HAT VISIT TO THE ARMY FLYING MUSEUM

HAT VISIT TO THE ARMY FLYING MUSEUM – Tuesday 12^th September 2023 

After our very successful visit to F.A.S.T. last summer, we are again lucky to be able to visit a museum dedicated to the history of flying, this time of the British Army.  Although this very successful museum is open to the public, we are going to have a guided tour in the company of one of the very experienced tour guides, all of whom are knowledgeable ex- service volunteers.  We will be meeting up with our friend Samuel Cody again as  balloon and kite development began in the Army before the establishment of the Royal Flying Corps in 1912. The displays also cover the Glider Pilot Regiment and the Air Observation Post Squadron both formed during the Second World War and brought up to date by the establishment of the Army Air Corps in 1957 by merging the two.

The Museum collection was started in the 1940’s at RAF Andover but moved to Middle Wallop Camp and opened to the public there in 1974 and moved to its present site in 1984.  It is now a large complex with over 35 aircraft ranging from a WW1 Sopwith Pup aeroplane to a HueyCobra attack helicopter, all undercover in a spacious purpose built hangar. There are also numerous smaller collections of uniforms, medals, a 1940’s house  and a number of interactive displays which visitors are welcome to explore.  If visitors have a personal interest in the records or the extensive photographic collection held here in the Museum Archives you are welcome to make an appointment to view at another time, but they will not be included in our tour, as there is just too much to see and hear about!

We will meet in the foyer by 1.30p.m. and the tour will take approximately 1½ hours and the cost includes a cream tea in the Apache Café after which you are welcome to wander the Museum until it closes at 4.30p.m. The café also serves light lunches for those who wish to arrive early and it overlooks the Army Air Corps base so watching  Apache helicopters landing and taking off is a possibility but not a guarantee!  The Army Flying Memorial is also sited here behind the extensive free parking.  There are plenty of toilet facilities available on all floors with a lift and all the displays are on flat surfaces with no accessibility problems, although guests should be aware that some of the interactive displays have theme sound effects which some may find upsetting.

By car the Army Flying Museum is on the A343 signposted and 5 miles south from the A303 at Andover and at post code SO20 8FB and there is plenty of free parking. The nearest railway station is at Andover and at the time of writing there do not appear to be any buses to the Museum.  If guests do not have transport and would like to do the visit please contact the HAT Visits organisers.

The cost of this visit is £25.00pp to include the entrance fee, the cost of the guide and a cream tea with tea or coffee and all proceeds going to the Museum.

Booking; either e mail events@hampshirearchivestrust.co.uk or book by post marked HAT events organiser to  236 Hunts Pond Road Titchfield Hants PO14 4PG. Payment is by Bank Transfer to HAT account sort code 30-99-71 account 00361865 or by cheque to Hampshire Archives Trust, subject line Army Flying Museum tour. Phone number for enquiries 01489 573056