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At a glittering Charity Champions Awards 2008 ceremony at Millbank, Westminster, London, the Rt. Hon Rosie Winterton MP, Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber, won the prestigious Culture & Heritage Award for her support of the Yorkshire Air Museum and Royal Aeronatutical Society’s schools educational publication “Reach for the Sky”.Nominations were made by these and other charities, who wished to acknowledge the support of MPs to their projects and voting was undertaken by all UK MPs.

The new book, which has been carefully designed to fit into the National Curriculum Key Stage 2 and recent government guidelines, was issued free to all 26,000 primary schools in Britain this month. In accepting the award from top celebrity Esther Rantzen at the ceremony, Rosie Winterton said: “It has been a real pleasure to be involved with this worthwhile project which has been undertaken by these two charities.”

Yorkshire Air Museum Director Ian Reed, speaking at the ceremony in London, said they were delighted that Rosie had won the award which demonstrated her real support to the project, which she officially launched in London in June this year.

“We couldn’t have done it without her”, he said. “Aviation is Britain’s second largest manufacturing industry, employing over 260,000 people, and this country remains at the forefront of aerospace design and technology. It is important that this is reflected in the teaching and enthusing of our young children.”

Mr Reed also praised the support of Yorkshire Forward, British Airways, Virgin Galactic and EADS Astrium (European Aerospace Defence & Space Company) in this project.

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The Yorkshire Air Museum & Allied Air Forces Memorial is celebrating today after receiving confirmation of a substantial Heritage Lottery Fund grant towards its new ‘Aviation Pioneers’ exhibition.Ian Reed, Museum Director, comments: “This funding will, at long last, enable the wonderful stories of these world-famous Yorkshire based pioneers to be told in a thoroughly modern and interactive way for all ages, using historic artefacts alongside the latest computer and display technology”.

“Aviation Pioneers” will cover the work and discoveries of the world renowned “Father of Aeronautics”, Sir George Cayley of Brompton near Scarborough; Sir Barnes Wallis, designer of the R100 airship at Howden and his deputy, Nevil ‘Shute’ Norway, author and York based aircraft manufacturer, plus world-record aviator Amy Johnson from Hull and famous Leeds based aircraft manufacturer Robert Blackburn.

The exhibition will be of national importance, reflecting the growing reputation of the Museum within British aviation heritage. There has not been a major, permanent exhibition encompassing Yorkshire’s pivotal role in the development of aviation before now, and this additional funding will allow a ‘state of the art’ exhibition to be produced. The £100,000 permanent exhibition will explore the social importance of the discoveries and achievements of these Yorkshire based aviation pioneers and is planned to be opened in Spring 2009.

Fiona Spiers, Head of HLF, Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “This project will help bring the stories of aviation to life for everyone to explore. HLF is dedicated to supporting projects that open up our heritage for locals and visitors to learn about and enjoy and the new exhibition will be a great addition to one of York’s many interesting museums.”

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Fifteen years ago, on the 25th November 1993, the Handley Page Victor XL231 was flown into retirement to the Yorkshire Air Museum, after a long and distinguished service career with the Royal Air Force. It was saved from the scrapheap by Andre Tempest, a Leeds businessman, after the aircraft was offered for purchase. The Yorkshire Air Museum was approached as the new ‘home’ for the aircraft, and this arrangement has secured the long-term survival of this still futuristic looking aeroplane.

As Andre recalls; “My Father and I bought the Victor mainly due to the 1993 Flypast magazine feature on the final operational days and a mention in there that no museum or collection had shown interest (to date) in preserving one due to the daunting task of looking after one. It seemed quite probable that every example except the one destined for Cosford was to be scrapped. We approached the Yorkshire Air Museum, who were in the process of restoring the Handley Page Halifax, and there was support for the idea of bringing the Victor to Elvington. Air Vice Marshall ‘Johnnie’ Johnson sent letters of support to the RAF on our behalf as he had commanded RAF Cottesmore when it housed No10 Squadron with its Victors and despite being a fighter ace he was a competent Victor captain.”

XL231 ‘Lusty Lindy’ is the only complete example of the distinctive HP Victor remaining in the world and is kept in ground operational condition, by the hard work and enthusiasm of Andre and his team, with the museum’s support. Only one other Victor is still capable of running, but is not complete, making ‘ours’ very special. (The flight to Elvington 15 years ago was scheduled to be the last ever flight of the Victor series, but a delay saw another one taking this honour, although it was duly dismantled for scrap!)

Ian Reed, Museum Director, comments: “The spectacular arrival of the Victor at the Yorkshire Air Museum was thus a significant occasion, as the type had rarely been seen in the north, although XL 231 had appeared on display at RAF Finningley for the Queens Silver Jubilee Review of the RAF, in July 1977. It is fantastic that this aircraft found a home back in Yorkshire and Lusty Lindy is far from ‘retired’, as she regularly entertains thousands of visitors to the museum and has in fact become something of an icon, with a global fan base.”

XL231 first flew on 28th December 1961 and went into service with 139 Squadron in January 1962 in conventional bomber role, but was upgraded to carry the Blue Steel weaponry, as part of the V-Bomber nuclear force. She was later to become the prototype for the K2 Tanker conversion, for the type’s later role in air to air refuelling. It was in this role that the aircraft played a vital part in the Falklands War, with 55 Squadron, firstly to train crews in this vital skill, and then in the Airbridge role from Ascension Island to the Falklands, in support of the Task Force, only finishing these duties in 1985. It then saw action in the Gulf War, in 1990/91, during Operation Granby, again in the refuelling capacity and it was here that it was given the nickname, ‘Lusty Lindy’. She finished her Service career on 15th October 1993, arriving at Elvington just over a month later.

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At last night’s glittering award ceremony, Yorkshire Air Museum came out as top Tourism & Hospitality venue for 2008.The judges recognised the extraordinary diversity of activities undertaken at the Museum, the growth and success of its businesses and the national and international recognition which it has developed.

In accepting the award, Museum Director Ian Reed, said

“to win the top Tourism & Hospitality Award 2008 within the current “European Tourism City of the Year” speaks volumes, and I thank everyone involved in helping us make this one of the most dynamic and loved museums of its kind in Britain - it is certainly more than just an “air museum”.

The Yorkshire Air Museum and Allied Air Forces Memorial is a nationally registered museum, memorial and charity and the largest independent museum of its kind in UK. It employs 150 staff paid and unpaid and is currently undertaking a wide range of projects throughout Britain and Europe.

* The first phase of the Museum’s “Reach for the Sky” project launched by the Minister of State for Transport in London this year and supported by Yorkshire Forward, British Airways, Virgin UK and European Aerospace EADS is delivering the first History of Aviation, National Curriculum educational resource to all 26,000 Primary Schools in UK during 2008.

other projects include:

* A DEFRA supported project aims to make the Museum the first environmentally self-sustained museum/attraction in the North.

* An internationally recognised butterfly and moth conservancy, supported by the Environment Agency is planned to be completed during 2009.

* a £1.5 million project to construct new 28,000 sq ft hangar to house the increasing collection of internationally important historic aircraft.

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The stunning and spectacular aircraft action scenes in the latest Bond film, Quantum of Solace, has sparked a surge of interest in the legendary Douglas Dakota DC3, with visitors clamouring to see inside the Museum’s example of the amazing DC3 aircraft.

As more and more people see this record breaking 007 film, the Museum is expecting this trend to follow over the coming weeks.

The Dakota is open to the public most days and children in particular are fascinated and excited at getting inside and being able to imagine 007 wrestling the controls as the Marchetti fighter tries to shoot it down amongst the mountains of Bolivia.

Over 15,000 examples of this revolutionary 1930’s designed American transport aircraft were built, and over 400 are still flying around the world today.

The Museum’s example entered service with the Royal Air Force in January 1945 and went on to see wartime action in Malaysia, before returning to Europe as a passenger aircraft after the war had ended. From the aircrafts log book, it is estimated that it has spent over 11 years in the air!

Museum Director, Ian Reed, said, “the new 007 film is excellent and the DC3 shows what an amazing aircraft it is. I can understand youngsters (and the not so young) wanting to imagine what it is like inside this exciting old warbird in action, and I’m pleased we can provide the service”.

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Yorkshire Air Museum is proud to announce that it has won the prestigious Yorkshire in Bloom Silver Gilt Award for the second year running.The Museum’s Memorial Gardens and the 20 acre parkland site at Elvington met the high standards in areas such as “Floral Displays; Permanent Landscaping; Environmental Factors and Public Awareness”.

Of particular interest to the judges was the Museum’s recent recycling project which has been supported by DEFRA. Waste from the restaurant and gardens is recycled in a huge stainless steel Swedish machine called “Big Hannah”. The resulting high quality fertilizer is then put back onto the gardens resulting in high quality floral displays.

A new feature this year is a butterfly garden which is connected to a new breeding area set up with the Butterfly and Moth Conservancy. The new area is planned to have walkways and hides for visitors to enjoy and learn about natures earliest “flyers”.

Museum Director, Ian Reed, said, “Our gardens and grounds are our pride and joy and the rose gardens particularly, which are lovingly tended by our volunteer gardener, Walter Eland, are enjoyed by tens of thousands of visitors each year. This award is a recognition of the hours of dedicated work by all our staff at this very special place.” www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk

War veteran and long-serving volunteer at the Yorkshire Air Museum, George Martin, has become a Regional Winner and National Finalist in the Nationwide Community & Heritage Awards. Organised as a partnership between the Nationwide Building Society and the Heritage Lottery Fund, these awards recognise outstanding individual contributions to the nation’s heritage and community.One of three regional winners, George will be heading to the Tower of London on November 11th to fly the flag for the Yorkshire Air Museum at a glittering ceremony, where the national winners will be announced.

Now aged 88, having been born in Bradford on 28/8/1920, George has been coming to the Yorkshire Air Museum for the past 25 years as a volunteer. Along with a group of about 12 others, mostly from the York Air Gunners Association, he started work restoring the aircraft gun turrets and then creating the unique Air Gunners Room exhibition at the Museum. Until recently, George attended the Museum at least twice a week, but, as he is no longer able to drive, he now comes over twice a month from his home in Harrogate, when friends or family can bring him.

It is in recognition of this service and George’s extraordinary ability to talk to people about his experiences as an Air Gunner and Wireless Operator that the Museum put forward the nomination for these prestigious awards. The Museum receives many letters and comments from people who have enjoyed meeting George in the emotive surrounding of the Air Gunners Room. It is a rare gift to be able to recount often harrowing experiences in such an open, unassuming, but completely engaging manner.

Museum spokesman, Ian Richardson, commented: “We are absolutely thrilled that George Martin has been selected as a Regional Winner and Finalist in the Community and Heritage Awards. He has entertained literally thousands of visitors with his recollections over the years, and has enthralled many school groups. He nearly gave his life in service of his country and has continued to give of himself over a lifetime. We wish him every success and hope he may become a national winner - he certainly deserves it!”

George volunteered for the RAF in 1940 at Blackpool and after training was attached to 199 Squadron at Ingham, Lincolnshire, on Wellington Bombers as a Wireless Operator / Air Gunner. Returning from his 23rd mission on 23rd May 1943, over Dortmund, George’s aircraft was hit by flak and he was badly injured by shrapnel and burns and lost his thumb on one hand. Remarkably, the aircraft made it back to base, and George was hospitalised. His crew went out two nights later, and never returned. http://www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk

“Reach for the Sky”, an education resource book produced by the Yorkshire Air Museum and the Royal Aeronautical Society received an enthusiastic endorsement from the Rt. Hon. Rosie Winterton MP, Minister of State for Transport and Minister for The Yorkshire & Humber Regions, at a lively launch ceremony yesterday (Tuesday 24th June.). The event was held at the prestigious London headquarters of the Royal Aeronautical Society, at Hamilton Place on Hyde Park Corner.In her letter of acceptance to the invitation to launch this book, the Rt. Hon. Rosie Winterton, said: “I am delighted to see the diverse and innovative ways that the Yorkshire Air Museum is working with the Royal Aeronautical Society to promote interest in the aerospace industry using the rich history that this centennial year of British powered flight will celebrate.”

Some 27 pupils from Frith Manor Primary School, Barnet, North London, attended the event and displayed projects on the theme of future flight that they had undertaken for the occasion, which caught the attention of the Minister of State and other guests and clearly demonstrated the ideas and ingenuity that lie in the minds of our children, waiting to be developed.

This collaboration between the Yorkshire Air Museum and the Royal Aeronautical Society is indeed a unique venture. With the tremendous support received from Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency, we are to send a free copy to all the 25,000 primary schools in Britain this year and we don’t believe that any other museum has launched an education resource in such a manner before.

This KS2 level book has been written with the assistance of specialist schools advisors, the M.L.A. and the Government agency “Creative Minds” to fit into the current “STEM” (Science Technology, Engineering and Maths) targets. It is easy to read and covers all the milestones of aviation history and development, including Yorkshire’s rich history in this. It features superb illustrations, ‘Science Bytes’ and activities and is designed for ease of copying for teachers. With the help of Virgin Galactic and EADS / Astrium, the book also covers the exciting developments in ‘passenger space flight’, which will once again fire the imaginations of children. It also explodes some myths about aviation in that Britain has the second largest aviation industry in the world and it is the second largest manufacturing industry in Britain.

As Ian Reed, Museum Director, points out: “We are very keen to engage our children in the science of flight at an early age and to inspire them with both Britain’s, and particularly Yorkshire’s extraordinary heritage in this field. We were delighted with the enthusiasm and interest shown by the Rt. Hon. Rosie Winterton the Minister of State for Transport at the launch of “Reach for the Sky”, acknowledging the importance of this unique project”.

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Editors Notes:

Amongst those present at the launch were Thea Stein, Executive Director of Economic Inclusion, Yorkshire Forward, Sue Gradwell, Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Business & Education Partnership, Ian Reed, Yorkshire Air Museum Director, John Edmonds, Chairman of Trustees of the Yorkshire Air Museum and Amy Parkinson, formerly of NYBEP, who co-wrote the book with Ian Reed.

EADS / Astrium.

Astrium is the subsidiary of European Aeronautical Defence Systems which is developing a European ‘passenger space vehicle’, who along with Virgin Galactic, offered information and images for the book.

An extraordinary act of compassion which took place in the heat of war sixty four years ago was once again remembered at Elvington on Sunday 1st June, when the Doncaster Air Gunners Association brought a party of German WWII veterans to the museum.This annual re-union, which alternates each year between here and Germany, has now existed for 20 years and stems from an act of human kindness following the shooting down of an RAF Lancaster in 1944.

On return from a raid on Berlin, Lancaster “Sugar 2″ from RAF Wickenby, was hit by fire from a Messerschmidt 110. On fire and spiralling earthward, the crew baled out of the stricken aircraft. Navigator Arthur Lee however, was pinned to the floor by the centrifugal force of the spin, until, suddenly, the aircraft blew apart and he was forcibly ejected. Luckily, he had put on his parachute harness and was able to pull the cord, with the chute just opening in time to break his fall into the trees below, in a wood near Katzelenbogen, 20 miles south east of Koblenz.

But for Rudi’s intervention, things could have been very different for Arthur and Rudi himself had risked the possibility of a court martial. After the war had ended, Rudi erected a 10ft high wooden cross at the crash site, flanked by six smaller crosses to mark the rest of the Lancaster crew who had perished in the crash. Forty five years later, Rudi and Arthur were reunited at the cross, when a pilgrimage of RAF Wickenby members and Doncaster Air Gunners Association made the trip to the crash site, after researching the details with assistance from the current Luftwaffe and the German Nightfigters Association, which meet at Sobernheim airbase. Thus, German veterans and current servicemen at the time took part in a service of remembrance at this reunion.

This set the spark of a friendship between Doncaster Air Gunners and the Nightfighters Association that has remained strong to this day. The Air Gunners association identified the site of the last crash of a German aircraft on British soil, at Dunnington Lodge, near Elvington, as the most appropriate for a twin memorial to “The Cross in the Woods” erected by Rudi Balzer in Germany and , for twenty years, the reciprocal visits have taken place.

Last Sunday, Yorkshire Air Museum Chaplain Neil Mackay led a short Service of Remembrance at Dunnington Lodge before the Doncaster Air Gunners and the visiting German veterans and family proceeded to the museum for a luncheon and a special tour of the museum’s unique restored Halifax bomber.

Museum spokesman, Ian Richardson, said: “We were delighted to assist our friends at the Doncaster Air Gunners Association in making this a very special occasion for the German veterans and their families. The long lasting friendship that has existed since that remarkable act of kindness shows us that conflicts are about politics, not people in general, and that old opponents can respect each others courage in the pursuit of their duty, thereby finding the similarities that lasting friendships can be based upon.”

Both Arthur Lee and Rudi Balzer are sadly no longer with us, but they would have been astounded at the continuing legacy their friendship has created.

Pictured with the impressive Halifax Bomber “Friday the 13th” are: (left to right).

Stan Wannell - Doncaster Air Gunners Association. (Former Wireless Operator / Air Gunner on Wellingtons.)

Theo Nau - German Me. 109 fighter pilot.

Eric Foynette - RAF Lancaster Navigator an ex POW. At 92 years of age, Eric is the last remaining witness to the re-union of Rudi Balzer and Arthur Lee.)

Ulrich Majewski - Post WWII Luftwaffe pilot.

Walter Rehling - Dornier 217 pilot in WWII.

Otto Markruse - Luftwaffe Dayfighter pilot on Focke-Wulfe 190.

Herbert Gleich - Junkers JU 88 pilot.

Kneeling in front are: L to R:

Moira Hurrell, Jacqui Whitehead (Event Organiser) and Sue Collett of the Doncaster Air Gunners Association.

Further information at: www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk

Over the past weekend, a number of veteran airmen from 578 Squadron attended the Squadron Association’s annual re-union, during which a Service was held at Selby Abbey. Amongst these was 87 year old Don McDonald, an Australian pilot who attended the event for the first time, having never before had the opportunity to make the long trip to do so.Following a request from fellow Association members David McSherry, of Hemingbrough, and Norman Davidson, 578 Squadron Association Chairman, from North Sheilds, arrangements were made for Don McDonald to make a special visit to the Yorkshire Air Museum on Monday (19th May) to see the Museum’s unique restored Halifax bomber. This was the first time that Don had stepped inside a Halifax since the end of the war and was without doubt a fitting end to an emotional weekend.

Don, accompanied by his wife of 30 years, Ailsa, both sprightly for their age, were shown around the Halifax by Museum volunteer Phil Kemp, of Wilberfoss, who has been involved with the restoration of this aircraft for over 15 years. Both were excited at the prospect and although Ailsa had not been expecting to go inside, she was amazed by the experience of seeing where here husband had sat to carry out his duty.

Don was born in Melbourne, Australia, on 7th October 1920. He joined the Royal Australian Air Force in his hometown in December 1941, and was transferred to Europe in March 1943, where he joined 578 (Burn) Squadron as a pilot at the height of the Allied bombing campaign. After a full tour, during which he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, which he modestly puts down to ‘simply having the good fortune for not being in the wrong place at the wrong time’, he moved to Norton in Marsh in the hazardous role as an instructor, before taking on a second tour of duty with 466 Squadron, Driffield. Instructing was indeed a dangerous, but vital role, as the aircraft used were often those that had been repaired after mission damage but not deemed fit for operational use.

Don recalled the raids over Germany’s industrial heartland which would see over 600 aircraft attack their target, in waves of 200 or more over a short time period of just 9 minutes, saying that it was all down to luck that your aircraft was not involved in a mid-air collision or shot out of the sky, as so many were. However, we suspect that there is more to his earning the DFC, but he is not telling.

Ian Richardson, museum spokesman, said: “It was wonderful to meet Don and Ailsa and hear Don’s story. Those of us born many years after the end of WWII can only imagine what these young men went through at the time and we all owe them a debt of gratitude. We must also never forget that our Commonwealth stood firm behind Britain in our hour of need and all of us at the Museum were delighted to assist in the arrangements to make this visit to see the Halifax possible. We hope that this will not be the ‘one and only’ time we see Don and Aisla at Elvington.”

Further information at: www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk