Swindon Area

There are still some buildings left from RAF Yatesbury, 4 miles east of Calne. Some are noe grade 11 listed but apparently not a lot of preservation work being done. Might be worth a visit. Visit sites such as the RAF Yatesbury Association or something like that. I have happy memories of being sent there twice for Air Radar Training courses uring my RAF career.

Oaksey Park has also got that stunning Stinson.

The Stinsons now at Elmdon (Birmingham) airport. Owned by the airport manager.Don’t know if I will see it there flying between the 777 and airbuses.
Here’s a link.
http://bhxflightguide.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/photo-n69745.html

Wroughton was run by John Bagley, a real enthusiast.

Not forgetting Ross Sharp…….

I was lucky to go on one of their weekday open days a good few years ago: cracking collection and no-one around. Of course back in the day we were up there a great deal when the warbirds displays, Air Britain fly-ins, Sothebys auction etc were on. Favourite memory was sitting on the grass as BAe’s Mosquito taxied past, with its wingtip above our heads.

What happened? Did we live through a golden era and only just realize it?

Wroughton was run by John Bagley, a real enthusiast. He retired and the incoming management did not share his interest, sadly. Then came along the H&S culture giving the museum a good excuse not to open anymore.

Going back to the original request there is also the jet age museum at Staverton that is worth a visit.

Oaksey Park has also got that stunning Stinson.

Last time I was at Wroughton I was staying in the Hospital!!!!! we snook out of the ward and went to the NAAFI for a few pints… only to be recognised.. where was the fun in that 🙁

Did we live through a golden era and only just realise it?

YES, YES and YES……………!!!!

I was lucky to go on one of their weekday open days a good few years ago: cracking collection and no-one around. Of course back in the day we were up there a great deal when the warbirds displays, Air Britain fly-ins, Sothebys auction etc were on. Favourite memory was sitting on the grass as BAe’s Mosquito taxied past, with its wingtip above our heads.

What happened? Did we live through a golden era and only just realise it?

To be fair to the Science Museum the Handley Page Gugnunc which they have had in store since the 1930’s (latterly at Wroughton) has recently gone on display at South Kensington.

I live in Swindon and can see the hangars at Wroughton from my house. ‘Closed until March….which year’? Very sad that there is the UK’s sole Connie in there but no one can see it. This collection is supposed to be ‘stored for future generations’…..but they are here now! They had a Lottery Grant bid to develop it as a major aviation museum in the South-West, but they never got it….so the spiders and cobwebs won!

I have never seen this collection, due to circumstances ,when it was occasionally opened up to the public.
If its being stored for future generations, what about the present generation! who can remember seeing some of these aircraft when in operation. Don’t we count.
I would be interested in a reply from someone from the Science Museum. What are the future plans. Once again are these aircraft not owned by the public by being a taxpayer.

Tony I’m staying in Wroughton but was told the SM collection is closed until March. So I have an invite there later in the year.

Is anything visible outside ?

I live in Swindon and can see the hangars at Wroughton from my house. ‘Closed until March….which year’? Very sad that there is the UK’s sole Connie in there but no one can see it. This collection is supposed to be ‘stored for future generations’…..but they are here now! They had a Lottery Grant bid to develop it as a major aviation museum in the South-West, but they never got it….so the spiders and cobwebs won!

I assume the old Vickers airfield of South Marston is totally built over by the Honda factory. Is there any old airfield buildings left?

Looking at GE it seems that some of the runway is still there – used as a car park?

Oaksey Park, just a few miles from Kemble, if you like G A types.
Usually a few historic and interesting types there.
Park up and ask permission first. There usually friendly and accommodating.

If its just airfields you want to view then the hangers at South Cerney are still visible.

I assume the old Vickers airfield of South Marston is totally built over by the Honda factory. Is there any old airfield buildings left?

Wroughton has been closed to the public for years. I read somewhere many of the storage hangers have safety issues and I’ve heard its very very hard to get in there even by researchers, other museums ect.

Bit further south than Swindon but you’ve got Lyneham, Hullavington, Colerne & Down Ampney.

Tony I’m staying in Wroughton but was told the SM collection is closed until March. So I have an invite there later in the year.

Is anything visible outside ?

Is that march 2045? Has anybody actually set foot in the hangars in the last 15 years? Wroughton has to be the most inaccessible, publicly funded, museum in the world!

Tony I’m staying in Wroughton but was told the SM collection is closed until March. So I have an invite there later in the year.

Is anything visible outside ?

No, sadly. Not since the RN Air Yard was open.

Oh – some nice benches in Wroughton village: Barracuda, Blenheim + one other. Chip shop is worth the wait too 🙂

Tony I’m staying in Wroughton but was told the SM collection is closed until March. So I have an invite there later in the year.

Is anything visible outside ?

If you go to Wroughton, Smack that annoying American who drives around the place fast and thinks he is funny…. I don’t normally believe in violence but he just annoys…. ;):stupid::p

you have also got Wroughton of course…………….

Any one have the keys……?!!!!!!! :D:D:D:mad::mad: