Gatwick Aviation Museum

Gatwick Aviation Museum
View plus logo of Hangar at Gatwick Aviation Museum
Established 1987 (1987), re-opened in 2016 (2016)
Location

Vallance By-Ways, Lowfield Heath Road, Charlwood, Surrey,

RH6 0BT
Type Aviation museum
Website Official website

The Gatwick Aviation Museum has a unique collection of British aircraft from the "Golden Age" of British aircraft manufacture. From the end of WWII until the 1970s British aircraft designers produced some of the most innovative and advanced aircraft of the day. From post war to cold war, this museum clearly shows that timeline in aviation terms.[1]

Some of the aircraft are capable of running their engines on event days; and it is intended to get as many aircraft as possible restored and into working order. This is thanks to the team of museum staff and volunteers who are helping to restore and maintain these unique aircraft.

Both the Avro Shackleton MR3, Blackburn Buccaneer S1 and English Electric Lightning F.53 are now performing public engine runs on event days.[2]

History

Originally started in 1987 as a private collection by local businessman Peter Vallance, the museum became a registered charity in 1999[3] with the objective of providing awareness of local aviation history and as an educational centre for the general public, particularly for local students and schoolchildren. A close relationship exists between the museum and the Central Sussex College which uses the museum's facilities to provide practical training for the students taking aerospace courses.[4]


The museum has a varied collection of aircraft, aircraft engines and over 500 aircraft models. The museum also has displays and artifacts related to local aviation history particularly Gatwick Airport. Aircraft may run their engines during museum open days.

The museum has been in dispute since July 2011 with Mole Valley District Council concerning planning permission, as despite its co-location with Gatwick Airport, the council has refused permission for a permanent museum site due to a concern over the height of the proposed new building and the location within the Metropolitan Green Belt.[5] Vallance lodged a planning appeal against the decision in January 2012,[6] which was dismissed in June of that year. On 14 January 2013, Vallance died whilst undergoing an operation on his heart. Since that time the museum has been run by a charitable trust set up by Peter to cover this eventuality. The museum, as of 2015, has planning permission approved.[7]

Reopened

In 2016, the new museum building opened to the public. It houses many of the aircraft formerly kept outdoors.[8] A shop, refreshment area, flight simulator and information on the history of Gatwick Airport can also be found in the building. The museum is now open to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.[9]

Aircraft on Display

Outside

The Buccaneer S.1 outside the Gatwick Aviation Museum
The Sea Vixen, Hunter T.7, Harrier GR3 and Lightning F.53.
Accessible Canberra Nose Section

Engines on Display

The General Electric CF6 turbo-fan gas turbine outside Gatwick Aviation Museum.
Some of the engines on display in the Gatwick Aviation Museum.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Museum Website".
  2. ↑ "Museum Website".
  3. ↑ "Charity Commission".
  4. ↑ "Owner of Gatwick Aviation Museum 'ready to fight' for new buildings". Surrey Mirror. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
  5. ↑ "Air museum bid refused take off". Crawley Observer. 21 July 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
  6. ↑ "Gatwick Aviation Museum owner lodges planning appeal". Dorking Advertiser. 26 February 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
  7. ↑ "Gatwick aviation museum plan appeal dismissed". Redhill and Reigate Life. 19 June 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
  8. ↑ "GALLERY: Inside the new Gatwick Aviation Museum in Charlwood". 8 March 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  9. ↑ "News and Newsletters - Gatwick Aviation Museum". www.gatwick-aviation-museum.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-10-26.
  • Registered Charity No. 1075858
  • Ellis, Ken (2006). Wrecks & Relics. Hinckley: Midland Publishing. p. 211. ISBN 1857802357.
  • Gatwick Aviation Museum - Official Guide

Coordinates: 51°9′8″N 0°12′56″W / 51.15222°N 0.21556°W / 51.15222; -0.21556

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