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Recent good weather has enabled the restoration and repainting work on Newark Air Museum’s Cessna 310 to be completed
The Cessna 310, G-APNJ aircraft has been repainted into a representative USAF colour scheme that the type wore operationally as a U-3 ‘Blue Canoe’ utility communications aircraft.

As previously reported, the selected colour scheme is similar to the last civilian colour scheme worn by G-APNJ and it is hoped that the change of markings will stimulate additional interest in this particular aircraft.

Recent information released via the museum indicates that this aircraft will be one of several to feature in a Night Photo Shoot to be hosted by the museum in spring 2019.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Date: Sunday 11 November 2018
Time: 10.30am arrival / 10.45am service commences
Cost: FREE

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford will hold a Service of Remembrance on Sunday 11 November, paying respect to those service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice during their tours of duty.

Visitors who wish to pay their respects and reflect on the sacrifices made by our brave service men and women are invited to join the service, led by the Station Chaplain at RAF Cosford. Those attending will also be treated to renditions from the Cosford Military Wives Choir, who will perform for visitors on arrival and during the service.

The service will take place in the Museum’s Hangar 1 and visitors are politely requested to assemble no later than 10:30am ready for the Service to commence at 10.45am. As well as readings, there will be hymns and the sounding of ‘The Last Post’, followed by a two minute silence.

Students from Castle Bromwich Junior School in Birmingham will also be in attendance, reading poems they have written especially for the service. Year six students recently took part in a workshop delivered by the Museum’s Access and Learning team, exploring the history behind Remembrance Sunday and the significance of the poppy, using a handling collection to spark discussion. A wall of poems written by the students will go on display in the Museum’s ‘War in the Air’ Hangar over the remembrance period for visitors to view.

RAF Museum Cosford Events Executive, Nathan Davis said:
“The Royal Air Force’s centenary year has been a reminder of the vital role our armed forces personnel have played and still continue to play in all our lives. As the celebrations draw to an end, we invite visitors to join us on Remembrance Sunday for a poignant service so we can remember together. We are delighted to be working in partnership with the RAF, the Station Chaplain and the Cosford Military Wives Choir again this year and I’m confident visitors will enjoy the special service we have planned.”

During the service, wreaths will be laid by representatives from RAF Cosford, RAF Museum staff and volunteers, Cosford Military Wives Choir and Castle Bromwich Junior School in honour of those who have fallen in the line of duty. Following the service visitors are free to explore the Museum at their own leisure.

If you would like to find out about Service Personnel who fell serving in the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Air Force during the Great War of 1914 to 1918, or to dedicate a digital poppy, please visit the RAF Museum’s online story vault: www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk

The Museum is open daily from 10am and entry to the Museum is FREE of charge. For further information please visit www.rafmuseum.org/cosford.

A revitalised version of the ‘Weeping Lancaster’ commemoration has again been added to the artefact display in Lancaster Corner in Hangar 1 at Newark Air Museum, which is located close to the Nottinghamshire / Lincolnshire county border.

‘Weeping Lancaster’ features a stream of poppies that have been added to the floor of the Lancaster fuselage section from IX(B) Squadron Lancaster W4964, WS-J that was donated to Newark in 1974. These complement the added air gunner figure and will form a fitting reminder of the aircrew that trained at RAF Winthorpe during World War II with 1661 HCU (Heavy Conversion Unit).

The inspiration for this commemoration came from the various poppy displays around the country and they were installed in the Lancaster fuselage section by Nigel & Jude Bean.

The fuselage section is of major significance to the history of Bomber Command as it came from Lancaster W4964, that flew 106 Ops and its 100th Op was a ‘Tallboy Mission’ on the Tirpitz battleship in Alten Fjord, Norway.

W4964 carried the nose art of the ‘Johnnie Walker’ whiskey company and the exhibit still wears its original wartime paintwork. Its ends had been boarded up and it had been used as a road repairers ‘mess hut’ and also garden shed before being donated to the museum in 1974.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Planning is well underway for one of the Royal Navy’s premier public events – the International Air Day at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton in Somerset. As the Royal Navy’s only air show, it will now be known as the Royal Navy International Air Day and will take place on Saturday 13 July 2019.

The Royal Navy has been at the forefront of technological innovation in Maritime Aviation for over 100 years. This is destined to continue with the first landing, this autumn, of an F-35B Lightning II on HMS Queen Elizabeth – the world’s first aircraft carrier designed around operating a fifth-generation fighter jet. The subtle but significant name change reflects this but also the aspiration to build on the growing reputation of the airshow by attracting further participation by foreign naval air arms and maritime aircraft.

Commodore Nick Tindal, Commanding Officer, RNAS Yeovilton, states that:

“The Royal Navy International Air Day will celebrate modern and historical Air Power in its many forms not least its central role for Maritime Capability and for the capabilities of our sister services, the Army and Royal Air Force. 

It is also an opportunity to welcome our NATO, European and other close Allies and Partners from across the globe underlining the importance of international cooperation and the international nature of Royal Navy and UK military operations.”

RNAS Yeovilton, the spiritual home of the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm, will open their gates to up to 40,000 visitors to enjoy the magnificent five hour flying display, meet our Armed Forces personnel and see their equipment up close. There will also be a huge array of educational ground attractions from interactive Service displays to engineering fairs and state-of-the-art defence technology exhibitions. Families will also be able to enjoy trade stalls, arena displays, helicopter pleasure flights, simulators and fairground rides. Further information on tickets will be announced in due course.

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday

Saturday 13th October 2018

The next Newark Air Museum Indoor Aeroboot / Aerojumble Sale at the museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire takes place on Saturday 13th October 2018. This charity fund raising event has attracted interest from a wide range of sellers and once again is a sell-out event.

The funds that the museum raises from organising the event will be used to support the development of facilities at its Gateway Aviation Site, which is located in eastern Nottinghamshire close to the Lincolnshire border.

Forty eight (48) tables, featuring a host of different sellers, who come from around the UK will be arranged amongst the aircraft in Display Hangar 2 at the museum.

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

Buyers / visitors at this event will be able to access the museum site on Saturday 13th October, 2018 at a special discounted admission price of just £4.50 per person.

The museum opening times will be 09.00 to 17.00 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.

Date: 12-18 November 2018
Time: 10:15am-1:00pm
Cost: £5.00 per person

A Second World War Westland Lysander III (S.D.), the only surviving Special Duties variant of its type will soon be on show to the public. The aircraft is currently undergoing conservation work in the Michael Beetham Conservation Centre at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford and this November the centre will be opening its doors, allowing visitors behind the scenes access to aircraft conservation projects and the chance to speak with the team who make them happen.

From 12-18 November visitors can get up close to the current projects undertaken by the team at Cosford and a highlight during this special event will be the remarkable progress on the Westland Lysander III (S.D.) last seen by the public in the static display line-up at the RAF Cosford Air Show in June.

Upon arrival at the Museum some 22 months ago, the Lysander underwent an in-depth inspection and condition assessment and work was carried out on a few minor repairs. The damaged fabric outer skin was removed and focus was put into the aircraft’s engine, preservative treatments were removed and mechanical systems were cleaned and lubricated and are now functional again.

Since it was last viewed in June the aircraft has undergone a major transformation, mainly the recovering of the fuselage in a traditional Irish linen using original doping techniques. The new outer skin has already received its UV microwave protection layer and is currently being primed ready for its 161 Squadron Special Ops colour scheme to be applied within the next few weeks. Aviation fans will be able to view the newly painted fuselage section during the November Open Week and speak with members of the team who have carried out the work.

The Lysander has been a largely Volunteer led project with a team of 4-6 volunteers working two days a week on the cleaning and mechanical elements, whist the new outer skin and paintwork has been applied by the Museum’s skilled Surface Finish Technician.

RAF Museum Conservation Centre Manager, Darren Priday said;
“During the inspection phase, we discovered some original fabric and we’ve taken the decision to conserve this item and keep the original paintwork. Once the fuselage section is complete, work will begin on attaching the ailerons and other flying controls which have already been covered in Irish linen; these will go through the same doping and paint process as the fuselage. The metal cowlings will be resprayed before being refitted. Over the next few months our team of Volunteers will be focussing their efforts on the wings. This work will all be on display to the public in November and in the New Year the undercarriage will be refitted as part of the rebuild phase which is expected to take upwards of 12 months.”

The Museum’s Westland Lysander III (S.D.) is the only surviving Special Duties variant of this aircraft. It was designed to operate closely with the Army and had a remarkable performance which enabled it to get into and out of extremely small fields. A radical change in Army co-operation tactics meant that its lasting fame is not in this role but as a Special Duties aircraft ferrying Allied agents in and out of enemy occupied Europe. Four Lysander squadrons went to France in 1939 and despite some notable successes the Army Co-operation units suffered extremely high casualties – over 170 Lysanders were sent to France; only 50 came back. After their withdrawal from France, they patrolled the coastal areas of south and east England as an anti-invasion reconnaissance measure. Late in 1940 they began air-sea rescue duties in the Channel and North Sea – not only could the Lysander spot airmen in the sea and bring surface vessels to them, it was able to drop a lifesaving dinghy and supplies.

The Museum’s example, serial number R9125 first became operational with No 225 Squadron in 1940 as a coastal patrol and photo reconnaissance aircraft, based along the south coast of England. It took on the Special Duties role with No 161 Squadron in 1944 and was operational for a further two years until they became obsolete from the RAF in 1946. For a brief period in 1961 the aircraft was placed into storage at RAF Cosford and ten years later it was acquired by the Museum and placed on display at its London site, where it remained on display until its recent move to back to Cosford.

Visitors will also be able to view the continuing progress on the Vickers Wellington, Range Safety Launch, a project being run by a team of Volunteers, plus see a glimpse of the Dornier Do 17 smaller objects including propellers and engines, plus the First World War German LVG aircraft will also be on display to visitors. Museum Technicians, Apprentices and Volunteers will be available throughout the week to speak with visitors about their work and answer any questions they may have.

The Conservation Centre will open from 12-18 November between 10.15am and 1.00pm each day and admission is £5.00 per person (children under 16 are free and must be accompanied by an adult). The Museum’s other hangars will be open from 10am until 5pm and entry to the Museum is free of charge. For further information, please visit the Museum’s website www.rafmuseum.org/cosford or call 01902 376200.

Sunday 30th September

Brooklands Museum’s Great War Day on Sunday 30th September commemorates the centenary of the end of the First World War and Brooklands’ role in that conflict. It will highlight the historic site’s rapidly expanding aircraft production in 1916 and showcase the Museum’s mighty Vickers Vimy – a replica of the long range bomber built in 1918 which made the first non-stop trans-Atlantic flight in 1919. Visitors will be able to see the engines of this aircraft demonstrated on part of the original Brooklands Race Track alongside two WWI bi-planes from the collection: the SE5a and Sopwith Camel which has its original 1917 Clerget engine.

In and around the Paddock, in front of the Clubhouse, re-enactors and living history groups will be setting up displays showing different aspects of wartime life adding to the period flavour of the day. These include:

• The 10th Essex Group – a military display and living history group accurately depicting the British Soldier in the Great War and will be running scouting and weapon demonstrations
• The Royal Army Medical Corps and Red Cross who will be displaying their Field Hospital & Convalescence unit
• Ladies from the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (affectionately known as FANYs)
• Edwardian re-enactors in costume
Although the Track had closed to the public in 1914, the site was still very active in manufacture, record-breaking and testing. At the Kingston-based Sopwith Aviation Company factories, Camels, Snipes, Pups and Triplanes all came off the production line and were all assembled, test flown and delivered from Brooklands. In 1915, the Military Services staged some hill climb and sprint events for the personnel and officers based in the nearby Aldershot and Bisley garrisons. The Brooklands Motorcycle Team and visiting groups with war-time-era motorcycles, including examples of Triumph and Douglas which were used by the military in Belgium, will take part in a re-enactment of the ‘serpentine’ slalom course.

The event will also feature pre-1919 civilian and military vehicles which include an original 1915 Pierce-Arrow military truck, Edwardian cars and the usual array of ambulances, motorcycles and bicycles. Making a very welcome return will be the Matchless with Vickers machine gun carrier Motorcycle Combination from 1917. This is only one of three surviving motorcycle combinations from WWI left in the UK and is being kindly loaned by the Tank Museum for the event. At lunchtime, visitors will be able to see a cavalcade of period vehicles on the circuit at neighbouring Mercedes-Benz World.

All the Museum’s motoring displays and Aircraft Park will be open as usual including the Award-Winning Aircraft Factory and Flight Shed, motoring exhibitions, Concorde Experience and London Bus Museum. The gates open to the public at 10am and the event finishes at 5pm.

Normal admission charges apply: Adults £13.50, Seniors/Students £11.50, Children (5 – 16yrs) £7. Children under 5 are FREE and a Family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) is £35. The Concorde Experience is £5 for Adults, £3 for Children. The 4D Theatre is £4 for Adults, £2 for Children.

For directions, videos, all event information and latest news, go to www.brooklandsmuseum.com, call 01932 857381

Date: 6 October 2018
Time: 9.30am to 5:00pm
Cost: £8 in advance (includes goody bag) / £10 on the day. Free entry for under-16s when accompanied by a paying adult

Aviation fans can experience the best that virtual flight has to offer this autumn when the Flight Sim 2018 event, hosted by Just Flight, takes place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on Saturday 6 October.

The Museum will be hosting this major one-day event for the sixth consecutive year and once again will be giving flight simulation enthusiasts a chance to try some of the very latest aircraft and other software. Visitors can view new technology from specialist flight sim PC and cockpit equipment builders, have a chat with developers, publishers and fellow virtual aviators – and no doubt pick up a bargain or two!

More than 30 exhibitors have already confirmed their attendance, with more expected to follow, and a full day of presentations is scheduled in the adjoining auditorium. Leading companies in flight simulation, including Laminar Research, Orbx, Aerosoft and Infinite Flight are all confirmed to attend the popular show.

Flight Sim ticket holders will enjoy the very best of both the virtual and the real worlds of aviation in the same venue, as entrance to the RAF Museum is free. Suitable for new and veteran desktop pilots alike, the show will run from 9.30am until 5.00pm, giving aviation enthusiasts plenty of time to find out more about life in the virtual skies.

Tickets for Flight Sim 2018 are now on sale, save money by booking in advance for just £8 via the shows website. Entry for children under 16 is free of charge when accompanied by a paying adult. Visit www.flightsimshow.com for all the show details.

Brooklands Museum Sunday 16th September

The enormous contribution Brooklands made to aviation through much of the twentieth century will be celebrated at its annual Aviation Day on Sunday 16th September. Since the first UK flight trials of A V Roe took place there in 1908, through two world wars, into the jet age and Concorde, Brooklands has been a major centre for aviation manufacture, flight and testing for over 80 years.

One of the main attractions of the day will undoubtedly be the scheduled fly-ins from visiting aircraft*. On the airstrip at Mercedes-Benz World opposite the main visitor entrance, the organisers are expecting several vintage bi-planes including Tiger Moths and a helicopter to make a dramatic entrance. After landing, spectators will be able to inspect the machines and chat to the pilots.

The Museum’s own Concorde will be running half hour virtual supersonic ‘flight’ experiences all day and opposite the Concorde in the 4D Theatre, visitors can experience a motion simulator ride with the Red Arrows as well as two racing rides. Visitors to this extravaganza will also be able to see the Museum’s incredible collection of classic cars and motorcycles plus the largest collection anywhere of Vickers and BAC aircraft, including the Varsity, Viscount and VC10 in the Aircraft Park. The Volunteers that steward the aircraft are always keen to give valuable insight into these machines and sometimes allow a visit inside the cockpit.

The WWII hangar that once stood on the Track now lies adjacent to it and has been reinterpreted as the Brooklands Aircraft Factory; once inside, visitors will experience the sights and sounds of a busy factory floor with work stations and breath taking displays showing giant sections of aircraft at various stages of manufacture. In the centre is the only surviving Wellington Bomber that saw active service in WWII. The Factory, together with the newly-built Flight Shed which houses the Museum’s live aircraft won a Museums & Heritage Award this year in the permanent exhibition category.

Also on site, the Hawker Fury, Hurricane, Sopwith Camel and mighty Vickers Vimy will all be on display. There will be static aero-engine runs* on the day and in the Paddock, the area in front of the historic Clubhouse, the largest gathering of children’s pedal planes is being attempted. Also for the youngsters will be a free aviation-themed activity and in the Museum Shop, books, models and toys all relating to aviation will be available to buy.

The Sunbeam Café and a barbecue will be open all day marking it out as a perfect day for families and friends. A full timetable for the day is on the website so you can start planning your visit.

Entrance fees are as follows: Adults £13.50; Seniors/Students £11.50; Children (5-16 yrs) £7.00; Children Under 5 FREE; Family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children), £35.

For full details and up to date event information, visit www.brooklandsmuseum.com or telephone 01932 857381. The 4D Theatre rides are approximately 8 minutes long each and are priced at £4 Adults/£2 Children. The half-hour Concorde Experience is £5 Adults/£3 Children.

*Visiting helicopters, light aircraft and engine run demonstrations are subject to operational conditions.

The Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron will be bringing their explosive MiG-15 and Vampire display to Wings & Wheels this August Bank holiday.

Visitors will be thrilled as the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 demonstrates why it was one of the first successful swept-wing jet fighters, with high octane manoeuvres and a simulated battle with the added excitement of pyrotechnics as it displays with the de Havilland DH.100 Vampire.

The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a British fighter jet developed during the Second World War. The MiG-15 aircraft was developed for the Soviet Union and achieved fame in the skies over Korea, where, early in the war, it outclassed all straight-winged enemy fighters in most applications.

The MiG-15 is believed to have been one of the most widely produced jet aircraft ever made. In excess of 12,000 were manufactured and licensed foreign production may have raised the production total to over 18,000. Some among them were Polish-built variants of which the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron’s example is one. The MiG-15 is often mentioned, along with the North American F-86 Sabre, as the best fighter aircraft of the Korean War, and among the best fighter aircraft of all time. The MiG-15 remains in service with the North Korean Air Force as an advanced trainer.

The MiG-15 is also well known for its role in the Korean War – a conflict which involved the Royal Navy operated Hawker Sea Furies. Piloted by Lieutenant Peter ‘Hoagy’ Carmichael, one such Sea Fury FB11 made history when it downed a MiG-15; one of the very few times when a piston-engined aircraft has gained superiority over a jet.

The MiG-15 on display at Wings & Wheels wears the markings of the aircraft flown by famed Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin before he became the first man to visit outer space in 1961.

The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was designed to harness the newly developed jet engine and entered service with the RAF in 1945. It was the first fighter jet to be powered by a single jet engine.
The RAF used the Vampire as a front-line fighter until 1953, when it assumed the role of pilot training. The de Havilland Vampire jet achieved a series of aviation firsts, including being the first British plane to exceed 500mph as well as the first jet fighter to cross the Atlantic. It was retired in 1966 and replaced by the Hawker Hunter and Gloster Javelin.

Around 3,300 Vampires were manufactured. The Royal Navy’s first jet fighter was the Sea Vampire, a variant of the plane operated from the Navy’s aircraft carriers. As such, the Vampire was the first plane to be landed on a moving aircraft carrier.

The Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron was founded in 2008 and is based at Rygge Air Base Norway.

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy other air displays including show favourites the Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Lancaster, 2 x Spitfires), Chinook, the Tigers Parachute Display Team, The Blades, Jet Provost, Hurricane, Strikemaster, O’Brien’s Flying Circus, the Bronco Demo , Richard Goodwin, The Turbulent Display Team, B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B, NAHF Vampire Pair, NAHF MiG 15 and Fireflies Aerobatic Team, accompanied by witty and knowledgeable commentary from aviation experts and display pilots.

The ‘Wings’ of the event would not be complete without a close-up inspection of all the weekend’s visiting aircraft including Dunsfold’s resident Boeing 747 in the ‘Wings Park’, the Brooklands VC10 and Aces High DC3, all open for tours.

Supercars and classic and vintage icons put on an awe-inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a 2 hour auto spectacular. The ‘Wheels’ of the show includes displays from McLaren 12C, Lamborghini Aventador Roadster and Huracan, Pagani Zonda, Ferrari California T, Aston Martin Rapide, Dodge Monaco, TVR Tasmin 280i, Ducati Multistrada 1200s, Ferrari F355 Berlinetta, Ford GT40 and Lotus Elise.

Visit the Wheels Zone with a bigger and better crowd line parade and interactive displays from car and motorbike clubs. The popular Monster Truck arena returns offering demonstrations and passenger rides.

The Military Zone & Parade is interactive and explosive bringing re-enactors in a living history zone and our popular military vehicle parade. The Zone has over 80 military vehicles, six re-enactment groups, as well as the history of Dunsfold Aerodrome and Army, Navy and RAF recruitment stands for everyone’s enjoyment.

Sid’s Zone is an action packed free area for the little ones. From 10:00 until 16:00 the kids can join in with colouring competitions, arts and crafts, paper plane challenges, face painting and the popular Sid’s Trail which encourages the whole family to search the arena for questions and answers to win a goody bag. Meet and greets with show mascot Siddeley and the display pilots are not to be missed.

The excitement and anticipation doesn’t stop at the main displays as the 32 acre public arena is bursting with a huge variety of interactive attractions containing all you need for a great family day out. The show arena boasts go-karts, kit-plane demonstrations, aviation and motoring simulators, military outlets and displays, static aircraft, fairground and over 80 retail outlets selling a wide variety of products and gifts. Shopping in the arena includes a craft marquee full of tempting tea time treats to take home and craft gifts and a vintage village.

As the last plane touches down the party starts across the arena with musical evening entertainment from Champagne at the Blitz, a 1940s songbird trio armed with smooth harmonies, seamed nylons and lots and LOTS of red lippy!

Taking the hassle out of your day the show includes added extras to make your experience even more enjoyable; over 20 fixed-price catering outlets, two bars, hospitality facilities, free on-site parking, public camping, lost children point, disabled access, informative show commentary, opportunities to meet the pilots, official show merchandise and grandstand seating.

The 14th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th August 2018, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 21:00.

Advanced rate tickets from £24 for adults or £55 for a family. Single child tickets (for children aged 5 – 15) will be £8. Children under 5 go free. Hospitality packages start from £199 per person, weekend passes, grandstand tickets and camping are also available. For more information visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book standard tickets call 08712 305 572.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2018 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.