Army Flying Museum – Airscene News

Autumn Season Takes Flight at Army Flying Museum

Army Flying Museum Remembrance — *photo by John Rose Photography*

Despite being in the midst of the busy summer holidays with lots of fun activities keeping families entertained, the Army Flying Museum at Middle Wallop in Hampshire is already gearing up for a packed Autumn Season, with a wide array of events programmed to entice visitors new and old into the stunning surroundings of the Hayward Hall.

The new programme of events will commence with a daytime talk to commemorate Operation Market Garden will be delivered by former Curator of the Museum – Derek Armitage – on Wednesday 13 September, with a further daytime talk ‘Wings Over the Guns’ by Museum Tour Guide, Mike O’Donoghue on Thursday 16 October. The Autumn will also see three new evening lectures planned which particularly appeal to military enthusiasts, with two very special talks to commemorate the Battle of Britain.

On 27 September, the wonderful Romsey Male Voice Choir return to the Museum. The 60 strong choir perform with passion, tenderness, laughter and fun and likes to give its audiences something just a bit different! The choir will be accompanied by special guests Romsey Songbird.

Another fabulous treat for music lovers lies in store when Salisbury Big Band take centre stage at the Museum on 4 October for another great toe-tapping celebration of swing, jazz and big band classics.

For October half term, the Museum will be staging some fantastic creepy creature craft activities and Halloween themed trails for children along with the popular model making and painting sessions. As a special treat, there will be a special Meccano day the Museum on Wednesday 29 October.

On Tuesday 11 November, the Middle Wallop & Andover Military Wives Choir will perform in the Hayward Hall with a stunning Concert of Remembrance. The concert has sold out in previous years, so customers are advised to book early for this very special event.

Two fabulous fairs are lined up for the weekend of the 22/23 November. On 22^nd, an array of local gift, craft and food providers will kick start the Christmas shopping period with the Museum’s annual Christmas Fair. Over thirty stall holders will be available to browse alongside the Museum’s popular gift shop and there will also be festive trails and craft activities on offer for children to enjoy. Sunday 23^rd November sees the staging of the Aircraft Enthusiasts’ Fair and Model Show when every nook and cranny of the Museum will be packed full of exhibitors and stall holders for enthusiasts to browse.

December sees the return of the very special family event ‘Santa’s Flying Visit’. On Saturday 6 December, children will have the opportunity to meet and have a professional photo taken with Santa in the historic Scout helicopter, along with festive craft activities, trails and refreshments to keep families entertained.

Chief Executive of the Army Flying Museum, Lucy Johnson said “We are thrilled to present another busy Autumn season of events here at the Museum and hope to attract lots more new visitors through our doors, not only to enjoy the events, but also to see more of the work we do as a charity in telling the story of British Army aviation.”

For more information and to book tickets, visit www.armyflying.com

Heritage Open Days at Army Flying Museum

Every September, thousands of volunteers across England organise a wide range of events to celebrate the history and culture of the country, and the volunteer team from the Army Flying Museum at Middle Wallop in Hampshire is no exception.

The Museum is proud to have a number of knowledgeable and experienced volunteer tour guides who regularly take organised groups on tours of the Museum, charting the history of British Army aviation and regaling visitors with stories of intrigue, personal anecdotes and humour.

Established in 1994, Heritage Open Days takes place from the 12-21 September, and brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history. Stories are told, traditions explored, and histories brought to life.

To embrace this, the tour guides at the Army Flying Museum have organised two special tours which will run on the 15^th and 20^th September and are included with the normal Museum entry price and available for any visitor to book.

With their wealth of experience, visitors that have a particular interest in military history won’t fail to be astounded by the breadth of knowledge of the guides, all of which are retired military personnel or military historians. The tours will take visitors on a journey of reconnaissance, communication and combat, whilst highlighting the story of British Army aviation amongst the stunning exhibits and aircraft on display at the Hampshire Museum.

In addition, on 15^th September, tour guide Richard Folkes will introduce a recording of ‘Pegasus Bridge – In Their Own Words’. This very special recording contains precious footage of interviews with key participants of this historic era with the audience invited to participate in a Q&A session following the screening.

On 20^th September, visitors will also have the opportunity to watch a special film by military historian, Paul Beaver – ‘Spitfire Gifts of War’. The film reveals the story behind the Spitfire Fund and of the local people desperate to play their part in beating the Luftwaffe.

In England, Heritage Open Days has expanded and diversified from 701 events at its launch to over 5,000 today, providing countless opportunities for more people to come together and enjoy, often surprising, but always interesting, doorstep discoveries.

For more information and to book, visit www.armyflying.com

Army Flying Museum partnership soars to new heights

A company which provides day to day work on defence related projects and military sites across Hampshire and Wiltshire has confirmed its commitment to the British Army aviation museum at Middle Wallop, by extending its corporate partnership for a further twelve months.

UK Power Networks Services, experts in managing electricity infrastructure, began its support of the Army Flying Museum with a successful volunteer day at the Museum in 2022, when fifty volunteers from the company gave the Museum a much-needed boost by undertaking a variety of gardening and maintenance work around the grounds. Teams from the company have since returned to the Museum to aid the team in maintaining the memorial garden for visitors to enjoy, restoring uneven flooring in the main exhibition hall and cleaning the much-loved memorial.

Lucy Johnson, CEO at the museum said: “We are so pleased that UK Power Networks Services are continuing as one of the corporate partners at the Army Flying Museum. The Museum represents a great opportunity to showcase the company’s work to our ever-expanding audience, and we very much look forward to welcoming their staff with their families into the Museum over the coming year. By pledging their support for the Museum for another year, UK Power Networks Services will directly support vital work at the Museum and ensure the charity can continue to develop its role in telling the history of British Army aviation”.

UK Power Networks Services build and maintain electrical infrastructure for high profile businesses and organisations, serving clients in defence, airports, ports, rail operators, public sector developments, utilities, manufacturers, and logistics firms.

The Army Flying Museum is the only Museum in the world that tells the extraordinary story of British Army aviation. As a corporate partner, UK Power Networks Services enjoy a range of fantastic benefits, allowing staff, clients and stakeholders to share a deep connection with the Museum and its community. The Museum offers brand acknowledgement, access and networking as well as discounted venue hire and staff benefits including free access for company team members and their families.

Rodney Booth, client delivery manager at UK Power Networks Services, said: “We are delighted to be continuing its corporate partnership with the Army Flying Museum. It is a privilege to be able to support such a unique local charity and the great work all their staff are engaged with. We look forward to another successful year in association with our friends and partners at the Army Flying Museum.’’

www.armyflying.com

Wallop Wheels and Wings

Aerosuperbatics at Army Flying Museum — *Photo by Derek Reedman*

A spectacular festival of motoring and aviation not only brought a fabulous array of vehicles and aircraft from across the country roaring into the Army Flying Museum at Middle Wallop, Hampshire last Saturday (12 July), but also saw a magnificent air display programme which wowed yet another sell-out crowd.

The Army Flying Museum, and the adjacent Army Air Corps airfield, saw its highest number of aircraft, motorcycles, classic and super cars descend on an extremely hot day for the fifth Wallop, Wheels and Wings event, attracting over 5000 visitors. The event, which was sponsored by GKN Aerospace and Airbus, was undoubtedly the biggest and best it has hosted, and the air displays began in style with a stunning fly-past from the Red Arrows. The afternoon saw a number of displays including the RAF Falcons Parachute Team, Rolls-Royce Heritage Flight’s Spitfire PR.XIX along with a stunning display from the Aerosuperbatics Wing Walkers and culminated with a breathtaking finale from the Army Air Corps Display Team.

On the ground there were over 400 classic and super car clubs in attendance, spanning over one hundred years of motoring including the Morgan Club, Aston Martin Owners’ Club, the MX5 Owners Club and the Austin Healey Club, along with a wide range of superbikes and vintage motorcycles, with a very special display by Andover Norton International.

Visitors were able to view the new Boeing AH-64E Apache AH1 which was especially brought out of the hangar for visitors to see, along with the Army Air Corps recruiting team’s Gazelle helicopter. TV personality Henry Cole also made a very special appearance, bringing along his partially restored Bell Sioux Helicopter for crowds to see.

The event showcased a number of interactive STEM activities in its Discovery Den, with hands on activities from GKN Aerospace, Airbus, Boeing and Leonardos with lots to keep young minds buzzing, including GKN’s very own robot.

A shopping village showcased many local traders and visitors were treated to lots of great delights from local businesses including Saxnot Meadery, New Forest Shortbread, Hornet Chilli and many more.

Lucy Johnson, Army Flying Museum CEO, said: We are so thrilled to have welcomed over 5000 people to our biggest and best-ever Wallop Wheels & Wings – what a finale we gave the crowds this year, huge thanks to the Army Air Corps Display Team. This is the key event in the Museum’s fundraising calendar, and it is so important in helping to raise the profile of the Museum and the work that we do. It was fantastic to see so many happy, smiling faces despite the heat, and to see a record-breaking number of cars, bikes and aircraft join us on the day. Increasing our air display programme was a particular highlight and it was great to see the delight on our visitors faces as they watched the spectacular displays taking place. Roll on 2026!”

Wallop Wheels and Wings 2026 is set to take place on Saturday 11 July, more info at www.armyflying.com

Walking the UK Coastline

The Army Flying Museum at Middle Wallop in Hampshire are thrilled to announce a new event taking place at the Museum on 11 August – Walking the UK Coastline with Chris Lewis.

Chris, an ex-paratrooper, had hit rock bottom, suffering with anxiety and depression so severe he would shut himself in his bedroom for weeks. Then, in summer 2017, whilst surfing – his only respite – he cast his eyes along the coast and made an impulsive decision that would change his life.

A few days later, on 1st August 2017, with nothing but a broken tent, a borrowed pair of boots and £10 in his pocket, Chris set off to walk the entire UK coastline raising funds for the veteran’s charity SSAFA. He had no idea how long it would take him or if it was even possible. What followed was the adventure of a lifetime which turned his life around. He adopted his beloved dog, Jet, nine months into the journey who became his devoted companion.

Chris faced serious challenges along the way battling hunger, injury, extreme weather conditions and incredibly challenging terrain in the most remote corners of the UK, spending three months on the uninhabited island of Hildasay with no fresh water, food or electricity. It was in these wildest landscapes that he found happiness, pride and self-respect.

Soon after, his life was to take an unexpected turn once again when he met Kate, a fellow adventurer, at the bottom of a cliff. Kate packed in her former life to join him on the walk full-time and the couple then welcomed their baby son, Magnus along the way. Undeterred, they continued with their newborn baby in tow and finished the walk in July 2023 with an army of followers crossing the line behind them having raised over £500,000 for charity. By the end of his walk, Chris had gained more than he could ever have imagined possible.

Chris and his family, now known as Wilderness Family, have recently embarked on their next big adventure cycling and hiking 8000 miles along the Atlantic Coast of Europe raising funds for the charity, Make A Wish UK.

Join Chris at the Museum for an entertaining, heartwarming and inspiring talk, as he shares stories and reflections from his incredible journey. For more information, visit https://armyflying.com/what-s-on/

Look to the Skies at Middle Wallop

Wingwalkers at Wallop Wheels & Wings — (by Darren Curtis)

The Army Flying Museum, in Middle Wallop, are in the last throws of their preparation for their popular annual fundraising event, Wallop Wheels and Wings, which will take place on both the Museum site and the historic adjacent airfield on Saturday 12 July.

Visitors are in for a real treat again this year as, weather permitting, a number of air displays are planned throughout the event. The amazing Aerosuperbatics Wing Walkers will be wowing the crowds and making their first visit to Wallop Wheels and Wings. The Wing walkers perform breathtaking acrobatics and handstands whilst strapped to the top wings of two beautiful 1940’s Boeing Stearman biplanes as the pilots fly through a choreographed and energetic routine of dazzling aerobatics and close formation flypasts. It is set to be a very exciting addition to the display programme at this popular annual event at Middle Wallop. In addition, the Museum are thrilled to welcome back the RAF Falcons Parachute Display team, the Rolls Royce Heritage Flight Spitfire and the Navy Wings Harvard.

Also included in the programme are very special displays by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Douglas C47 Dakota and RAF Grob Tutor, along with what is set to be a real crowd pleaser, as a Westland Lynx AH Mk.7 takes to the skies to entertain the crowds.

The event is a great day out for the whole family, not just for car, motorbike and aircraft enthusiasts and will see a full programme of entertainment running throughout the day including inflatables, craft activities, laser tag, mini racers and circus skills, for all ages to get involved in. This year, sponsors GKN Aerospace and Airbus Helicopters will also provide some great activities to keep young minds whirring in the Discovery Den. Younger visitors will also have lots of fun with the classic pedal planes and little tanks. The event village will showcase local artisan traders including Homemade Brownie Company, New Forest Shortbread, Hornet Chilli, Saxnot Meadery, and many more and is a great chance to support local independent traders and pick up some unique gifts.

The event this year has attracted its highest number of exhibitors, with over 400 classic/super cars and motorcycles, with a very special display by sponsors Andover Norton International. The event will also showcase the Model Aircraft Club, Living History Groups and much more.

For those with an interest in photography, there are only limited tickets remaining for the photography enclosure which gives exclusive access to aircraft arrivals and prime positioning to capture some amazing shots on the day.

Chief Executive of the Museum Lucy Johnson said: “Wallop Wheels and Wings is the Army Flying Museum’s main fundraising event and a chance to showcase some of the best vintage aircraft, cars and motorbikes on the beautiful site of Middle Wallop airfield. We are also thrilled to have been able to build on the number of air displays included in the event this year. The Museum is an independent charity and relies on fundraising activities to support the work we do in preserving the history of British Army aviation, so the proceeds from this event are vitally important. But it’s also a brilliant day out for the whole family and we hope you can join us!”

All tickets purchased in advance of the event come with a free annual pass for the Museum valid from 13 July and with all school holiday activities included in the annual pass, this gives great value for money for local families to enjoy and support this great local Museum.

www.armyflying.com

Army Flying Museum Crowdfunding Appeal

The Army Flying Museum at Middle Wallop in Hampshire has launched its first ever crowdfunding campaign!

The much-loved Museum which recently won the Silver Award for Small Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Beautiful South Awards, installed an Apache AH Mk.1 attack helicopter on permanent display last year, making it the only Museum in the UK that the public can see this formidable aircraft.

The exhibit has been a popular one at the Hampshire Museum, with record visitor numbers achieved in 2024/25 following the installation. However, the Museum now needs to update their popular ‘Helicopters in Action’ audio-visual display. They have been working with the fantastic team at Ay-Pe to create an exciting digital experience that showcases the fascinating development of the Army’s armed and attack helicopters with the Apache front and centre.

The Museum is hoping to raise the funds it needs to make the new display a reality. Half the funds have already been secured, and the Crowdfunding campaign has got off to a great start with a generous donation of £5000 from the Army Air Corps Charity.

Lucy Johnson, Chief Executive of the Army Flying Museum said: “It has taken over a decade for the Museum to install an Apache and we are delighted to have been the first museum in the UK to have done so. The next challenge of bringing our audio-visual display up to date and truly showcase the development of these amazing aircraft is really exciting and we can’t wait to see the finished product. We hope that our visitors and supporters will get behind this and help us to achieve our fundraising target and get themselves a limited-edition gift too!”

Members of the public are encouraged to donate online to access some unique rewards designed by Runway25, a business created by Army veteran and former Apache technician, Tom Newey who said: “As a former aircraft technician with 3 Regt AAC, I actually owe my business to the Apache and the opportunities that being part of the AHF gave me. A chance encounter in 2014 led to me starting the business that eventually became Runway25. As a company, we are honoured to be working with the Army Flying Museum to help them raise funds for the display of ZJ224 which is such a special aircraft in AAC history.”

To find out more and support the Museum in their fundraising venture, visit: https://armyflying.com/support-us/army-flying-museum-apache-ah-mk-1-display-fundraiser/

Victory in Europe 80th Anniversary at Army Flying Museum

The Army Flying Museum at Middle Wallop in Hampshire will be encouraging visitors to join them from the 8^th May to commemorate VE Day 2025.

The Museum will be staging a very special temporary display which will feature Second World War highlights from the Museum’s collection. Visitors will be able to see artefacts and documents that provide a unique insight into Army aviation during the global conflict, along with excerpts from recordings of those who were there. Many of the items in the exhibition will not have been on public display before, therefore offering a unique opportunity to even the most regular of visitors to the Museum.

A stunning soundtrack of words and music will be played in the breathtaking Hayward Hall from the 8^th – 10^th May, giving visitors a chance to remember, commemorate and reflect whilst admiring the amazing aircraft on display.

On Friday 9^th May, the Museum will host a very special talk by Military Historian – Paul Beaver – Middle Wallop in the War Years. Most people know Middle Wallop for its Battle of Britain connection, but its history during the Second World War was varied and fascinating. From flying Poles to American fighters, the airfield had many users in five years of conflict. A great opportunity for visitors to learn some things they may not have known about Wallop!

Local enthusiasts Gramofun, will also be sharing their love of gramophones on the 9^th, bringing a selection of wind-up gramophones and 1940’s records to ensure visitors can hear the music exactly as it would have sounded in the day, with a very special VE80 theme.

With special VE80 activity sheets and a trail for younger visitors to learn more about the Second World War, the Museum hopes to encourage family groups to come and experience all the Museum has to offer.

To encourage visitors into the Museum to commemorate VE80, the Museum are offering a very special one-off entry fee of just £8 on the 8^th May!

To find our more, visit www.armyflying.com

Wallop Wheels & Wings – a Perfect Partnership

The Army Flying Museum at Middle Wallop in Hampshire are thrilled to announce local company Andover Norton International, have shown their support for the charity’s annual fundraising event Wallop Wheels and Wings, which this year will take place on Saturday 12 July.

The company, which was founded in 1977, is home to the biggest stock of Norton parts worldwide, selling more Norton factory spare parts for Norton Commandos, Dominators and other models, than anyone else in the World. The company are a perfect partnership with the Museum for their fifth Wallop Wheels and Wings event as they look to grow the display and cavalcade of motorcycles in 2025, having already achieved record numbers of car exhibitors for this year’s event.

Karl Smith, Managing Director of Andover Norton International said: “We’re incredibly proud to partner with the Army Flying Museum for their Wallop Wings and Wheels 2025 event. As a local business based in Andover, who’re connected to a classic British motorcycle brand, it felt like a perfect affiliation.

We can’t wait to attend and showcase some of our own incredible Classic Norton collection and see the vehicles on display on the day.”

The confirmation of support from Andover Norton comes as very welcome news to the Museum as they grow from strength to strength with their packed event programme and record visitor numbers, following their Silver Award for Small Visitor Attraction of the year at the Beautiful South Awards in December.

Chief Executive of the Army Flying Museum, Lucy Johnson said: “Wallop Wheels and Wings is our main fundraising event for the charity and now, in its fifth year, we hope it will be bigger and better than ever. It is fantastic to have secured Andover Norton as a sponsor this year to develop the motorcycle element of the event and we are delighted to be working with them and can’t wait to see the array of Norton bikes on display.”

The event will again feature a wide array of classic and super cars, motorcycles and aircraft, to please both aviation and motor enthusiasts, with a small number of air display elements during the day.

For non-enthusiasts, there will be the opportunity to browse the artisan trader village, with over 40 stalls selling a wide range of arts, crafts, food and drink. New to the event this year will be a speaker’s tent for visitors with an avid interest in military history.

Activities for families and children will be in abundance, with mini go-carts, circus skills, pedal planes, mini tanks, face painting and lots of craft and interactive activities to keep little ones busy throughout the day.

For further information or to book tickets, visit https://armyflying.com/what-s-on/events/wallop-wheels-wings-2025/

Army Flying Museum Events 2023

Army Flying Museum

30th January – Chinook Crew ‘Chick’ Lecture – Join Liz McConaghy at 7pm on Monday 30th January, to hear her insightful and personal perspective on war. Her career saw her amass 2 deployments to Iraq and 10 deployments to Helmand Afghanistan in support of Operation HERRICK.

4th – 5th February – The Brick Event – Flying machines made out of lego.

11th February – Living History Saturday – Ham & Jam (a Living History Group depicting various units of the British 6th Airborne Division in World War Two) will be visiting the Museum. Come along and learn about the troops of World War Two.

13th – 17th February – Operation Codecracker – activities with a focus on secret agents, code breaking and great escapes.

18th February – Trainmaster – We are delighted to be hosting Trainmaster in the Museum for a special Half Term event when they will be filling our conference room with a giant hands-on train track, electric trains, and lots of train themed fun.

20th February – D-Day, Arnhem & The Rhine – Join Michael Ashby and Jonathan Walker, either in the Museum or online, at 7pm on Monday 20th February 2023, for a fascinating insight into the experiences of Michael Ashby’s father, Robert, as a Glider Pilot.

27th March – Bomb Group – Hear Mike Peters tell the story of just one ‘Bomb Group’ – the 381st, which crossed the Atlantic in May 1943. Arriving at RAF Ridgewell on the Essex-Suffolk border, its airmen quickly found themselves thrown into the hazardous and attritional air battle raging in the skies over Europe.

25th & 27th May – Model Making – Come and learn how to make and paint plastic models and start a model making hobby. Explore your passion and interest in vehicles, history, fantasy and story-telling. With guidance and resources from Models for Heroes you will take home a model to be proud of to remind you of your visit.

1st July – Wallop Wings & Wheels (not an airshow)

https://armyflying.com/what-s-on/events/