Posted by Flightline UK on 10/04/2010 under Royal Air Force | 
From Culture 24
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight has been honoured with an Engineering Heritage Award from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers at a ceremony at the Flight’s Coningsby base.
Citing the historic warplanes as “a tribute to the airmen who lost their lives in the service of this country and an inspiration to all,” the Institute presented the Award on Thursday (April 8th) in front of dignitaries ranging from RAF personnel to a pilot who originally flew an Avro Lancaster bomber.
Many changes have occurred in the 65 years following the end of World War II, not least the engineering capabilities and technologies associated with world-renowned RAF aircraft.
Today, the historic aircraft act as a reminder of the brave airmen who risked, and too often gave, their lives during the Battle of Britain, as well as the crewman who fought in succeeding battles, some of whom never returned.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is a showcase and tribute to airmen past and present, made up of several fully restored aircraft, with each display normally consisting of a Lancaster flanked by a fighter on each wing, although the entire Flight comprises 11 aircraft: five Spitfires, two Hurricanes, a Douglas Dakota, an Avro Lancaster and two De Havilland Chipmunks.
Based at RAF Coningsby, the Flight is sometimes referred to as “the museum without walls” and is the longest surviving commemorative unit of its kind in the world, helping to make it a precedent for IMechE’s prestigious award.
“This is the first time such an award has ever been given to a flight,” says Isobel Pollock, Chair of IMechE’s Heritage Committee. “Our Heritage Awards always go to artefacts and engineering exhibits that are unique and inspirational but the BBMF goes even further.
“The aircraft and their aircrew helped save the lives of so many in the Second World War so this is not just to remember those airmen who died but to celebrate and acknowledge those alive today.”
Crew behind the maintenance and upkeep of the aircraft are paramount to the Flight’s success, says Pollock. “We must also not forget those that have painstakingly restored some of these planes and the Flight itself for the work and legacy in keeping the memory alive.”
his work is led by Squadron Leader Ian Smith, who is Commanding officer at the BBMF and largely responsible for its ongoing success.
“The Flight’s aircraft are unique within the modern RAF,” he says. “The airworthy maintenance to full flying condition of these historic airframes falls to 25 aircraft tradesmen, headed by a Warrant Officer engineer and supported by all the necessary back-up provided by their home base, RAF Coningsby.
“BBMF are exceptionally proud to be given this prestigious award, which increases public awareness of engineering, past and present.”
Posted by Flightline UK on 09/04/2010 under Display Team News and Dates |
Picture by Johnny Vranken
The Belgian Air Component has revealed the the display calendar and specially marked jet for this year’s solo display. The aircraft will make a number of UK appearances including two at Duxford towards the end of the year as well as appearing at all four days of Eastbourne Airbourne.
- 6th June – Skrydstrup, Denmark
- 12th June – Albert-Picardie, France
- 18th-19th June – Glize-Rijen, Netherlands
- 19th-20th June – Orleans, France
- 26th-27th June – Cambrai, France
- 26th-27th June – Biggin Hill International Air Fair
- 3rd-4th July – Beauvechain, Belgium
- 10th July – RNAS Yeovilton International Air Day
- 17th-18th July – Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford
- 7th-8th August – Kecskemet, Hungary
- 12th-15th August – Airbourne, Eastbourne International Airshow
- 28th-29th August – Zagreb, Croatia
- 4th-5th September – Duxford Battle of Britain Airshow
- 9th September – Jersey International Airshow
- 12th September – RAF Leuchars Airshow
- 17th-18th September – Ostrava, Czech Republic
- 19th September – Sanicole, Belgium
- 10th October – Duxford Autumn Airshow
In addition, the Belgian Air Component will have at least one F-16 on static display at RAF Waddington International Airshow according to their calendar.
Posted by Flightline UK on 07/04/2010 under Civilian Organised Airshows and Trade Events |
debut display at the Spring Air Show in the BAE Systems Hawk. The Black Cats, the Royal Navy’s helicopter display team, will present their own contribution to the day’s celebrations. The team is composed of two Westland Lynx anti-submarine and anti-shipping helicopters, with the aircraft and crews drawn from No.702 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset. The team performs a display which mixes close formation, opposition and synchronised manoeuvres. Popular Duxford-based aircraft displaying will include B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B, the North American F-86 Sabre, Dragon Rapide G-AGJG and a Hawker Hurricane paired with a Hawker Siddeley Nimrod. On Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 May there will be about fifty trade stands selling a wide range of products, from aircraft-related books, prints and paintings, to gifts and clothing. Spring Air Show: Free Child ticket with every Adult or Senior ticket and 10% DISCOUNT
Offers only available when buying air show tickets in advance. Book online at www.iwm.org.uk/duxford or call our box office on 01223 499 353.
Imperial War Museum Duxford commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain with two special consecutive events, celebrating the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and launching its 2010 season.
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the RAF Today (Saturday 15 May) enables visitors to see the legendary aircraft of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, including the Lancaster, Dakota, Spitfires and Hurricanes. RAF pilots and ground crew will meet and mingle with visitors, who will also have the opportunity to chat with Battle of Britain veterans.
The event will also showcase the diverse roles of the contemporary RAF with a range of ground activities, including performances by the renowned Band of the Royal Air Force College and the spectacular Queen’s Colour Squadron. In the Battle of Britain Hangar (Hangar 4), visitors can meet a costumed interpreter enacting the role of a Battle of Britain pilot, next to his trusty Hurricane, while in AirSpace, visitors can encounter a Rear Turret Gunner next to the imposing Lancaster Bomber. Ops 39-45 RAF Living History Group will be hosting Bomber Command briefings, giving visitors an insight into the highly-charged atmosphere of the pilot’s briefing room in 1940.
This special day will culminate with a Sunset Ceremony led by the Band of the Royal Air Force College and the Queen’s Colour Squadron, with a fly past by a Hurricane and Spitfire. It will provide a fitting conclusion to the day, honouring all RAF personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice. This exciting event demonstrates how the camaraderie and bravery of the Battle of Britain pilots continues to inspire the RAF’s contemporary mission. Please note that this event is not an air show.
There will be no flying display as part of the event – the only fly past will be in conjunction with the Sunset Ceremony. Following on from Saturday’s special event, the Spring Air Show (Sunday 16 May) sees the celebrated aircraft of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight take to the skies for some breathtaking aerial action. The Spring Air Show will demonstrate the breadth and range of aircraft flown by the Royal Air Force. It showcases the aircraft of the Royal Air Force from its inception to the present day.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight forms the centre-piece of this thrilling air show, with the Lancaster, Dakota, Spitfires (x3) and Hurricanes (x2) presenting an unforgettable flying display.
Complementing them will be the Eurofighter Typhoon, BAE Systems Hawk, Embraer EMB-312 Tucano, Tutor T Mark I and Sea King HAR 3/3A, which will perform a search and rescue demonstration. There will also be a display by a pair of Folland Gnats, the aircraft previously used by the Red Arrows, prior to the BAE Systems Hawk.
For many RAF display pilots, the 2010 air show season will be their first display season and the Spring Air Show their first display. Flight Lieutenant Tom “Cinders” Saunders makes his debut display at the Spring Air Show in the BAE Systems Hawk. The Black Cats, the Royal Navy’s helicopter display team, will present their own contribution to the day’s celebrations.
The team is composed of two Westland Lynx anti-submarine and anti-shipping helicopters, with the aircraft and crews drawn from No.702 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset. The team performs a display which mixes close formation, opposition and synchronised manoeuvres.
Popular Duxford-based aircraft displaying will include B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B, the North American F-86 Sabre, Dragon Rapide G-AGJG and a Hawker Hurricane paired with a Hawker Nimrod.
On Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 May there will be about fifty trade stands selling a wide range of products, from aircraft-related books, prints and paintings, to gifts and clothing.
Spring Air Show: Free Child ticket with every Adult or Senior ticket and 10% DISCOUNT Offers only available when buying air show tickets in advance. Book online at www.iwm.org.uk/duxford or call our box office on 01223 499 353.
Posted by Flightline UK on under Civilian Organised Airshows and Trade Events |
An Oxford man will return home to fly in front of crowds at the Abingdon Air & Country Show on Sunday 2nd May.
Flight Lieutenant Tom Saunders, who grew up in Bladon, is this year’s Royal Air Force Hawk display pilot. He will be performing in his colourful Hawk jet that’s painted up in a patriotic colour scheme(picture attached). Tom will be displaying at airshows across the UK this summer, but his appearance at Abingdon will be his debut.
Tom, 29, is looking forward to returning home to Oxfordshire. He said: “Abingdon is a very special show for me, not only because it is my home show but also because it is the first show of my season. I am very proud to be flying in a jet with my name on it! I’ve been going to the Abingdon air show since 2001 – at that time I could only dream of being able to display there one day.” Tom and his accompanying support team will be meeting the crowds at the show. He said: “We will all be delighted to meet the public, answering any questions they may have.”
As a teenager, Tom watched aircraft flying from Kidlington Airport from his back garden in Bladon. He obtained his Private Pilots License aged 17 and worked at Kidlington as a civilian flying instructor before joining the RAF in 2004. Tom is currently an instructor RAF Valley in north Wales where he teaches future fast-jet pilots.
The volunteer-run Abingdon show, staged at Abingdon Airfield, Dalton Barracks, raises funds for the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance. Besides Tom Saunders flying the Hawk, there will be air displays by many other aircraft including the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, C-47, Hurricane, Swift Glider Team and Vampire jet. A wide range of ground attractions include Dr Who Daleks, trade stalls, craft fair, Fiona Harrison singing 1940s music, classic MG cars and a parade of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, dragster and Formula 1 showcars, mobile farm, sheepdog demonstrations, WW2 re-enactment displays and 1940s music sung by Fiona Harrison, childrens’ amusements and more.
Advance tickets are on sale now from a variety of outlets including Warehouse Shop,Stratton Way Abingdon,the Guildhall Abingdon,One-Stop Shop,Britwell Rd Didcot and Tourist Info Centres in Aylesbury,Princes Risborough,Swindon,Wallingford and Witney. For more information, visit www.abingdonfayre.com
Posted by Flightline UK on 01/04/2010 under Display Team News and Dates, Royal Air Force |
“Team Merlin” have released their calendar on their website. As in 2009, the Merlin will not feature as a flying display item. However, it will be making a number of static display appearances throughout the year with their impressive ground exhibition. The dates are as follows:-
- 2nd May – Abingdon Air and Country Show
- 13th June – RAF Cosford Airshow
- 19th-20th June – Cotswold Air Show, Kemble
- 26th-27th June – Biggin Hill International Air Fair
- 3rd-4th July – RAF Waddington International Air Show
- 17th-19th July – Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford
- 30th July – RAF Shawbury Families Day
- 7th August – RAF Lyneham Families Day
- 19th August – Dawish Carnival Airshow (TBC)
- 25th August – RAF Benson Families Day
- 29th-30th August – Dunsfold Wings and Wheels
- 11th September – RAF Leuchars Air Show
- 18th-19th September – Southport Air Show
