Posted by Flightline UK on May 30, 2008 under Civilian Organised Airshows and Trade Events | 
Taking place over August Bank Holiday weekend (23rd-25th August) Military Odyssey is the world largest event of it’s type with extensive line-up of “Living History” displays and traders. There is also a small flying display as part of the event and this year, that will inlcude:-
The Yakobats Aerobatic Display Team
Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
L-4 Cub Reconnassance Display.
Gates open at 9.30am (PRE PAID TICKETS 9.15am) with Arena Events commencing at 10.00am
For more information, visit the event’s website:- http://www.military-odyssey.fsnet.co.uk/
Posted by Flightline UK on May 19, 2008 under Museums |
Newark Air Museum have announced the following up date on Cockpit-Fest, the premier event of it’s kind in Europe.
We now have more than 30 cockpits / rigs / interiors confirmed as participating including an international participant from the Netherlands [the first for this year]. As you will see it is building up into an excellent assortment of visiting cockpits.Items marked ** are totally new to the event.
Cockpits confirmed are: Beagle Pup; Lightning F.6; Swift F.7**; F.27**; Anson; Jet Provost T.4**; Tornado F.2; Meteor F.8; Harrier GR.3; DB 8A-3N [Nomad] (from the Netherlands) **
Hunter F.1; Hunter F.1**; Hunter F.2; Hunter F.4**; Hunter F.5**; Hunter T.7; Hunter FGA.9; Hunter FGA.9; Hunter FGA.9; Hunter GA.11; Hunter GA.11**; Hunter FGA.78;
Instrument Panels & Aircraft Interiors confirmed:
Stirling FN5 Gun Turret and Cockpit Layout
Boeing 737 Main Panel, with glass cockpit and associated panels
The Canberra PR.9 panel collection
Phantom instrument panel with ejection seat and Meteor ejection seat
Jet Provost instrument panel and ejection seat
Harrier, Gnat and Phantom instrument panels
A display of V-Force items, and assorted control columns
Mannequins and memorabilia
Cockpits Rigs confirmed: Vampire FB.5**
Special Visiting Displays
The Ex-Military Land Rover Association
Book Signing – One of the Few by John Shipman new from Pen-and-Sword (Sat/Sun 10-4)
Book Signing – A Passion for Flying by Gp Cpt Tom Eeles, new from Pen-and-Sword (Sat 10-4 Sun 2-4)
Book Signing – RAF Harrier-Ground Attack Falklands by Sqd Ldr Jerry Pook, from Pen-and-Sword (Sat/Sun 10-4)
A display by the Thorpe Camp Radio Museum
Crusader 80 – British Army of the Rhine living history display
Owls from the Raptor Foundation
A display from the Newark Millgate Museum
Flying displays of jet powered scale aircraft
Display by the Lincolnshire Integrated Aviation Heritage Partnership [LIAHP]
Book signing – Wrecks and Relics (21st Edition) by Ken Ellis, times TBA [bring your own copy, or buy from NAM on the day].
A steady stream of advanced bookings is now coming in for the AEROBOOT aviation and avionics sale that runs alongside this event, don’t miss out on the advanced booking discount that can be secured if you book by June 1st.
Regular updates relating to confirmed participants will continue to appear over the coming weeks at www.newarkairmuseum.org
Posted by Flightline UK on May 13, 2008 under Royal Air Force, Royal Navy |
Due to the success last year of running a Veterans Enclosure at the Shoreham Air Show – the Organisers have decided to do the same again.
Don Bean MBE, Air Show Organiser said. “It is important that we remember the veterans of World War Two and The Falklands – it is our way of saying thank-you. Many of our past patrons have often commentated on this specific enclosure and how much they enjoy visiting it and listening to the many stories and meeting the many guests.”
It is intended to invite 50 pairs along each day to the enclosure where the winners will be looked after whilst having an excellent view of the flying.
Providing you have served in either of the two operations all we need from you is your name and address and a brief history of your wartime activities and rank in an envelope sent to Shoreham Air Show Veterans Competition, Royal Air Forces Association Air Show Office, Shoreham Airport, West Sussex, BN43 5FF.
The first fifty drawn for each day will receive their entrance tickets and parking passes nearer the event.
Posted by Flightline UK on under Royal Air Force |
The Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire will this summer provide the backdrop for a prestigious, Royal Air Force military ceremony in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen.
Around 5,000 invited guests, representing current serving members of the Royal Air Force and its various associations and charities, will be invited to the private ceremony on Friday, July 11, to watch the presentation of new Queen’s Colours to both the Royal Air Force in the UK and the Royal Air Force Regiment.
Although the Queen’s Colour to the Royal Air Force in the UK was last presented at RAF Marham, Norfolk, in 1993, it is not since The Queen conducted a ‘Silver Jubilee’ Review of the Royal Air Force at RAF Finningley in south Yorkshire in 1977 that an event of this size has been staged.
The ceremony, comprising almost 800 Royal Air Force personnel, will begin with a Royal Salute and a flypast by four Typhoons from RAF Coningsby. The Colours will be escorted by the Queen’s Colour Squadron (63 Squadron RAF Regiment), augmented by other Royal Air Force Regiment squadrons and 34 Squadron RAF Regiment. They will be supported by two further squadrons made up of RAF personnel from around the UK. The ceremony will include a parade of almost all of the RAF squadron standards.
Group Captain Tony Barmby, the RAF Project Officer for the Queen’s Colours presentation event, said: “The Air Tattoo staff and the US Air Force organisation at RAF Fairford have bent over backwards to accommodate the RAF’s needs to stage this once-in-15-years event. For most RAF personnel, involvement in such a parade is a once-in-a-career experience. I’m no different and I’m very proud to have the chance to play a part. It would be easy to let the ceremonial aspects of the day eclipse the direct and hugely important link to current operations. As the historical rallying point in battle, the Queen’s Colours represent that link. During this RAF 90th Anniversary year, we are reflecting on the sacrifices and achievements of RAF personnel – Past and Present – whilst looking to the Future. For that reason, the presentation this year of new Queen’s Colours from our Sovereign has even greater resonance.”
Before The Queen departs, she will be treated to a mass flypast of aircraft representing the Royal Air Force’s past and present.
Coinciding with the Royal Air Force’s 90th Anniversary, the ceremony will be staged as Air Tattoo organisers make last-minute preparations for the 160,000-plus people who are expected to attend the world’s largest military airshow over the weekend.
Air Tattoo Director Tim Prince said: “The presentation of new Queen’s Colours is a very prestigious and significant occasion and it is being organised with all the precision and expertise you would expect from the Royal Air Force. Whilst we cannot take any credit for the organisation of this special ceremony my team feel that it is a huge honour to have been asked to provide the backdrop for it.
“I believe it is an illustration of the close relationship that has developed between the RAF, the Air Tattoo, and our parent charity, the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust.”
Posted by Flightline UK on May 9, 2008 under Royal Air Force |
The world’s only flying Avro Vulcan, XH558, arrived at Royal Air Force Coningsby under a clear blue afternoon sky on Tuesday 6 May 2008. The Vulcan, landing in Lincolnshire for the first time since a comprehensive rebuild, is visiting the airfield for maintenance work on its compass and to conduct air tests.
Before landing, and in front of an audience of appreciative spectators who watched from outside of the station, the impeccably restored aircraft flew along the runway, demonstrating the magnificent delta, (triangular shaped) wing. The Vulcan shares the advantages of a delta wing with the current incumbents at Coningsby, the state of the art, swing-role, Typhoon.
XH558 last landed at Coningsby in June 1992, when she gave a flying display in her last season as a RAF display aircraft. The visit of the Vulcan gives RAF personnel at Coningsby the opportunity to see part of the RAF’s heritage, in this, the 90th anniversary of the force’s creation in 1918. Vulcans were based at Coningsby for two years from 1962 until 1964 with Numbers, 9, 12, and 35 Squadron.
In its role as a long-range strategic bomber, the Avro Vulcan was a direct descendant of the Avro Lancaster. At Coningsby the Vulcan shared a photographic opportunity with the Lancaster of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF). It is the first time for many years that the Vulcan and the equally unique and precious sole flying Lancaster in Europe have shared the same airfield.
The Vulcan and Typhoon were also photographed together, the first time that the Cold War icon and the most modern of RAF aircraft have been pictured together.
Wing Commander Tony Innes, acting Station Commander at Coningsby said: ”We are delighted to facilitate additional testing for the Vulcan. As many of you will be aware the Vulcan was stationed here in 1962 and it is testament to the Aircrafts build and quality that it is able to fly into RAF Coningsby some 46 years later.”
Mr David Thomas, the Vulcan pilot, who as a former RAF officer also flew the BBMF Lancaster, said: “I flew both the Lancaster and the Vulcan in RAF service; I have a tremendous feeling for both aircraft, almost a love affair. It is wonderful to bring the Vulcan back to Coningsby where I started my first tour on Vulcans with 35 Squadron in 1964”
Andrew Edmondson, Engineering Director of the Vulcan to the Sky project stated: “Coningsby is obviously a very special place for everyone associated with the Vulcan, and it made me very proud to lead the team that returned XH558 to the base in full working order. Everyone at Coningsby, and the RAF in general, have been hugely supportive of the project. A big part of our mission is to honour all of the servicemen that served during the Cold War, and it was great to see so many people on the airfield coming out to show their appreciation of what we are trying to achieve. Military personnel, our supporters club, the general public and the Heritage Lottery Fund have helped us move heaven and earth to return XH558 to the sky. Now we hope a commercial sponsor can be found in time to mean that it has not all been in vain.”
The combination of the sun’s warmth and the knowledge that when she returns home her testing will be complete filled everyone on the airfield with hope that both the Permit to Fly and the air show season will be with us soon – a sentiment I’m sure you all share.
All that will then be left to put in place is the all essential sponsorship – you can help by e-donating at http://www.tvoc.co.uk or calling the project office on 0116 2478145 for further information.
Posted by Flightline UK on May 7, 2008 under Seaside Shows |
A flying festival advertised as the biggest free air show on the south coast will charge punters for the first time this year.
Eastbourne Borough Council has announced charges of up to £6 to watch Airborne from the seafront’s prime viewing spots.
Tens of thousands of spectators attend the air show every year and the council stands to make a small fortune.
Regular visitors and Eastbourne residents have voiced anger at the plans and have been planning ways around the charges – including a D-day style mass landing on the beaches.
The decision to make visitors pay is thought to have been made on Monday yet there are already 600 members signed up to a protest group on social networking site Facebook entitled “Airbourne Eastbourne – I’m not paying to stand on my own seafront!”.
Organiser of that group Shirley Moth said: “This has always been advertised as the biggest free air show around.
“As residents we do not feel we should have to pay to stand on our own seafront.
“This group is a serious message to the council but also tongue in cheek as we are planning dinghy landings on to the beaches as apparently they cannot stop anyone walking on the beach below the low water mark ñ though this will be a problem during high tides.”
It is thought that the council will cordon off two substantial areas of the seafront and charge £6 for a deckchair.
The Argus understands the zones earmarked for paying viewers include the bandstand area and the Wish Tower slopes.
A council spokesman who is working on the air show refused to comment. She said the matter would be discussed by the full cabinet later this month and confirmed details would follow.
It is understood the cordoning off of two prime areas is being considered as an experiment and a means to raise funds to cover the ever increasing cost of the planes.
Beryl Healy, a county councillor for Eastbourne, said: “I am appalled by this decision. This was decided without me knowing about it. I wonder what secret meeting went on.”
Businesswoman Emma Wright said the move could end up backfiring on the council.
She said: “I was going to be renting space as I did last year along the seafront to promote my business but I won’t be doing this if the council decides to charge people.
“They may gain money with one daft decision but they’ll only lose it in another area.”
Tom Rogers from Eastbourne said: “I can’t believe they want to start charging for an airshow which is getting progressively worse over the years.
“Anyway, because I’ve lived in Eastbourne all my life I know better places to watch the displays.”
A spokesman for the Royal Air Force Association said: “We knew nothing about this but we are not happy with the idea.”
Posted by Flightline UK on May 3, 2008 under Warbirds and Classic Jets |
The Vulcan Restoration Trust is a registered charity that owns and maintains an ex-Royal Air Force bomber, Avro Vulcan B2 XL426, at London Southend Airport, Essex. XL426 is maintained in full ground working condition (i.e. it is not airworthy but its systems, including its engines, are kept in operating condition and the aircraft is capable of being taxied) as part of Britain’s aviation heritage and as a tribute to the men and women who flew and maintained the Vulcan during the Cold War. As part of their efforts they run a number of events throughout the year to support and promote the project.
Visit the Vulcan Days 2008
The Trust are holding four open days – titled Visit the Vulcan Days – for 2008 at Southend Airport, Essex, SS2 6YF on the following dates:
27th April 2008
29th June 2008
3rd August 2008
21st September 2008
Visitors will be able to inspect Avro Vulcan XL426 at close quarters, and have a guided tour of the cockpit. VRT Team members will be on hand to answer questions, and various stalls and refreshments will be available. Entry is £1.50, plus £2.00 for the cockpit tour. Gates open at 10am, and close at 4pm.
We would be grateful if you could add these dates to any 2008 events lists that you publish in your media, and promote them in any way possible.
The public will be able to inspect the latest work carried out on XL426 as the ‘426 Return To Power!’ appeal program progresses.
VRT Enthusiasts Events
On top of the The Trust is holding a further three ‘VRT Enthusiasts Events’ during 2008. A guest speaker, with ‘big-screen’ visual projection to support and add interest to the talking, headlines each event. The meeting will also include engineering updates on XL426, and the Trust as a whole. The VRT’s sales stand will be in attendance selling a multitude of merchandise. Teas, coffees and light refreshments are available all afternoon, as is a licensed bar. These events are very friendly and sociable events, as well as being informative and entertaining.
Saturday 26 July: Guest speaker – Wing Commander WA ‘Robby’ Robinson. We are thrilled to welcome famous test pilot and speaker ‘Robby’ Robinson who will be talking to us about his time with A V Roe & Co at Woodford on the Nimrod and Vulcan. Not to be missed! Robby will also be signing some of his highly acclaimed books on the day so bring your wallet!
Saturday 4 October: Guest speaker: Wing Commander Adrian Sumner. Adrian will be talking about interesting and varied career in aviation including his time in the RAF and his many hours on the mighty Vulcan.
A Christmas special event is planned for 7 December 2008, with a guest speaker and price yet to be confirmed. This will be a special-priced ticket-only event, and will include a buffet. Details will be released when available.
Admission to each event is free for VRT Members, with a suggested donation of £4.00 for non-members.
Start time is 12.00, with the entertainment beginning at 1.00pm.
The Events take place at Hawkwell Village Hall, Main Road, Hockley, Essex, SS5 4EH
