Tag: october

RAF Cosford Air Show Returns in 2025

Cosford Air Show 2025

The Royal Air Force’s Air Show returns on Sunday 8th June 2025.

Over 50,000 people attended the annual Air Show at RAF Cosford in 2024 and organisers are promising another action-packed event next year.

The theme for the RAF Cosford Air Show this year is ‘Commemorate, Celebrate, Innovate.’ The air show will commemorate some of our history through displays in the air and on the ground; Celebrate the Royal Air Force, NATO Allies and Partner nations; And inspire future generations by showcasing how the armed forces innovate together and with Defence sector partners.

The RAF Cosford Air Show are thrilled to mark the return of Lockheed Martin as Show Title Sponsor with the release of the official poster for the 2025 Air Show. The global aerospace, defence and security leader’s support will help to create unforgettable experiences for all the family at the largest one-day outdoor event in the West Midlands.

Janelle Spintig, Global Pursuits at Lockheed Martin, said ‘Our presence at the Air Show is a great opportunity to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the UK Defence mission.

‘We have a long history of working with the RAF and we’re committed to investing in the future of aerospace in the UK. We’re very pleased to provide our support and showcase our technologies with our return to the RAF Cosford Air Show in 2025.’

Organisers are already talking to colleagues from across Defence, partners from other nations’ air forces and members of the wider private aviation community to see what aircraft are available to display on the Shropshire base.

This year, event organisers have frozen all tickets at the same rate as last year, with General Admission tickets remaining priced at £40. Children who are under 16 and are accompanied by a paying adult will still be able to enter for free.

Marilyn Summers, Chief Commercial Officer for the RAF Cosford Air Show, said: ‘We know that special days out can feel far more expensive than they used to. We kept our audience at the heart of our commercial decision-making by freezing ticket prices. We wanted to make sure that the average family could still enjoy a fantastic and affordable day out at the RAF Cosford Air Show on Sunday 8th June 2025.’

Tickets for the RAF Cosford Air Show will be on sale from 11am Friday 25th October and can only be purchased from www.CosfordAirShow.co.uk.

Newark Air Museum Tucano Acquisition

Newark Tucano

After a short set of negotiations, the Newark Air Museum has completed the purchase of Short Tucano T1, ZF372 from Everett Aero of Sproughton, Suffolk. Funding for the acquisition was made possible thanks to a legacy from the Estate of John Dove, a former museum member and RAF Winthorpe veteran.

On Wednesday 23rd October, 2024 the airframe was delivered to the museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire, which is close to the border with Lincolnshire by a team from Everett Aero. As part of the purchase agreement the wings were refitted to the aircraft by the Everett Aero team, thereby assisting the museum volunteers to reposition it on its undercarriage.

The Tucano fills yet another important gap in the museum’s themed display of training aircraft. Whilst in service, Tucanos were a familiar sight in the sky above the museum; when they were retired from RAF service in October 2019 the museum was unsuccessful in an attempt to acquire an airframe for its collection.

“By adding Short Tucano T1, ZF372 to its collection the museum has fulfilled the desire to add the type to its display,” commented museum trustee, Dave Hibbert, he continued, “It’s addition is in line with one part of the museum’s stated Collecting Policy, of acquiring. “Aircraft used in a Training role.” He concluded, “We are extremely grateful to the Everett Aero team, who did an excellent job with the main reassembly work on the aircraft, our volunteers will continue this work in the coming days.”

The airframe retains its last operational configuration and volunteers ZF372 will be moved inside Hangar 2 at the museum. Museum staff and volunteers will complete its reassembly and start the long process of sourcing instrumentation to complete the cockpits. In Hangar 2 it will be displayed alongside several other training airframes, like the Jetstream, Dominie, Bulldog, Gnat and Jet Provost. ZF372 is expected to retain its current training scheme markings.

Tucano T1, ZF372 was one of several airframes that had been in deep storage at RAF Shawbury Shropshire and is believed to have been moved to Sproughton in October 2024.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Shuttleworth Learning Team Launches a New Send Project: Sensing Shuttleworth

Following a successful grant application to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), the Learning Team at Shuttleworth are excited to be launching a new project focused on developing and enhancing the visitor attraction’s special education needs and disabilities (SEND) provision.

On 5 November, invited guests – including Autism Beds, Bedford Borough Parent Carer Forum, EPIC – Luton Parent Carer Forum, EMBRACE – formerly Beds & District Cerebral Palsy Society, Special Schools Forum – convened by Central Beds Council, CBC SEND Team (early years and schools), Mencap – Bedford & Luton, and more – will attend a launch event for the project, which will see Shuttleworth actively engaging in consultation and co-production with ‘critical friends’ to understand the developments required to make the visitor attraction a more inclusive place of heritage, learning, and excitement.

The receipt of this UKSPF funding will allow the team to access expert support during this project, including commissioning award-winning sensory consultants Collar & Cuffs as facilitators. The project will also involve: co-creating workshops and developing sensory resources, establishing a pilot group of local SEND school representatives, community groups, families and providers, creating a bespoke ‘What to expect’ video with supporting print resources, and establishing bespoke communication symbols to better reflect the Collection and Garden at Shuttleworth.

The project is intended for people of all ages with SEND, as the team hope to make Shuttleworth a go-to destination for everyone.

Learning Co-ordinator, Matthew Studdert-Kennedy, said, “We’re really excited to be launching SENsing Shuttleworth on 5 November. We hope that we will be able to significantly improve our SEND offering in order to be an accessible and appealing cultural space for all audiences.”

You can find out more about learning opportunities at Shuttleworth by visiting www.shuttleworth.org/learning

Royal International Air Tattoo to explore ‘Eyes in the Skies’ next summer

RIAT 25 Fairford

The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) is set to highlight specialised aircraft used for intelligence, surveillance, maritime patrol, search and rescue, surveying and reconnaissance at next year’s show with a theme of ‘Eyes in the Skies’ being announced.

Despite there still being over 250 days until next summer’s event, more than 20,000 tickets have been sold as people secure their spot at RAF Fairford ahead of any participating aircraft being revealed with organisers also stating aircraft announcements are set to begin early next year.

By welcoming 248 aircraft from almost 30 different countries, a sell-out crowd of 168,000 visitors and making a record donation of £2.6m to the event’s parent charity, the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, this year’s instalment was the most successful in the show’s history.

Chief Executive Officer at Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, Paul Atherton said: “This year’s show was a huge success and we are thrilled to see people are already booking tickets for next year.
“Planning is well underway and announcing our theme marks the start of the event cycle for RIAT25.

“Our event provides a special opportunity for people to see and interact with aircraft of all shapes and sizes.

“Next year’s theme means visitors should be able to get up close and personal with specialist aircraft that usually operate out of sight given the nature of their missions.

“We look forward to sharing our plans with you in the coming months.”

RIAT25 is set to take place from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th July with 2025 also marking 40 years since the world-renowned show made its way to RAF Fairford after being established at North Weald and then taking place at Greenham Common.

In recognition of this, the event also plans to celebrate its history with a presence on the showground looking back at four decades in Gloucestershire.

“RAF Fairford has been our home for the past four decades and in that time, we have seen some incredible aircraft at RIAT,” added Atherton.

“Therefore, it is only right we celebrate it with local people and visitors who have made the event what it is today.”

Tickets for RIAT25 are on sale via www.AirTattoo.com.

Shuttleworth Receives Navigational Compass from R38 Airship Over 100 Years After Fateful Crash

Shuttleworth R38

Shuttleworth is delighted to have received the H. Hughes & Son Ltd navigational compass from the infamous R38 airship. The artefact was recovered from the wreckage of the R38 – the then largest airship ever built – after it crashed in Howden, in 1921 whilst on its way to America. It was originally presented to Dr William Impey Baker, whose Grandson, Robert Hattersley, has now gifted the item to Shuttleworth.

The R38 airship was originally commissioned in spring of 1918 as a counter weapon to the Zeppelin. However, building was not completed at the Cardington hangars until the war had ended. Instead, a deal was struck with the United States of America for the purchase of the airship – then, the largest airship ever built at 699ft long, 86ft in diameter, and with a capacity of 2,750,000ft³.

After successful flight tests that saw the airship reach speeds of 71mph, the commissioning flight was set for 24 August 1921 from Howden in Hull, up the River Humber and on across the Atlantic to America. With a great deal of media attention and huge crowds of spectators along the river, the R38 took flight but shortly split in two as it turned. As the fuselage broke in half, an enormous explosion led to awful scenes. One of the nearby spectators, Dr William Impey Baker, attended the rescue party to help as many of the injured crew as possible. 44 of the 49 British and American crew lost their lives. Following the incident, the H. Hughes & Son Ltd compass was recovered from the wreckage and presented to Dr Baker in recognition for his unpaid work in the rescue effort on that fateful day.

Over 100 years later, on 10 October 2024, Robert Hattersley, the Grandson of Dr Baker, presented the navigational compass to Jean Munn, Head of Engineering, and Stuart Gray, Vehicle Manager, at Shuttleworth.

Stuart Gray, Vehicle Manager, said, “We are so delighted to have received this navigational compass from Robert Hattersley and the Baker family. As well as being made by the company responsible for some of the navigational equipment installed in WWI aircraft, the R38 itself was constructed just a short distance from Shuttleworth at Cardington. We hope that our visitors will enjoy being able to see this remarkable piece of history on their visits to the Collection.”

Visitors can see the compass on display in Hangar 1 at Shuttleworth; to book a 30-day return admission ticket to the Collection and Garden, visit www.shuttleworth.org

Did you know?

RIAT Stem

We’re not just a world-class celebration of aviation, but also a charitable enterprise with a mission to inspire the next generation of air, space and STEM pioneers.

• Over the last 10 years RIAT has gifted over £6.5M in donations to our parent charity, The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust (RAFCT)

• In the last year RAFCT has created meaningful experiences in STEM and aviation for 120,000 young people

• By 2026 RAFCT will increase this to 500,000 by partnering with specialist STEM organisations and creating new, innovative projects and competitions

• RAFCT’s Road to RIAT schools STEM competition continues to grow, 400 schools nationwide will take part in the coming year, with the winners enjoying a special final stage at RIAT 24!

The proceeds from ticket sales and all your generous donations directly contribute to helping dreams become a reality, through our parent company, The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust (RAFCT).

www.airtattoo.com/tickets-packages/

Sywell Jetstream Update and Appeal!

Sywell Jetstream

Sywell Aviation Museum’s second airframe, Handley Page Jetstream 200 G-RAVL has recently achieved a couple of milestones since its arrival at the Northamptonshire aerodrome in March 2021.

Most of the work has been internal and includes replacement of missing cockpit instruments (with special thanks to the Trenchard Museum at Halton) to the point where it is complete and a new set of passenger windows fitted. In addition, the control runs have been worked through and the repainted and refurbished tailplane and elevators reinstalled on the airframe. Further work will involve aileron and flap controls before the surfaces can be installed then attention will turn to the passenger cabin before a complete external repaint. One side will see her in fresh new paint in the Cranfield College of Aeronautics scheme she currently wears whereas the other will see her adopt her former RACAL Decca livery and G-AWVK registration.

All this work has been funded by donations as the Museum does not charge an entry fee. The majority of which was raised at the Museum’s popular book and model sale held in March this year.

Again the Museum is making an appeal for the donation of aviation books, and especially model kits and accessories, diecast models etc to enable another sale to take place in the new year. Kind donors can see where the money raised goes and the progress that has been made directly due to their generosity.

If you are able to donate any items to the Museum please contact sywellaviationmuseum@gmail.com or call 07968061708 – collection can be arranged.

www.sywellaviationmuseum.org.uk

RAF Museum Volunteer awarded MBE for 50 years’ service to heritage

RAF Museum Roy Martin

RAF Museum Midlands Volunteer Roy Martin has been honoured in HM The King’s Birthday Honours List 2023 and presented with his MBE by HRH The Prince of Wales in a ceremony held at Windsor Castle.

The long-serving volunteer was given the honour at a formal investiture ceremony on Tuesday 4 October, where he received his insignia, in the presence of his wife and two sons.

The King’s Birthday Honours mark the extraordinary contributions of people across the UK, for their outstanding achievement or service to the community which has had a long-term, significant impact. Colleagues at the RAF Museum are delighted to see Roy awarded an MBE for his services and commitment to the heritage sector, and this award is a celebration of his decades of volunteering.

Roy first volunteered at the Museum 50 years ago as Curator. After four years he returned to his engineering roots, overseeing the engineering volunteer team who support the Museum’s Technicians and Apprentices to maintain the aircraft and keep them looking their best. Prior to joining the Museum, Roy served in the RAF for 22 years as Chief Technician, including nine years at RAF Cosford.

On receiving his MBE, RAF Museum Volunteer, Roy Martin said:
‘I was over the moon when I received my letter from Buckingham Palace back in June, informing me I was on The King’s Birthday Honours List. It was a long but exciting wait until October when I was invited to Windsor Castle to receive my medal, accompanied by my wife and our two sons.

It wasn’t until we arrived at the Castle that we were told The Prince of Wales would be awarding my medal at the investiture ceremony. This seemed special, with me being Welsh, and his association with the RAF. He was dressed in his RAF uniform which I thought was very appropriate for the background to my award. He mentioned my 50 years work at the RAF Museum and that he had visited the Museum several times. It was a very sociable, relaxed and enjoyable few moments that I will never forget.

After the ceremony we strolled through the grounds and took lots of family photos. Bits of the day keep coming back in my thoughts – I will never forget what a wonderful experience we had.’

On his time volunteering at the RAF Museum, Roy added:
‘Being involved in the evolution of the RAF Museum over the past 50 years has been an amazing experience. I find it very rewarding when I see the public admiring the exhibit condition maintained by my group of volunteers.’

RAF Museum CEO, Maggie Appleton said:
‘The whole Museum team is absolutely thrilled for Roy. He is a brilliant engineer and problem-solver and, even more important, he supports all of us with his warmth and generosity of spirit. We are so fortunate at the Museum to be blessed with brilliant volunteers, and Roy’s award is a very fitting and much deserved tribute.’

The RAF Museum is open daily from 10.00am and entry is free. For more information visit www.rafmuseum.org/midlands.

Exciting new themes for RIAT24

RIAT F16

The Royal International Air Tattoo will take place on the 19th, 20th and 21st July 2024 and we’re announcing new aircraft themes to fire you up for the next aviation extravaganza.

RIAT24 marks the 50th Anniversary of the F-16 Fighting Falcon’s first flight and RIAT will host a global celebration of this impressive combat jet. Join us to see a fantastic static line-up of Fighting Falcons from around the world as well as spectacular F-16 flying displays.

In addition, our operational theme will be Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space, where we will be highlighting the important work of flight test and evaluation in modern aviation, with aircraft and organisations from around the world, showcasing their latest technological developments.

So, don’t miss out, get your tickets now. Saturday early bird & Friday & Sunday super early bird, still available.

www.airtattoo.com/tickets-packages/

It’s GOLD for the RAF Museum Midlands!

RAF Museum Gold

The RAF Museum Midlands is delighted to announce it has officially achieved the highest accreditation awarded by the VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Quality Assessment Scheme: the Gold Award.

The honours are designed to celebrate excellence within the visitor attraction sector and are available to members of the Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme who represent a wide range of tourism experiences in England.

The RAF Museum is proud to be one of only 30 visitor experiences to receive the highest honour in the 2021-2022 awards, where a total of 97 businesses across the country were recognised for going the extra mile to provide a high-quality day out. Accolades are given for five categories: Welcome, Best Told Story, Quality Food & Drink, Hidden Gem, and Gold for the overall winners.

To achieve the new Gold status, the RAF Museum scored consistently high levels of visitor experience across a wide range of areas, including welcome, catering and orientation, following the annual VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme assessment.

Alan Edwards, RAF Museum Midlands Operations Manager said:
‘We are thrilled to have been presented with the prestigious Gold Award in the VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Accolade 2021-22. It’s hugely gratifying to have this endorsement and recognition of the efforts we make to provide a first-class day out for our visitors. This award will spur us on to continue making improvements to the overall Museum experience, ensuring that we remain a top attraction for many years to come. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our 50th anniversary than with a Gold Award!’

Discover more about the amazing things to see and do at the award-winning Museum at www.rafmuseum.org. The Museum is open daily from 10.00am and admission is free.