Staff at the Nottinghamshire attraction are reflecting on another successful CockpitFest – and have announced dates for the next one
The 23rd edition of Cockpit-Fest proved to be another successful event at Newark Air Museum on June 24 and 25. The event – which also includes the popular Aeroboot - was well attended and generated much positive feedback from exhibitors and visitors alike.
Among the attendees were visitors from as far afield as Hawaii, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. Newark’s Howard Heeley reports that museum trustees were particularly thankful to a host of people: all of the Cockpiteers and exhibitors, the Aeroboot stall holders, museum staff, aircraft openers and volunteers.
As is traditional, the event hosted a diverse range of cockpits and supporting displays, with the following going home with well-deserved awards. Plus, esteemed writer and former FlyPast editor ‘Uncle’ Ken Ellis was on hand to present the two Wrecks & Relics Spirit of Cockpit-Fest awards:
- Grand Champion (Visitors Award) – Bill Fern (SYAM), Jaguar GR1, XX736
- Visitors Award Non-Cockpit – Richard Fryer, Flying Helmets display
- Cockpiteers Cockpit Award – Ritch and Max Blood, Provost T1 cockpit
- Cockpiteers Award Non-Cockpit – Richard Fryer, Flying Helmets display
- Wrecks & Relics Spirit of Cockpit-Fest Award (Ken Ellis) – Bill Fern (SYAM), Vickers Valetta cockpit
- Wrecks & Relics Spirit of Cockpit-Fest Award (Ken Ellis) – Ian and Gary Morton, DH Dove G-ANAP cockpit
Also on display this year was a project comprising parts of Supermarine Seafire VP455, the world's ‘youngest’ Seafire. The project includes the fighter’s surviving data plates, airframe components, parts of the engine, undercarriage and associated fixtures and fittings.
Cockpit-Fest will return to Newark Air Museum next year – dates have been confirmed for Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 June, 2024. With thanks to Howard Heeley
