Yorkshire Air Museum

In March 2008, the Yorkshire Air Museum will officially open a major new exhibition called Against The Odds. Produced in association with the Imperial War Museum North, this is the definitive national exhibition on the story of Bomber Command in WWII. Following a year long run at Manchester, Against The Odds has now moved to the Yorkshire Air Museum on a permanent basis, where it has been extensively increased to incorporate more detail of Yorkshire’s role in the history of Bomber Command and explore the reason for it’s formation in the face of German aggression. We have also incorporated some audio visual aspects unique to Elvington, along with some quite controversial graphics and other striking artefacts.

This will be fantastic for visitors, especially school groups, as it will allow them to gain an initial overview of the Bomber Command story, with easily interpreted facts and statistics, which can then be enhanced with more in depth displays on topics such as the Air Gunners, Barnes Wallis and the Dambusters along with the Squadron Memorial Rooms and Gardens, which are already part of the Museum’s fascinating range of exhibits.

The unique Halifax Bomber, the only complete example of this aircraft type in the world, remains a major part of our aircraft exhibit, along with several other WWII aircraft such as the Douglas C-47 Dakota, Mosquito Nightfighter, Auster, Gloster Meteors and the superb, recently restored WACO Glider, whilst our full size Hurricane and Spitfire replica’s represent important aircraft from the Battle of Britain.

RAF Elvington, on which the Yorkshire Air Museum & Allied Air Forces Memorial is based, was the only Bomber Command Station to be operated entirely by French personnel, from May 1944 to the end of the war. Two full squadrons, 346 Guyenne and 347 Tunisie,  were formed from the remnants of the French Air Force, who escaped from occupied France and made their way to England to join the Royal Air Force, to be later joined by many more of their compatriots. Some of the first operations these Squadrons undertook, flying Halifax bombers, were in support of the D-Day Landings, effectively attacking strategic targets in their own country and it is no wonder that these airmen gained a formidable reputation for precision and accuracy. After the war, these French Squadrons departed from Elvington to Bordeaux to form the new French Air Force.

The museum’s aircraft collection has moved on greatly over recent years and now encompasses aviation history right through from the pioneering days here in Yorkshire. Yes, that is correct – the aeroplane is a Yorkshire invention! It was Sir George Cayley, born in Scarborough in 1773, who in 1808 worked out the principles of heavier than air flight and the aerofoil. His experiments with model gliders led to full size aircraft being built and a 10 year old boy was flown across Brompton Dale, where the Cayley family home was, in a tri-plane glider in 1849. This was followed in 1853 by the “Governable Parachute” in which Cayley’s coachman became the first adult man to fly in a fixed wing aircraft. The museum has the authentic replica of this ground breaking aircraft, which itself flew successfully in 1974.

The Wright brothers in America credited Cayley as their inspiration, making the first powered flight in 1903, at Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk Sands, Carolina. The Museum also has an authentic replica of the Wright Flyer, which was built, and flown, by the RAF Vintage Aircraft Group at RAF Finningley in 1966.

The collection continues to encompass the major aircraft of the Cold War – Javelin, Lightning, Hunter and the Buccaneer and Victor, which also took part in campaigns such as the Falklands War and Gulf War. Recent additions are the unusual looking Fairey Gannett, a Naval advanced early warning (AEW) aircraft and the Tornado GR1 and GR4 taking us right up to current frontline aircraft in service with the Royal Air Force. We are the only museum to have two examples of the Tornado on display.

The Yorkshire Air Museum prides itself on being a unique Allied Air Forces Memorial, widely regarded as being the only such dedicated memorial, and maintaining the authentic ambience of the wartime era, whilst at the same time providing an exciting, interesting day out for all the family.

There really is something for everybody here, from the tranquil Memorial Gardens, that have won a Silver Gilt commendation in this year’s Yorkshire in Bloom competition, to all the exhibits and aircraft mentioned above and all the fascinating artefacts and stories that can be found – you never know when you could find yourself talking to a real veteran of WWII or someone who has flown some of the more modern aircraft amongst our team of volunteers.

Telephone 01904 608595
www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk