Museum - Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre in Newquay, Cornwall

We are very fortunate to be in Tier 1 status down in Cornwall but we will remain closed for the next few months. Our teams will use the winter to concentrate on restoring a number of aircraft, and getting our fantastic new exhibits ready for the 2021 season! In the meantime, keep following us on Facebook and Instagram for some very exciting news. Keep well, keep safe! #planes #volunteer #volunteering #restoration #aviationlovers #hawkerhunter #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #aviation #airmuseum #airmuseums #aeroplane #preservation #heritage #fighterjets #classicjets #planecrazy #britishaviation #royalairforce

We maybe in lockdown, but we can still bring you a **Friday Feature!** This time, we bring you the... **Hawker Sea Hawk FGA 4**...Continue reading

As we’re all in Lockdown again and you can’t come and see us, we thought we’d bring the museum to you instead! Enjoy!

Our Hunter T8 & Hawk T1 looking great together in front of our HAS. We are open through half term. Please come and see us! No booking necessary. Opening hours are 10am-4pm Sundays through to Thursdays. Covid precautions are in place and our Cafe & Shop are open. ... Visit our new website for more details! www.cornwallaviationhc.co.uk

As with any Museum, a lot goes on behind the scenes, (Covid restrictions allowing!) We have a talented team of volunteers who apply their knowledge. skills or time to restore and preserve our aircraft collection. Of course, with the majority of the airframes being outside and so close to the sea, salt is a major problem. However, with help from specialist paint suppliers and collaborators, we are constantly working hard to preserve what we have for our visitors and for futur...e generations. Between Covid restrictions, we are pleased to say that restoration has begun on the Percival Pembroke which arrived last December. The seats have been removed, and one of our volunteers has set to work on repairing the upholstery. We have also commenced work on the cockpit. The last occupants, (some very large spiders) have been found a new home and we can now start removing the dials and controls for cleaning, before putting back into place once restored. We also recently replaced a few windscreen sections of the Varsity, and replaced the floor under the Pilot’s seat. The largest job of all continues as we work on anti-corrosion under the wings of the VC10. Our restoration work is partially limited by funding, but many challenges can be overcome with extra volunteers. In anticipation for a somewhat more 'normal' 2021, we would encourage anyone wanting to help us to complete the volunteer application form that can be found here: https://cornwallaviationhc.co.uk//160314-CAHC-Volunteer-fo

**WE ARE NOW CLOSED** To comply with the 2nd lockdown regulations, the museum is now closed. Thank you to all the visitors who could come and visit us in 2020. Your support during this difficult year is very much appreciated.... Please continue to read our Facebook & Instagram posts and visit our website for updates and announcements. We have lots of plans to make your future visits even more exciting!!! In the meantime, please stay safe. We'll see you some time soon!

We’re missing the blue sky!! #hawkerhunter #hawkeraviation #huntert8 #englishelectriclightning #englishelectric #lightning #lightningf53 #vc10 #fastjet #fastjets #jet #plane #aviation #aviationphotography #aviationlovers #aviationdaily #avgeek #avgeeks #avgeekoftheweek #royalairforce #royalairforceuk #airforce #royalnavy #trainingaircraft #jetplane #jetplanes #blueskies #bluesky #fluffyclouds

**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT** The Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre has received a lifeline grant from the Government’s 1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund. Almost 450 heritage organisations in England, including the Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre and only two other aviation museums have been awarded cash from the first round of the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage.... The Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre will receive 53,200 to help its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and to support its staff and premises costs through the challenging period to come. The money will be applied to staff wages, (therefore avoiding redundancies), premises rent and other operational costs, and to maintaining and improving facilities to provide the safest possible environment for visitors under the challenges of the Coronavirus. Richard Spencer-Breeze, General Manager and Director of CAHC said: This grant means an incredible amount to the Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre, the most important element being the chance to retain our wonderful staff who have stood by us and worked so hard to get us to where we are. It also means we can meet our site overhead costs without taking on debt, which could have put our plans for exciting future developments back by 3 to 5 years. The Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre was created to preserve a fantastic fleet of amazing aircraft and make them totally accessible to the public to enjoy, inside and out. Over the 5 years from opening, we have preserved and restored jet fighters and bombers, added new aircraft (with even more to come) and created a unique site for aerospace entertainment, inspiration and education. Our plans for development had to be put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but with the award of the Culture Recovery Fund grant we are confident of our ability to continue our vital heritage work and we can now plan to get back on track during 2021. #culturerecoveryfund #heritage #savingjobs

**IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT** **The museum will be closed from 3pm on Wednesday 4th November to comply with the 2nd lockdown regulations.** Please continue to read our Facebook and Instagram posts and visit our website for updates, and look out for exciting future announcements!...... In the meantime, please stay safe. We'll see you some time soon!

A close up of one of our collection of fast jet engines. The Panavia Tornado was powered by 2 x Turbo-Union RB199-34R Mk 104 turbofans with reheat. This would allow the Tornado to reach speeds up to Mach 2.2. **please come and follow us on Instagram for exclusive content!** #fastjet #fastjets #engines #jetengine #powerplant #closeup #closeupphotography #closeupshot #aircraft #aircraftphotography #aircraftlovers #royalairforce #planepics #planespotter #avgeek #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #museum #museums #airmuseum #heritage #technology #mechanicalengineering #aeronautics

**FRIDAY FEATURED AIRCRAFT** **Hawker Hunter T8, WT722** Military Life in the Royal Air Force & Royal Navy...Continue reading

The Navigator’s position Inside our English Electric Canberra T4. In normal circumstances visitors have the privilege of being able to sit in the cockpit to feel (& smell!) what it would have been like for Canberra crews. **please come & follow us on Instagram for exclusive images of our aircraft collection** #englishelectriccanberra #classicjets #jets #cockpit #cockpitview #cockpitviews #cockpits #bomber #royalairforce #raf #plane #planespotting #aircraft #aircraftphotography #aircraftlovers #aircraftphotos #avgeek #avgeeks #aviationlovers #aviation #aviationphotography #aviationdaily #igplanes #insta_planes

Originally born in south Devon, Polly Vacher MBE has previously flown solo twice around the world in a single engine aircraft, including over the North Pole and the Antarctic. She raised over 500,000 for the charity, 'Flying Scholarships for Disabled People'. Following unsuccessful eye surgery, Polly is no longer able to fly. Keen to find another fundraising project, Polly has come up with a ‘Donkathon’ - to raise funds for the MS Society. This involves a 200 mile trip start...ing in late June 2021. The journey is expected to take 4-5 weeks, covering a maximum of 10 miles on travelling days. Polly is encouraging people to get involved with the journey, particularly those with MS who may wish to ride along for a day. The team at Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre wish her well. If you would like to support her, please visit the fundraising page below. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/donkathon

The weather continues to be changeable here. However, the stormy clouds and rain provides our visitors and avid photographers with a chance to catch some dramatic images! We are open Sundays through to Thursdays, closed Fridays and Saturdays. Gates are open from 10am-4pm. No booking necessary. Covid precautions in place.

**please follow us on Instagram for exclusive pictures** #rainbow #varsity #vickersvarsity #vickersaircraft #royalairforce #raf #rafplanes #trainingaircraft #bombercrew #classicplanes #classicplanesofinstagram #aircraft #aircrafts #aircrews #stormysky #clouds #cloud #cloudscape #rainbows #planes #aviation_lovers #aviators #aviation #aviationphotography #museum #airmuseum #newquay #cornwall

**EVENT POSTPONED!** It is with regret that we have had to postpone tomorrow's ticketed event due to weather warnings from the MET Office. The event will now take place on 20th March 2021! Pop it in your diaries! On the positive side, assuming the wind has died down, we WILL be open on Sunday for general admission between 10am - 4pm. NO BOOKING NECESSARY. ... Covid precautions in place and shelter from the rain available in our Hardened Aircraft Shelter and under the odd wing or two!

**FEATURED AIRCRAFT** English Electric Canberra T.4, RAF, WJ874. WJ874 was built in 1954 and held in reserve until January 1956 when it was issued to RAF Binbrook Station Flight where it remained for four years, it was then transferred to the RAF Coningsby Station Flight on in January 1960, joining 231 Operational Conversion Unit (231OCU) at RAF Bassingbourn, where it remained in service until it was placed in store at RAF Shawbury 27 Maintenance Unit (27MU).... On 12th November 1969, WJ874 was transferred to the Royal Navy at Hurn airfield (now Bournemouth Airport) where it commenced service with the civilian Fleet Requirements Unit (FRU). As aeroplane '847' WJ874 was operated on training duties for the two years with the FRU until it was moved to RNAS Lee-on-Solent in November 1971. Modifications were then carried out by the Naval Air Radio Installation Unit (NARIU), and the airframe returned to Hurn for a short time before it was sent to RAF St Athan for a major airframe inspection on 3rd February 1972. In April 1974, WJ874 was re-introduced into the Fleet Air Arm and stationed at the Fleet Requirements and Air Direction Training Unit (FRADTU) at RNAS Yeovilton. In 1975 it was allocated the fleet number '858' and operated by FRADU (the word Training had been dropped during the previous year). In April 1986, WJ874 was withdrawn from FRADU service and was officially returned to the RAF at RAF Wyton with 231OCU. Back in RAF ownership, WJ874 re-commenced its pilot training role with 231OCU until the Unit was disbanded in April 1993. The aircraft then passed to the combined RAF/Royal Navy Canberra Unit, RAF 360 Sqn at RAF Wyton, where it remained in use until October 1994 when that too was disbanded. All the Canberra T.4s left in service were then absorbed by RAF 39 (1 PRU) Squadron based at RAF Marham and rotated between service and storage. In April 1999, WJ874 was selected to represent the prototype Canberra VN799 to mark 50th Anniversary of the Canberra. The aircraft was moved to Bournemouth Airport for re-finishing by Flight Refueling Ltd, and it soon emerged in the classic overall petter blue scheme as worn by VN799 on its first flight on 13th May 1949. It took centre stage in the birthday celebrations at BAe Warton, and was later displayed at several events during the 1999 air show season, in between its regulation training duties with RAF 39 Sqn. WJ874 made its last operational flight on 1st September 2005, and was offered for disposal shortly afterwards. On the 9th November 2005 it was flown to Coventry airport having been purchased by Air Atlantique Classic Flight. In September 2013 WJ874 was the subject of the Channel 5 programme Monster Moves which showed the aircraft being dismantled and moved to the Classic Air Force at Newquay where it was re-assembled by volunteers. In July 2015 the ownership of WJ874 was transferred to the Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre (CAHC) following the closure of Classic Air Force.

If you’re heading to our Museum this afternoon, you maybe lucky enough to see the Royal Air Force’s mighty Atlas over the airfield this afternoon! In fact, It’s already on it’s way! :)

Would you support a crowdfunding campaign to help save & preserve iconic aircraft to inspire and educate future generations? Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre is primarily funded through the income generated from our visitor entrance fees. Our mission is to grow our aircraft collection; however our greatest obstacle is that of funding. The greatest cost of acquiring new airframes is that of transport often well beyond that of the aircraft itself due to our location being in... the far south west. We are determined to rescue more aircraft that are at risk of being scrapped across the country, but our resources are limited. However, the more support we receive from our followers and enthusiasts, the more capability we will have of acquiring airframes in the future. We are therefore keen to establish what level of support we could generate via a crowdfund campaign. Please like this post if you would be prepared to contribute towards a crowdfunding campaign and help us save an iconic aircraft. We would also consider running project based funding campaigns to aid the preservation of our existing aircraft. Feel free to comment on what aircraft you would like added to our collection. This will help us assess the viability of some exciting opportunities that we have in the pipeline. **Please also share this with your network, groups and contacts.** Many thanks in advance! The CAHC Team.

We’re open today! NO BOOKING NECESSARY! Covid precautions in place with our Cafe open for ‘alfresco dining’. We are offering discounted entry for al our visitors, so it’s a great time to come and see us!

Wishing everyone a 'Fintastic Friday'!!! But which fin is it??

**FEATURED AIRCRAFT** Vickers Varsity WJ945. The Vickers Varsity is a British twin-engined crew trainer which was operated by the Royal Air Force for 25 years from 1951.... The Varsity was developed by Vickers and based on the Viking and Valetta for a twin-engined training aircraft to replace the Wellington T10 and the Valetta T3 and T4. The main differences were the wider-span wings, longer fuselage and tricycle under carriage. There was also a ventral pannier to allow a trainee bomb aimer to lie in a prone position and a bomb bay with a capacity for 24 x 25lb smoke & flash bombs. The prototype Type 668 first flew from Wisley on 17 July 1949. WJ945 was built at Hurn Airport (Bournemouth) and delivered to the RAF in 1953. She served with 115 and 116 Sqns at Watton before passing to Central Flying School and serving at RAF Tangmere and Little Rissington. Later in its career it served with the Electronics & Air Engineers School at RAF Topcliffe and 5 FTS at RAF Oakington before finishing her military service with the Central Flying School at RAF Cranwell. Upon its retirement the aircraft was acquired by Don Selway and Anthony Battersby and on October 27, 1974 she was flown to become part of the fledgling collection of aircraft being formed at Duxford. Two years later, on July 26, 1976 the aircraft was registered as G-BEDV and returned to the skies appearing on the UK airshow circuit. It was flown for a number of years before it passed to the Duxford Aviation Society and its registration was ultimately cancelled in June 1989. The aircraft then remained at Duxford as part of the Imperial War Museum until it was dismantled and transported by road to the newly formed Classic Air Force museum at Newquay in 2013 where it was re-assembled and restored by volunteers to its present condition. With the demise of the Classic Air Force, the ownership was transferred to the Cornish Aviation Heritage Centre in August 2015. The Varsity is a firm favourite with our visitors and the inside of the aircraft provides a hint of how it's WW2 bomber predecessors would have felt. Do you have any old photos of our Varsity from it's flying days? We would love you to share them! #vickersaircraft #vickersvarsity #classicplanes #restoration #royalairforce

One of our most colourful exhibits. The Fisher Celebrity is a Canadian two-seat, single engined biplane kit - designed for construction by amateur builders. Fisher Flying Products was originally based in North Dakota, USA.