The Ulster Aviation Society is a voluntary organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Northern Ireland’s rich aviation history. Located at the former RAF airfield at Maze Long Kesh, near Lisburn, the society operates a large hangar that houses an impressive collection of historic aircraft and aviation-related artifacts.
Ulster Aviation Society
Gate 3 – Maze Long Kesh
94-b Halftown Road
BT27 5RF Lisburn
bookvisit@ulsteraviationsociety.org
+44 7724 896215 Ray (Chairman)
All visits to the hangars by the public are organised at least 2 weeks before potential visit date by PRIOR arrangement ONLY and are *FREE!
There are 4 tour slots available daily (7 days) at 10.30am/11am and 2pm/2.30pm, and will last approximately 2 hours.
Please do NOT just arrive out of the blue during a week day. You will be turned away! You MUST book first please as the hangars are not always open.
An E-mailed pre-booking MUST be made for all visits and we need the following:
• Date & Time Slot preferred
• Number of Family members that will be visiting with you
• your Car registration
• your Contact Mobile Number
Located at the former WWII airfield at Long Kesh on the Halftown Road approximately 1 mile from Sprucefield, just outsite Lisburn
Aircraft collection
EI-BUO XW222 202 – EI-CNG XM414/101 XX286 XV361 XJ918 203 – VP957 WZ549/F WF911 XH131 G-MJWS G-BEHX HB612 XA460/768 – – 218 WA634 JV482/S-c WN108/033 XV361 XT864/007 ZG771 WF122/CU-575 G-CDUX N80BA – G-RENT – – XX530/F XZ389/BL G-BDBS G-36-1 G-BTUC ZF378 P7823/TM-F G-AVCS G-MZHM XZ666 XW222 XV136/X XR517/N | Aero Composite Sea Hawker Aerospatiale Puma HC.1 Aerospatiale SA316B Alouette 3 Aerosport Scamp A Air and Space 18A Gyro BAC Jet Provost T.3A BAe Hawk T.1A Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B Bristol Sycamore HR.14 Cessna FR172H Chargus Cyclone Hang glider de Havilland Devon C.2 (cockpit) de Havilland Vampire T.11 English Electric Canberra B.2 (cockpit) English Electric Canberra PR.9 Eurowing Goldwing Evans VP-2 Fairchild F24W41A Argus Fairey Gannet ECM.6/AS.4 Ferguson Flyer 1911 (replica) Fieseler Fi 103 V-1 Flying bomb Fouga CM170 Magister Gloster Meteor T.7 (mod) Grumman Wildcat FM-1 Hawker Sea Hawk FB.3 Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S.2B McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1 Panavia Tornado Gr.4 Percival Sea Prince T.1 Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six Pitts S-1A Special Quicksilver Ultralight Robinson R22B Rogallo Hang glider Rotec Rally 2-B microlight Scottish Aviation Bulldog T.1 SEPECAT Jaguar GR.1 Shorts SD-330 Short SB.4 Sherpa Shorts Tucano T.1 Shorts Tucano T.1 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.2a (replica) Taylorcraft Auster A.61 Terrier 1 Team Hi-Max 1700 microlight Westland Lynx AH.7 Westland Puma HC.1 Westland Scout AH.1 Westland Wessex HC.2 |
The Ulster Aviation Society have aircraft and vehicles within their Heritage collection and Aviation Museum, housed within two Second World War hangars at Maze Long Kesh, outside Lisburn.
Their Heritage collection contains everything from vintage WWII fighters through Cold War-era fast jets, Shorts-designed & built aircraft, civilian aircraft, plus military helicopters, engines, artefacts, specialist aviation-themed rooms from First World War, Second World War, Aldergrove Airport, Radio Room, Air Crew Life Support, Polish Aircrew, Royal Observer Corps, extensive aviation library, plus rare aviation reference materials, all with strong links to aviation within the island of Ireland.
Collection Highlights
The Ulster Aviation Society has a diverse range of aircraft, including:
- Military Aircraft: A restored Spitfire replica, Hawker Sea Hawk, and BAe Harrier jump jet are some notable examples.
- Civil Aviation: Displays include smaller planes like the Cessna 150 and other general aviation aircraft.
- Helicopters: Includes examples like the Westland Lynx and other rotorcraft used in military and civilian roles.
- Cold War Relics: Aircraft like the English Electric Canberra reflect Northern Ireland’s role during this period.
Preservation Efforts
The society relies heavily on volunteers and donations to restore and maintain aircraft, often conducting extensive work to ensure these historical machines are preserved for future generations.
The Ulster Aviation Society is a must-visit destination for anyone with an interest in aviation history, offering a fascinating and hands-on experience.