Fleet Air Arm Museum
Royal Naval Air Station
Yeovilton
Ilchester
Somerset
BA22 8HT
England
Website
Museum website
General enquiries
Education enquiries
Curatorial enquiries
Telephone
General enquiries
01935 840565
Education
01935 842620
Curatorial Division
01935 842611
Fax
01935 842630
The Fleet Air Arm Museum houses a very large and well presented collection of aircraft and memorabilia. Four display halls portray the development of Naval aviation from World War I to the Gulf War.
Venue Type:
Museum
The centrepiece of the museum is the 'Carrier' display, in which visitors are 'flown' inside a Wessex helicopter onto the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. Here they can examine the aircraft arranged on deck and follow a guided tour of the Carrier's 'island' - finishing up at FlyCo where all aircraft operations are controlled. In addition, the 'Leading Edge' gallery contains a Concorde prototype and examples of several post-war research aircraft. Across the road from the Museum, is Cobham Hall and it houses the Museum's extensive reserve collection not currently on display and is open to visitors on a few days each year.
Collection details
Archives, Aviation, Coins and Medals, Costume and Textiles, Land Transport, Maritime, Personalities, Weapons and War
Key artists and exhibits
- Naval aviation history
- Wessex helicopter
- Concorde prototype
- Holds number of aircraft that are the only surviving examples of their type.
Battle of the Atlantic Lecture
The Fleet Air Arm and the Battle of the Atlantic a lecture by Dr Malcolm Llewellyn-Jones on Thursday 18th July at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, 6.00pm for 6.30pm.
This talk will explore the crucial role played by the Fleet Air Arm in the Battle of the Atlantic. In May 1942, the Admiralty commented '...that with adequate and efficient air escort', the U-boat '..."wolf-pack" attack on a convoy should be impossible'. But the contribution of the FAA to the Battle of the Atlantic extended beyond its contribution to the defeat of the U-boat threat. It was also instrumental in combatting the enemy's surface ship and the aircraft atacks on Allied merchant shipping. This talk will address these aspects by surveying a number of historical episodes:
•The Sinking of the Bismarck, HM Ships Victorious and Ark Royal
•Defeating the Focke Wulf: The Bay of Biscay, Liberators and SL 89, Audacity and HG 84
•The next Escort Carrier: Archer, the Central Atlantic and Operation "Vigorous"
•Diversion to the Arctic Run: Avenger and PQ 18
•Another Diversion: Operation "Torch"
•Closing the Atlantic Air Gap: Liberators, Biter and Avenger, Swordfish and Avengers, Rockets and Mark 24 Mines
•Back to the Arctic: Operations "Tungsten" and "Judgment"
Tickets can be purchased online, or from the Museum Ticket Box, located in the Museum Shop during normal Museum opening hours.
Tickets at £25.00 include the lecture with question & answer session, an opportunity to view the Historic Flight's iconic Swordfish aircraft and finger buffet and refreshments.
Suitable for
- 18+
When
6-10am
Admission
£25 per ticket per person.
Website
Dalek Invasion!
The Daleks are coming!
50 years after the Daleks were first seen on our TV screens they are planning a terrifying return to the Fleet Air Arm Museum on Aug 10 & 11.
Together with their evil accomplices Davros, Miss Hartigan, Cybermen, Ice Warriors, Pig Slave, Weeping Angel and many more, this year’s visitation will feature some new family activities and entertainment including the ever popular Audience with the Daleks
The event will take place throughout three Halls of the Fleet Air Arm Museum with the performances taking place in front of a dramatic new Space Station set under Concorde.
This year’s Dalek Invasion will also see the return of an original 1960’s Dalek. The Dalek is the most complete surviving example of a 1960s Dr Who TV Series Dalek in existence.
To add to the fun and terror of the day, children are encouraged to wear Sci- Fi Fancy Dress.
In addition, Dr Who traders and celebrities will add to the occasion.
Doors will open to the public from 10.00am and normal museum entry prices will apply.
Advance tickets available from the Museum's website or in person from the Museum Ticket Box during normal opening hours.
Buy your tickets in advance online or from the Museum Ticket Box from Tue 28th May.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
When
10am-5:30pm
Where
Fleet Air Arm Museum
Admission
Adult £13.50, Child (5-16) £10.00, Child (under 5) Free, Concession £12.00, Family (2 Adults + 2 Children) £39.00, Family (1 Adult + 2 children) £27.00
Tickets available on the Fleet Air Arm Museum website.
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