Intrepid Aviation facts for kids

Intrepid Aviation was once a cool aviation museum located in hangar #4 at North Weald Airfield in North Weald, Essex, England. It was started by David Gilmour, who is famous for being a member of the rock band Pink Floyd. He created it to keep and fly his amazing collection of old, classic airplanes, also known as vintage aircraft.

What Was Intrepid Aviation?

Intrepid Aviation was more than just a place to see planes. It became a big part of the airshow world. The company helped put on airshows in places like Thurrock and North Weald. They also sent their aircraft to perform at airshows all over Europe during the 1990s.

Exciting Airshow Teams

During that time, a special group called the 'Red Stars Race Team' was formed by Brendan Walsh. This team was very exciting! It had 10 Yak 52 Russian airplanes that would race around pylons (tall markers) in spectacular shows across the UK.

Helping the Movie Industry

Intrepid Aviation also worked with the film industry. They provided airplanes, pilots, and advice for more than 80 movies and TV shows. One famous production they helped with was Steven Spielberg's TV series Band of Brothers.

Why Intrepid Aviation Was Sold

David Gilmour eventually sold Intrepid Aviation. He explained that he started it as a hobby, a way to enjoy his passion for planes and help cover the costs. However, over a few years, it grew into a big business. It stopped feeling like a fun hobby and became more like a job. Because of this, he decided to sell the company. After selling it, he still kept one of his favorite old biplanes to fly for fun sometimes.