Aviation Pioneers Exhibition Set to Fly After Heritage Lottery Funding
The Yorkshire Air Museum & Allied Air Forces Memorial is celebrating today after receiving confirmation of a substantial Heritage Lottery Fund grant towards its new ‘Aviation Pioneers’ exhibition.Ian Reed, Museum Director, comments: “This funding will, at long last, enable the wonderful stories of these world-famous Yorkshire based pioneers to be told in a thoroughly modern and interactive way for all ages, using historic artefacts alongside the latest computer and display technology”.
“Aviation Pioneers” will cover the work and discoveries of the world renowned “Father of Aeronautics”, Sir George Cayley of Brompton near Scarborough; Sir Barnes Wallis, designer of the R100 airship at Howden and his deputy, Nevil ‘Shute’ Norway, author and York based aircraft manufacturer, plus world-record aviator Amy Johnson from Hull and famous Leeds based aircraft manufacturer Robert Blackburn.
The exhibition will be of national importance, reflecting the growing reputation of the Museum within British aviation heritage. There has not been a major, permanent exhibition encompassing Yorkshire’s pivotal role in the development of aviation before now, and this additional funding will allow a ‘state of the art’ exhibition to be produced. The £100,000 permanent exhibition will explore the social importance of the discoveries and achievements of these Yorkshire based aviation pioneers and is planned to be opened in Spring 2009.
Fiona Spiers, Head of HLF, Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “This project will help bring the stories of aviation to life for everyone to explore. HLF is dedicated to supporting projects that open up our heritage for locals and visitors to learn about and enjoy and the new exhibition will be a great addition to one of York’s many interesting museums.”