Midland Air Museum
Encyclopedia
The Midland Air Museum is situated just outside the village of Baginton
in Warwickshire
, England
, and is adjacent to Coventry Airport
. The museum includes the Sir Frank Whittle
Jet Heritage Centre (named after the local aviation pioneer and inventor of the jet engine
), where many exhibits are on display in a large hangar
. It also has a small hangar, and a fenced-off green area where many aircraft are on display in the open.
and an Armstrong Whitworth Argosy AW.650 (series 101)
. The restored Avro Vulcan is a delta-winged aircraft that was originally part of the V bomber
force and could be equipped with nuclear missiles as part of Britain's role in NATO's nuclear deterrent force during the Cold War
. It is on display near the museum's car park, together with an Avro Blue Steel missile
, an early design format of such a nuclear missile, and a Boulton Paul BP.111A
, an experimental delta-winged aircraft of the 1950s.
The museum also has an English Electric Canberra PR.3
, two English Electric Lightning
s (the RAF's fastest ever interceptor), two Gloster Meteor
s (one on loan from the Royal Air Force Museum
), an Armstrong Whitworth Sea Hawk FGA.6
, a Mil Mi-24
helicopter, and many others.
on display with a dedicated section on the work of Frank Whittle
.
Baginton
Baginton is a village and civil parish in the Warwick district of Warwickshire, England, and has a common border with the City of Coventry of the West Midlands county. With a population of 801 , Baginton village is four miles south of Coventry city centre and seven miles north of...
in Warwickshire
Warwickshire
Warwickshire is a landlocked non-metropolitan county in the West Midlands region of England. The county town is Warwick, although the largest town is Nuneaton. The county is famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, and is adjacent to Coventry Airport
Coventry Airport
Coventry Airport is located south southeast of Coventry city centre, in the village of Baginton, Warwickshire, England, and about outside Coventry boundaries...
. The museum includes the Sir Frank Whittle
Frank Whittle
Air Commodore Sir Frank Whittle, OM, KBE, CB, FRS, Hon FRAeS was a British Royal Air Force engineer officer. He is credited with independently inventing the turbojet engine Air Commodore Sir Frank Whittle, OM, KBE, CB, FRS, Hon FRAeS (1 June 1907 – 9 August 1996) was a British Royal Air...
Jet Heritage Centre (named after the local aviation pioneer and inventor of the jet engine
Jet engine
A jet engine is a reaction engine that discharges a fast moving jet to generate thrust by jet propulsion and in accordance with Newton's laws of motion. This broad definition of jet engines includes turbojets, turbofans, rockets, ramjets, pulse jets...
), where many exhibits are on display in a large hangar
Hangar
A hangar is a closed structure to hold aircraft or spacecraft in protective storage. Most hangars are built of metal, but other materials such as wood and concrete are also sometimes used...
. It also has a small hangar, and a fenced-off green area where many aircraft are on display in the open.
Aircraft on display
The museum's two largest aircraft are an Avro Vulcan B.2Avro Vulcan
The Avro Vulcan, sometimes referred to as the Hawker Siddeley Vulcan, was a jet-powered delta wing strategic bomber, operated by the Royal Air Force from 1956 until 1984. Aircraft manufacturer A V Roe & Co designed the Vulcan in response to Specification B.35/46. Of the three V bombers produced,...
and an Armstrong Whitworth Argosy AW.650 (series 101)
Armstrong Whitworth AW.660 Argosy
The Armstrong Whitworth Argosy was a British post-war military transport/cargo aircraft and was the last aircraft produced by Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft...
. The restored Avro Vulcan is a delta-winged aircraft that was originally part of the V bomber
V bomber
The term V bomber was used for the Royal Air Force aircraft during the 1950s and 1960s that comprised the United Kingdom's strategic nuclear strike force known officially as the V-force or Bomber Command Main Force...
force and could be equipped with nuclear missiles as part of Britain's role in NATO's nuclear deterrent force during the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
. It is on display near the museum's car park, together with an Avro Blue Steel missile
Blue Steel missile
The Avro Blue Steel was a British air-launched, rocket-propelled nuclear stand-off missile, built to arm the V bomber force. It was the primary British nuclear deterrent weapon until the Royal Navy started operating Polaris missile armed nuclear submarines....
, an early design format of such a nuclear missile, and a Boulton Paul BP.111A
Boulton Paul P.111
-See also:-Bibliography:* Brew, Alec. Boulton Paul Aircraft since 1915. London: Putnam, 1993. ISBN 0-85177-860-7.* Jones, Barry. "Boulton Paul's Dicey Deltas". Aeroplane Monthly, Vol 21 No. 2, Issue No 238. February 1993. London:IPC Magazines. ISSN 0143-7240. pp. 34–41.* Jones, Barry. British...
, an experimental delta-winged aircraft of the 1950s.
The museum also has an English Electric Canberra PR.3
English Electric Canberra
The English Electric Canberra is a first-generation jet-powered light bomber manufactured in large numbers through the 1950s. The Canberra could fly at a higher altitude than any other bomber through the 1950s and set a world altitude record of 70,310 ft in 1957...
, two English Electric Lightning
English Electric Lightning
The English Electric Lightning is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft of the Cold War era, noted for its great speed and unpainted natural metal exterior finish. It is the only all-British Mach 2 fighter aircraft. The aircraft was renowned for its capabilities as an interceptor; Royal Air Force ...
s (the RAF's fastest ever interceptor), two Gloster Meteor
Gloster Meteor
The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' first operational jet. It first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with 616 Squadron of the Royal Air Force...
s (one on loan from the Royal Air Force Museum
RAF Museum
The Royal Air Force Museum London, commonly known as the RAF Museum, is a museum located on the former Hendon Aerodrome, dedicated to the history of aviation and the British Royal Air Force. The museum is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and a registered charity...
), an Armstrong Whitworth Sea Hawk FGA.6
Hawker Sea Hawk
The Hawker Sea Hawk was a British single-seat jet fighter of the Fleet Air Arm , the air branch of the Royal Navy , built by Hawker Aircraft and its sister company, Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft. Although its origins stemmed from earlier Hawker piston-engined fighters, the Sea Hawk became the...
, a Mil Mi-24
Mil Mi-24
The Mil Mi-24 is a large helicopter gunship and attack helicopter and low-capacity troop transport with room for 8 passengers. It is produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and operated since 1972 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and by over thirty other nations.In NATO circles the export...
helicopter, and many others.
List of aircraft on display
- Armstrong Whitworth Argosy AW.650 (series 101)Armstrong Whitworth AW.660 ArgosyThe Armstrong Whitworth Argosy was a British post-war military transport/cargo aircraft and was the last aircraft produced by Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft...
G-APRL- Often open for viewing
- Armstrong Whitworth Sea HawkHawker Sea HawkThe Hawker Sea Hawk was a British single-seat jet fighter of the Fleet Air Arm , the air branch of the Royal Navy , built by Hawker Aircraft and its sister company, Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft. Although its origins stemmed from earlier Hawker piston-engined fighters, the Sea Hawk became the...
FGA.6 WV797 - Armstrong Whitworth WhitleyArmstrong Whitworth WhitleyThe Armstrong Whitworth A.W.38 Whitley was one of three British twin-engine, front line medium bomber types in service with the Royal Air Force at the outbreak of the Second World War...
not known- Remains; fuselage section etc. - the only substantial Whitley remains in existence
- Avro VulcanAvro VulcanThe Avro Vulcan, sometimes referred to as the Hawker Siddeley Vulcan, was a jet-powered delta wing strategic bomber, operated by the Royal Air Force from 1956 until 1984. Aircraft manufacturer A V Roe & Co designed the Vulcan in response to Specification B.35/46. Of the three V bombers produced,...
B.2 XL360- Cockpit usually open for viewing
- BAE Sea HarrierBAE Sea HarrierThe British Aerospace Sea Harrier is a naval VTOL/STOVL jet fighter, reconnaissance and attack aircraft, a development of the Hawker Siddeley Harrier. It first entered service with the Royal Navy in April 1980 as the Sea Harrier FRS1 and became informally known as the "Shar"...
FA.2 ZE694 - Blackburn BuccaneerBlackburn BuccaneerThe Blackburn Buccaneer was a British low-level subsonic strike aircraft with nuclear weapon delivery capability serving with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force between 1962 and 1994, including service in the 1991 Gulf War...
S.2B XX899- Owned by Robin Phipps; nose section
- Bristol BeaufighterBristol BeaufighterThe Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a British long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Beaufort torpedo bomber design...
,Possibly T5298 - 8Cockpit section
- Boulton Paul P.111Boulton Paul P.111-See also:-Bibliography:* Brew, Alec. Boulton Paul Aircraft since 1915. London: Putnam, 1993. ISBN 0-85177-860-7.* Jones, Barry. "Boulton Paul's Dicey Deltas". Aeroplane Monthly, Vol 21 No. 2, Issue No 238. February 1993. London:IPC Magazines. ISSN 0143-7240. pp. 34–41.* Jones, Barry. British...
A VT935 - Crossley Tom Thumb BAPC.32
- 8Stored, viewable by arrangement
- Dassault Mystère IVDassault Mystère IV|-See also:-External links:*...
A 70- On loan from the USAF Museum
- de Havilland DoveDe Havilland DoveThe de Havilland DH.104 Dove was a British monoplane short-haul airliner from de Havilland, the successor to the biplane de Havilland Dragon Rapide and was one of Britain's most successful post-war civil designs...
2 G-ALCU- painted as G-ALVD
- de Havilland Sea VixenDe Havilland Sea VixenThe de Havilland DH.110 Sea Vixen was a twin boom 1950s–1960s British two-seat jet fighter of the Fleet Air Arm designed by de Havilland. Developed from an earlier first generation jet fighter, the Sea Vixen was a capable carrier-based fleet defence fighter that served into the 1970s...
FAW.2 XJ579- Nose section
- de Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.2 XN685
- de Havilland VampireDe Havilland VampireThe de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a British jet-engine fighter commissioned by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Following the Gloster Meteor, it was the second jet fighter to enter service with the RAF. Although it arrived too late to see combat during the war, the Vampire served...
F.1 VF301- Only Mk.1 Vampire in the UK
- de Havilland Vampire T.11 XD626
- Storage area, but viewable
- de Havilland Vampire T.11 XE855
- Fuselage pod on display in Robin Hangar
- de Havilland Canada U-6A BeaverDe Havilland Canada DHC-2 BeaverThe de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver is a single-engined, high-wing, propeller-driven, STOL aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada, primarily known as a bush plane. It is used for cargo and passenger hauling, aerial application , and has been widely adopted by armed forces as a utility aircraft...
58-1062 - Druine D.31 Turbulent BAPC.126
- English Electric CanberraEnglish Electric CanberraThe English Electric Canberra is a first-generation jet-powered light bomber manufactured in large numbers through the 1950s. The Canberra could fly at a higher altitude than any other bomber through the 1950s and set a world altitude record of 70,310 ft in 1957...
PR.3 WF922- Cockpit sometimes open for viewing; electrics & hydraulics live
- English Electric Canberra T.17A WH646
- Nose section, cockpit open for viewing
- English Electric LightningEnglish Electric LightningThe English Electric Lightning is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft of the Cold War era, noted for its great speed and unpainted natural metal exterior finish. It is the only all-British Mach 2 fighter aircraft. The aircraft was renowned for its capabilities as an interceptor; Royal Air Force ...
F.6 XR771 - English Electric Lightning T.55 55-713
- Fairey GannetFairey GannetThe Fairey Gannet was a British carrier-borne anti-submarine warfare and airborne early warning aircraft of the post-Second World War era developed for the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm by the Fairey Aviation Company...
T.2 XA508- On loan from Fleet Air Arm Museum; only remaining Mk.2 Gannet in existence
- Fairey Ultra Light G-APJJ
- Flettner Fl 282Flettner Fl 282|- References :NotesBibliography* Coates, Steve and Jean-Christophe Carbonel. Helicopters of the Third Reich. Crowborough, UK: Classic Publications Ltd., 2002. ISBN 1-903223-24-5....
V-10 28368- Partial aircraft; frame with rotor head and wheels
- Folland GnatFolland GnatThe Folland Gnat was a small, swept-wing British subsonic jet trainer and light fighter aircraft developed by Folland Aircraft for the Royal Air Force, and flown extensively by the Indian Air Force....
F.1 XK741- Currently painted as GN-101, fuselage only with replica wings currently under construction
- Gloster JavelinGloster JavelinThe Gloster Javelin was an "all-weather" interceptor aircraft that served with Britain's Royal Air Force in the late 1950s and most of the 1960s...
FAW.5 XA699 - Gloster MeteorGloster MeteorThe Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' first operational jet. It first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with 616 Squadron of the Royal Air Force...
F.4 EE531- Second oldest Meteor in existence
- Gloster Meteor F.8 VZ477
- Nose section, cockpit open for viewing
- Gloster Meteor NF.14 WS838
- On loan from the Royal Air Force Museum, Cosford
- Hawker HunterHawker HunterThe Hawker Hunter is a subsonic British jet aircraft developed in the 1950s. The single-seat Hunter entered service as a manoeuvrable fighter aircraft, and later operated in fighter-bomber and reconnaissance roles in numerous conflicts. Two-seat variants remained in use for training and secondary...
F.6A XF382- On loan from the USAF Museum, cockpit often open for viewing; electrical system live
- Hawker Siddeley 125British Aerospace BAe 125The British Aerospace 125 is a twin-engined mid-size corporate jet, with newer variants now marketed as the Hawker 800. It was known as the Hawker Siddeley HS.125 until 1977...
series 1 G-ARYB- Fuselage and partial port wing; former test bed
- Humber Monoplane - Replica (BAPC.9)
- Hunting-Percival Jet ProvostBAC Jet ProvostThe BAC Jet Provost was a British jet-powered trainer aircraft used by the Royal Air Force from 1955 to 1993. The Jet Provost was also successfully exported, serving in many air forces worldwide....
T.3- Cockpit section (procedures trainer)
- Kaman HH-43B Huskie 24535
- Undergoing restoration, usually viewable; one of only two in the UK
- Lockheed T-33T-33 Shooting StarThe Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star is an American-built jet trainer aircraft. It was produced by Lockheed and made its first flight in 1948, piloted by Tony LeVier. The T-33 was developed from the Lockheed P-80/F-80 starting as TP-80C/TF-80C in development, then designated T-33A. It was used by the...
A-1-LO 51-4419- On loan from the USAF Museum
- Lockheed T-33A-1-LO 17473
- On loan from the USAF Museum
- Lockheed F-104G StarfighterF-104 StarfighterThe Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is a single-engine, high-performance, supersonic interceptor aircraft originally developed for the United States Air Force by Lockheed. One of the Century Series of aircraft, it served with the USAF from 1958 until 1969, and continued with Air National Guard units...
R-756- On loan from the USAF Museum
- McDonnell F-101B-80-MC VoodooF-101 VoodooThe McDonnell F-101 Voodoo was a supersonic military jet fighter which served the United States Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force...
60312- On loan from the USAF Museum
- McDonnell F-101B-80-MC Voodoo 70270
- On loan from the USAF Museum; nose, airfield fire crews rescue training aid (not viewable)
- McDonnell F-4C-15-MC Phantom II 63-7414
- On loan from USAF Museum; dismantled, spares use
- McDonnell F-4C-11-MC Phantom II 37699
- On loan from USAF Museum
- Mignet HM.14Mignet HM.14The Mignet HM.14 Flying Flea is a single-seat light aircraft first flown in 1933, designed for amateur construction. It was the first of a family of aircraft collectively known as Flying Fleas....
"Flying Flea" G-AEGV - Mil Mi-24Mil Mi-24The Mil Mi-24 is a large helicopter gunship and attack helicopter and low-capacity troop transport with room for 8 passengers. It is produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and operated since 1972 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and by over thirty other nations.In NATO circles the export...
helicopter - Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It was popularly nicknamed "balalaika", from the aircraft's planform-view resemblance to the Russian stringed musical instrument or ołówek by Polish pilots due to...
SPS "Fishbed" 959 - North American F-86A SabreF-86 SabreThe North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
48-0242- On loan from Imperial War Museum, Duxford
- North American F-100D-16-NA Super SabreF-100 Super SabreThe North American F-100 Super Sabre was a supersonic jet fighter aircraft that served with the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1971 and with the Air National Guard until 1979. The first of the Century Series collection of USAF jet fighters, it was the first USAF fighter capable of...
54-1174- On loan from the USAF Museum
- Parnall Pixie IIIa G-EBJG Stored, viewable by arrangement
- Percival PrenticePercival Prentice|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Ellison, Norman H. Percivals Aircraft . Chalford, Stroud, UK: Chalford Publishing Company, 1997. ISBN 0-7524-0774-0....
T.1 VS623 - PZL TS-11 IskraPZL TS-11 Iskra|-See also:-References:*"Poland's Veteran Spark". Air International, March 1979, Vol 16 No. 3. Bromley, UK:Fine Scroll Publishing. pp. 126–131....
Unidentified - SAAB J29F TunnanSaab TunnanThe Saab 29, popularly called Flygande tunnan , was a Swedish fighter designed and manufactured by Saab in the 1950s. It was Sweden's second turbojet-powered combat aircraft, the first being the Saab 21R...
29640- Only example in the UK
- Scottish Aviation BeagleScottish Aviation Bulldog|-See also:-External links:...
206-1 G-ASWJ- Not at Museum; on loan to Brunel Technical College, Bristol
- Slingsby CadetSlingsby AviationSlingsby Aviation is a British aircraft company based in Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire, England. The Slingsby business was founded on the building and design of gliders and sailplanes. From the early 1930s to about 1970 it built over 50% of all British club gliders and had success at national and...
TX.1 BGA.804- Stored; usually viewable
- Sopwith PupSopwith PupThe Sopwith Pup was a British single seater biplane fighter aircraft built by the Sopwith Aviation Company. It entered service with the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service in the autumn of 1916. With pleasant flying characteristics and good maneuverability, the aircraft proved very...
A7317 Replica (BAPC.179) - Vickers ViscountVickers ViscountThe Vickers Viscount was a British medium-range turboprop airliner first flown in 1948 by Vickers-Armstrongs, making it the first such aircraft to enter service in the world...
V.708 F-BGNR- Owned by the Midland Air Museum, currently on display but awaiting reassembly.
- Westland Whirlwind Series 3 G-APWN
- Sometimes open for viewing
- Westland Whirlwind HAS.7 XK907
- Storage area - remains of nose section, viewable by arrangement
- Wheeler Slymph G-ABOI Stored, viewable by arrangement
Engines on display
The Midland Air Museum has a number of aero enginesAircraft engine
An aircraft engine is the component of the propulsion system for an aircraft that generates mechanical power. Aircraft engines are almost always either lightweight piston engines or gas turbines...
on display with a dedicated section on the work of Frank Whittle
Frank Whittle
Air Commodore Sir Frank Whittle, OM, KBE, CB, FRS, Hon FRAeS was a British Royal Air Force engineer officer. He is credited with independently inventing the turbojet engine Air Commodore Sir Frank Whittle, OM, KBE, CB, FRS, Hon FRAeS (1 June 1907 – 9 August 1996) was a British Royal Air...
.
Gas turbine engines
- Armstrong Siddeley Mamba
- Armstrong Siddeley Double Mamba
- Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire
- Armstrong Siddeley Viper
- de Havilland GhostDe Havilland Ghost|-See also:-Bibliography:*Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9...
(Svenska Flygmotor RM2) - Bristol Siddeley OrpheusBristol Siddeley Orpheus-See also:-References:* Retrieved: 29 September 2008-External links:*...
- Rolls-Royce AvonRolls-Royce Avon|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopaedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9-External links:**** a 1955 Flight article on the development of the Avon...
- Rolls-Royce Derwent
- Rolls-Royce GemRolls-Royce Gem|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9-External links:*...
- Rolls-Royce Spey
- Rover W2B/26Rolls-Royce Welland-Bibliography:* Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London. Studio Editions Ltd, 1989. ISBN 0-517-67964-7-External links:*...
Rocket engines
- Bristol Siddeley BS.605Bristol Siddeley 605The Bristol Siddeley BS.605 is a retractable take off assist rocket engine burning hydrogen peroxide and kerosene. Its design was based on the smaller chamber of Armstrong Siddeley's Stentor engine....
- Armstrong Siddeley StentorArmstrong Siddeley StentorThe Armstrong Siddeley Stentor was a two-chamber rocket engine used to power the Blue Steel stand-off missile carried by Britain's V-bomber force...
External links
- Midland Air Museum web site
- Viscount F-BGNR owned by the Viscount 35 Association is currently on display at the Midland Air Museum.
- A Canberra website with a section that charts the restoration of the Museums Canberra PR.3 WF922 which was undertaken by Malcolm Lambert
- Website about the Midland Air Museums Javelin FAW.5 XA699