June at Newark Air Museum …
… it must be Cockpit-Fest 2010
For the last ten years June has seen an unusual 'aerial migration' to Newark; but not of the wildlife variety. It's of aircraft cockpit sections, which now annually migrate to the Cockpit-Fest event hosted by the Newark Air Museum.
The museum is located on part of the former site of RAF Winthorpe and its two day Cockpit-Fest event attracts exhibitors from across the UK and Europe. The event also draws visitors from across the world including Australia, Canada and New Zealand, who come and sample “grass roots aircraft preservation”.
From its humble beginnings, Cockpit-Fest now regularly attracts thirty or more visiting cockpits and associated displays and its own word to describe the participants – 'cockpiteers'; many of whom have lovingly rebuilt and restored these projects at home. Cockpit-Fest gives them the opportunity to display them in public.
The event is supported by the leading European aviation magazine FlyPast and the public are actively encouraged to have a say about the cockpits. In addition to the cockpits being judged by a panel of experts, who award prizes; the public vote on their favourite cockpit for which another prize is awarded.
Running alongside Cockpit-Fest is an Aeroboot aviation and avionics sale, which allows cockpiteers and the public to search out those aviation artefacts, books and models.
This year's event takes place on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th June and will feature flypasts on both days by fighter aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Full details can be found on the museum website at www.newarkairmuseum.org
The provisional list of participating cockpits and displays is as follows:
** = a cockpit that is totally new to the event.
* = a cockpit that has significant change from previous years.
Instrument Panels & Aircraft Interiors
Jet Provost panels and restoration photo boards
Alvis Leonides Engine (Live)
Tornado F.3 Simulator
Radio Operators Training Box from WWII
Tornado Instrument Panels, Ejection Seats, 27mm Mauser Cannon.
Sea Prince & Percival Pembrook Instrument Panels
Lancaster, Spitfire & Mosquito Instrument Panels
Phantom Instrument Panel, Ejection Seat & other items
Spitfire Instrument Panel (Sat Only)
Special Guest Displays
Spitfire & Messerschmitt 109 Simulator Display
WWII Homefront Display
Survival Equipment Display
Flying Helmet Display
Ford Anglia Van (BEA Colours)
Spitfire Flying Controls Simulator
Crusader 80 – British Army of the Rhine Military Vehicle Display
Tri-Star Simulator Display
Airfield Research Group
Owls from the Raptor foundation
Canopy Restoration Demonstration
Shackleton Association
All Photo Credits: Howard Heeley - Down To Earth Promotions
