescue pilot at RAF Valley. It was the very first in RAF service, providing search and rescue cover for both military and civilian personnel across the UK, and only retired in 2015. Other aircraft in this tier include the Panavia Tornado GR1B, Avro Lancaster 1 and Boulton Paul Defiant I.

To celebrate the launch, the Museum is offering up to 20 people the chance to adopt the iconic Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb. Ordinarily, this item would feature within the Exclusive tier, however for the launch of Adopt an Artefact, you can adopt this item for £200 within the Standard tier, the ultimate gift for any aviation fan.

View your adopted artefact during a visit to the Museum, where each object can be found on display at either the Museum’s Cosford or London site, with the exception of just one – Douglas Bader’s Log Book. Stored in the archives, a private viewing of the log book can be arranged for the adoptee of this item.

Edward Sharman, Head of Development RAF Museum, said:
“Support from adoptees will help the Museum continue sharing the RAF Story, past, present and future, to engage, inspire and encourage learning for current and future generations. Whether you’re adopting an artefact for yourself, as a gift for an aviation fan, or someone currently serving in the armed forces, it may even be a personal tribute to honour and remember a loved one, this is a fantastic opportunity to be part of the RAF’s history and to receive something unique in return for your support.

Each item tells its own fascinating RAF story, whether it’s a cute stuffed toy with an adventurous past, clothing that tells more than just a fashion statement, from tiny badges with major honours to large iconic Battle of Britain aircraft, there is something to inspire and connect everyone. Support the RAF Museum and adopt today, and share your special adoption story.”

For more details on how to Adopt an Artefact and to browse the items available, visit www.rafmuseum.org.uk/support-us/adopt-an-artefact

The Museum is now open daily with a range of measures in place to ensure a safe and great day out for the whole family. While still offering FREE entry to all, visitors are kindly asked to pre-book their arrival time online at www.rafmuseum.org.

Air arms representing more than 20 countries from around the globe will be taking part in a special event this weekend being organised by the team behind the Royal International Air Tattoo and supported by the Royal Air Force.

The Virtual Air Tattoo is a free-to-view, live-streamed event that will take place from 11am to 3pm on Saturday July 18 and Sunday July 19, the same weekend the actual airshow was due to be staged.

Hosted by Air Tattoo commentators and aviation experts Ben Dunnell and Mark Manwaring and featuring special welcome messages from Sir David Jason and Carol Vorderman – the Virtual Air Tattoo will give viewers a flavour of the real event planned for 2020 with dramatic virtual flying displays, pilot interviews, special guests and unique aircraft footage.

Highlights include:
• Displays created by Virtual Airshows, performed by Europe’s top flight simulator pilots including the Virtual Red Arrows and Swiss, French and Italian teams.
• Footage from some of the most exciting Air Tattoo participants, including 2019 displays by the MiG-21 LanceR & EAV-8 Harrier.
• Live interviews with the Red Arrows as well as pilots from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and RAF Typhoon Display Team.
• Unique behind-the-scenes footage of military aviation including a flight on a recent Royal Air Force air-to-air refuelling mission.
• Messages, interviews and special aircraft tours courtesy of participating international aircrew.

And with tickets for next year’s 50th anniversary airshow going on sale at the weekend, the Virtual Air Tattoo will take a look back at some of the event’s aviation highlights since it was first stage in 1971.

Among the nations taking part in the Virtual Air Tattoo are Austria, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Jordan, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, the US and UK – with Sri Lanka and Singapore being represented for the first time ever – albeit virtually! Video support for the Virtual Air Tattoo has also come from aerospace industry, including BAE Systems Leonardo, Airbus Northrop Grumman, MBDA and Rolls-Royce, with additional help from Boeing, Lockheed Martin and other long-term sponsors.

Whilst the Air Tattoo will deliver the main broadcast, the RAF will host two additional channels, one providing extended footage of RAF content featured in the Virtual Air Tattoo and the other, broadcast live on Twitch, hosted by the RAF’s Video Gaming and Esports Association who will be staging a number of socially-distanced esport competitions.

Working with PlanesTV, the programme will be hosted from a live studio and, as well as featuring special guests, the show will invite viewers’ questions via social media, making the Virtual Air Tattoo a truly interactive experience.

Air Tattoo Chief Executive Paul Atherton said: “The Royal Air Force has been a great partner for the virtual Air Tattoo as they are for the Royal International Air Tattoo each year. Their support in providing behind-the-scenes access to, and footage of, its aircraft, facilities and people has been pivotal and we now look forward to sharing this content with our online visitors. We are confident that this, coupled with the incredible material created by our international friends and the virtual world of air displays will wow our audiences.”

Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston, Chief of the Air Staff, said: “I am delighted the Royal Air Force has joined forces with RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises to deliver a trailblazing Virtual Air Tattoo. We look forward to exhilarating displays from our allies around the world, getting behind the scenes with the RAF and our industry partners as we showcase our talent, and sharing special moments from previous Air Tattoos as we approach the airshow’s 50th anniversary next year.”

During the event, viewers will have the opportunity to donate to the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, the Air Tattoo’s parent charity. Text TRUST to 70490 to donate £5 (Texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message). Also through Virgin Money Giving: https://bit.ly/rafcharitable

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