Wroughtons Hidden Treasures

These pictures I took on two occasions when access was possible to the Science Museum hangers at ex RAF Wroughton near Swindon, Wiltshire.
In 1992 the Great War birds Air show [usually held at West Malling in Kent] took place at Wroughton , unfortunately the weather was a complete disaster with torrential rain and high winds curtailed at least the mornings flying and added misery was the grass car park became a complete mud bath.
However there was chance to take cover from the elements in the Hanger displaying some of the hidden gems of the Science museums aviation collection, these included the Constellation, Boeing 247 and Trident, other to be seen were the Piaggio, Devon [in raspberry ripple scheme] and sole surviving HP Gugnunc.
The inclement weather meant that the hangar was soon filled and made viewing restricted and still somewhat rushed to be able to take in the treasure trove before us…

Some years passed and with the arrival of the internet I soon discovered that during the summer period there was chance to view again albeit it without the added airs how.
I believe my scanned and somewhat poor photos are from summer 2004 when along with a handful of others we were able to view the hanger again, more was to be seen at a further hangar these include such rarity’s as the AW27 wheel, the Daimler Benz engine from a Henkel 177 as well as SRN 1 .
As you can see there was so much to see and take in and with an enthusiastic volunteer guide pointed out many un known details and artefacts it just kept going, a further hangar was packed full of a massive colourful variety of vehicles that included lorry’s, steam engines, tractors and farm machinery and more the list is so long.
One can only hope that the Science museum can eventually open these premises on a regular basis with a dream possibility that purpose built museum buildings can be constructed to display the collection for all to see.