The Army Flying Museum
The Museum of Army Flying is home to a unique collection of aviation history one of both international and national importance. Come and see over 35 historic fixed and rotary wing aircraft on display which along with detailed dioramas, artifacts, trophies and models serve as a profound and inspiring tribute to men and their machines.
The Museum gives a fascinating and imaginative glimpse of “soldiers in the air” and life at the home front.
MUSEUM TREASURES:
1. The Diary of George Orme Smart
George Orme Smart was a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps. He kept a diary during his time at the Front and labelled each page alphabetically, the first page starting with the letter “A”. He was killed by the German ace Baron Manfred von Richtofen on 7th April 1917 – “Z” day.
Location: Royal Flying Corps showcase –
Prince Michael of Kent Concourse.
2. Escape Tin
This home-made escape tin with its original contents, including a compass and files, belonged to Major Gray of the Royal Flying Corps. He was shot down over the Western Front and taken prisoner but managed to escape with two other servicemen.
Location: Royal Flying Corps showcase –
Prince Michael of Kent Concourse.
3. Caught at 2,000 feet!
The story told about this artefact is that on 4th August 1916, 2nd Lieutenant H Lloyd Chadwick RFC and 2nd Lieutenant A Hadrill RFC were flying at a height of 2,000ft over La Basse in France in a F.E.2b. Hadrill was the Observer and so was standing in the front cockpit of the aircraft. Incredibly, he managed to catch this German shell when it was almost stationary at the top of its trajectory and thus prevented it from falling inside the aeroplane.
Location: Royal Flying Corps showcase –
Prince Michael of Kent Concourse.
4. Benito Mussolini’s Door Handle
Benito Mussolini was Prime Minister of Italy from 1922. He became a dictator and an ally of Adolf Hitler during the Second World War. He saw himself as a latter-day emperor and adopted the ancient Roman symbol of the “fasces” – a bundle of twigs with an axe. This door handle was liberated from one of his residences in 1945 by a member of 651 Air O.P. Squadron.
Location: Mezzanine – Prince Michael of Kent Concourse.
6. A “Rupert”
During the Second World War, these dummy parachutists were dropped in large numbers to convince the enemy that a mass parachute landing was taking place. It was an effective way of diverting forces away from the real drop zones.
Location: Mezzanine – Hayward Hall.
7. The HueyCobra
The AH-1 HueyCobra was the world’s first helicopter specifically designed for the attack role. It has a streamlined fuselage, just 96.5 cm (3ft 2ins) wide, and a top speed of 140 mph (225km/h). It first saw active service in Vietnam in 1967 and is armed with anti-tank missiles, rockets and a 20mm automatic gun.
VISITORS INFORMATION:
| Prices |
| Adults |
£7.50 |
| Children (5-16yrs) |
£5.00 |
| Senior Citizens |
£5.50 |
| Students |
£5.50 |
| Family Ticket (2 adults and 2 children under 16) |
£22.00 |
| Groups (10 or more people) |
| Schools(per child) |
£4.50 |
| Adults |
£6.50 |
| Senior Citizens / students |
£4.50 |
| Military Associations |
£4.50 |
2 free entries for groups of 30 or more
1 free entry for groups of 20 or more
I year’s family admission ( 2 adults / 2 children under 16) £40.00
Booked Parties are welcome throughout the year
Groups of children are always welcome but we would draw your attention to the fact that there should be, for reasons of health and safety, a ratio of one adult to every five children.
Address:
The Museum of Army Flying
Middle Wallop,
Stockbridge,
Hampshire,
SO20 8DY