Yorkshire Air Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1986 |
|---|---|
| Location | Halifax Way, Elvington, York, YO41 4AU |
| Type | Aviation museum |
| Accreditation | Arts Council |
| Founder | Rachel Semlyen |
| Nearest parking | On site |
The Yorkshire Air Museum & Allied Air Forces Memorial is an exciting place in Elvington, York, England. It's an aviation museum, which means it's all about airplanes and flying! This museum is built on the site of an old airfield called RAF Elvington. This airfield was very important during the Second World War for RAF Bomber Command. The museum first opened its doors in 1986.
This museum is one of the biggest independent air museums in Britain. It's also the only memorial in Europe dedicated to all Allied Air Forces. The museum is officially recognized by the Arts Council, which means it meets high standards. It's also part of several important groups like the Royal Aeronautical Society.
The museum is a registered charity. This means it's a non-profit organization focused on teaching people about aviation history. It also serves as a special memorial to all the brave air forces personnel who served, especially those in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.
Contents
Exploring the Museum Site
The museum covers a large area of 20 acres, which is about the size of 15 football fields! It has many original buildings and hangars, some of which are very old and protected. There's also a 7-acre nature area called "Nature of Flight." This project helps the environment and teaches visitors about nature. The museum is right next to a really long runway, about 10,000 feet, which is privately owned.
A Look Back: The Museum's History
The old airfield buildings were left empty for a long time after the Royal Air Force stopped using them for training in 1992. In 1980, a person named Rachel Semlyen had a great idea. She wanted to bring the abandoned buildings back to life and create a museum. By 1983, a group started clearing the overgrown site. Thanks to their hard work, the Yorkshire Air Museum officially opened in 1986.
Exciting Events at the Museum
The museum hosts many fun events throughout the year. These include special days for visitors and educational programs for students. They also have events with big companies like Bentley and Porsche. Every September, there's a special event called Allied Air Forces Memorial Day. This day remembers all the brave people who served in the air forces.
Amazing Aircraft and Displays
The museum has over 50 aircraft, showing how flying has changed from 1853 to today's modern jets. Some planes, like the Victor and Nimrod, are kept in working order. On special "Thunder Days," you can see and hear these powerful aircraft in action! The museum also has over 20 historic vehicles. Plus, there's a huge archive with more than 500,000 historical items and documents. It's the official archive for important aircrew associations.
A special exhibition about RAF Bomber Command was opened by famous actor Sir David Jason. In 2010, a new display called "Pioneers of Aviation" opened. It celebrates amazing people like Sir George Cayley and Amy Johnson. These pioneers helped make flying what it is today.
The museum also has a restaurant, a gift shop, and workshops where aircraft are repaired. It's even a popular spot for TV and film companies to shoot movies!
- Building 1 – Airborne Forces Display & No. 609 Squadron RAF Room
- Building 2 – Uniform Display
- Building 3 – Air Gunners' Exhibition
- Building 4 – Archives & Reference Library
- Building 5 – Museum Shop
- Building 7 – Memorial Garden
- Building 8 – Museum HQ, Main Entrance
- Building 9 – Against the Odds
- Building 10 – Elvington Corporate Room
- Building 11 – Museum NAAFI Restaurant
- Building 12 – Control Tower
- Building 13 – French Officers' Mess
- Building 14 – Airmens Billet and Station MT Display
- Building 15 – Royal Observer Corp
- Building 16 – Signal Square
- Building 17 – Hangar T2 Main Aircraft exhibition
- Building 18 – Archive & Collections Building
- Building 19 – Handley Page Aircraft Workshop
- Building 20 – Pioneer of Aviation Exhibition
Aircraft Collection
The museum has an incredible collection of aircraft from different time periods.
Planes from Before World War II
These aircraft show the early days of flying.
- Avro 504K – A copy of an early training plane.
- Blackburn Mercury – A copy of an early aircraft.
- Cayley Glider – A copy of one of the first gliders.
- Mignet HM.14 Pou-du-Ciel – A small, unique French aircraft.
- Port Victoria P.V.8 Eastchurch Kitten – A copy of a small British plane.
- Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2c – A copy of a World War I biplane.
- Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a – A copy of a famous World War I fighter.
- Wright Flyer – A copy of the very first successful airplane.
Aircraft from World War II
These planes played a big role in the Second World War.
- Avro Anson T.21 VV901 – A twin-engine training aircraft.
- Douglas Dakota IV KN353 – A famous transport plane.
- Fairchild Argus II FK338 – A light transport and liaison aircraft.
- Gloster Meteor F.8 WL168 – An early British jet fighter.
- Gloster Meteor NF.14 WS788 – A night fighter version of the Meteor.
- Handley Page Halifax III LV907 – A heavy bomber, very important in the war.
- Hawker Hurricane I – A copy of a famous British fighter plane.
- Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 – A copy of a German fighter plane.
- Slingsby T.7 Kirby Cadet RA854 – A training glider.
- Supermarine Spitfire I – A copy of an iconic British fighter.
- Waco Hadrian 237123 – An American military glider.
Planes from After World War II
These aircraft show how aviation continued to develop.
- Air Command Commander Elite – A type of autogyro.
- Beagle Terrier 2 TJ704 – A light aircraft.
- Canadair CT-133 Silver Star 133417 – A Canadian jet trainer.
- de Havilland Devon C.2 VP967 – A small transport plane.
- de Havilland Vampire T.11 XH278 – An early British jet fighter.
- Europa Prototype 001 – A prototype for a kit-built aircraft.
- Mainair Demon – A type of microlight aircraft.
- Saunders-Roe Skeeter AOP.12 XM553 – A small British helicopter.
- Westland Dragonfly HR.5 WH991 – An early British helicopter.
Aircraft from the Cold War Era
These powerful planes were used during the Cold War.
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- BAC Jet Provost T.4 XP640 – A British jet trainer.
- Blackburn Buccaneer S.2 XN974 – A British naval strike aircraft.
- Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B XX901 – Another version of the Buccaneer.
- British Aerospace Harrier GR.3 XV748 – A famous "jump jet" that can take off vertically.
- British Aerospace Nimrod MR.2 XV250 – A maritime patrol aircraft.
- Dassault Mirage IIIE 538 – A French supersonic fighter.
- Dassault Mirage IVA 45/BR – A French supersonic bomber.
- English Electric Canberra T.4 WH846 – A British jet bomber.
- English Electric Lightning F.6 XS903 – A very fast British interceptor jet.
- Fairey Gannet AEW.3 XL502 – A British aircraft for early warning.
- Gloster Javelin FAW.9 XH767 – A British all-weather interceptor.
- Handley Page Victor K.2 XL231 – A large British V-bomber.
- Hawker Hunter FGA.78 QA10 – A British fighter-bomber.
- Hawker Hunter T.7 XL572 – A two-seat trainer version of the Hunter.
- Panavia Tornado GR.1 ZA354 – An early version of the multirole combat aircraft.
- Panavia Tornado GR.4 XZ631 – A later, updated version of the Tornado.
Ground Vehicles
The museum also has a collection of historic ground vehicles.
Vehicles from World War II
These vehicles helped support the airfields during the war.
- Thompson Brothers Aircraft Refueller – A truck for fueling planes.
- 1938 Ford Model E – A classic car from the era.
- 1940 "Tilly" Standard 12 hp Mkl RAF Utility Vehicle – A small utility truck.
- 1941 Chevrolet 4x4 CMP – A tough military truck.
- 1942 Austin K2 NAAFI Wagon – A canteen truck for serving food and drinks.
- 1942 Thornycroft 'Amazon' Coles Crane – A heavy-duty crane.
Vehicles from the Cold War
These vehicles were used on airfields in later years.
- 1947 Commer one and a half deck airport coach – A bus for transporting people at the airport.
- 1949 Citroen 11BL – A classic French car.
- 1948 David Brown VIG.2 Aircraft Tractor – A tractor for moving aircraft.
- 1949 David Brown VIG.3 Aircraft Tractor – Another aircraft tractor.
- 1951 David Brown GP Airfield Tractor – A general-purpose airfield tractor.
- 1953 Alvis Saracen 12ton APC – An armored personnel carrier.
- 1953 Austin Champ Cargo 4x4 General Purpose Vehicle – A military utility vehicle.
- 1958 Commer Q4 Bikini Fire Pump Unit – A fire truck.
- 1958 Lansing Aircraft Carrier Type Tug – A powerful tug for moving large aircraft.
- 1959 Daimler Ferret ASC MK.2/3/7 – A small armored car.
- 1966 Chieftain Main Battle Tank – A large, powerful tank.
- 1970 Douglas P3 nuclear aircraft 25 tonne tug – A very heavy-duty tug.
- 1971 Pathfinder Fire Engine 35ton (ex. Manchester Airport) – A large airport fire engine.
- 1972 TACR2 Range Rover - 6 wheeled fast response fire unit – A quick-response fire vehicle.
- 1974 GMC 6 wheeled fast response airfield fire truck – Another fast-response fire truck.
- 1976 Dennis Mercury 17.5 tonne aircraft tug – A heavy aircraft tug.
- Pathfinder Fire Engine – Another type of fire engine.
