Cockpit-Fest at Newark Air Museum
This will be the twenty second (22nd) time that like-minded enthusiasts have displayed their aircraft cockpit sections at the museum
It's the 2023 Cockpit-Fest, at Newark Air Museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire; close to the border with Lincolnshire.
The museum is a registered charity located on part of the former site of RAF Winthorpe; this year’s Cockpit-Fest is once again taking place in its traditional June time-slot; on Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th June, 2023.
Cockpit-Fest has become a fixture on the aviation calendar and each year attracts many visiting cockpits and associated displays. Cockpit-Fest allows the owners the chance to display their prized exhibits to their fellow enthusiasts and the general public.
Howard Heeley, a Trustee at the Museum tells us more about the event:
"It started off as an idea by one of our volunteers, a guy called Bill O'Sullivan, and we decided to give it a go, and see putting an invitation out to different people. It started relatively small and has gradually built up over the years, and I think it's a bit of a nice feeling for Bill, and us.
"The idea has also been taken up in USA and Australia, and also in some other locations around the UK. So, there are other places that do it but our cockpit fest was the original.
"Cockpit Fest has now been going for just over 20 years now and it's a weekend where we invite aircraft cockpit owners, from around the UK, and sometimes from Europe, to come in and display their cockpits to the public, which gives the general public, and our visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with lots of different airplanes."
At this year’s event a diverse range of aviation will be represented; this incorporates a range of military jet cockpits and civilian types; plus, several of the on-loan cockpits that resident at the museum; some cockpits will be displayed at the event for the very first time.
In addition, a diverse range of visiting cockpit related exhibits are also expected to be displayed around the 16-acre site; alongside an Aeroboot / Aerojumble aviation and avionics sale.
The event is supported by a range of organisations and individuals; with the visitors being encouraged to have a say in deciding, which is the best cockpit by voting on their favourite display and from these results, prizes are awarded.
Cockpit-Fest also attracts other visiting displays like local history groups; re-enactors; and even more aviation related displays such as clothing and historical artefacts.
Full details about the events and a full list of visiting cockpits and displays can be found on the Museum Events page of the museum website at www.newarkairmuseum.org