Date: 6 October 2018
Time: 9.30am to 5:00pm
Cost: £8 in advance (includes goody bag) / £10 on the day. Free entry for under-16s when accompanied by a paying adult

Aviation fans can experience the best that virtual flight has to offer this autumn when the Flight Sim 2018 event, hosted by Just Flight, takes place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on Saturday 6 October.

The Museum will be hosting this major one-day event for the sixth consecutive year and once again will be giving flight simulation enthusiasts a chance to try some of the very latest aircraft and other software. Visitors can view new technology from specialist flight sim PC and cockpit equipment builders, have a chat with developers, publishers and fellow virtual aviators – and no doubt pick up a bargain or two!

More than 30 exhibitors have already confirmed their attendance, with more expected to follow, and a full day of presentations is scheduled in the adjoining auditorium. Leading companies in flight simulation, including Laminar Research, Orbx, Aerosoft and Infinite Flight are all confirmed to attend the popular show.

Flight Sim ticket holders will enjoy the very best of both the virtual and the real worlds of aviation in the same venue, as entrance to the RAF Museum is free. Suitable for new and veteran desktop pilots alike, the show will run from 9.30am until 5.00pm, giving aviation enthusiasts plenty of time to find out more about life in the virtual skies.

Tickets for Flight Sim 2018 are now on sale, save money by booking in advance for just £8 via the shows website. Entry for children under 16 is free of charge when accompanied by a paying adult. Visit www.flightsimshow.com for all the show details.

Saturday 14th October 2017

The next Newark Air Museum Indoor Aeroboot / Aerojumble Sale at the museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire takes place on Saturday 14th October 2017. This charity fund raising event has attracted interest from a wide range of sellers and once again is heading towards being a sell-out event.

The funds that the museum raises from organising the event will be used to support the Project Panini (Mod) fund raising campaign to build new Café & Toilet facilities at the museum, which is located in eastern Nottinghamshire close to the Lincolnshire border.

Around 50 tables, featuring a host of different sellers, who come from around the UK will be arranged amongst the aircraft in Display Hangar 2 at the museum.

Buyers / visitors who attend this fund raising event will have the opportunity to search through a varied selection of aviation and avionic items: including books, paintings, prints, DVDs, plastic kits, die-cast models, clothing, radio equipment and aircraft parts. Regular updates / seller’s information are being posted on the news page of the museum website www.newarkairmuseum.org

Buyers / visitors at this event will be able to access the museum site on Saturday 14th October, 2017 at a special discounted admission price of just £4.50 per person.

The museum opening times will be 09.00 to 17.00 hours; with the sale taking place between 09.00 and 14.00 hours; to get the best bargains we suggest that you get there early.

Further details are available on the Events Page of the museum website www.newarkairmuseum.org or by telephoning 01636 707170.

Date: 7 October 2017
Time: 9:30am to 5:00pm
Cost: £8 in advance / £10 on the door

Aviation fans can experience the virtual skies in Shropshire next month as the Flight Sim 2017 event heads to the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford for a fifth consecutive year. Taking place on Saturday 7 October, aviation enthusiasts will enjoy a day packed with all the latest flight simulation software and the chance to test out their virtual flying skills.

After four very successful shows held at the RAF Museum, the UK’s largest Flight Sim show will be returning to Cosford for an even bigger and better event. Just Flight, one of the UK’s 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. Building on the success of previous events, organisers are anticipating in excess of 1,500 visitors will attend the one day show.

With 34 exhibitors at this year’s event, visitors will be able to get hands on and fly the latest flight simulation aircraft, preview ‘in development’ projects, check out the latest hardware and chat with leading developers, publishers and other enthusiasts. The line-up also includes nine brand new exhibitors who will be joining the show for the first time this year.

This show will take place in the Museum’s Hangar 1 from 10am until 5pm, giving visitors plenty of time to enjoy the wide range of entertainment on offer. So whether you’re a veteran desktop pilot, flight simulation novice, or someone thinking of getting airborne in the virtual skies for the first time, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Visitors attending the Flight Sim 2017 event this autumn will experience the best of both, the virtual world and the real world of aviation, as they explore the world class collection of aircraft and exhibitions on display at the RAF Museum Cosford.

Advance tickets for Flight Sim 2017 are now on sale online for just £8 per person and can be purchased up until 5 October, with free entry for under 16s accompanied by an adult. Advanced ticket holders will also receive a free goody bag on arrival!

Tickets purchased on the day cost £10 per person. For further information on the event or to purchase your tickets in advance, please visit the show’s website www.flightsimshow.com.

To cope with the additional visitors, a free park and ride will operate from Cosford train station with regular pickups throughout the day. Entry to the Museum is free of charge and on-site parking is available (charges apply). Entry into Hangar 1 on Saturday 7 October will be for Flight Sim 2017 ticket holders only.

The inaugural Scampton Airshow has been hailed by organisers as a huge success with more than 50,000 people attending the event at RAF Scampton over the weekend. In total, 104 aircraft took part in the airshow, 41 in the flying display and 63 in the static line-up.

Aerial highlights included a display by a civilian Boeing 727, an oil spill response aircraft which demonstrated its environmental capabilities by dramatically spraying the runway with water. There was also a special joint flypast by the Reds and an RAF Sentinel.

On the Saturday, visitors were treated to an evocative and moving display by the BBMF Lancaster which was joined by a Spitfire and Hurricane. On Sunday, a US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker from the New Hampshire Air National Guard performed a special flypast from its deployed base at Geilenkirchen, in Germany. The airshow climaxed on both days with a dynamic Typhoon display, performed by Flt Lt Ryan Lawton from 29 Sqn based at nearby RAF Coningsby.

International participation included stunning fast jet displays by a French Alpha Jet and Belgian F-16 which raised both decibel levels and pulses around the airshow to the delight of the many visitors.

On the ground, visitors could view seldom seen gems provided by Scampton-based Hawker Hunter Aviation including a Sukhoi Su-22M4, a Buccaneer and a former Luftwaffe F-4F Phantom. They were joined by a quartet of rare visitors from the Swedish AF Historic Flight.

Guests who attended the airshow included the Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach; Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier and the last surviving British member of the legendary Dambusters Raid, 95-year-old George ‘Johnny’ Johnson.

Other special guests included the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Toby Dennis; Gainsborough MP, Sir Edward Leigh; the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Andrew Clark and Lincolnshire County Council CEO Tony McArdle. Representing Northrop Grumman, the airshow’s title sponsor, was John Parker, Sector Vice President, GM Technical Services.
The Scampton Airshow was particularly poignant for Squadron Leader Mike Ling, who performed his last UK commentary as a member of the Red Arrows, having joined the aerobatic display team in 2008. He said: “It’s been an amazing experience.”

The event’s emergency services team said there were very few incidents reported over the weekend.

Scampton Airshow Chief Executive Andy Armstrong said the event’s success had exceeded his expectations.

He said: “Launching a new airshow involves a huge amount of planning and I must pay tribute to the many agencies that have come together to deliver a very safe and successful event. We had our fair share of sunshine amongst a few short showers but this failed to dampen the spirits of our very enthusiastic and supportive visitors. It was great to see so many people enjoying themselves over the weekend.”

www.scamptonairshow.com

As thousands gathered for what could be summer’s last shout, the 10th Bournemouth Air Festival presented three full days of fantastic action in the air, on the ground and at sea. Taking place from 31 August – 3 September, this year’s festival featured a wide range of displays from WWII fighters and fast jets to parachute jumpers and wingwalkers. And it wasn’t just the daytime flying that wowed the crowds – dusk displays, pyrotechnics and live music meant that families could enjoy the action well into the evening. In celebration of 10 years, the award-winning event took on a very vintage feel – with historic aircraft across the weekend and culminating in a display of classic cars on the East Overcliff..

Now in its 10th year the event is stronger than ever with its value to the local economy estimated at more than £31million per year supporting 500 full time jobs. Records were broken with more than 15,000 ice creams sold in one day, an estimated 1,020 boats in the bay recorded by HM coastguard and approx 450,000 festival goers who attended ‘Super Saturday’.

Mark Smith, Director of Tourism for Bournemouth, said: “The enduring success of the BAF is down to three things, having the world’s finest display arena, the amazing talents of the pilots and display teams and the wonderful support of the Armed Forces.

Despite a few scattered showers on the first day, all programmed displays took place as aircraft fans welcomed back festival favourites including the Blades, the Royal Air Force Chinook Display Team and aerobatic pilot, Gerald Cooper. Day one signed off in style with a performance from HM RM Band Collingwood in the Lower Gardens’ bandstand and live music on the beach.

Friday’s glorious dawn heralded a meet and greet with the RAF Red Arrows, who – thanks to sponsorship from Morgan Sindall – performed their awe-inspiring display every day except Sunday. Squadron Leader Mike Ling, Red 10, said: “The Red Arrows always feel at home in Bournemouth, we have such an affinity with the event and it’s been a privilege to take part in each of the ten festivals.”

The hot weather continued into Saturday, providing breath-taking views across the bay and the perfect backdrop for spectacular feats of derring-do. Firm friends of the festival the Tigers Parachute Display Team were back once again diving onto Bournemouth’s golden sands from knee-trembling heights and a solo Breitling Wingwalker limbered and flexed through the clear blue skies.

As well as the popular Red Arrows, high speed fun continued with jets including the MIG, Vampire Pair, Strikemasters and, back for the first time since 2009, the Russian Yakovlevs performed tandem twists and turns above the sparkling sea.

Dusk displays returned for another year with the Twister Duo, Otto the Helicopter and the Red Devils Parachute Regiment performed magical pyrotechnic displays against the weekend’s clear moonlit skies. Live music stages starring tribute acts and party bands, as well as children’s entertainment in the Lower Gardens and fireworks in the bay, completed the 2017 Night Air programme.

The forecast rain and high winds eventually set in on the final day but didn’t dampen the festival feel. The Royal Navy carried out their final amphibious beach assault demonstration and those who braved the weather, saw a selection of classic motors on the East Overcliff.

Although Sunday’s flying programme was cancelled, the spirit of the wartime tribute had already been honoured with a huge variety of historic aircraft across the weekend.

Hordes of enthusiasts had already seen a Hurricane, Spitfire, P-51 Mustang, the ever-popular Sally B and a Blenheim featured in recent Hollywood blockbuster, Dunkirk. The Great War Display Team also put on a magnificent show in their flying machines on both Saturday and Sunday.

As ever, armed forces support for Bournemouth’s biggest event was evident with military personnel and assets across the resort. The Royal Marine reservists’ impressive amphibious beach assault demonstrations were supported by the Royal Navy’s Primary Aviation Training Ship and Primary Casualty Receiving Facility (PCRF) RFA Argus, as well as Hawk jets and a Wildcat attack helicopter. The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Collingwood also performed musical extravaganza, the Beat Retreat sunset ceremony, on the East Overcliff.

Overseeing his last BAF before retiring from the Navy after a 48-year career, Commodore Miller Royal Navy Regional Commander said: “I leave this role as Naval Regional Commander since 2004 with a legacy of which I’m proud.

“This major high profile event in Bournemouth is an important national public occasion for the Navy. It gives us, in uniform, the chance to tell the public what we do and why.

“It’s so rewarding to be appreciated, especially by the people of Bournemouth and others. When the chips are down and we’re at war for instance, this feeling gives us a morale boost and fortifies us knowing we are being supported back home.”

Bournemouth Air Festival is back again next year and dates are 30 August – 2 September 2018.

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

A rare example of a Handley Page Hampden being restored at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is making huge steps towards completion of the fuselage section.   As one of the Museum’s longest running conservation projects, the aircraft is starting to take shape now thanks to one of the museum’s skilled Aircraft Technicians who is building a large section of the aircraft from scratch!

The museums Hampden, serial number P1344 is one of only three examples of the type remaining and was recovered from a crash site in northern Russia in 1991 and acquired by the RAF Museum the following year.  Restoration on the badly damaged airframe has been a slow labour of love for the team at Cosford, but since it was taken under the wings of full time Aircraft Technician Dave Carr 18 months ago, the project has been propelled and the unmistakable Hampden silhouette can now easily be recognised.  

With the project now stepped up a gear, visitors who viewed it during last year’s open week just ten months ago will remember seeing the tailplane assembly, a predominantly new build manufactured on site at Cosford.  The Hampden’s salvaged fin and rudder parts were fully restored and with little else of the original tailplane remaining following the aircrafts crash landing, Dave used pre-production drawings and built formers to create the components he needed including a new elevator.  Following the build, the rudders received a new covering of Irish linen and the tailplane assembly was given a new coat of paint in its initial Bomber Command camouflage colour scheme; the assembly was well received by aviation fans who visited during the open week last November. 

Eagle eyed visitors will have also noticed that work had just started on the forward fuselage and the beginning of the frame work was starting to take shape.  Since then Dave has focussed his efforts on the forward fuselage and cockpit section and in just twelve months the section is now almost 75% complete and is estimated to be fully manufactured by Spring 2017.  Work on this section began with creating formers and building the entire framework from scratch.  Some components including instrument panels, seat mounting and windscreen frames have also been produced and fitted. Castings and a few components from P1344 have been restored and fitted to the newly built forward fuselage and work is now underway skinning the section.

The entire new section has been assembled using original Handley Page pre-production drawings from the late 1930s and where possible, measurements taken from the partial wreckage remaining from the original aircraft.   As the build procedure for the Hampden is not documented on any of the original drawings, the build has required a lot of forward thinking to ensure components were fitted in the correct order, as not to cause complications further down the line. 

RAF Museum Aircraft Technician, Dave Carr said:

“I have worked at the RAF Museum for over 18 years and this has by far been the biggest project I have worked on from a scratch build point of view; usually we are conserving and repairing aircraft. Because I don’t have a build procedure, I always have to work about five steps forward to ensure the correct components are fitted before the aircraft is skinned i.e. anchor nuts, brackets etc. It is being constructed as accurately as possible, although there will be some subtle differences as I’ve had to manufacture with hand tools and limited machinery, rather than the original factory machinery which doesn’t exist anymore. It’s very rewarding and motivating to see the aircraft coming together.”

The lower forward frame work is still to be complete as well as frame work for the nose section followed by the instillation of electrical and hydraulic components.  An original Hampden seat salvaged from a crashed Hampden in Patricia Bay, Vancouver will also be incorporated into the new cockpit.  Once complete, the next phase will see the new section programmed into the museums paint shop where it will undergo a full re spray to match the tailplane.

All effort on the aircraft is going into manufacturing the fuselage section which is hoped will be completed sometime in 2018.

Visitors to the museum will be able to view the continuing progress on the Hampden during the Conservation Centre Open Week from14-19 November.  By November it is hoped that the lower longerons will have been manufactured and fitted to the forward fuselage so visitors will see an almost fully complete frame.  Work is also continuing on the rear fuselage repairing damage caused during its crash landing.  The Conservation Centre will open between 10.15am and 1.00pm each day and admission is £5.00 per person (children under 16 are free and must be accompanied by an adult).

The Museum’s other hangars will be open from 10am until 5pm and entry to the museums is free of charge.  For further information, please visit the museum’s website www.rafmuseum.org/cosford or call 01902 376200.

Saturday 15^th October 2016

The next Newark Air Museum Indoor Aeroboot / Aerojumble Sale at the museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire takes place on Saturday 15^th October 2016. This charity fund raising event has attracted interest from a wide range of sellers and once again looks set to be a sell-out event.

The funds that the museum raises from organising the event will be used to support the Project Panini (Mod) fund raising campaign to build new Café & Toilet facilities at the museum, which is located in eastern Nottinghamshire close to the Lincolnshire border.

Around 45 tables, featuring a host of different sellers, who come from around the UK will be arranged amongst the aircraft in Display Hangar 2 at the museum.

Buyers / visitors who attend this fund raising event will have the opportunity to search through a varied selection of aviation and avionic items: including books, paintings, prints, DVDs, plastic kits, die-cast models, clothing, radio equipment and aircraft parts. Regular updates / sellers information are being posted on the news page of the museum website www.newarkairmuseum.org

Buyers / visitors at this event will be able to access the museum site on Saturday 15^th October, 2016 at a special discounted admission price of just £5.00 per person.

The museum opening times will be 09.00 to 17.00 hours; with the sale taking place between 09.00 and 14.00 hours; to get the best bargains we suggest that you get there early.

Further details are available on the Events Page of the museum website www.newarkairmuseum.org or by telephoning 01636 707170.

Relive the thrills, buzz and excitement of the 2016 Royal International Air Tattoo with the airshow’s officialsouvenir DVD and special Collector’s Editiondue to hit the shelves soon.

Expertly shot in high definition and ultra-high 4K resolution by aviation film specialistsPlanesTV, the Air Tattoo DVD includes in-cockpit footage, behind-the-scenes features and pilot interviews alongside coverage of the extensive flying display, arrivals and departures.

All the highlights from the world’s biggest military airshow have been captured including the show-stopping international display debut of the F-35B, whose manoeuvrability and hovering capabilities were demonstrated for the first time to a UK audience by RAF test pilot Squadron Leader Hugh Nichols. The aircraft also appears in an iconic joint flypast with the Red Arrows and two RAF Typhoons, which provided a dramatic demonstration of UK airpower to the Air Tattoo’s sell-out crowd.

The final ever display by French Air Force display team Ramex Delta also features as does the Croatian Air Force’s aerobatic display team KrilaOluje (Wings of Storm), who became the first participants from the country to appear at the airshow.

Viewers will be able to experience a pilot’s eye view thanks to extensivecockpit footage captured during thrilling aerial displays by aircraft such as the RAF Typhoon, Strikemaster, Solo Turk, the Polish MiG-29 as well asF-16s from Belgium, Greece and Poland.

In addition to the main programme, there’s a further two hours of special features including an extended look at the F-35, the Air Cadets’ 75th Anniversary celebrations and in-cockpit features with running pilot commentary.

Also featured on the DVD is the first official engagement for two-year-old Prince George, who attended the airshow with his parents, Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The visit saw the Royal trio meet the Red Arrows and sit in a Squirrel helicopter, the same aircraft the Duke trained on whilst based at RAF Shawbury.

Sold in support of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, the official Royal International Air Tattoo 2016Official Souvenir DVD is priced £20 (Blu-ray, £25). The two-disc Collector’s Edition DVD, featuring anadditional two hours of special features including extended in-cockpit action, and full coverage of arrivals and departures, is priced £30 (Blu-ray, £35).

A must-buy for aviation fans of all ages, the official Air Tattoo 2016 official souvenir discscan be pre-ordered from www.airtattoo.com.

THERE will be a distinct American flavour at next summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford as it pays a special tribute to one of the world’s largest air forces on its 70th anniversary.

The airshow, which takes place on July 14-16, will showcase the wide range of operational roles performed by the US Air Force (USAF) as well as the strong relationship it enjoys with the Royal Air Force and its other NATO allies.

Over the years the Air Tattoo has staged memorable celebrations marking significant USAF anniversaries, most notably in 1997 when the stealthy B-2 bomber made its first ever landing in the UK and in 2007, with the hugely popular appearance of the USAF Thunderbirds aerobatic display team.

Super Earlybird admission tickets for next summer’s airshow go on sale this week for a limited period.

The £29 cost of a Friday ticket has been frozen at this year’s price whilst the Saturday and Sunday Super Earlybird ticket, priced at £42,represents a saving of almost 25 per cent on the cost of a standard admission ticket. They will be available until January 31, 2017.

The Air Tattoo’s close relationship with the US Air Force stretches back to 1973 when the Americans provided the airshow with a home, first at RAF Greenham Common, and then, in 1985, at RAF Fairford.

Air Tattoo Chief Executive Andy Armstrong said: “Where better to stage an international celebration of the US Air Force on its 70th anniversary than at a USAF base that happens to be the home of the world’s biggest and most exciting military airshow. I’m confident that once again the airshow will be a sell-out success so I urge people to buy before February and avoid paying top dollar!”

The Royal International Air Tattoo is staged annually at RAF Fairford in support of the RAF Charitable Trust. To purchase Super Earlybird admission tickets and to view enclosure options, visit www.airtattoo.com. All accompanied under-16s are admitted free of charge. Free parking.

Following the sell-out success of last summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in the Cotswolds, organisers say the 2016 airshow will be looking to the future – with the focus set firmly on the pilots, aircraft and technology of tomorrow.

Details of the theme The Next Generation: Inspiring Innovationwere announced as specially-priced tickets for the three-day airshow, which takes place on July 8-10, went on sale this week for a limited period.

Super Earlybird admission tickets, priced at £29 for the Friday and £39for Saturday and Sunday will beavailable until January 31, 2016. The prices represent a saving of more than 20 per cent off the cost of a standard admission ticket. All under-16s are admitted free of charge.

Visitors can expect to see cutting-edge aircraft technology on display both in the air and on the showground featuring fast jets, multi-engine transporters, helicopters and surveillance platforms as well as the world’s greatest international aerobatic display teams.

In seeking to provide inspiration to the next generationand in keeping with its commitment to youth, Air Tattoo organisers are planning to stage official celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the Air Cadet Organisation. They will also be building on the success of the airshow’scritically-acclaimed Techno Zone and will offer even more children the opportunity to participate in the hugely popular Schools Engineering Challenge.

Air Tattoo Chief Executive Andy Armstrong said the airshow was the perfect place to present a vision of the future of aviation as well as the technology that underpins it.

He said: “Our eight-hour flying programme, large static aircraft park and interactive showground zones provide a dynamic and entertaining environment that consistently engages and challenges young minds.Where better to fire the imagination of the next generation of engineers, scientists and aviators?”

The Royal International Air Tattoo is staged annually at RAF Fairford in support of the RAF Charitable Trust. To purchase Super Earlybird admission tickets and to view enclosure options, visit www.airtattoo.com. Free parking.