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This weekend is CockpitFest 2022 at Newark Air Museum. This two day charitable event is one of the highlights of our calendar and provides a focal point for cockpit owners from across the UK and always features an impressive line up of cockpit sections, panel displays and numerous other guest contributions.

The BPAG will be on site, XV490’s cockpits will be open for tours and exclusive Phantom merchandise will be available. Gates open at 9am on Saturday (tomorrow) and 10am on Sunday. More details on the event page of NAM’s website- http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/Cockpit-Fest_22_Quick_Guide

The BPAG returned to the Cosford Airshow last weekend, for the first time since 2018.  Although our location was at the far end of the hanger line, the proximity of the F-35, Typhoon, Hawks and Gazelle as well as the STEM facilities nearby meant we were easy to find and our cockpit visit crews and volunteers behind the merch stall were flat out from the time the gates opened.  Many thanks to all our members and volunteers for their hard work and to everyone who dropped by the stall and purchased merchandise or made a donation. Thanks also go out to the Cosford Airshow organising committee for the invite to this year’s show, we will look forward to coming back in 2023.

To coincide with the release of Top Gun 2, XV490 will be at showings of the film this weekend. These are: ARC Cinema Hucknall. Friday 27 May. 5pm until 8.30pmARC Cinema. Beeston. Saturday 28 May. 5pm until 8.30pmARC Cinema. Daventry. Sunday 29 May. 4pm until 8pm XV490’s owner Mike Davey will be there overseeing proceedings, so if you’re visiting then pop over and say hello.

To mark the recent allocation of the 19 Sqn designation to the CRC facility at Boulmer, XV415 has had a repaint.

Although the aircraft itself never served with 19 Sqn, the unit operated the FGR.2 as part of RAFG between 1977-92 and deployed to Cyprus during Desert Storm in 1990.

Many thanks to Dennis Ineson for providing the pic.