Unveiling the mysterious world of unmanned aviation at Newark Air Museum
Unveiling the mysterious world of unmanned aviation at Newark Air Museum - August 2007
The Newark Air Museum trustees are proud to be one of two venues in the UK to be selected by the University of Nottingham to help lift the lid on the history, role and future of unmanned flight.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have been making the headlines through high profile military deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. However, they are increasingly being used for civilian purposes.
The temporary exhibition called “The Truth about Unmanned Aerial Vehicles” opened in August 2007 will reveal some of the secrets of unmanned aircraft. With the help of model replicas, hands on demonstrations, and an interactive quiz and video these exhibitions will trace the development of UAVs. They will take visitors back to 1849 when the Austrians used balloons to drop explosives on Venice, through to the 1930’s and the introduction of the first life-sized radio controlled aeroplane, and on to explore the current role of UAVs in the military, the emergency services, and science.
The exhibitions have been put together by experts from the Institute of Engineering, Surveying and Space Geodesy (IESSG).
Dr Chris Hill, Principal Research Officer at the IESSG said: "The IESSG were keen to try and dispel some of the myths about what UAVs can and can't do currently and to show they can be used to benefit humanitarian and civilian applications, not just high profile military uses".
UAVs are increasingly being used in the civilian world to keep a remote eye on what is happening. They are ideally suited to long term surveillance – drug trafficking and weather monitoring. They can monitor contaminated regions – in the aftermath of disasters such as Chernobyl. They can minimise the risk to human life – by following criminals, or monitoring hostage situations. But the future is even more extraordinary. Researchers are taking inspiration from nature and developing micro UAVs, so small they can land in the palm of a hand. They can be equipped with tiny sensors to retrieve information and send it back to base. These tiny machines can undertake tasks in confined spaces, such as pipe lines and collapsed buildings in disaster areas.
Howard Heeley, Secretary and Museum Trustee at the Newark Air Museum said: “The exciting new display will provide our visitors with a fascinating insight into both the history and future possible developments of UAVs. The museum is very honoured to have been given the opportunity of hosting this display and we are certain it will help people to start understanding the science behind UAVs and their expanding utilisation for new civilian use”.
The project brings together academics from IESSG, experts in the field of sensor and positioning systems and The Department for Aerospace, Power & Sensors at the Royal Military College of Science in Shrivenham, the largest defence-orientated academic institution in Europe. Funding of £69,000 has been awarded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council as part of their Public Engagement Programme. The programme aims to stimulate a greater understanding about the issues and opportunities that arise from research.
Notes to editors:
The University of Nottingham is Britain's University of the Year (The Times Higher Awards 2006). It undertakes world-changing research, provides innovative teaching and a student experience of the highest quality. Ranked by Newsweek in the world's Top 75 universities, its academics have won two Nobel Prizes since 2003. The University is an international institution with campuses in the United Kingdom, Malaysia and China.
More information is available from:
Dr Sam Waugh on +44 (0) 115 8466027, or Howard Heeley on
+ 44 (0) 115 9201536 or Media Relations Manager Lindsay Brooke in the University’s Media and Public Relations Office on +44 (0)115 9515793, lindsay.brooke@nottingham.ac.uk
Photo Credits: Howard Heeley – Down To Earth Promotions
Shackleton WR977 helps to celebrate the Newark Aviation Museums 50th Birthday
Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th August 2007
Final details have just been released for Newark Air Museum’s 50th Anniversary celebrations for Shackleton Mk.3 Ph.3 WR977 that takes place on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th August 2007 at the museum site on Winthorpe Showground in eastern Nottinghamshire.
A diverse range of activities and events has been organised to run throughout both days and includes:
· Displays from the museum’s Shackleton Archive relating to the type and WR977’s service career
· PowerPoint presentations featuring WR977 being moved and restored; and one about flying Shackletons
· Participation by the Shackleton Association and its members, including viewing their recently acquired Shackleton stained glass window
· Archive 8mm film footage from a former Shackleton aircrew member
· Book signing for both museum Shackleton books ‘Duty Carried Out’ and ‘Dedication To Duty’
One particular item warrants special mention.
Andrew Schofield will be visiting the museum from South Africa for the Official UK launch of his new Shackleton 1722 DVD and copies will be available for purchase. Throughout both days Andrew will be giving presentations to introduce the DVD to everyone present. If all goes according to plan Andrew will also be bringing along footage of a commemorative flypast that the South African Shackleton 1722 is performing in mid-August to mark the 50th Anniversary of WR977’s first flight.
Public admission rates to the event are as follows: Adults £6.00; Over 60s £5.50; and Children £3.75. On both days WR977 will be open for inspection and public admission to the aircraft costs an additional 50 pence per person.
Further details can be found on the museum website at www.newarkairmuseum.org
Photo credit for the attached image:
Howard Heeley – Down To Earth Promotions
For further details please contact:
Newark Air Museum
Winthorpe Showground
NEWARK
Notts
NG24 2NY
Tel: 01636 707170
Registered Charity No. 256434
http://www.newarkairmuseum.org
Raise funds for Newark Air Museum when you shop with over 250 online stores via
http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/uk/newarkairmuseum