The National Museum of Flight is a renowned aviation museum located at East Fortune Airfield, near North Berwick in East Lothian, Scotland. It is part of the larger National Museums Scotland group and is one of the UK’s most significant museums dedicated to aviation history.
National Museum of Flight Scotland
Scotland
+44 300 123 6789
April – October
- Daily 10:00 – 17:00
November – March
Saturday – Sunday 10:00 – 16:00
Admission fee
Gift shop
East Fortune Airfield, north of the A1, off the B1347 west of East Linton. Well signposted
Aircraft collection
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G-BOAA – VM360 XM597 G-AVMO XV241 G-ASUG G-ARTJ – G-APFJ G-ATFG RD220 9940 G-BELF – BAPC-160 BAPC-197 G-SJEN G-BDIX G-ANOV VH-SNB VH-UQB WW145/680-LM G-AOEL WB584 G-BDFU G-AVPC – VX185 XN776/C G-MBPM – G-AGBN G-ARCX G-JSSD G-BBBV WF259/171-A XT288 XV277 G-ARPH – – G-ACVA 155848/5848/WT 191659/+15 BAPC-12 3677 309 G-AHKY BAPC-195 G-BIRW ZE934 WV493/29/A-P BAPC-49 G-ATOY XL762 591 G-AXEH G-BBVF XZ119/F BAPC-196 BED TS291 BJV XA228 G-ACYK TE462 LA198 G-AMOG – W-2 XG594/ PO-517 |
Aerospatiale/BAC Concorde 206 Albatros ASG.21 hang-glider Avro Anson C.19 Avro Vulcan B.2 BAC One-Eleven 510ED BAe Nimrod MR.2 Beech E.18S Benson B-8M Gyrocopter Blackburn Buccaneer S.1 (cockpit) Boeing 707-436 (forward fuselage) Brantly B.2B Bristol Beaufighter TF.X Bristol Bolingbroke IVT Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander Catto CP-16 hang-glider Chargus 18/50 hang-glider Cirrus III hang-glider Comco Ikarus C42 FB80 Cyclone de Havilland Comet 4C de Havilland Dove 6 de Havilland Dragon I de Havilland Puss Moth de Havilland Sea Venom FAW.22 de Havilland Tiger Moth de Havilland Canada Chipmunk (cockpit) Dragonfly man-powered aircraft Druine D.31 Turbulent Electra Floater hang-glider English Electric Canberra B.5 (nose) English Electric Lightning F.2A Eurowing Goldwing microlight Ferranti Phoenix RPV General Aircraft Cygnet II Gloster Meteor Mk.14 Handley Page Jetstream 31 Handley Page Jetstream 31 (mock-up) Hawker Sea Hawk F.2 Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S.2B Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.1 Hawker Siddeley Trident 1C (nose) Hiway Cloudbase hang-glider Hiway Skytrike microlight Kay Gyroplane McDonnell Douglas F-4S Phantom Messerschmitt Me 163B-1a Komet Mignet H.M.14 Pou-de-Ciel Mikoyan-Gurevitch MiG-15bis Mikoyan-Gurevitch MiG-15UTI (Cockpit) Miles M.18-2 Moonraker 77 hang-glider Morane-Saulnier MS.505 Criquet Panavia Tornado F.3 Percival Provost T.1 Pilcher Hawk hang-glider Piper Comanche 260B Saro Skeeter AOP.12 Schleicher Ka-4 Rhönlerche II Scottish Aviation Bulldog 1 Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer 2 SEPECAT Jaguar GR.1 Sigma II Metre hang-glider Slingsby Gull I Slingsby T.8 Tutor Slingsby T.21A Slingsby T.38 Grasshopper TX.1 Spartan Cruiser (fuselage) Supermarine Spitfire XVI Supermarine Spitfire F.21 Vickers Viscount 701 Waco CG-4A Hadrian (cockpit) Weir Autogyro Westland Whirlwind HAS.7 |
Here are some key highlights of the National Museum of Flight Scotland:
1. Location and History
- The museum is housed at East Fortune Airfield, which has its own rich history, having been used as a military airfield during both World Wars. The site’s historical context enhances the museum’s focus on aviation.
- The airfield was an important base for airships during World War I and later for military aircraft during World War II.
2. Exhibitions
- Concorde: One of the major attractions at the museum is the British Airways Concorde (G-BOAA). Visitors can go inside the plane and learn about the supersonic aircraft’s history and design.
- Military Aircraft: The museum boasts a vast collection of military aircraft, including famous models like the Spitfire, Hawker Hunter, and de Havilland Vampire.
- Civilian Aircraft: Alongside military planes, the museum also features civilian and commercial aircraft, like the Boeing 707 and Comet 4C.
- Interactive Displays: There are numerous interactive displays and activities for all ages that explain the science of flight, the history of aviation, and the technological innovations that shaped the industry.
3. Hangars and Displays
- The National Museum of Flight Scotland is divided into various hangars, each dedicated to different aspects of aviation:
- Civil Aviation Hangar: Focuses on the development of commercial and civilian aircraft.
- Military Aviation Hangar: Showcases the military planes used during the wars and their advancements over the years.
- Concorde Experience: A hangar dedicated entirely to the Concorde experience.
- Parachute Store and Airship Hangar: These contain artifacts related to airships and parachutes, dating back to World War I.
4. Special Events
- The National Museum of Flight Scotland frequently hosts aviation-themed events, family activities, air shows, and special exhibitions that attract aviation enthusiasts from around the world.
5. Outdoor Spaces
- The large outdoor areas of the museum include displays of planes and offer picnic spaces, making it a suitable destination for families.
- The airfield is also used for live demonstrations, including air shows.
The National Museum of Flight Scotland is a must-visit for anyone interested in aviation history, offering an immersive look into both military and civilian air travel, the development of flight technology, and iconic planes like the Concorde.
Photos Marcel van Leeuwen.