Grand Aviation Tour of England

(in association with Ian Allan Aviation Tours)

GRAND AVIATION TOUR OF ENGLAND

“FLYING LEGENDS” AIRSHOW, DUXFORD SHUTTLEWORTH COLLECTION’S “EVENING AIR DISPLAY” ROYAL INTERNATIONAL AIR TATTOO, FAIRFORD

MAJOR ENGLISH AVIATION MUSEUMS & COLLECTIONS INCLUDING THE ROYAL AIR FORCE (Hendon), FLEET AIR ARM (Yeovilton) & ARMY AVIATION (Middle Wallop)

OPTIONAL LANCASTER TAXIING RIDES! And much, much more!!

Time at leisure in the historic cities of St Albans, Bath, Cambridge, London, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick and Windsor!

Friday, 5th July – Monday, 22nd July, 2013

Our tour starts at one of the most famous aviation sites in the world: Brooklands, near Weybridge in the county of Surrey. Then, over the next 17 days, we travel hundreds of miles visiting some of the best known aviation museums and collections, great and small; plus, 3 of the world’s very best airshows, each unique and different.

Our journey will take us to some historic towns and cities, with free time to explore them at your leisure.

2013 also brings to an end the flying career of the awesome Avro Vulcan bomber (pictured), as the graceful giant is permanently grounded.

There are far too many fabulous aviation museums and aircraft collections in the UK to see in one visit, but this tour will take you to some of the largest and smallest, well known and not-so-well known.

At those museums which have aircraft undergoing restoration, we will ask to be shown them during our visit.

This is the mouth-watering ‘menu’ of aviation that awaits you:

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Tour operated on behalf of Pacific Wings by Ian Allan Aviation Tours Terminal House, Shepperton, Middlesex, TW17 8AS, United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0)1932 255627 Fax: +44 (0)1932 231942 e-mail: [email protected]

• Brooklands Museum • The Squadron, ex-RAF North Weald • North Weald Airfield Museum • RAF Fighter Command Operations Centre, RAF Uxbridge as of 15th September 1940 • Shuttleworth Veteran Aeroplane Society’s Museum and “Early Evening Flying Display” • de Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre, Salisbury Hall • RAF North Weald Airfield Museum, and “The Squadron” • Imperial War Museum, Duxford • 8th US Air Force Museum • Airborne Museum • Land Warfare Museum • Duxford Aviation Society (classic British airliners collection) • RAF Wyton: the legendary Pathfinders Museum • Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, including Avro Lancaster taxy rides (pictured) • Overnight in No 617 (Dambusters) Squadron, World War II Officer’s Mess • Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, RAF Coningsby • Newark Air Museum • Cold War Jets Museum, Bruntingthorpe • RAF Museum Cosford • Duxford’s “Flying Legends” Airshow • RAF Museum Hendon • Museum of Army Flying, AAC Middle Wallop • Solent Sky Museum, including R.J. Mitchell and the Southampton Hall of Aviation • Fleet Air Arm Museum – and restoration facility – RNAS Yeovilton • Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), RAF Fairford (1 or 2 days)

There is free time to enjoy the attractions of London, Cambridge, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, Bath and Windsor: no visit to England would be complete without having time to explore these historic and famous places! In London we also have a half-day panoramic sightseeing tour with an official London guide.

We stay at comfortable hotels on a bed and breakfast basis (either Continental or Full English, as included with the room); travel in-country by air-conditioned deluxe coach; and are accompanied at all times by a very experienced Ian Allan Tour Manager, himself a well-travelled aviation enthusiast.

Whether this is your first visit to the UK or just your latest, this itinerary combines the very best of England’s aviation heritage — and for those non-aviation-minded persons accompanying you — an opportunity to visit and stay in some very famous historic towns and cities.

PROVISIONAL ITINERARY (all times local)

DAY 1: FRIDAY, 5th JULY Arrive at London’s Heathrow Airport, where you will be met by your Ian Allan Tour Manager and transferred by private coach to the Oaklands Park Hotel in nearby Weybridge, a short 20-minutes drive away.

The Oaklands Park is a superb 4-star hotel set in private grounds. This privately owned establishment is an historic country house and has been a hotel since 1856. It stands on the site of the grand Royal Palaces of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. The great cedar tree at the front of the hotel was planted by Charles 1 to celebrate the birth of his son, Henry of Otelands. Website: www.oatlandsparkhotel.com/

Located 2 miles (7 minutes) by taxi is the Brooklands Museum: it was on this site that the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit was constructed in 1907, was the birthplace of British motorsport and aviation! The aircraft collection includes a Concorde and other famous British airliners and military aircraft. Website: www.brooklandsmusuem.com . You are free to visit the museum should your arrival in England allow: please note that travel from the hotel to/from the museum, and admission, is not included in the tour price.

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DAY 2: SATURDAY, 6th JULY At 09:30 we depart for RAF Uxbridge for a really unique and special visit: Fighter Command’s underground Operations Room for Southern England, including London, during World War 2. It was from this very room that the Battle of Britain was controlled. Preserved exactly as it was on the 15th September 1940 - Battle of Britain Day – you can sit in the same chair as Sir Winston Churchill as he followed the battle’s progress on this fateful day! Uxbridge was also the RAF station where Thomas Edward Lawrence served — Lawrence of Arabia!

Then to Old Warden Aerodrome nestling in the Bedfordshire countryside, and home of the Shuttleworth Veteran Aeroplane Society and its unrivalled collection of very rare and classic aeroplanes from a bygone age.

During the afternoon you have the opportunity to walk around this fascinating museum containing both historic aircraft and veteran automobiles, before the start of the very popular “Evening Flying Display” featuring aircraft from the 1920s through to the 1950s and up to the present! Also at this event, they fly their very early “Edwardian” aeroplanes (pictured left). There is an excellent on-site restaurant (for optional lunch/meals). Website: www.shuttleworth.org

We stay the next 2 nights at the Comfort Hotel in the historic town of St Albans: a settlement of pre-Roman origin and named and after Saint Alban, the first British Christian martyr, who was beheaded in AD 308 on the orders of Emperor Diocletian. It was the first major town on the old Roman road of Watling Street for travellers heading north, and became the Roman city of Verulamium.

DAY 3: SUNDAY, 7th JULY First visit is to Salisbury Hall in London Colney: home of the de Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre incorporating the Mosquito Museum. Among the many fascinating aircraft on display is the world famous “jack of all trades – and master of them all!” — W4050, the D.H.98 Mosquito I prototype (pictured right) which was built here in total secrecy during World War 2. Website: www.dehavillandmuseum.co.uk

At midday we drive a few miles to the east, to North Weald airfield. This famous Battle of Britain fighter station is still very active, and on most summer week-ends visitors may see some of the resident veteran and classic aircraft as they take-off and land.

We start at “The Squadron”: housed in genuine WW2 buildings, the site includes a large Nissan hut housing the club room and bar, complete with 1940s furnishings. Food is freshly cooked in a “NAAFI” style restaurant; a menu will be handed to you after your arrival in the UK so that lunch can be pre-ordered, and each person will pay for his chosen meal on the day. Website: www.northwealdairfieldhistory.org/content/squadron

Next up is the North Weald Airfield Museum located in the old Station Office. This sets out the history of this famous airfield which protected London during both world wars. The story is told in various displays, with photographs, artefacts and personal memories. Website: www.northwealdairfieldhistory.org/content/what-see

DAY 4: MONDAY, 8th JULY Most of today is spent on Duxford airfield where you are free to visit the various museums: IWM Duxford, 8th US Air Force Museum, the Land Warfare Museum (tanks AFVs etc), Airborne Museum, the various civil airliners belonging to the Duxford Aviation Society, and warbird restoration hangars, etc. It will be a better day to look around, rather than when we attend the Flying Legends Airshow on the coming weekend, when up to 40,000 people fill the airfield.

Mid-afternoon we arrive in Peterborough, staying overnight at the very comfortable Bull Hotel situated in the city centre, with its many restaurants, bars, clubs and shops in the neighbouring streets. Dating back to the 17th Century the Bull was a coaching inn on the Great North Road from London to York. Inside the city’s Cathedral is buried one of King Henry VIII’s wives, Katherine of Aragon; it is also the former resting place of Mary, Queen of Scots.

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DAY 5: TUESDAY, 9th JULY This morning we visit RAF Wyton which is still active. During the Second World War this was a bomber station, and it was from here that the first bombing raid of the war was flown, by a Bristol Blenheim. Later in the war the station became the headquarters of Bomber Command’s elite Pathfinder Force (pictured right is a Shorts Stirling), and a number of Lancaster squadrons. Not normally open to the public, we have arranged with the curator a special visit to the Pathfinder Museum.

Continuing up the “Great North Road” (originally built by the Romans, but resurfaced and widened a few times since then!), we arrive in the small village of East Kirkby, home of the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre (LAHC). The LAHC is the only airfield museum in the UK recreated to its original design and sited on an original Word War 2 airfield. Here you get some idea of what the atmosphere would have been like.

Based at East Kirby is Avro Lancaster Bomber NX611 “Just Jane” (pictured on page 2), which frequently performs four- engined taxy runs along the runway - the only place in the world you can see this performed on an original Lancaster airfield! Unique to the LAHC, each ride currently costs £248.00 per person (subject to change), based on a full “crew” of 10; please annotate your booking form if you are interested. Website: www.lincsaviation.co.uk/museum/

Our hotel for tonight is on the outskirts of the small town of Woodhall Spa: it is a very historic aviation location - the original Officers’ Mess of No 617 “Dambusters” Squadron! Things have changed since World War 2: the squadron now flies Tornado fighters and the Mess is the Petwood Hotel (pictured right). However, the original squadron bar is still a bar and decorated with various items of memorabilia.

After dinner, we enjoy a very interesting presentation on No 617 (Dambusters) Squadron by their historian, Jim Shortland.

DAY 6: WEDNESDAY, 10th JULY Leaving our hotel at 08:30 we drive to RAF Coningsby (a Tornado and Typhoon station), to visit the RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF); at 10:30 we start our tour of the BBMF’s hangar with its Spitfires, Hurricane, DC-3 and Avro Lancaster — one of only two still flying in the world. Website: www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf/visitorscentre

Then to the Newark Air Museum and its excellent collection of aircraft. There will be access to several cockpits, including their Avro Vulcan. Website: www.newarkairmuseum.org/aircraft_list.html

We then head for the Midlands, to the Cold War Jets Museum on Bruntingthorpe airfield; it’s collection of famous types include a Victor (pictured left), Hunter, Canberra, Comet, 2 Lightnings, Starfighter, Mystere, Sea Vixen, 4 Buccaneers, 4 Jet Provosts, Super Guppy, Iskra and a Jaguar. It was here that the currently flying Avro Vulcan was fully restored over many years for its civilian flying career. Website: http://www.bruntingthorpeaviation.com/the-aircraft/

Early evening we arrive in the county of Shropshire – or Salop as it is also known – and stay tonight at the Holiday Inn Telford Ironbridge; nearby is the world’s first iron bridge ever constructed.

DAY 7: THURSDAY, 11th JULY This morning we look around the RAF’s ‘other’ museum: the RAF Cosford Collection which includes a TSR-2 (pictured right). We will ask to see any aircraft undergoing restoration and not on public display. Lunch, at your own expense, can be taken in the museum’s cafe.

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Mid-afternoon we arrive in Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of the great Bard himself Sir William Shakespeare, and stay the night at The Falcon Hotel which is ideally located in the centre of the town. Website: www.legacy- hotels.co.uk/legacy-thefalcon/index.php

DAY 8: FRIDAY, 12th JULY At 08:30 we drive to Warwick. This beautiful and historic city dates back to medieval times, and Warwick Castle, one of the most intact examples of its kind, can trace its history back to 914AD and the daughter of Alfred The Great! Among the events held during the summer, in and around the castle, are occasional pitched battles between knights and peasants, jousting tournaments with knights on horseback, archery, musketry and falconry!

Mid afternoon we set off for Cambridge. We stay 3 nights at the superb De Vere University Arms Hotel situated in the very centre of this ancient city, opposite Parker’s Piece, and only a few minutes walk from the historic area with its famous University colleges, cafes, restaurants, bars and shops - and punt rides along the River Cam!

DAY’S 9 & 10: SATURDAY, 13th & SUNDAY, 14th JULY Each morning, at 08:00, we depart our hotel for the famous World War 2 RAF Fighter Command station of RAF Duxford for their fabulous “Flying Legends Airshow” – one of the largest, and arguably the best, warbird airshow in the world! Past ‘Legends’ have included a score or more Spitfires(!), up to 4 Sea Hurricane’s, 3 Lysander’s, Wildcat, Corsair, P-40, Lightning, Mitchell, resident B-17 Flying Fortress “Sally B”, and many other types of warbirds. There is also the prospect of seeing airborne, authentic, German Focke-Wulf FW 190 and Messerschmitt Bf-109s!

The finale ‘Bolero’ tail-chase is a truly unforgettable sight to see and hear. See details on: www.fighter- collection.com/pages/tfc/legends/index.php .

At 18:00 each evening we depart the airfield and return to our hotel.

You are free to enjoy one or both days at the airshow: take time away from the group to explore at your leisure the streets, parks, riverbank, and attractions of Cambridge with its famous colleges and stunning architecture.

DAY 11: MONDAY, 15th JULY After breakfast we drive to north London, to Hendon - another famous airfield of early British aviation (and the equally famous Hendon Pageants). Sadly most of the site is now covered in housing. It is, however, still the home of RAF Museum Hendon, one of the largest (100+) and greatest collections of aircraft in the world. We will enjoy several hours at leisure in the various display halls. Pictured here is a Bristol “Beau” fighter.

Lunch may be taken in the museum’s restaurant (at your own expense). Website: www.rafmuseum.org

Mid-afternoon we arrive in west London and our hotel for the next 3 nights: the Ibis Earls Court. Ideally located between Kensington, Chelsea, Knightsbridge, Fulham and Hammersmith. The hotel has over 500 comfortable en suite bedrooms, La Table Restaurant and the George & Dragon Pub. It has perfect travel links to many of London's major attractions, with the nearest Underground station of “West Brompton”, on the District Line, only a 2 minutes walk away (or you can take a bus) to the West End, famous for the theatre and shopping, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, the Strand; also, in the City, St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London.

DAY’S 12 & 13: TUESDAY, 16th & WEDNESDAY, 17th JULY On the Tuesday morning we will have a guided panoramic tour by coach of the famous sites of London, with an official London guide.

The next 1½ days you are free to enjoy as you wish: the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the shops of Oxford Street, HMS Belfast, maybe cruise down the Thames to the Tower of London, St Pauls, dozens of museums and art galleries — where do you start?

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DAY 14: THURSDAY, 18th JULY Driving to Hampshire, we see the excellent collection of fixed and rotary wing exhibits in the Museum of Army Flying on Middle Wallop (see right).

Situated alongside is the busy Army Air Corps (AAC) airfield, where visitors to the Museum often get the opportunity to see the AAC training in their Apache Attack and Lynx helicopters! Website: www.armyflying.com

Early afternoon we arrive in Southampton, at the Solent Sky Museum (Southampton Hall of Aviation) featuring exhibits of R.J. Mitchell (designer of the Spitfire) and the Schneider Trophy Contests.

Continuing to Yeovil we, stay tonight at The Manor Hotel. This historical building was built in 1735 by local glover and merchant banker John Daniel. Website: www.oldenglishinns.co.uk/yeovil/?gclid=CM_60ZbXiKsCFYELfAodHyhl2g

DAY 15: FRIDAY 19th JULY This morning we visit the Fleet Air Arm Museum, on RNAS Yeovilton, which includes a Concorde as well as a comprehensive collection of British naval aviation aircraft. Pictured left is a Fairey Albacore. Aircraft in the Restoration Workshops can be seen through the glass wall.

We will also look around their storage facility which is not open to the general public. Website: www.fleetairarm.com

Lunch or snacks can be taken at the appropriately named Swordfish Restaurant (at your own expense).

In the afternoon we arrive in one of England’s most beautiful cities: Bath. First established as a spa by the Romans around AD60, about 20 years after they had arrived in Britain in AD43. With its outstanding architecture, ancient streets, modern shops, it’s a perfect place to relax. Why not visit the famous Roman baths and sample the ‘healing waters’!

Arriving in Swindon we check-in to the Holiday Inn Express in the centre of the city, for 3 nights.

DAY’S 16 & 17: SATURDAY, 20th & SUNDAY, 21st JULY You have a choice of one or two fabulous days at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) on RAF Fairford. With 400- 500 aircraft, and a 6-hour air display each day, this is the largest military airshow anywhere in the world.

It is organised by the RAF Benevolent Fund (RAFBF) who have an enviable reputation for attracting very special aircraft from unusual countries. There is, simply, no other military airshow like it. Among the aircraft expected to attend in 2013 is the new Airbus A400 “Grizzly” and A330 tanker. You are sure of seeing a tremendous show!

Transfers to/from the air show are by the special RIAT shuttle coach service which operates from the bus station, only a few minutes walk from our hotel; coaches run from 07:00 until 19:00 on a dedicated ‘coach only’ route, and you are free to go and leave at a time of your choosing. Note: traffic to and from the show can be horrendous, so this is the quickest and easiest way to get to there and back. Cost of shuttle transfers (pay on the day) is not included in the tour price.

Alternatively, and subject to sufficient interest, on one of the days we will undertake a full day’s excursion to the historic town of Windsor! You will be free to explore the town, the castle, Eton, enjoy a cruise on the River Thames etc., at your leisure. This is an optional excursion, therefore, the cost of the transfers by chartered coach are not included in the tour price.

DAY 18: MONDAY 22nd JULY After breakfast we transfer to London’s Heathrow Airport and check-in for our flight home.

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TOUR PRICE PER PERSON TOUR: 227326

£ 2,395.00 Land Only package price based on sharing a twin bedded room on a bed and breakfast basis (and 1 evening meal – see below). NO FLIGHTS INCLUDED

£ 762.00 Single room supplement

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

4 17 nights hotel accommodation sharing a twin-bedded room with private facilities 4 Continental or Full English Breakfast each morning, as included in the room rate 4 Dinner at the Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa on Tuesday, 9th July 4 Coach transportation throughout the itinerary as indicated 4 Admission to all aviation museums and collections, as stated in the itinerary 4 Admission to the museum and “Evening Flying Display” at Old Warden 4 One days admission to the 2013 “Flying Legends Airshow” 4 One days admission to the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) Airshow 4 Admission to the Shuttleworth Collection’s Museum and “Evening Flying Display” 4 Half day panoramic sightseeing tour of London with official guide 4 Services of an Ian Allan Tour Manager throughout 4 Gratuity for coach driver

NOT INCLUDED

4 Flights to/from the UK (London) 4 Admission to the Brooklands Museum (optional visit) 4 Transfers to from RIAT Airshow, RAF Fairford (pay on the day) 4 Meals (except as stated above) 4 Lunch at The Squadron on Sunday, 7th July 4 Travel insurance 4 Visa to enter the United Kingdom - if necessary 4 Personal expenditure, for example, telephone calls, laundry, drinks, etc. 4 Optional excursions or pleasure flights 4 Tips and gratuities (except for the coach driver) 4 Porterage

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GENERAL INFORMATION

CHANGES TO THE FINAL ITINERARY Unforeseen World events, changes in the geo/political situation, no-notice or minimum notice changes due to operational reasons may result in the itinerary being amended. Whilst we will keep you fully informed, Ian Allan Travel Ltd cannot be held responsible for any visit or tour being cancelled due to world events, or circumstances, beyond our control.

Your attention is drawn to our Booking Conditions on the reverse of the Booking Form.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS Please contact your local British Embassy or Consulate Office for details on who does and who does not require a tourist visa to enter the United Kingdom (UK).

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS Currently there are no known compulsory health requirements for visiting the UK; however, for the latest information we recommend you consult your doctor or local health centre.

BAGGAGE REGULATIONS Please check with the airline with whom you are flying.

The carriage of liquids may differ, depending on where you depart, however, in general hand baggage may not contain liquids such as shampoo, suntan lotions, creams, toothpaste, hair gel and hair spray, perfumes, cosmetics such as mascara and lip gloss, water and other drinks, soups and syrups and other items of a similar consistency.

Please be advised that the carrying of liquids in your hand-baggage is prohibited when departing from all UK and European airports.

Cigarette lighters are NOT permitted in hold baggage or through the security search. These may be purchased airside. Hand baggage can also include electronic equipment such as mobile phones, digital cameras and MP3 players (such as i-Pods). Laptops must be removed from the bag for x-ray.

Prescription medicines in liquid form, e.g. diabetic kit can also be included.

At security all remaining items should be placed in the tray provided for screening, e.g. car keys and fobs, cash, solid food, books, newspapers, cigarettes and tobacco, belts and shoes. Pushchairs and walking aids are permitted but must be x-ray screened. All wheelchairs will be subject to search. Please note: you may be subject to a hand search by the security team and required to remove footwear to be x-ray screened.

BAGGAGE WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS – UK AIRPORTS Since 2004, any single piece of checked baggage weighing more than 70lbs (32kgs) has not been handled at most UK airports (including London’s Heathrow and Gatwick Airports); nor accepted at check-in on leaving the UK in an attempt to reduce manual handling injuries amongst airport staff. Please bear this in mind when packing your suitcase.

CLIMATE AND DRESS A warm and sunny summer in England is something that cannot be guaranteed. We recommend clothing for both hot and cool temperatures (it should be in low to mid 70⁰sF), and waterproofs for any wayward shower.

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MEALS Meals are included in the price only when they are part of the room rate, giving you the option to either eat in the hotel (all have on-site restaurants and bars), or locally in the town/city. Please see itinerary inclusions for specific details.

TRAVEL INSURANCE You are strongly advised to ensure you have adequate travel insurance. Unfortunately we can only provide a quotation and issue policies to residents of the UK.

PHOTOGRAPHY Photography is allowed at all the airshows, aviation museums and collections we are visiting. Special permissions are not required.

FLEXIBLE ITINERARY We are very happy for enthusiasts to take time away from the printed itinerary to pursue their own interests during multi-day stays in the same place, so long as they inform the Tour Manager. It will be the individual’s responsibility to ensure that they re-join the group in the hotel at the stated time on the day of departure, and no responsibility can be accepted by Ian Allan Travel Ltd for any missed departure nor the consequences of any action where independent arrangements are made.

OPTIONAL PLEASURE/SIGHTSEEING FLIGHTS ~ DISCLAIMER Should you decide to undertake any pleasure/sightseeing flights which have not been offered or sanctioned by us, Ian Allan Travel Ltd will not be held liable for any injuries or death resulting thereon.

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