Tag: RAF Museum Cosford

Spitfire lands at the Bahrain International Airshow

Spitfire at Bahrain Air Show

Manama, Bahrain: BAE Systems and the RAF Museum will be showcasing an iconic, World War II era Spitfire at Bahrain International Airshow 2014. The aircraft is a piece of aerospace history and is also a reminder of the strong links between Bahrain and Britain which were underlined in the Second World War.

Students from the Gulf Aviation Academy in Bahrain have been working with BAE Systems and the RAF Museum this week to assemble the Spitfire ready for the start of the Airshow. The students were given the opportunity to get a first-hand look at how one of the Second World War’s iconic aircraft is put together and to discover more about how Spitfire featured in Bahrain’s history.

The Supermarine Spitfire remains the iconic British fighter of the Second World War, and Britain was not alone in its fight – Bahrain, through the Fighter Fund, financed the purchase of 10 Spitfires to aid the war effort. These were funded by all sections of the community in the Arabian Gulf. In total, the Fighter Fund raised £50,000 (31,000 BHD) and six Spitfires bore the name Bahrain.

Keith Ifould from the RAF Museum, said: “Spitfire is a true aerospace icon, and it played a key role in the Second World War, so we’re pleased to be working with the BAE Systems and the Gulf Aviation Academy to display a Spitfire at Bahrain International Airshow 2014. The aircraft helped cement a strong spirit of cooperation between Britain and Bahrain which remains to this day, so it’s a great opportunity for Airshow visitors to come and find out about Spitfire and this historical connection between the countries.”

The aircraft was well known for its elliptical wings and the sound of its supercharged Rolls Royce Merlin engine, which can be seen up close at the show. An RAF Museum representative will be on hand to provide insights and anecdotes about Spitfire and its link to the Middle East, as well as the role Gulf Aviation Academy students have played in preparing the aircraft for display at the Bahrain International Airshow.

Spitfire entered service in 1938, with 20,321 Spitfires built over 24 variants and its last operational RAF sortie came in 1954. The actual model on display was originally ordered in June 1943 and built in 1945.

For more information visit www.rafmuseum.org

RAF Museum Cosford Events 2014 Diary Dates

Forthcoming events taking place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford during 2014:

· Half Term Activities – 17th – 21st February

· Shropshire Scale Model Show – 6th April

· Easter Trail – 14th – 25th April

· Bike4Life Fest – 27th April

· Open Cockpits Evening – 10th May **

· Cosford Flights of Fantasy – 17th & 18th May

· Women in Aviation – 26th – 30th May

· National Service (RAF) Association Parade – 1st June

· RAF Cosford Air Show – 8th June **

· D-Day Afternoon Concert – 15th June **

· Armed Forces Day – 28th June

· Large Model Aircraft Rally – 19th & 20th July **

· Cosford Food Festival – 26th & 27th July **

· August Activities – 1st – 31st August

· Gala Ball – 30th August **

· Open Cockpits Evening – 20th September **

· Half Term Activities – 27th – 31st October

· Remembrance Service – 9th November

· Conservation Centre Open Week – 9th – 15th November **

** Admission Charges Apply.

More details on each event will be issued closer to the time. Some events may incur a small participation fee and additional events may be added during the year.

For further information on forthcoming events taking place at the RAF Museum Cosford in 2014, please contact the Museum on 01902 376200 or visit www.rafmuseum.org. Museum is open daily from 10am and admission is FREE of charge.

Festive opening dates at Cosford

RAF Museum Cosford Britannia

FREE admission

If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle this Christmas, why not visit the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford during the festive period? The Museum will be open daily throughout December from 10am apart from Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Not only will you be able to view the award winning National Cold War Exhibition, containing Britain’s three V Bombers Vulcan, Victor and Valiant and other aircraft suspended in flying attitudes, the Museum is also home to the world’s oldest Spitfire and the unique experimental jet TSR2. Plus, now on display is the last surviving Dornier Do 17, recently salvaged from the bottom of the English Channel. Best of all, if your credit cards are maxed out after Christmas, a visit to the Museum won’t cost you a penny as admission is FREE!

So if you’re looking to entertain the children in the run up to Christmas, or your nearest and dearest in the lull before New Year, the RAF Museum has something to occupy visitors of all ages. The fun filled area of Fun ‘n’ Flight will keep the youngsters fascinated, packed with hands on excitement; it’s the easy way to answer all those questions about how aircraft stay up in the air.

Reminisce in the Warplanes Hangar, where you will find a nostalgic wartime living room and garden setting, plus a wide range of historic aircraft including a Hurricane and a Lincoln bomber. If you need a break from all the cooking, why not treat yourself to a warming meal and freshly made cup of Costa Coffee followed by a festive mince pie in our Refuel Restaurant overlooking the Museum grounds.

The Museum will close again on New Year’s Day and will reopen on Thursday 2nd January 2014 from 10am. The Museum’s annual closure week for maintenance, training and cleaning will run from Monday 6th to Friday 10th January 2014. For further information, please call the Royal Air Force Museum on 01902 376200 or visit the Museum website www.rafmuseum.org. The Museum is open daily from 10am and admission is FREE of charge.

Experimental Aircraft Programme now on display at Cosford

EAP at RAF Cosford

Christmas has come early at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford with the arrival of the Experimental Aircraft Programme (EAP) technology demonstrator. This experimental jet helped pave the way for the renowned Eurofighter Typhoon and thanks to support of BAE Systems is now on display to visitors within the Museum’s Test Flight collection.

The EAP, built by BAE Systems predecessor company British Aerospace (BAe), was the most advanced fighter design ever built solely by a UK manufacturer; its purpose being to bring together technologies applicable to future advanced agile aircraft. This twin engine, single seat aircraft of canard delta configuration was designed for close air combat/air superiority and battlefield close air support. EAP incorporated a fly-by-wire control system and featured good supersonic manoeuvrability and a short take-off performance, making it an aircraft way ahead of its time.

During the 1970’s BAe and its predecessors had started studies into a combat aircraft that could replace a number of existing RAF aircraft including the Harrier and the Jaguar. The new aircraft was to be used in a ground attack role but with self defence capability. Originally planned as a partnership between Britain and neighbouring European countries including Germany and Italy, a lack of funding caused them to withdraw from the project and it became entirely funded by the UK Ministry of Defence and the British aviation industry.

EAP was rolled-out at BAe Warton in April 1986 and made its maiden flight in August the same year flown by Test Pilot David (Dave) Eagles, BAe’s Executive Director of Flight Operations. During this initial sortie EAP reached Mach 1.1, faster than the speed of sound. After months of testing the aircraft had attained a maximum speed of Mach 2.0 and investigated or proved some 36 technological developments before going on to perform for crowds at airshows. Four more years of trialling the latest technologies followed before the aircraft conducted its last flight in May 1991, having flown 259 sorties totalling 195.21 flying hours. EAP was capable of attaining speeds in excess of Mach 2 and could fly at angles of attack of over 35 degrees in controlled flight, exceptional even by today’s standards.

The aircraft then spent almost 16 years on display at Loughborough University in the Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering, being used for undergraduate student design appreciation exercises.

After being transported by road to the RAF Museum Cosford in March 2012, EAP remained in storage until late Summer 2013 when it was moved in the Museum’s award winning Michael Beetham Conservation Centre. Following a small amount of conservation work the aircraft has now been placed on display for Museum visitors to enjoy.

Nick Sturgess, Alex Henshaw Curator at RAF Museum Cosford said:

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have the EAP joining our Research and Development Aircraft Collection. Only one EAP was ever built and its importance in aviation cannot be understated. During its flying career as a proof of concept demonstrator (circa 1986-1991) it contributed much to computer controls, advanced aerodynamics and new methods of construction. Many of the concepts that were pioneered and proved by EAP are now in frontline use in the form of the Eurofighter Typhoon, an aircraft that bares more than a passing resemblance to EAP.”

Chris Boardman, Managing Director at BAE Systems said:

“I am delighted that BAE Systems has been able to donate the Experimental Aircraft Programme aircraft to the RAF Museum at Cosford. The EAP was fundamental in developing many of the ground breaking design characteristics and capabilities that we now see in today’s Eurofighter Typhoon. It is only fitting that it should now reside alongside other historic aircraft including Tornado P.02, the Jaguar ACT Demonstrator and TSR2 that have all helped keep Britain at the forefront of military aviation.”

The Museum is open daily from 10am and admission is free of charge. For more information on the Museum, visit www.rafmuseum.org or call 01902 376200.

Dornier 17 Interpretation Zone

Creation of £75,000 Wargaming.net Interpretation Zone for Dornier 17 at RAF Museum’s West Midlands site.

In June the world witnessed the successful project to raise the only known German Dornier Do-17 bomber, from the waters of the Goodwin Sands, three miles off the coast of England.

From October 16th the general public will be able to experience a dynamic new exhibition at its Cosford site which will explore the background of this legendary aircraft and its recovery. The creation of the ‘Wargaming.net Interpretation Zone’ has been funded by Wargaming, an award winning global game publisher and developer.

The grant of £75,000 has allowed the Museum to work with redLoop: the Middlesex University Design and Innovation Centre, to develop new approaches to the display and interpretation of the Dornier as it is conserved. A number of interventions will tell the story of the Dornier, its recovery and conservation – in both the Museum’s physical and digital spaces.

At both sites the public will also be able to see an augmented reality Dornier flying above the Museum, showing the aircraft as it would have been seen in 1940. Visitors will be able to view this through their smart phones via a newly developed app. Additionally exhibits at both sites will display multi-media content – from footage of the Dornier in action in 1940, to film of the recovery operation and the chance to witness the Dornier in action in the Wargaming release World of Warplanes.

The Museum has also tied in with organisations across the globe including the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, The Air Force Museum of New Zealand Museum plus the Pima Air & Space Museum/Arizona Aerospace Foundation to celebrate the launch of the exhibition. Visitors to those Museums will also be able to see the augmented reality Dorniers through their smart phones, hovering in situ.

The exhibition will allow the Museum to develop new education offers focussing on the STEM subjects as well as creating a space where community groups and adult education partners can take part in the Dornier experience. A new dedicated website will also be launched which will the story of the Dornier and its recovery and conservation. The website will showcase the social history behind the Dornier, the forensic science behind its discovery and recovery, archive footage from the Museum as well as user generated content. The website will develop with the Dornier project and function as an innovative hyper textual documentary for the project.

Victor Kislyi Wargaming CEO: “Wargaming is passionate about military history,” said Victor Kislyi, CEO of Wargaming. “When we heard about the effort to recover the Dornier 17, we jumped in to help conserve and exhibit the plane. The new ‘Wargaming.net Dornier 17 Interpretation Zone’ at the RAF Museum opens up new vistas for the display and understanding of military history. Visitors of all ages will be able to interact with history in a way that has not been done before. Through augmented reality and multi-media experiences, the exhibition brings the past alive to tell the story of the Dornier 17, the pilots of 264 Squadron who shot it down, and epic struggle of the Battle of Britain. We are honored to be a part of this ground-breaking exhibition.”

Royal Air Force Museum Director General, Peter Dye: “I am delighted that Wargaming are supporting Museum’s Dornier project by funding the Interpretation Zone. This is innovative project and the support of Wargaming will allow us to tell the story of the aircrafts’ recovery and conservation in an innovative way. Augmented reality, mobile applications and the use user generate content are new developments for the Museum and we are very excited about exploring their possibilities.”

redLoop Director, Dr. Andy Bardill: “Working in partnership with the RAF Museum we have developed a ‘bleeding edge’ approach to interpretation in museum spaces, blending physical and digital experiences throughout the exhibition scheme. This innovative approach will provide new visitor and educational experiences and enable the museum to engage with their audiences both on their museum sites and across the world.”

About Wargaming

Wargaming is an award-winning online game developer and publisher and one of the leaders in the free-to-play MMO market. Founded as a privately held company in 1998, Wargaming has shipped more than 15 titles. Currently, Wargaming is focused on its team-based MMO war series dedicated to the mid-20th century warfare that will include the armored World of Tanks, the flight combat World of Warplanes, and the naval World of Warships. The three intertwined titles will form a common gaming universe integrated within the portal www.wargaming.net

Official website: www.wargaming.com

About redLoop

redLoop is a research-led, innovation and design collaboration centre based within the School of Science and Technology at Middlesex University London.

redLoop brings together research expertise, social and ethical philosophies and commercial experience from across the University and its collaborative networks. This enables us to develop innovative interdisciplinary work areas across a broad range of applied research and commercial scenarios in the product, service, interaction, user-experience and technology sectors.

We have recently completed, and are actively working, on a number of projects that bring together physical objects and spaces, digital systems and applications, and media content to deliver new user experiences and value exchanges between institutions, corporate clients, artists and end-users [visitors, customers, audiences, etc]

Official website: www.redloopdesign.co.uk

www.rafmuseum.org

Experience the virtual skies at Cosford

Saturday 19th October

10.00am to 5.00pm

£10 per person

Experience the virtual skies at the flight simulation event taking place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, Shropshire on Saturday 19th October 2013.

Just Flight and Flight 1, two leading flight simulation software publishers, will be hosting this major gathering in association with PC Pilot magazine to show visitors the very best in desktop flying.

Visitors to the show will be able to fly the latest aircraft, check out the latest flight simulation hardware and chat with leading developers, publishers and other enthusiasts in addition to the many exhibitors at the show.

Home to an impressive collection of aircraft and exhibitions, come along to Flight Sim 2013 at the RAF Museum Cosford this autumn and you’ll be able to experience the best of both the virtual world and the real world of aviation!

Just Flight and Flight 1 guarantee a very warm welcome to all aviation enthusiasts, whether they are veteran desktop pilots, flight simulation novices, or anyone thinking of getting airborne in the virtual skies for the first time.

Entrance to Flight Sim 2013 costs just £10 per person on the day, with free admittance for under 16s accompanied by an adult. For further information on the event visit the show’s website www.flightsimulatorshow.com.

Note from Airscene: For a limited time you can pre-order your tickets for just £6.50 each 😉

Model show set to be a scorcher

RAF Cosford Vulcan Bomber model

20th and 21st July 2013

Gates open 8.30am

With the hot sunny weather looking set to continue into the weekend, organisers of the Large Model Aircraft Rally at Cosford are busy preparing for a scorcher of a show. The event which attracts in excess of 10,000 visitors each year is likely to see numbers soar as modellers and aviation fans from across the country enjoy the sunshine at this air show in miniature.

Taking place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on 20th and 21st July, there is plenty for visitors to sit back and enjoy. The show is jam packed with two full days of flying and will see huge models of some of the world’s most iconic aircraft performing for the crowds over the airfield. Other activities keeping the whole family entertained include a children’s entertainment area and a wide range of trade stalls, selling all the essential modelling equipment you could ever need, plus lots of non-modelling related items.

With temperatures remaining in the high 20’s, organisers are advising visitors to come prepared for the hot weather with plenty of sunscreen and hats. Or why not cool down with an ice cream or a refreshing drink from one of the many on site caterers. For anyone wishing to take a break out of the sunshine, why not peruse the award winning RAF Museum where you can see many of the aircraft on which the models are based. Plus, visitors will have the chance to view the last surviving Dornier 17 recently salvaged from the bottom of the English Channel.

Dave Johnson, Event Organiser says:

“As show organiser, I would like to extend a warm welcome to visitors at this year’s event which is sure to be our biggest model air show ever. We have aircraft, some MEGA LARGE in excess of 20ft including a 1/5th scale Vulcan bomber, plus models coming from as far afield as Germany. With all the other attractions and the great weather forecast, it’s going to be a fantastic weekend.”

For anyone looking to take full advantage of the sunshine, camping slots are available for the weekend, giving you full access to all the weekends action and the opportunity to enjoy a warm summers evening at the RAF Museum, exclusively for this event. On site camping including entrance to the show is only £45.00 for the weekend. Contact Dave Bailey for more details on camping at dave.bailey08@tiscali.co.uk or call 07827 675665.

Tickets on the gate cost just £10 per adult and £8 per senior citizen. This time for the first year, children under the age of 16 are FREE, making this the perfect affordable summer’s day out for the whole family. Gates open at 8.30am and flying starts a 9.00am. Unfortunately, free admission to the Museum is not possible this weekend.

For further information about the show and for on the gate prices, please call the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on 01902 376200 or visit the Museum website at www.rafmuseum.org.

Model aircraft take to the Shropshire skies

Model Aircraft Show RAF Cosford

20th – 21st July 2013

On site camping

Gates open 8.30am

Intricate models of some of the world’s most iconic aircraft will be taking to the skies over Shropshire next month for a weekend of flying entertainment. Model enthusiasts from across the country will travel to the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford for this famous air show in miniature.

Taking place on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st July, the Large Model Aircraft Rally at Cosford is an absolute must see for any aviation enthusiast. Set to be one of Shropshire’s biggest events this Summer, organisers are expecting over 10,000 visitors to attend the two day show. Visitors to this year’s Cosford Air Show will have seen a glimpse of what the event is all about, as members of the Large Model Association performed for the crowds during the morning before the main flying began.

Models flying this year cover the complete spectrum of aviation, including aircraft from the early 1900’s right through to the latest Red Arrows Hawks in miniature. Models range in size from small scale aircraft right through to the huge 1/5th Scale Avro Vulcan with 4 jet turbines, brand new to the show this year. Another first at this year’s event will be a squadron of World War 2 fighters and bombers from Germany, with special pyrotechnic effects recreating a bombing raid.

Alex Medhurst, RAF Museum Cosford General Manager says:

“Many of the models have taken years of dedication to build and apart from the obvious difference in size, they look just like the real thing. The great thing about this event, it’s not just modellers who will enjoy it, other activities keeping the whole family entertained throughout the day include: a children’s entertainment area; trade and food stalls selling everything from modelling equipment to hot snacks and refreshing drinks; plus, access to the Museum where you can see many of the aircraft flown during the show in full size.”

Anyone wishing to attend the event can save money by purchasing tickets in advance at a discounted rate. Advance tickets are on sale at the Museum, priced at just £8 for adults and £7 for senior citizens, saving £2 per person on the gate price and for the first time this year; children under the age of 16 are FREE. Gates open at 8.30am and flying starts a 9.00am.

Exclusively for the Large Model Aircraft Rally, visitors are able to camp on site, meaning you can make the most of the weekend’s flying and activities by being at the centre of all the action. On the Saturday evening there will be entertainment for the campers in the form of an aerobatic glider display with fireworks. On site camping available from Friday 19th to Monday 22nd July, including entrance to the show both days is only £40.00 when booked in advance. Any visitors interested in camping should contact Dave Bailey for more details on 07827 675665 or email dave.bailey08@tiscali.co.uk.

For further information on the event and how to purchase advance tickets, please call the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on 01902 376200 or visit the Museum website at www.rafmuseum.org.

Outdoor concert to hit the right note

6th July 2013Gates open 5.00pm

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford will be staging a ‘Proms in the Park’ concert on 6th July to celebrate the 75th anniversary of RAF Cosford. This spectacular outdoor party will not only feature classic and modern music but also two aerobatic displays and a fireworks pageant that will end the night on a climactic note.

Taking place on Saturday 6th July, this captivating evening of music and entertainment will be staged in the Museum’s grounds under the wings of Cosford’s Hercules aircraft. A giant stage will be erected to accommodate a variety of live musical performances that will include a full Orchestra, Soul band, local Military Wives Choir and an Electric Violinist. The Wessex Concert Orchestra with Soprano will perform a two hour concert for guests who are encouraged to join in the spirit of things and sing along to some well-known numbers including the ever popular ‘Land of Hope and Glory’. Present for the whole evening will be a RAF hot air balloon that will loom large over the stage and provide the perfect backdrop to the evening events

One of the many highlights of the evening will be a full flying display from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Spitfire (weather permitting). Visitors will also enjoy a parachute display from the RAF Falcons, which will see the squad’s members jump from an aircraft to parachute in formation to the ground before attending the concert and meeting with the public. .

In addition to the night’s musical performances and entertainment, there will be refreshments available all evening including a fully licensed bar, hot food and snacks. As this is an outdoor event, attendees are welcome to bring along their own picnic and refreshments. Camping chairs and blankets are highly recommended so guests can sit back and enjoy the show including a spectacular fireworks finale which will conclude the evening’s events at 10.00pm.

The Prom will be raising money for the RAF Benevolent Fund – the RAF’S leading welfare charity and the RAF Museum. The RAF Benevolent Fund has been supporting the RAF family since 1919. The RAF Benevolent Fund is there, through thick and thin, to support RAF personnel and their families, whenever assistance is required no matter whether they are current or ex serving members of the Service. The RAF Benevolent Fund team will also be present on the night and will be happy to answer any questions that guests might have about the great work they do.

Anyone wishing to attend this spectacular evening can purchase tickets online via the Museum’s website www.rafmuseum.org. Tickets are now on sale and are priced at just £20.00 for adults and children under 16 are free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Gates open at 5.00pm with music starting at 5.30pm and the fun continues late into the night.