The Museum of Army Flying is a British military aviation museum about the history of flying in the British Army. It is located beside the Army Air Corps Centre in Middle Wallop, close to Andover in Hampshire. The Museum covers the history of Army aviation from the Balloon sections of the Royal Engineers, through the establishment of the Royal Flying Corps in 1912 and Air Observation Post (AOP)Squadrons. It brings the story up to date with the establishment of the Army Air Corps in 1957, from the merger of the Glider Pilot Regiment and the AOP Squadrons. The Museum also contains multiple flight simulators that anyone can utilize for a small fee. Outside the museum is a play park featuring aviation themed play pieces that kids can climb on, including a control tower based on the Middle Wallop control tower.
The Museum holds an extensive collection charting over 100 years of the British Army in the air. With over 40 fixed wing and rotary aircraft on display, the Museum is the perfect place to explore the fascinating history of army aviation. The collection covers the five main branches of Army Aviation: Royal Engineers (1878 – 1912), The Royal Flying Corps (1912-1918), Air Observation Post Squadrons (1941 – 1957), the Glider Pilot Regiment (1942 – 1957) and the current Army Air Corps (1957- to date). The collection also contains smaller items such as uniforms, medals and equipment which they use to tell inspiring stories about the people involved in Army aviation. They have an outstanding archive of documents and images which the museum uses for displays, research and enquiries.
The Museum’s collection of aircraft includes both fixed wing and rotary aircraft. These include a restored Westland Lynx serial XX153 that was used to set two former world helicopter speed records in 1972, Aérospatiale Gazelle, Westland Scout, Westland Lynx, Bristol Sycamore, the Saunders-Roe Skeeter, and a replica of the rotabuggy, among others. The role of the Glider Pilot Regiment is also shown through the exhibit of military gilders, including the Airspeed Horsa and Waco CG-4. The museum also has the piece of Soviet equipment that was the greatest threat to British Army helicopters during the Cold War, the ZSU-23-4, captured from the Iraqi Army during the first Gulf War.
Fixed Wing Aircraft include: - Airspeed Horsa, Taylorcraft Auster V, Auster AOP.6, Auster AOP.9, Britten-Norman Islander AL.1 ZG993, Cessna O-1 Bird Dog, de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk, de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, General Aircraft Hamilcar, General Aircraft Hotspur, Miles Magister, Sopwith Pup, Rotobuggy, Waco Hadrian and.Prospector EP.9.
Rotorcraft include : - Aérospatiale Alouette II, Bristol Sycamore, Bell 47G-4, Bell AH-1 Cobra, Bell H-13 Sioux, Bell UH-1 Iroquois, Saunders-Roe Skeeter, Westland Gazelle, Westland Lynx AH.1 XX153, Westland Lynx AH.7 and Westland Scout.
The museum welcomes visitors with mobility and sensory restrictions. They have disabled parking spaces adjacent to the Museum entrance and they are fully wheelchair accessible (they also have a wheelchair that can be borrowed by visitors if required). The Museum has two disabled toilets. Carers and wheelchair pushers are admitted free of charge. Special dietary requirements can also be catered for in the Apache Cafe. Assistance dogs are welcome. Along with its magnificent collection the Museum also has: Flight Simulators, Rifle Ranges, Indoor play space with ball pit, Outdoor play park, Gift Shop, Licensed café with airfield views, Picnic Area, Memorial Garden and Free entry and meal voucher for coach drivers.
Location : Museum of Army Flying, Middle Wallop, Stockbridge, Hampshire SO20 8DY
Transport : Grately (National Rail) then taxi. Bus Routes : 68, 87, TVB and W16 stop outside
Opening Times : Daily 10:00 to 16:30; Until 17:30 July and August
Tickets : Adults £12.00; Seniors £9.00; Children (5 and over) £7.00
Tel. : 01264 784421
