Shuttleworth Collection facts for kids
The main entrance to the Shuttleworth Collection in 2017
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| Established | 1928 |
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| Location | Old Warden, Bedfordshire |
| Type | Aviation museum |
The Shuttleworth Collection is a super cool museum in Old Warden, Bedfordshire, England. It's famous for its amazing collection of old planes and cars. Many people think it's one of the best museums in the world because it has so many rare and well-kept aircraft.
Contents
Discover the Shuttleworth Collection's History
The museum was started in 1928 by a pilot named Richard Ormonde Shuttleworth. Sadly, Richard died in a plane crash in 1940 while flying a Fairey Battle at night.
After his death, in 1944, his mother created a special trust. This trust was set up to teach people about flying, planting trees, and farming. This is how the amazing Shuttleworth Collection came to be!
What You Can See at the Collection
A team of skilled engineers and many volunteers work hard to fix and take care of the planes and cars. These volunteers are part of a group called the Shuttleworth Veteran Aeroplane Society (SVAS), which has over 3,000 members! Their dedication helps keep these old machines in great shape.
Besides planes, the museum also has many old and classic cars. They often have special events like model airplane flying days. Once a year, they even host a special flying day just for local schools.
The Shuttleworth Collection tries to get as many aircraft as possible to fly again. This was Richard Shuttleworth's original dream! They usually have about twelve air shows each year, including evening displays. These shows are a rare chance to see planes that are the last of their kind, and many of them can still fly!
Amazing Edwardian Flying Machines
Some of the most special planes at the collection are five aircraft from the Edwardian period (the early 1900s). One of these is the oldest British plane that can still fly! It's incredible that these planes, built so long ago, can still take to the sky (if the weather is good).
The oldest plane in the collection is a Bleriot XI from 1909. It even has its original engine! This plane is only six years younger than the Wright brothers' first aircraft. It's also the oldest flying plane in the world! Another Bleriot XI, only three weeks newer, is at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in the United States.
Aircraft You Can Find Here
Here are some of the amazing aircraft in the collection:
| Type | Date | Identity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANEC II | 1924 | G-EBJO | |
| Avro 504K | 1918 | G-ADEV | Looks like E3273 |
| Roe IV Triplane | 1964 | G-ARSG | A copy of the original |
| Avro Tutor | 1933 | G-AHSA | Looks like RAF K3241 |
| Avro Anson | 1946 | G-AHKX | Owned by BAE Systems |
| Blackburn Type D | 1912 | G-AANI | The oldest British plane that can still fly |
| Blériot XI | 1909 | G-AANG | The world's oldest flying aircraft |
| Bristol Boxkite | 1964 | G-ASPP | A copy of the original |
| Bristol F.2b Fighter | 1918 | G-AEPH | Looks like RAF D8096 |
| Bristol M.1C | 1981 | G-BWJM | A copy, looks like RFC C4918 |
| Comper Swift | 1932 | G-ACTF | |
| de Havilland DH.51 | 1924 | G-EBIR | Known as Miss Kenya |
| de Havilland DH.53 Humming Bird | 1923 | G-EBHX | Being fixed after an accident |
| de Havilland DH.60 Cirrus Moth | 1925 | G-EBLV | Owned by BAE Systems |
| de Havilland DH.60X Hermes Moth | 1928 | G-EBWD | |
| de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth II | 1942 | G-ANKT | Looks like RAF K2585 |
| de Havilland DH.88 Comet | 1934 | G-ACSS | Named Grosvenor House |
| De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk 22 | 1952 | G-BNZC | Looks like RCAF 671 |
| Deperdussin Type A monoplane | 1910 | G-AANH | |
| Desoutter I | 1930 | G-AAPZ | |
| English Electric Wren | 1923 | G-EBNV | |
| Gloster Gladiator | 1937 | G-AMRK | Looks like RAF K7985 |
| Hawker Cygnet | 1992 | G-CAMM | A copy of the original |
| Hawker Hind | 1935 | G-AENP | Looks like RAF K5414, engine being fixed |
| Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk.Ib | 1939 | G-BKTH | Looks like RN Z7015 |
| Hawker Tomtit | 1931 | G-AFTA | Looks like RAF K1786 |
| Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet | 191454 | A model of the body with a real engine | |
| Mignet HM.14 Flying Flea | 1939 | G-AEBB | Cannot fly |
| Miles Magister | 1939 | G-AJRS | Looks like RAF P6382 |
| Parnall Elf | 1932 | G-AAIN | |
| Percival Mew Gull | 1934 | G-AEXF | Alex Henshaw's famous racing plane |
| Percival Provost T1 | 1955 | G-KAPW | Looks like RAF XF603 |
| Polikarpov Po-2 | 1924 | G-BSSY | Looks like Soviet Air Force 28 |
| RAF SE.5A | 1918 | G-EBIA | Now in its original 84 Squadron colors |
| Sopwith Camel | 2001 | G-BZSC | A copy built by Northern Aeroplane Workshop |
| Sopwith Pup | 1920 | G-EBKY | Looks like RFC 9917 |
| Sopwith Triplane | 1980 | G-BOCK | A copy, looks like RNAS N6290 |
| Southern Martlet | 1930 | G-AAYX | |
| Supermarine Spitfire LF.Mk.Vc | 1942 | G-AWII | Serial AR501 |
| Westland Lysander Mk.IIIa | 1942 | G-AZWT | Looks like RAF V9367 |
- Information from the collection.
Some other planes that live here, but are owned by private people or companies, include:
- Avro Anson (owned by BAE Systems)
- Miles M14a Hawk Trainer N3788 G-AKPF
- A copy of a Westland Wallace plane body
- De Havilland DH89A Rapide G-AGSH, painted like a British European Airways plane
Cool Cars and Motorcycles
The collection also has a fantastic range of old cars and motorcycles! Here are just a few:
- 1898 Panhard et Levassor car
- 1899 Mors Petit Duc car
- 1899 Benz International dogcart car
- 1900 Marot Gardan car
- 1901 Locomobile Steam Car
- 1901 Arrol-Johnston car
- 1902 Baby Peugeot car
- 1903 Richard-Brasier car
- 1903 De Dietrich car
- 1912 Crossley 15 car
- 1912 Wolseley MS car
- 1913 Morris Oxford car
- 1920 Hucks starter (a special vehicle to start planes)
- 1923 Leyland SG7 bus
- 1926 Jowett Short-chassis tourer car
- 1931 Austin 16 hp "Burnham" car
- 1935 Austin Seven car
- 1937 Railton car
- 1937 Fiat Topolino car
- 1937 MG TA car
- 1939 Hillman Minx RAF Staff Car
- 1943 Fordson WOT 2H truck
- 1900 Singer Motor Wheel Motorcycle
- 1904 Aurora Motorcycle
- 1921 Scott Squirrel Combination Motorcycle
- 1923 Triumph SD Motorcycle
- 1927 Raleigh 14 Motorcycle
- 1929 Ariel Motorcycle
- 1938 Rudge Motorcycle
- 1940 BSA M20 Motorcycle
- 1950 Philips Cyclemaster
- 1952 Brockhouse Corgi Scooter
- 1955 BSA A7 Motorcycle
- 1955 New Hudson Motorcycle
- 1960 Norton ES2 Motorcycle
They also have a collection of old tractors!
