Tag: RAF

The Royal Air Force Museum and the RAF’s Air Historical Branch are opening their treasured archives to a commercial reproduction service in order to make them more accessible to the public. The service will be formally launched at the Museum on Wednesday 11th March 2009.The RAF Museum and the Air Historical Branch, part of the RAF’s Centre for Air Power Studies, have teamed up with specialist printer Military Library Research Service, to provide an on-demand printing service of rarely-seen archive material held in the Museum and RAF collections.

The Museum’s collections consist of documents and reports, many of a strategic and intelligence nature, such as estimates of German strength in 1940; analyses of key operations and technical manuals.

Each document is painstakingly scanned, checked and, only where necessary, retouched for legibility by MLRS experts. They are printed using the latest in publishing technology.

These unique documents were formerly available only to research visitors on site at the Museum in Hendon, North London. They are used by students, archivists, enthusiasts and researchers from backgrounds as diverse as military academies and family historians. Not only is it a burden on the researcher with opening hours limited to the office day, but many of the popular documents are becoming increasingly fragile through frequent request.

The documents are chosen between MLRS Books and the Museum curator to identify the most popular and interesting titles. A proportion of the revenue from the publishing of Museum holdings is returned to the Museum to help fund vital conservation and cataloguing work

For over sixty years, the RAF’s Air Historical Branch has been producing detailed analytical studies of RAF operations and policy. Many of these studies were originally classified and those relating to the Second World War have been widely used by both official and academic historians to underpin their own work. Under the aegis of the RAF Centre for Air Power Studies [RAF CAPS] and in partnership with MLRS, these studies will now be made available to scholars and the wider public for the very first time. Eventually they will cover nearly every campaign that the RAF undertook in the course of the Second World War. Specialist monographs on weaponry, radar and specialist areas such as maintenance and logistics will also be covered. The campaign ‘narratives’ as they are known will also have new introductions written by the Head of the Air Historical Branch and Co-Director of RAF CAPS, Sebastian Cox, who said,

“By making these high quality studies available we believe we are fulfilling the Centre for Air Power Studies remit to foster a deeper understanding of air power.”

Managing Director of MLRS Books, David Westwood, is delighted to have forged the links with the Royal Air Force archives. He said,

“Many important documents will be available to the general public for the first time in a coherent collection. Anyone can now order a book to read at their leisure and to use as a basis for further research.”

The collection currently consists of an inaugural 60 documents but more are being selected and scanned at a rate of up to 30 per quarter.

Selected editions will be available from the Museum shops and website www.rafmuseumshop.com.

The full collection can be viewed and ordered from www.mlrsbooks.co.uk

The winning images from the Royal Air Force’s Photograph of the Year Competition will be on view to members of the public at the Service’s London Museum from 10th January 2009.Consisting of 12 categories ranging from “The RAF Experience” to “Technical & Engineering”, this exhibition gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse of RAF Personnel at work, rest and play both at home and in the field.

The Royal Air Force trains and employs a large number of photographers who deal with day to day technical and operational photography. Their bread and butter is the recording of aircraft and equipment damage, technical manuals, military incidents and accidents, media work and ground intelligence gathering, as well as administrative work such as photos for ID cards. But as photographers, they also get unique access to their service colleagues and equipment and they bring their creative eye to this environment.

With varying categories for professional and amateur photographers, this annual competition gives Service personnel the opportunity to showcase their talents by encapsulating in a single image the strength, character, dignity and humour of the Royal Air Force.

The reward for the successful photographer is the recognition of their talent with the successful photograph selected from all 12 categories as “PR Photograph of the Year” being used in official communications by the Chief of Air Staff, the highest ranking officer of the Royal Air Force.

Striking images range from the Engineering Category’s “Hot Stuff” to the visually stunning studies of nature in the competition’s Open Category, and the playful images of service personnel interacting with local children in Afghanistan. In total over 60 photographs will be on display in the Museum’s Milestones of Flight Gallery until mid April after which the exhibition will then relocate to the Museum’s Cosford site in Shropshire.

Rebecca Dalley, Group Business Development Manager for the Museum and Competition Judge, stated: “I was highly impressed with the standard of photography. I have long thought that the RAF training for photographers is one of the best around and this was confirmed by the excellent submissions to the competition. Knowing that many of the photographers are operating ‘in theatre’, it was great to see that they were able to take the time to prepare their submissions. There were many moving and well-thought-out images and it was a really hard choice to narrow down to few in each category. I was also delighted to see the excellent amateur photographs which were a credit to their originators. ”

Entry to the Royal Air Force Photographer of the Year Exhibition is free; as is entry and parking to the Museum. The exhibition will be shown daily from 10am to 6pm until April 19th. For further details please visit www.rafmuseum.org/whatson or dial 020 8205 2266.

2008 heralds the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War and the 90th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Air Force. In this, the Royal Air Force’s 90th anniversary year it is fitting that we remember those whose sacrifice throughout the Service’s history have defended our ideals and way of life; as well as those they left behind.‘Lest we forget’ is a poignant and unflinching exhibition that highlights the sacrifices made during human conflict. It invites us to reflect on the loss of the individual and the impact that their departure has on their families and loved ones; whilst exploring the invaluable work of the agencies and support networks that have emerged during the last 90 years to bring practical aid and comfort to those RAF families who have suffered bereavement.

The central theme of the exhibition is the necessity of Remembrance. Synonymous with both World Wars, the act of remembrance is as relevant for families who have lost loved ones, whether civilians or Service personnel, in recent and current conflicts, as it was for our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.

As an act of remembrance visitors are invited to interact with the exhibition by recording their thoughts and feelings on paper ‘bricks’. These will be used to produce a ‘Wall of Remembrance’ in the Museum’s Historic Hangars Gallery. In the run up to Remembrance Sunday members of the public will be able to contribute to our Poppy Collage by dedicating a petal on the 8th and 9th of November, to the memory of the fallen.

The museum is open daily from 10am – 6pm. Entry to the Museum, parking and participation in ‘Lest We Forget’ are all FREE. For further information, please call the Royal Air Force Museum, London on 020 8205 2266 or visit the museum website, www.rafmuseum.org

(24th May – 2nd June 2008)As part of May’s Museums and Galleries Month the Royal Air Force Museum has teamed up with online auction house Top Lots to offer an exclusive experience behind the scenes at the Museum’s Cosford site.

A must for any aviation enthusiast this exclusive day will allow the successful bidder and a guest to witness the ground-breaking conservation and preservation work undertaken by the staff of the Michael Beetham Conservation Centre at the Royal Air Force Museum, Cosford.

Two lucky guests will be able to see the work that goes in to conserving and maintaining historic aircraft in an area not normally open to the public; talk to a conservator about the work that they are undertaking; and take private photography of the workshop.

After a 2 course lunch the successful bidder and their guest will then enjoy a personal tour of the rest of the Museum including the award-winning and visually stunning National Cold War Exhibition before obtaining a souvenir.

Bidding on this lot has commenced, with 80% of the proceeds going directly to the Royal Air Force Museum and 20% to the Association of Independent Museums. The Association of Independent Museums was founded to encourage new standards in the provision of services to users. To place your bid just go to www.toplots.co.uk and select “Steam and Transport”. So why not treat yourself and help raise some money for a world class aviation museum.

Entry to the National Cold War Exhibition at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is free from 10am daily. For further details visit www.rafmuseum.org

A new book produced to coincide with the 65th Anniversary of the legendary Dams Raid uncovers elements of hidden history crucial to the success of 617 Squadron’s attack on the German Dams in May 1943.The book produced for the Royal Air Force Museum by Newsdesk Media Group is titled ‘BREACHING THE GERMAN DAMS – FLYING INTO HISTORY’ and has been written by Robert Owen, the Official Historian of the No. 617 Squadron Aircrew Association, and Richard Morris, author of acclaimed biographies of Wing Commanders Guy Gibson VC and Leonard Cheshire VC. The foreword is by New Zealander, Les Munro, the sole remaining pilot to have taken part in the epic operation.

Seemingly well-documented aspects of the raid come under new scrutiny. Among them are the origins of the spotlight altimeter used to determine the height of 60ft that was critical for the release of the weapon. There is also new evidence about the development of the range-finding bomb-sight and the loading of the weapon on to the aircraft.

Vivid insights into Barnes Wallis, who invented and designed the famous ‘bouncing bomb’ that breached the dam walls, are offered by his daughter, Mary Stopes-Roe, who recalls wartime family life. Appearing for the first time in print, extracts from letters written by Wallis to his wife during the taxing period of the weapon’s development, illustrate his warmth and sense of humour.

Original research also reveals that there were plans to use the bouncing bomb for other purposes – attacking canals and viaducts – and that in 1944, another series of dam-busting operations was planned to assist the Allied offensive in Italy. Despite these aspirations, the weapon was never used again, and as this work describes, surviving stocks were dumped in the Atlantic shortly after the war.

The Dams Raid captured the public’s imagination in 1943 and has endured ever since. It has inspired books, documentaries and a classic film. However, a number of inaccurate assumptions about the operation exist to this day. ‘BREACHING THE GERMAN DAMS – FLYING INTO HISTORY’ takes a detailed look at one of history’s most legendary military operations and uncovers some secrets along the way.

The publication will be launched today, Friday 16 May, at Derwent Reservoir, Derbyshire at the event to mark the 65th Anniversary of the Dams Raid. The event will include a flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster with Tornadoes from 617 Squadron.

The book is now available for purchase exclusively at www.rafmuseumshop.com

(15th May – 15th June 2008)As part of May’s Museums and Galleries Month the Royal Air Force Museum has teamed up with online auction house Top Lots to offer an exclusive experience behind the scenes at the Museum’s Cosford site.

A must for any aviation enthusiast this exclusive day will allow the successful bidder and a guest to witness the ground-breaking conservation and preservation work undertaken by the staff of the Michael Beetham Conservation Centre at the Royal Air Force Museum, Cosford.

Two lucky guests will be able to see the work that goes in to conserving and maintaining historic aircraft in an area not normally open to the public; talk to a conservator about the work that they are undertaking; and take private photography of the workshop.

After a 2 course lunch the successful bidder and their guest will then enjoy a personal tour of the rest of the Museum including the award-winning and visually stunning National Cold War Exhibition before obtaining a souvenir.

Bidding on this lot will commence on 15th May, with 80% of the proceeds going directly to the Royal Air Force Museum and 20% to the Association of Independent Museums. The Association of Independent Museums was founded to encourage new standards in the provision of services to users. To pre-register your interest in bidding for this lot or to learn more about this exclusive experience please go to www.toplots.co.uk and select “Museums and Galleries”.

Entry to the National Cold War Exhibition at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is free from 10am daily. For further details visit www.rafmuseum.org

 

The Royal Air Force Museum is proud to announce its newest exhibit: the prototype Eurofighter Typhoon DA-2/ZH588. The first of its kind to be on display in the UK.The Typhoon was brought in by road on Tuesday 22nd Jan and moved into the Milestones of Flight Exhibition Hall the following day. Engineers from RAF Conningsby and RAF St Athens assembled the aircraft. It is currently on display ‘on the ground’ but will be permanently suspended at the front of the viewing gallery in March.

Aircraft History: EUROFIGHTER DA-2/ZH588

One of seven EF 2000 Development Aircraft (DAs) built by the Eurofighter Partner Companies (EPCs), six of which later formed part of an intensive Flight Test Programme (FTP), as one had been lost in a crash. Built as a single-seat airframe. Although DA2 was completed and ready for flight first, it was the German built DA1 which made the first flight, at Manching, Germany, on 27 March 1994.

14 Aug 93 Rolled out at BAE Warton in two-tone grey colour scheme.

30 Aug 93 First engine runs.

6 Apr 94 First flight, at British Aerospace (now BAE Systems) Warton, Lancs, flown by BAe AirOPs director Chris Yeo, for a 50 minute flight, during which it attained a gentle 287mph at 10,000ft. Photos – Eurofighter Typhoon (Harkins) p.89; Royal Air Force Yearbook 1995 p28.

Fitted with interim RB.199 Mk 104E turbofans as the EJ200 engine was not yet ready for flight testing. This was the first of the British development aircraft, and was later used for flight envelope expansion and carefree handling trials. 575 sorties were scheduled as the aircraft’s test life.

4 May 94 Flown in front of UK Government Ministers and government and industry officials at Warton.

24 May 94 Ninth flight (Pilot John Turner), by the end of which DA2 had accumulated 7 hours 14 minutes flight time, at up to 327-kts (605km/h/376mph) at 7,924m/26,000ft and manoeuvres up to 3.5g. Aircraft then grounded for structural inspection and retrofitted with first software upgrade for flight control and cockpit displays, instrumentation, and associated systems replacing the initial Tornado-style analogue cockpit instruments.

17 May 95 Second phase of development flying commenced with first flight – its tenth – since installation of new software – a 1hr 25 minute evening flight taking off at 18.54, returning at 20.16 following three practice approaches; pilot Chris Yeo, escorted by a Tornado GR.1 chase plane. Completed eight flights 17 May – 8 June.

Diverted to RAF Leeming, Yorkshire on the 13th flight on 24 May due to adverse weather conditions at Warton. Pilot John Turner, EF200 Project Pilot at Warton.

Jun 95 On static display at Paris airshow at Le Bourget, flying in on 9 June (Flight 18, pilot John Turner) and leaving on the evening of 13 June (Flight 19). Photo departing – Air Forces Monthly August 1995 p.17.

15 Jun 95 Flight 20; First supersonic flight by DA2; reached Mach 1.05. Pilot Chris Yeo.

Flights 20, 22 and 23 concerned rapid role manoeuvres and loops.

24 Jun 95 At RAF Leeming for two days with reported fuel leak. Photo at Leeming – Air Forces Monthly August 1995 p.3.

Flights 22 and 23 were on 28 June, entering the loops at 5,000ft, beginning at 300 knots, but slowing to 190 knots.

22/23 Jul 95 Appeared at RIAT Fairford, Gloucestershire for its first public flying demonstration, flying its 31st, 33rd and 34th flights which included further tests – radio communications trials off the south coast of England at 25-30,000ft and engine handling trials on the way back to Warton.

9 Nov 95 Flight 57 – RAF EF 2000 pilot Squadron Leader Simon Dyde flew the aircraft for the first time on a 70 minute sortie from Warton.

31 Dec 95 By this date DA-2 had logged 67 sorties. Most of the development flying was by BAe Eurofighter project pilot John Turner.

25 Jan 96 Photographed at Warton. Air Forces Monthly March 1996 p.2.

28 Aug 96 By this date, DA-2 had made 128 flights; 132 by 30 August.

2- 7 Sep 96 Displayed in flight at Farnborough by Eurofighter Project Pilot John Turner. Photos – Aircraft Illustrated April 1999 p.31; Air Forces Monthly October 1996 pp.32-33, November 1996 p.40.

Nov 96 Following its appearance at Farnborough, the aircraft was taken out of service for routine inspection and maintenance and upgrades, including preparations and software for phase three of the flight expansion trials (carefree handling to evaluate the Flight Control System, refuelling, etc). The updates included the fitting of a spin recovery parachute and gantry as a safety measure to facilitate the Carefree Handling Trials. Trials flown by Craig Penrice, Eurofighter Typhoon Project Pilot.

Nov 97 Involved in ground refuelling trials with an RAF Lockheed Tristar tanker during a detachment to RAF Brize Norton between 10 and 14 November. Photo – Air Forces Monthly January 1998 p.3.

23 Dec 97 Reached design goal speed of mach 2 over the Irish Sea.

12 Jan 98 Involved in first air to air refuelling trials with an RAF VC10 K3 tanker (ZA149). Photos – Harkins p.101; Air Forces Monthly April 1998 p.6.

1998 Grounded and retrofitted with definitive EJ200 powerplant; also given cockpit system upgrades and had a Martin Baker Mk 16A zero – zero ejection seat fitted.

Aug 98 Returned to flight following modification.

1998 Flown in all black scheme at RAF Leuchars.

Sep 98 Flown in formation with the RAF Red Arrows formation team during the opening ceremony for the Farnborough International Air show.

Mar 99 DA-2 completed its ‘baseline configuration’ flutter trials at Mach 1.2 and 750kts Equivalent Air Speed (EAS) as part of the Weapon System Development Programme-this equated to a True air Speed of 800-kts. It had also flown to an altitude of 50,000ft to test the aircraft’s high altitude capability.

Apr 99 Equipped with new ASP (Aircrew services package) DA2 reached an altitude of 50,000ft.

May 99 Conducted ground-carrying trials of various dummy stores intended for the Typhoon. Photos – Harkins p.107.

Jul 00 Flew with 2b2 flight control software installed, as the first of the development aircraft to receive the upgrade.

28 Jul 00 Began series of survey flights for which the aircraft’s skin was covered in 490 pressure transducers, for which it was painted in an all-black colour scheme which hid the sensors and pads.

Jul 00 Shown at Farnborough Airshow, and with DA1, made the first public Typhoon formation flight. Photos – Harkins p.104.

2001 Deployed to RAF Leuchars for airflow measurement trials. Photos – Harkins p.103/105/109. Carried markings of No 43 ‘Fighting Cocks’ Squadron during this deployment.

Other tasks that year included engine re-light trials.

Jan 02 Two Typhoons, DA2 and DA4 were refuelled at the same time in parallel from an RAF tanker aircraft.

7 Apr 02 By this date, the aircraft had made 419 flights, with 374.7 flying hours.

Jul 02 Flown at Farnborough Air Show, including being part of a four-Typhoon display on 23 July-the first time four aircraft had been shown together. Photos – Eurofighter Typhoon (Harkins) p.37/108/173.

2002 Conducted captive flight trials with MBDA ASRAAM air – air missile

Jul 02 The carefree handling trials were completed around this time. They had included fitting an extensive four-missile configuration to clear the Typhoon for Initial operational Clearance.

Followed by Defensive Aids Sub-System trials.

2006 At Warton, DA-2 continuing successful testing of a Towed Decoy in long-lasting flights and a new pilot’s helmet design, fully integrated into the avionics system.

2007 Final flight at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire. Some spares recovery, including engines, for other development batch and RAF aircraft.

c. Nov 07 Dismantled and taken by road from RAF Coningsby to RAF Brize Norton, Oxon for C-17 air portability trials, to be held December 2007.

22 Jan 08 By road to RAFM Hendon for suspended display in Milestones Gallery, moving into the building the following day.

Eurofighter prototype DA1 is also preserved, being with the Deutsches Museum Flugwerft Schleissheim near Munich since March 2007.

Aircraft History, by Andy Simpson

· Royal Air Force Museum, Grahame Park Way, London, NW9 5LL

· Free admission and parking. Nearest tube, Colindale (Northern Line)

· For further information please visit:

· www.rafmuseum.com