RAF Museum’s Sir Douglas Bader anniversary exhibition & podcast launch
12 FEBRUARY 2010

The opening of a new temporary exhibit commemorating Sir Douglas Bader, whose instinctive and extraordinarily spirited contribution to rebutting Luftwaffe air attacks during the Battle of Britain, took place at the Royal Air Force Museum Hendon on 10 February 2010. Bader’s already outstanding wartime achievements are all the more remarkable given that he suffered a double amputation in 1931 following a near fatal crash. In response to his flying accident, Bader committed a typically laconic reflection to his logbook, recalling: ‘crashed slow‐rolling near ground. ‘Bad show’.

In peacetime, Bader increasingly turned his attention to charitable activities on behalf of the disabled. Always sympathetic about the plight of others who had lost limbs, he offered both inspiration and practical advice to those living with disabilities. He was awarded the CBE in 1956 and knighted for his services to amputees in 1976.

“A disabled person who fights back is not disabled….but inspired.”

It is this maxim that the charitable foundation established in Douglas’s name immediately following his death in 1982, seeks to replicate and develop. In this the 70th anniversary year of the Battle of Britain, in which Douglas fought, the RAF Museum’s new exhibit is perfectly timed. As well as information boards, a small exhibition of Bader artifacts, including his logbook, are on display at the London site until 31 March.

The RAF Museum has also announced that as part of its monthly podcast series aviation entrepreneur and founder of the Virgin Group Sir Richard Branson has generously given his time to narrate this month’s podcast ‘Bader: Fighter Pilot’. The podcast was specially commissioned to mark the centenary of Bader’s birth on 21 February 2010 and forms part of the Museum’s commemoration of the former Battle of Britain pilot in conjunction with the new temporary exhibit. It examines the life of Douglas Bader from his air crash in 1931 - with the loss of both his legs at the knee - through his wartime service as one of the highest scoring aces in the Battle of Britain and his subsequent efforts to escape from German captivity after being shot down and captured in August 1941.

Douglas Bader’s story, however, did not cease with the end of World War Two. Until his death in 1982 Bader worked tirelessly on behalf of disabled people – particularly for the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association. After his death, in keeping with Bader’s spirit, the Douglas Bader Foundation was established to advance and promote the physical, mental and spiritual welfare of persons who are without one or more limbs.

Peter Dye, Director of the Museum’s Collections Division, commenting on the podcast stated: “Douglas Bader was an exceptional individual and an outstanding pilot whose determination to overcome apparently overwhelming odds exemplified Fighter Command’s struggle to save Britain in the summer of 1940. His example has inspired countless others in their own battles with injury or disability while the values shown by Bader and his generation, who gave so much in the defence of freedom, are as important today as they were in 1940.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sir Richard Branson for his narration. I am certain that his support will help us inspire a new generation and ensure that Douglas Bader’s story is never forgotten.”

To listen to the podcast, visit www.rafmuseum.org/podcasts. The Royal Air Force Museum London is open daily from 10am to 6pm, with last admission at 5:30pm. Admission and parking at the Museum is free.

Doolittle and Korean War commemorations
22 January 2010

Two significant military anniversaries will be commemorated in the coming months at the National Museum of the US Air Force.

First, on April 16-18, the Doolittle Raiders will celebrate the 68th anniversary of the historic raid on Tokyo during the opening months of America’s entry into World War Two. The reunion will include a free public autograph session, educational event and memorial service at the museum, as well as a dinner (for a charge). In addition, a free public concert honoring the Raiders will take place at Wright State University's Nutter Center.

June marks the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War. The museum is honoring veterans of this conflict with special events and the renovation of the museum's Korean War exhibit area. Activities take place June 24-26, 2010, and include ‘Dinner Under the Wings’, an exhibit opening reception, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s sixth annual Freedom's Call Military Tattoo, and a ceremony at the Korean War Memorial in downtown Dayton.

As always, Family Day takes place on the third Saturday of each month, Behind the Scenes tours are offered each Friday (registration required) and Heritage Tours take place each day at 1:30pm.

For a complete list of 2010 events at the National Museum of the US Air Force, visit http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/events/index.asp. All events are free and open to the public. If you are interested in further information, please contact me at the information below.

RAF Photo Exhibition to kick up a storm!
22 January 2010 - Photo: Cpl Scott Robertson/Crown Copyright

The winning images from the Royal Air Force’s Photograph of the Year Competition will be on view to members of the public at the RAF Museum from 16 January 2009.

Start date: January 16th
End date: April 16th
Entrance: FREE

The Royal Air Force is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain this year and, as their finest visual communicators prepare for their skills to be in high demand covering a summer of national activity, the RAF photographers are showing off their latest winning pictures at a unique exhibition of RAF Photography at the RAF Museum in North London opening on 16 January.

The Royal Air Force currently has approximately 180 trained photographers all of whom have undertaken a 28 week training course at the Defence School of Photography at Cosford, which provides them with the skill and expertise to gain an NVQ Level 3 standard in photography.

RAF Warrant Officer Andy Whittle, said: “These men and women have superb technical ability and take great pride in their role, striving to attain the highest standards of work in areas as diverse as aerial reconnaissance, portraiture, video, digital imagery, and ceremonial as well as completing tasks in support of the police, post crash management, engineering, medical and dental branches.”

Subject categories range from ‘The Royal Air Force Experience’, production of a single photograph that depicts personnel conducting their day-to-day work to ‘Equipment’ which gives photographers the exciting opportunity to display their skills by capturing the Royal Air Force’s world-class kit. The ‘Sport’ category reflects the Royal Air Force’s commitment to provide opportunities for personal development, leadership and teamwork through both social and competitive sports. There is also a category for the amateur military photographer.

More than 1400 images were entered in the 2009 competition which made the selection of winners extremely difficult. Judging this year was conducted by Mr Adam Sorenson, Daily Mirror Photographer, Mr Dennis Nicholls from Nikon UK and Mr Stan Stabler, a retired Royal Air Force photographer. All were unanimous in their appreciation of the very high standard, quality and diversity of work produced by both Service and civilian photographers. In total over 50 photographs will be on display in the RAF Museum, electronically beamed onto glass screens located in the ‘RAF Today’ area of the Milestones of Flight Gallery. The exhibition will be on show at the Museum’s London site until 16 April when it will then transfer to the Museum’s Cosford’s site in Shropshire.

The Royal Air Force Public Relations ‘Photograph of the year’, the picture which best represents the image, reputation and profile of the Royal Air Force, was taken by Cpl Scott Robertson of the Mobile News Team, Headquarters Air Command. His photograph reflects the recent deployment of the Tornado GR4 in support of operations in Afghanistan (illustrated). 

“It’s fantastic to win the most coveted award of the competition! It’s not every day this happens but you aim for it every day. You want every photograph you take to be Photograph of the Year. It’s good feedback for what we do at Headquarters Air Command as this is our bread and butter.”

Presenter of the awards, Air Vice-Marshal Carl Dixon, commented: “The imagery is inspirational. The RAF is a Service which is opportunity rich in potential and all areas of RAF life have been well represented.

“They have clearly spotted the moment and grabbed it through their lenses – my message to them is ‘keep them coming’ because photography is one of the most important ways of keeping today’s RAF in the public eye.”

Entry to the Royal Air Force Photographer of the Year Exhibition is free of charge to visitors; as is entry and parking to the Museum. The exhibition will be shown daily from 10am to 6pm until 16 April. For further details please visit www.rafmuseum.org/whatson or dial 020 8205 2266.

Bombertown USA returns to Kissimmee Air Museum
22 January 2010 - Words: KT Budde-Jones Photo: Tom Smith

For years Kissimmee Gateway airport was known affectionately as “Bombertown USA”. Visitors could see World War Two era bombers being restored back to their former glory. Those days are returning to Kissimmee, but now visitors will not only be able to see these great planes but fly in them as well. Spring 2010 will see the migration of bombers and other warbirds to the Kissimmee Air Museum.

In March, the beautifully polished B-25 Panchito will return to Kissimmee Gateway Airport and “Bombertown USA” where it was restored 15 years ago.  It will be stationed at the Kissimmee Air Museum for both static tours and flights. Larry Kelley restored the B-25J as Panchito. He and his crew now fly Panchito for the Delaware Aviation Museum Foundation; preserving and sharing the history of the 396th Bomb Squadron, 41st Bomb Group, 7th Air Force, stationed in the Central Pacific that it served with.

The B-25 was produced in greater numbers than any other American twin-engine combat aircraft and was one of the most famous twin-engine medium bombers used during World War Two. It achieved worldwide fame on 18 April 1942 when sixteen B-25s, under the command of Lt Col Jimmy Doolittle, were launched from the aircraft carrier, Hornet, and attacked Tokyo and other Japanese cities in a daring raid. Owner, Larry Kelley, has flown in many Doolittle Raid commemorations including flying some of the ‘Raiders’ in his B-25.

Opportunities to fly in this great bomber are few and far between but on 2, 3 and 4 April 2010 flights will be available in Panchito taking off from the Kissimmee Air Museum. Individuals can experience history up close and personal for a $400.00 donation per passenger. Seating is limited, first come-first served for the Crew Chief ‘jump seat’ behind the pilot/co-pilot, two seats under the top turret, and two waist gunner seats. Make your reservation today by calling 407-870-7366 or email fly@warbirdadventures.com

Another VIP (Very Important Plane) will be visiting the museum this spring, Collings Foundations’ B-25J Tondelayo. This ‘Pacific War Princess’ will be offering to make the dream of flying a Mitchell from the right seat possible. Half-hour flight training is available for $2000.00 while the Mitchell is based at the Kissimmee Air Museum. If interested, contact the Kissimmee Air Museum at 407-870-7366 for more information.

The Collings Foundation is dedicated to preserving and sharing aviation history. Their Wings of Freedom Nationwide Tour is a living history display and flying museum that offers tours and flights their Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Consolidated B-24 Liberator, and North American P-51C Mustang. The Collings Foundation’s F4U-5 Corsair has been on display at the Kissimmee Air Museum during the Wings of Freedom’s Tour winter hiatus.
ww.collingsfoundation.org

Kissimmee Air Museum and Warbird Adventures’ T-6 and helicopter flight operations are open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Closed Sundays from July though November. Admission: Adults $6.00, Children under 12 $3.00, Children under 5 free. Located at 233 N. Hoagland Blvd. Kissimmee, FL  34741 407-870-7366

Vimy’s last flight to Brooklands
15 December 2009

On Sunday 15 November 2009, airworthy Vickers Vimy replica NX71MY made its last flight when it was ferried from Dunsfold to Brooklands where it is now retired from flying.
The huge biplane was moved into the Brooklands Museum’s Wellington Hangar on 19 November and the Vimy exhibition was formally opened on the 21st. The decision was not taken lightly, but Brooklands Museum does not have a suitable permanent runway so it has had to rely on the generosity of others who have provided facilities to house the machine on their airfields in the last three years.

The museum is exceptionally grateful to those organisations at Dunsfold, Oxford and Duxford which made this possible. However, while the aircraft has been based at private or restricted-access premises this has meant that the museum’s own visitors could rarely see it, and ideally Brooklands wanted one of its most important exhibits on regular display.
The Vimy’s appearance in the air at recent events including the Goodwood Revival (where it is illustrated) in September proved to be very memorable, but the Trustees and management of the Brooklands Museum believe that the Vimy can be equally effective in evoking the spirit and lessons of the great pioneering flights by being properly displayed on the ground.
During its time flying the Vimy re-created several significant historical achievements, flying from England to Australia in 1994, England to South Africa in 1999 and non-stop trans-Atlantic flights in 2005 and 2009. Although now grounded, it will be maintained in full airworthy condition and capable of ground-running, and will continue to be a permanent tribute to pioneering aviators such as Alcock and Brown.

Opening of Kissimmee Air Museum’s new Exhibit:
‘Pearl Harbor and Air Power - the stories behind the events’
15 December 2009

Just in time to mark the 68th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Warbird Adventures’ President, Graham Meise, graphic artist Neal Sands and exhibit designer Syd Jones (former curator and restoration director of the Pacific Aviation Museum - Pearl Harbor) have just completed a new series of exhibits for the Kissimmee Air Museum. The new expanded exhibits trace the rise of air power from the predictions of Billy Mitchell in 1924, that Pearl Harbor would be attacked by the Japanese on a Sunday morning to the actual attack on 7 December 1941.

Included in the new displays are never seen before photos taken from a Japanese bomber that give visitors to the museum a bird’s eye view of the attack taken on that ‘day of infamy’. The new exhibits are developed around wartime artefacts and tell the little known stories that swirl around the events of the day, bringing to life the facts that people have read about.
The new additions add to the interactive experience visitors have at the Kissimmee Air Museum where they can witness the restoration of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 project in the ‘WWII Fighter Aircraft Restoration Center’, or fly in the front cockpit of an authentic wartime T-6 trainer.

Kissimmee Air Museum is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Closed Sundays from July though November. Admission: $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for children under 12, Children under 5 free. For more information on the museum and Warbird Adventures’ flights in a T-6 or helicopter, call (800) 386-1593 or visit www.warbirdadventures.com. Located at 233 N. Hoagland Blvd. Kissimmee, FL  34741

Record attempt for Airfix’s 70th anniversary
15 December 2009

This December marks the 70th Anniversary of Airfix; the fascinating, affordable and intricate plastic model kits that have kept generations of children entertained since 1939. To celebrate this anniversary, Airfix and the Royal Air Force Museum invited members of the public to help achieve a brand new Guinness World Record for the most number of Spitfire model aircraft constructed in a day - with each person participating able to take their completed model home to keep totally free of charge as a thank you for taking part and an early Christmas present from both great British institutions.

In addition to this, throughout the day Airfix will be running a second competition whereby children of all ages are invited to create a new box design, taking inspiration from an exhibition of illustrations that have been used throughout the years by Airfix to promote their kits. In return, the artist of the winning design will receive a signed copy of ‘The Boy’s Book of Airfix’ and a selection of artist’s materials to the value of £50.

The world record attempt will take place on Saturday 19 December 2009 and will consist of two workshops running from 10:30am to 12:30pm and from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. Thanks to a wonderful response, all the people required for this record attempt have now been accepted. Accordingly the organisers are no longer seeking any further applications. However, as an extra special treat for Airfix aficionados Arthur Ward, Airfix’s official historian and author of ‘The Boys Book of Airfix’ will be giving a talk at 12:00 in the Museum’s lecture theatre about Airfix’s fascinating history and will be on hand to sign copies of his book. For further details about this event please dial 020 8205 2266.

US Court of Appeals Rules Against CAF in P-82 Ownership
15 December 2009

In a judgment filed during November 2009, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled in favour of the National Museum of the United States Air Force (NMUSAF) in the ownership dispute of the North American P-82B Twin Mustang 44-65162. “We had hoped that the de novo review would end in favour of the CAF,” said Commemorative Air Force President Stephan Brown. The Twin Mustang joined the CAF Ghost Squadron in 1966 and was flown in support of the CAF’s mission to Honor American Military Aviation for 20 years, before it was damaged in an accident in 1987.

Since the aircraft’s accident, the CAF had been searching within its membership for someone willing to help restore it. This P-82 would have been the only flying Twin Mustang in the world had the CAF had the opportunity to proceed with restoration. Since 1987, the P-82 was kept in the hangar at CAF International Headquarters, where it was viewed by CAF Airpower Museum and AIRSHO visitors. In the summer of 2009, following the judgment of the District Court, the P-82 was dismantled and shipped to the NMUSAF in Dayton, Ohio.

Collecting, restoring and flying vintage historical aircraft for more than half a century, the Commemorative Air Force is a non-profit educational association, which has approximately 9,000 members and a fleet of 156 aircraft distributed throughout the country to 74 units located in 27 states. For more information, visit www.commemorativeairforce.org

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