Great pre-show ticket sales for this year’s action-packed Battle of Britain Airshow have led to organisers extending the closing date for internet sales.The event takes place at Cotswold Airport this weekend (September 17 and 18) and, as with previous years, all sales of tickets ordered online were due to cease at midnight on the Monday before the event (last night).

However, demand for tickets this year has been so encouraging that organisers have decided to allow those wishing to attend to continue purchasing tickets online (through www.battleofbritainairshow.com) until midnight on Thursday (Sept 15).

Any ordered online before last night’s traditional deadline will be sent via post, but any ordered after will be collectable on the gate on the day they were purchased for.

The Spitfires and Lancaster of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and the Tiger Moths of the Tiger Nine display team are among the star attractions this year.

A Jet Provost T3 will also take to skies and, on the ground, there will be a traditional funfair and dedicated trade village, with greater local participation.

People wishing to attend are encouraged to buy their tickets in advance.

Contingency plans have also been made to cope with larger than usual numbers, as was experienced last year.

Event director Suzannah Harvey said: “We’re delighted with the pre-sales so far and it’s shaping up to be another great year.

“We’ve adopted contingency plans to cope with any demand for extra car parking and are also giving people the chance to buy their tickets online until just two days before the show.

“That way, it helps us gauge exactly how many people are coming. However, we will welcome anyone who makes a snap decision to attend on one of the days too.”

Among the other attractions at the event will be a replica Fokker DR.1 triplane, identical to that flown by the infamous/legendary World War One fighter ace the Red Baron.

It will be joined by an old adversary in the Sopwith triplane, while the RedHawks aerobatic duo, the South Cerney-based Renegades parachute team, an Antonov AN2 and a Bucker Jungmeister will also take to the skies.

Meanwhile, crowds will also be offered the chance to fly in a vintage airliner, courtesy of Classic Flight and its stunning de Havilland Dragon Rapide.

Cotswold Airport-based HH Helicopters will be offering pleasure flights too.

There will also be more than 100 classic vehicles, including around 40 vintage Bentleys, and around 50 military vehicles on display.

Tickets for the event are priced at £15, with children 16 and under admitted free.

As well as the airshow website (www.battleofbritainairshow.com); they are available from The Crown public house, West Market Place, Cirencester; Kemble Village Shop; and from the following Tourist Information Centres: Cheltenham, Chippenham, Cirencester, Corsham, Malmesbury, Stroud, Swindon, Tetbury, Warminster, Bath, Bourton-on-the-Water, Melksham, Trowbridge, Gloucester, Tewkesbury, Witney and Burford.

Local traders are also being offered heavily discounted rates for showground pitches.

For more information on trade stand rates, contact Suzannah Harvey at suzannah@cotswoldairport.com.

An aircraft identical to that flown by the infamous ace German fighter pilot the Red Baron is set to thrill crowds at the Battle of Britain Airshow.The Baron, real name Manfred von Richtofen, was the scourge of allied forces during the First World War and is credited with 80 combat victories.

The last 20 of those aerial duels were carried out in a Fokker Dr.1 Dreidecker triplane, and a replica of the machine will take to the skies at the airshow, which takes place at Cotswold Airport on September 17 and 18.

It will be joined by an old adversary in the Sopwith triplane, as well as iconic aircraft from the Second World War, such as the Spitfires and Lancaster of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF).

Richthofen was eventually shot down and killed near Amiens, France, on April 21, 1918, but his legend has lived on and his aerial prowess has been the subject of numerous films, books and documentaries.

Event operations manager Glen Moreman said: “Although the event clearly commemorates the Battle of Britain, it will be fantastic to see two amazing aircraft from an even earlier era in the skies above the Cotswolds.

“The Red Baron is undoubtedly one of the most famous pilots in history and we’re sure the display of an aircraft identical to the one he flew will really capture the imagination.”

In addition to the triplanes and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Tiger Nine Tiger Moth display team, the RedHawks aerobatic duo, and the South Cerney-based Renegades parachute team will be among the star attractions.

An AN2 and Bucker Jungmeister, will also take to the skies.

Meanwhile, crowds will also be offered the chance to fly in a vintage airliner, courtesy of Classic Flight and its stunning de Havilland Dragon Rapide.

Cotswold Airport-based HH Helicopters will be offering pleasure flights too.

Unlike previous years, when the event was a pure airshow, the 2011 event will also feature a traditional fair, complete with carousel, helter skelter and other rides.

There will also be more than 100 classic vehicles, including around 40 vintage Bentleys, and around 50 military vehicles on display.
Organisers are also inviting local traders to become more involved and use the show to showcase their products and services and create a shopping area featuring the best of local produce.

Event director Suzannah Harvey said: “We’re delighted that more local businesses will be involved this year and showing exactly what the Cotswolds has to offer.

“Of course, the more the merrier, and if anyone still wishes to take part, we would be delighted to hear from them.”

Tickets for the event are priced at £15, with children 16 and under admitted free.

They are available online through the air show website (www.battleofbritainairshow.com); at The Crown public house, West Market Place, Cirencester; Kemble Village Shop; from the following Tourist Information Centres: Cheltenham, Chippenham, Cirencester, Corsham, Malmesbury, Stroud, Swindon, Tetbury, Warminster, Bath, Bourton-on-the-Water, Melksham, Trowbridge, Gloucester, Tewkesbury; and also by telephoning 08712 301 079.

Local traders are also being offered heavily discounted rates for showground pitches.

For more information on trade stand rates, contact Suzannah Harvey at suzannah@cotswoldairport.com.

One of the world’s most famous aircraft will make a nostalgic return to the Cotswolds when a display team takes to the skies at the Battle of Britain Airshow later this month.Nearly every UK-based Tiger Moth was based at RAF Kemble (as Cotswold Airport was formerly known ) at the end of the Second World War.

And a large selection of beautifully-restored examples will return to the site for the show, on September 17 and 18, in the form of the Tiger Nine aerobatic display team.

The team only performs a handful of shows each year, which means airshow crowds will get a rare opportunity to see them at close quarters.

Event operations manager Glen Moreman said: “It will be great to see the team at the airshow and I’m sure that, for some of our older visitors from within the local area, it will be very nostalgic too.

“Most civilian aircraft were compulsorily taken over by the RAF during the war and a large number of Tiger Moths were based at Kemble towards the end of the conflict when they were then sold back for regular use.

“It’s almost certain that most of the Tiger Moths in the Tiger Nine team will have been among those based here and for them to choose the Battle of Britain Airshow as one of the few they perform at throughout the year is fantastic. I’m sure the crowd will love them.”

In addition to the Tiger Nine team, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster) will perform.

There will also be a display by the South Cerney-based Renegades parachute team and the RedHawks aerobatic display team, and an AN2, Chipmunk and Bucker Jungmeister will also take to the skies.

Meanwhile, crowds will also be offered the chance to fly in a vintage airliner, courtesy of Classic Flight and its stunning de Havilland Dragon Rapide.

Cotswold Airport-based HH Helicopters will be offering pleasure flights too.
Unlike previous years, when the event was a pure airshow, the 2011 event will also feature a traditional fair, complete with carousel, helter skelter and other rides.

Organisers are also inviting local traders to become more involved and use the show to showcase their products and services and create a shopping area featuring the best of local produce.

Event director Suzannah Harvey said: “The Cotswolds offer so much and we are really keen to showcase exactly what local businesses and individuals provide.

“We truly want local people to feel part of what we are trying to achieve at the airport and through our events and have been very encouraged by the interest shown so far.”

Tickets for the event are priced at £15, with children 16 and under admitted free.

They are available online through the air show website (www.battleofbritainairshow.com); at The Crown public house, West Market Place, Cirencester; Kemble Village Shop, Windmill Road, Kemble; from the following Tourist Information Centres: Cheltenham, Chippenham, Cirencester, Corsham, Malmesbury, Stroud, Swindon, Tetbury, Warminster, Bath, Bourton-on-the-Water, Melksham, Trowbridge, Gloucester, Tewkesbury; and also by telephoning 08712 301 079.

Local traders are also being offered heavily discounted rates for showground pitches.

For more information on trade stand rates, contact Suzannah Harvey at suzannah@cotswoldairport.com.

The most iconic aircraft of the Second World War will take to the skies in a moving tribute at the Battle of Britain Air Show and festival, at Cotswold Airport.The Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster of the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) are set to play the starring role at this year’s show, on September 17 and 18.

Unlike previous years, when the event was a pure airshow, the 2011 event will also feature a steam fair, complete with carousel, helter skelter and other rides. Organisers are also inviting local traders to become more involved and use the show to showcase their products and services and create a shopping area featuring the best of local produce.

Event director Suzannah Harvey said: “Last year’s event was a sell out and we want to build on that huge success and create a real festival atmosphere.

“As always, we want to ensure the show is a fitting tribute to all those who fought so gallantly for our freedom in the Second World War.

“But we also want local people to become more involved and really feel like an integral part of the event.”

The BoB Airshow will also commemorate the 75th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire and the BBMF are one again set to thrill the crowds.

The flight, based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, serves as a flying tribute to the many courageous pilots, some still in their teens, who took to the skies against an enemy German air force that had vastly superior numbers of aircraft.

Along with Europe’s only flying Lancaster bomber, the flight operates no less than five Supermarine Spitfires of various marks (one of which actually fought in the Battle of Britain), two Hawker Hurricanes and a Dakota.

Other performers will include the Tiger Nine Tiger Moth display team and the South Cerney-based Renegades parachute team.

An AN2, Dragon Rapide and a Chipmunk, representing the airport-based fly2help charity, will also take to the skies.

Event operations manager Glen Moreman said: “It’s always a delight to see the BBMF return to the skies above the Cotswolds and this year’s show has added significance in that it marks a true milestone for the Spitfire.

“We’ve got a beautiful setting here at Cotswold Airport and, because the BoB Airshow will be based on the north side, around the control tower, it gives the event a very intimate and atmospheric feel.”

Cotswold Airport will continue to support the charities fly2help and the RAF Benevolent Fund during the weekend of the show.

Tickets for the event are priced at £15, with children 16 and under admitted free.

They are available online through the air show website (www.battleofbritainairshow.com); from the following Tourist Information Centres: Cheltenham, Chippenham, Cirencester, Corsham, Malmesbury, Stroud, Swindon, Tetbury, Warminster, Bath, Bourton-on-the-Water, Melksham, Trowbridge, Gloucester, Tewkesbury; from The Crown public house, Cirencester; and via telephone 08712 301 079.

Local traders are also being offered heavily discounted rates for showground pitches.

For more information on trade stand rates, contact Suzannah Harvey at suzannah@cotswoldairport.com.

The Airscene Photographer of the Year competition is back once more.

Already the prizes have started coming on, and there are several more offers on the table.

Southampton based military artist Stuart Brown is offering up another copy of his print “Black Hawk – Special Delivery” towards the first prize pot. Stuart has been busy this last year or so working on commissioned pieces for various army regiments and the Air Force – to see more of his work please visit www.skipperpress.com

Ebury Publishing are providing the prizes for the first two themes… Each winner receiving a copy of the “Boys Book of Airfix” (RRP £20) written by Arthur Ward. For those who may be interested but unable to enter this years competition, more information can be found at http://www.eburypublishing.co.uk/viewbook.asp?isbn=0091928982

It has taken a little while to come up with this years themes but I finally did it. The themes are intended to be typical of the work carried out by a magazine photographer, along with a couple of creative themes thrown in for fun. The popular “Digital” and “Old Age” themes from 2008 have been included again this year.

For further information on this years competition and to take part, please visit http://www.airscene.co.uk/competitions.php

I look forward to receiving your entries,

Good Luck,

Ian

The final results for theme 10 “Hover” are now in and the results table is complete. The judges were almost totally unanimous this month; awarding the winner a total of 35 points. This will be slightly disappointing as that 1 extra point would have tied the winner in 3rd place overall.

Congratulations go to Adrian Glazzard who wins a ThinkTANK Pee Wee Pixel Pocket Rocket courtesy of Snapperstuff.With the close of theme 10, comes the close of this competition, and I am please to announce that the Airscene Aviation Photographer of the Year 2008 is:

Neil Darby 179 points

Neil wins the following:

Limited edition print ‘Black Hawk – Special Delivery’ (UK) (value £85) courtesy of Skipper Press (www.skipperpress.com)

Icom Document Bag, Icom hip flask and Icom Swiss Army Knife (UK) (total value around £76) courtesy of Icom UK Ltd (www.icomuk.co.uk)

20″ * 16″ print of any of your submissions + £25 voucher courtesy of Togsprint (www.togsprint.com)

1 x ThinkTANK Photo Lens Drop in Pouch courtesy of Snapperstuff (www.snapperstuff.com)

1 x ThinkTANK Photo Pixel Racing Harness courtesy of Snapperstuff

1 x ThinkTANK Photo Pro Speed Belt courtesy of Snapperstuff

FREE banner advertising on the Uradnet aviation banner network (see below for details) + Showcase on Airscene

2nd place:

Dean Feltimo 178 points

Aviation History by Anne Millbrooke (Jeppesen Publishing) – courtesy of Anne Millbrooke

16″ * 12″ print of any of your submissions + £10 voucher courtesy of Togsprint

1 x ThinkTANK Photo Bum Bag Pouch courtesy of Snapperstuff

FREE banner advertising on the Uradnet aviation banner network + Showcase on Airscene

3rd place:

Ian Hews 146 points

16″ * 12″ print of any of your submissions + £10 voucher courtesy of Togsprint

1 x ThinkTANK Photo Lens Drop in Pouch courtesy of Snapperstuff

FREE banner advertising on the Uradnet aviation banner network + Showcase on Airscene

3 runners up all win FREE banner advertising on the Uradnet aviation banner network + Showcase on Airscene:

Adrian Glazzard 145 points

Simon Thomas 145 points

Gergely Grosz 130 points

I would like finally to thank the wonderful sponsors, without whom this competition would not have been possible.

Theme 9 “The Jet Age” is closed and all results are now in. This one was a tussle between 2 entries really, with Bill Edwards and Dean Feltimo both getting a 1st and 2nd placing from 2 different judges, however Bill came out on top with another of his cracking lowlevel entries and getting himself another 33 points and his 2nd win in this competition. Bill wins a Pee Wee Pixel Pocker Rocket courtesy of Snapperstuff.

Dean Feltimo came in second with 30 points and moves to only 3 points behind the competition leader in what now looks like a bit of a scrap between the two of them. Neil will be a bit disappointed I am sure, as his (almost identical entry) was awarded 8 points less than Deans. Neil and Dean will likely begin celebrating soon, as they will almost certainly scoop 1st and 2nd places between themselves.

Gergely Grosz scored just a single point in this theme – just enough to keep hold of 3rd place for the moment, with 5 entrants hot on his heels and still in with a chance to scoop 3rd place. Gergely could still end up in a draw with Dean Feltimo for 2nd place, but this would take a miracle or two.. with Gergely needing to score maximum points and hoping that Dean scores nil!

So the battle for 1st and 2nd is on, and the battle for 3rd place will sure be interesting. Dont forget though, those not in with a chance of a top 3 place can still win the monthly prize and at the same time provide an interesting spoiler for the scraps at the top.

So the leaderboard now looks like this with just 1 theme left to go:

Neil Darby – 169 points

Dean Feltimo – 166 points

Gergely Grosz – 130 points

Ian Hews – 128 points

Simon Thomas – 124 points

Malcolm Casson – 122 points

Ian Schofield – 116 points

Adrian Glazzard – 110 points

Theme 10 “Hover” is Octobers theme, and another Pee Wee Pixel Pocket Rocket is up for grabs this month. So if you have any photos of Harriers or Helicopters that you have taken and want to cause more upset for the leaders, send in your entry and see how you get on. Note that your entry must not have been taken any earlier than January 1st 2007. Good Luck, and I look forward to receiving your entries.

Theme 8 “aerobatics” is closed and all results are now in. This was a pretty tight affair at the top with the top 3 just a single point away from each other. Scooping this months prize is competition newcomer Chris Harris with 28 points, second with 27 is Darren Chaplin, and my personal favourite of the month came 3rd with 26 points courtesy of Ian Schofield. Chris wins a Pee Wee Pixel Pocker Rocket courtesy of Snapperstuff.A few changes again on the leaderboard as Simon Thomas and gergely Grosz continue their tussle for position only for Dean Feltimo to sneak in behind and position himself in 2nd place. So the leaderboard now looks like this with 2 themes to go:

Neil Darby – 147 points

Dean Feltimo – 136 points

Gergely Grosz – 129 points

Simon Thomas – 117 points

Theme 9 “The Jet Age” is Septembers theme, and another Pee Wee Pixel Pocket Rocket is up for grabs this month. So if you have any photos of jets that you have taken and want to cause more upset for the leaders, send in your entry and see how you get on. Note that your entry must not have been taken any earlier than January 1st 2007. Good Luck, and I look forward to receiving your entries.

Theme 7 “The Public” is now closed and all votes are in. I have had to call in one of my regular Airscene judges as I have been unable to make contact with the planned judge since last week,As this is an aviation photography competition; the themes were picked to try and reflect all aspects of aviation, and I must confess to being a little disappointed that all entries this month were taken at airshows when the theme could have been more widely interpreted.

Despite this there were some outstanding entries, which is evident from the fact that no 2 judges had the same favourites. There could be only one winner though, and this month Robert Scott from Ipswich grabs the prize, after netting a total of 31 points with his entry.

Dean Feltimo almost scooped up his 3rd prize in this competition with 30 points, whilst Ian Hews and Simon Thomas came in joint 3rd with 23 points.

The leaderboard now stands as follows:

Neil Darby 144 points

Gergely Grosz 119 points

Dean Feltimo 114 points

Simon Thomas 114 points

With 108 points still up for grabs over the next 3 themes anything can happen, however it will require a special effort to grab the top slot from Neil Darby who has been in the top 3 four times, and scored at least 10 points in each theme so far – talk about consistency!

Another Pee Wee Pixel Pocket Rocket up for grabs this month courtesy of Snapperstuff in them 8 “Aerobatics”, so even if you are new to the competition and cant get to the prize positions, why not try and take this prize away from the leaders? I look forward to your entries…

Hi all,

The final set of results are now in for theme 6 “In Control” and for the first time in this competition our winner has run off with maximum 36 points. Congratultions go to Dean Feltimo of Maidenhead for his win, which also makes him our first winner to win 2 monthly prizes.

The judges had quite a job to do this month due to the sheer variety of interpretations, and I made sure I pushed the judges to base their voting on theme interpretation along with image quality.

In trying to keep variety, theme 7 is entitled “The Public” – this could be Airshow crowd shots, individuals, or waiting in a queue of cars, or perhaps even an airport terminal crowd shot. You may even come up with some ideas of your own, but this is going to be tough and snap shots simply will not do!

The prize for this theme is ThinkTANK Photo Pee Wee Pixel Pocket Rocket courtesy of Snapperstuff Ltd. If you think you are good enough… Good Luck, and I look forward to your entries.