Preparing for Take Off at Solway Aviation Museum
The Avro Vulcan, the Grass Hopper and the English Electric Lightning are just a sample of the aircrafts which are proudly displayed at the Solway Aviation Museum. On a rather windy day in April, the Guide’s, Rachel and Danielle were treated to a private tour around the fascinating museum.
Beginning its life in a portacabin at Carlisle airport more than 20 years ago, the museum has grown and developed into what is now an impressive collection of aircrafts, aviation artefacts and displays which reflects Britain’s position as a world leader in aircraft design.
The museum is run completely by volunteers, who dedicate their spare time to preserving a part of Cumbria’s aviation history. Many have skills and abilities gained from experience in the aviation industry or as ex-service personnel, while others have a keen interest or skill that they are willing to share.
Company Secretary, Duncan Turner is one of the forces behind the museum and has been heavily involved since before its official opening in 1994. Joining the Army and serving with the Parachute Regiment for 22 years, Duncan is proud of what the museum has stemmed from and hopes that with further development, the museum will receive the recognition it deserves.
The granddad of six believes that making the experience as interactive as possible is the way to ensure an interesting and enjoyable day out. He said: “One of the main aspects of this museum is that we make people feel welcome and relaxed. We get a lot of return visitors and each year there is a 25 per cent increase in visitors, so it just shows how much people do enjoy it when they come. We can blow our own trumpet, but it’s the reviews that speak for themselves.”
The collection of aircrafts is based on post war British jets that entered service with the Royal Air Force during the 1950s and 60s. One of the museum’s highlights for visitors is the opportunity to clamber inside the cockpit of the Vulcan Bomber.
Duncan continued: “There is a lot of history in Cumbria, and this is what we are here for. Not a lot of people know about the Cumbrian heritage. You can see that all the bits are well made and it just shows how good the British engineering is.
“Most of the exhibits that are on display, I have done at home. We get a very positive response because we try and put a bit of excitement into the place.”
Realising that planes and artefacts were being stored at the airfield, along with the fact that many of the buildings were vacant, Duncan set about turning his dream into a reality and built a wooden model depicting his vision for the museum.
“We were just a bunch of plane spotters who decided to make a vacant building on an airfield into a museum.” Duncan added.
With Duncan’s determination in tow as well as a dedicated team, they began building up the museum, and almost 25 years on, the once vacant buildings have been transformed into an educational, interactive and fascinating museum that makes for a wonderful family day out.
An interest in aviation really isn’t necessary to appreciate the museum’s displays. The fact each exhibit has been found, restored to its original state and presented by hardcore enthusiasts is what makes it a truly enjoyable experience.
Duncan added: “We had a vision of what I wanted the museum to be; it has been my dream for a long time. We have not had a grant from anyone since we started the museum, but we want to expand and develop the museum even further so we are trying to get a £2m grant from the Heritage Lottery.”
The next chapter of the aviation museum will hopefully be a £2m unit in order to house all of the aircrafts. In order for the expansion to go ahead, the team at the museum are aiming to raise £200,000 to help the new unit on its way – and with your help and contributions, the effort that has been put into it will begin to pay off.
The museum is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday as well as Bank Holidays until the 30th October 2016.
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