2019 sees the
80th Anniversary of the outbreak of WWII, just 21 years after the
end of the ‘war to end all wars’, and at the Yorkshire Air Museum
you can explore the role of aircraft and the people who flew them
in the conquest of tyranny. It is also the 75th Anniversary of the
formation of the two French Squadrons of RAF Bomber Command, who
uniquely flew from Elvington with Halifax Mk. III bombers.
See the only complete WWII Halifax bomber in Europe, climb aboard
the Douglas C-47 Dakota, the aircraft famed for its role in the
airborne invasion of the D-Day Landings and stand up close to our
examples of the famous WWII Spitfire and Hurricane fighters.
You will also find a Gloster Meteor, Britain’s first jet
fighter and many aircraft from the Cold War era with exciting,
evocative names such as Lightning, Hunter, the Yorkshire built
Blackburn Buccaneer, Nimrod and the awesome and still futuristic
looking Victor V-Bomber.
From the birth of flight, you can
also see the only example of Sir George Cayley’s historic
man-carrying glider of 1853, the only full size replica in Europe
of a Wright Flyer, the world’s first powered aircraft, and the
intriguing Blackburn Mercury Monoplane.
Newly on display
and creating a great deal of interest is the Dassault Mirage IV
strategic, supersonic nuclear bomber, gifted to the Museum by the
French Government, which is the only example of this type to be
seen in the world outside of France. This imposing aircraft makes
a rare, and possibly unique, pairing with its smaller variant the
Mirage III supersonic fighter here at Elvington.
There is
indeed a great deal for the visitor to discover during a day out
with us. Based on an authentic WWII Bomber Command Station, the
former RAF Elvington, we maintain the authentic atmosphere of the
period, whilst housing superb displays and exhibits, such as the
Bomber Command exhibition “Against the Odds”, which is now the
definitive national presentation on this subject. Similarly, the
“Pioneers of Aviation” exhibition provides a fascinating insight
into Yorkshire’s literally ground -breaking role in the birth of
manned flight, with Sir George Cayley, renowned as the Father of
Aeronautics and the inventor of the aeroplane, who was born in
Scarborough in December 1773. The exhibition also explores Leeds
born Robert Blackburn who established a hugely successful aircraft
manufacturing business; Hull born aviator Amy Johnson, whose
daring exploits and solo flights to Australia and South Africa are
indeed the stuff of legend. The work of Sir Barnes Wallis on the
R101 airship at Howden is also explored and the exhibition
features a dramatic interpretation of the famous ‘Dambuster raids’
with the Bouncing Bomb.
The Museum prides itself on being
a dedicated Memorial to the Allied Air Forces and the tranquil
Memorial Gardens provide a peaceful haven to reflect on the
service and sacrifice of so many brave young airmen and women,
from WWI to the present day.
With so much to see, we have
an excellent restaurant in which visitors can enjoy a tasty meal,
snacks and refreshments during their stay with us.
Most
importantly, the Museum is a place of discovery and certainly much
more than just an air museum!
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