Cold War Jets Collection facts for kids

The Cold War Jets Collection (CWJC) is a special museum in the United Kingdom. It's located near Lutterworth, Leicestershire, at Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome. This airfield used to be a base for the Royal Air Force, which is the UK's air force. The museum is a fantastic place to see old jet aircraft from the Cold War era up close!

About the Cold War Jets Collection

The Cold War Jets Collection is a museum that focuses on aircraft from the Cold War period. The Cold War was a time of tension between different countries, lasting from the end of World War II until the early 1990s. During this time, many powerful jet planes were designed and built.

What is the Collection?

The collection is made up of several groups that work together. These groups are dedicated to keeping these historic aircraft in good condition. Some of the main groups include:

• The Lightning Preservation Group (LPG)
• The Classic British Jets Collection (CBJC)
• GJD AeroTech

These groups work hard to preserve and maintain these amazing jets.

Where is it Located?

The museum is based at Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome. This airfield was once a busy Royal Air Force station. It's a great place for these large aircraft because it has plenty of space. The airfield is owned by C Walton Ltd, who also host the CWJC.

What Happens There?

In the past, the airfield used to be open to visitors on Sundays. People could come and see the aircraft on display. There were also special "open days" held twice a year, usually in May and August. During these days, visitors could see exciting "fast taxi runs." This is when the jets speed down the runway, almost taking off, but they stay on the ground. It's a thrilling sight! Individual groups also held their own events, including engine runs and photoshoots.

A New Chapter

In June 2020, it was announced that the museum had closed its main public access. However, the good news is that the collection found a new home! It reopened in September 2023 at a different part of Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome. This new location is around the QRA hangars. For now, visits are by invitation only.

Aircraft in the Collection

The Cold War Jets Collection has many different types of aircraft. These planes were important during the Cold War. They show how aviation technology developed during that time. Here is a list of some of the amazing aircraft you can find in the collection:

Former Aircraft Residents

Some aircraft have been part of the collection in the past but have since moved to other locations. This often happens as museums and collections grow and change. Here are some of the planes that used to be at Bruntingthorpe: