The Royal Air Force Museum have announced an exciting new campaign which offers members of the public the opportunity to have their name written on the wings of an RAF Red Arrows Hawk Jet that will fly throughout the Red Arrows’ 2017 display season.

For one spectacular season of air shows and celebrations, the underside of one of the Red Arrow’s Hawk Jets will display names chosen by members of the public who have contributed to this unique campaign. From a donation of just £30, these can be the names of the people themselves, or dedications to friends and relatives.

The ‘Names on a Plane’ campaign will raise funds for the Museum’s RAF Centenary Programme. 2018 marks the centenary of the Royal Air Force. The award-winning RAF Museum will celebrate and commemorate this anniversary through a major transformation of its visitor experience, sharing the RAF story on site and online.

RAF Museum CEO Maggie Appleton MBE said: “This is a fantastic chance for the public to be part of the RAF’s history and to receive something unique in return for their support. The Museum is looking forward to transforming itself in time for the 2018 anniversary to make us more accessible, engaging and up to date.”

Squadron Leader David Montenegro, Red 1 and Team Leader of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, said: “Through the Names on a Plane campaign, thousands of people will be joining us as the Red Arrows fly in 2017, displaying to millions of people.

“On each of these occasions, the team aims to showcase the excellence of the Royal Air Force and, as we approach the Centenary of the Service in 2018, we are especially delighted to be supporting the RAF Museum.

“The Museum’s Centenary Programme will transform its London site, providing an enduring legacy for the Royal Air Force.

“This development will help to tell the story of the Royal Air Force and the vital roles the Service continues to provide, such as securing the skies of the United Kingdom, every hour of the day, 365-days a year.”

Five naming packages are available ranging from £30 – £25,000. Supporters will also receive:

– A thank you and a commemorative RAF ‘bluey’ (specially made airmail letters for sending to and from the Forces)

– Updates during the flying season with an app to follow your name on the plane

– Name acknowledged at the Museum’s redeveloped site in 2018

The appeal will officially run from April until September 2016, with the ‘Names on a Plane’ appearing on a Red Arrow Hawk throughout their 2017 display season. For more information visit www.namesonaplane.org

Calendar competition sponsor Terry Jones has released 2 Commemorative Red Arrows print specials.

The first is a tribute to Flt Lt Jon Egging, who died tragically at last years Bournemouth Air Festival, after guiding his stricken jet away from residential properties. All proceeds go to the Jon Egging trust, set up by proud wife Emma to support young people under-achieving in the formal education system by linking them to inspirational people and evironments connected to aviaion.

The second is dedicated to Flt Lt Sean Cunningham who was killed 2 months on in an ejector seat accident whilst still on the ground. Proceeds from the sale of this print will go to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.

To purchase either of these prints please visit http://www.terryjones-art.co.uk.

The Airscene 2013 Airshow Calendar Competition has just got even better with the chance for the overall winner to spend a day with a friend at the home of The Red Arrows. Airscene is delighted to have secured this amazing prize, for which the waiting list is currently between 2 and 3 years.

To see what a day with The Reds would involve, see Dave Briers February report when Airscene was invited to pop along and spend the day…. http://www.airscene.co.uk/A%20Day%20with%20the%20Red%20Arrows.pdf

In addition the Red Arrows are offering 2 limited edition signed prints as Runners Up prizes – which will be detailed once we know more.

The Airscene 2013 Calendar Competition is now open for early entries (e.g. those taken during the 2011 airshow season). For rules, full prize table and to enter please visit http://www.airscene.co.uk/competitions/2013calendar.php

Good Luck.

Airscene were recently invited to spend a day with the world famous Red Arrows display team.As editor, I of course jumped at the chance, unfortunately my full time day job as a civil servant meant I couldn’t take up the offer myself.

So instead I passed over the invite to one of my intrepid front line airshow reviewers – Dave Briers.

Dave spent this wednesday with the Reds at RAF Scampton – observing the pre-flight briefing, watching the team practice and indulged in his favourite past-time… photography.

Dave’s full report on the day can be viewed here… http://www.airscene.co.uk/a%20day%20with%20the%20red%20arrows.pdf

As a famous brand of lager might say – probably the best airshow in the world!