Just a quick update from the Hangar

Building work is progressing slowly at the moment with all the bad weather we have ben experiencing, we hope to have one room ready for the next open day on the 23rd January.

A few weeks ago a trip to Yorkshire was done to collect the rest of the parts for the Bowser, namely the engine and pump and a few other bits.

Vicky started her repaint into 611 Squadron Colours ready for her trip to Switzerland in a couple of weeks.

Holly was prepared for the next filming installment of “Home Fires”, her restoration will continue upon her return after it stalling over the Summer and moving sites.

Work on the Hurricane continues with help with Students from Blackpool & Fylde College.

Revised Open Days

The revised open days for the coming months at Hangar 42, Blackpool Airport are,

23rd January 2016

20th February 2016

5th March 2016

They will be held from 10:30 am until 12:30, and we would ask for a £5.00 donation per person for the visit. Numbers will be limited to a approximatly of 20 per session so it will be on a first come first served basis by pre booking. This will allow you to see our project and to hear educational talks on the History of Blackpool Airport and the Spitfire and much much more.

Items from the LAIT Collection will be on display.

Visitors would have to arrive at 10:30 prompt and should bring along warm clothing as at present the Hangar is not heated. There are toilet and drink/snack facilities available at Hangar 8 next door. Pending the construction of our visitor access we would require the names of the people visiting, their address and contact numbers for security reasons as the Hangar is located airside of an active airport.

Please contact [email]enquiries@fcmbpl.co.uk[/email] to book your place.

A few photographs from yesterdays open day, we will be holding more of these during the refurbishment of the Hangar and will be adding additional features to them.

On Sunday 8th November we will be holding a Memorial Service at our RAF Memorial/Spitfire at Fairhaven Lake, Ansdell, Lytham St Annes. The service will be starting at 10.45 and you are more than welcome to join us.

re concentration on WW2 theme – the QL bowser is in a postwar scheme. Are you intending to repaint it?

Not at the moment but who knows in the future, it actually works well as a hi-viz attraction to locate us at events, however we are in the process of restoring a early 450 gallon towed bowser which is more in keeping with the aircraft.

You might have seen the news that the MOSI aviation section will be closing as the lease ends on the old market in Manchester.How about asking the owners of the Avro Avian, DH Dragon Rapide,Avro 504 for example for a loan and display them in your new museum?

Initially we want to stick with the WW2 period and what we have currently got and get them all up to display standard, finish the vehicle restorations and of course the Hangar refurbishment which will include the integration of many small exhibits, engines etc etc.

There are plans at a later date to add pre/post war aircraft into the collection, a number of these have already been promised, saying that the Rapide wouldn’t look out of place at the moment, would this not be expected to go to back into the collection at Hooton Park.

Bottom line is we don’t want to bite of more that we can manage at the moment and add exhibits as we are able to do so.

One of our high priorities is to feature a display on Blackpool built Wellingtons.

Some of the Events attended by the Team in 2015

Open Days

The proposed open days for the coming months at Hangar 42, Blackpool Airport are,

7th November 2015

21st November 2015

23rd January 2016

6th February 2016

20th February 2016

5th March 2016

They will be held from 10:30 am until 12:30, and we would ask for a £5.00 donation per person for the visit. Numbers will be limited to a maximum of 20 per session so it will be on a first come first served basis by pre booking. This will allow you to see our project and to hear educational talks on the History of Blackpool Airport and the Spitfire etc.

Visitors would have to arrive at 10:30 prompt and should bring along warm clothing as at present the Hangar is not heated! There are toilet and drinks facilities available at Hangar 8 next door. Pending the construction of our visitor access we would require the names of the people visiting, their address and contact numbers for security reasons as the Hangar is located airside of an active airport.

Please contact [email]enquiries@fcmbpl.co.uk[/email] to book your place.