Attraction in York

Allied Air Forces Memorial (Yorkshire Air Museum), York, North Yorkshire

Allied Air Forces Memorial (Yorkshire Air Museum)
Halifax Way
Elvington

York
North Yorkshire

YO41 4AU
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Under fresh new leadership, a revitalised Yorkshire Air Museum will roar into life over the Easter weekend with our “Thunder Day” on Sunday 12th April powering up an active season of activities and events for all the family to enjoy together. Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the arrival of the Nimrod MR2 XV250 flying into Elvington, the engines of this aircraft and our other 6 live aircraft will be started up on site in a grand spectacle of jet and propeller aircraft!!

We will also be marking the VE Day 75th Anniversary in style with our grand “Victory Ball” taking place on the evening of Saturday 9th May. This is part of our Victory weekend, where our unique recreated Halifax bomber “Friday the 13th” will take pride of place outdoors, surrounded by period re-enactors in air and ground crew kit providing an authentic and poignant display, amongst many others. Put on your Forties style and join in with our singers and dancers over a memorable weekend. The original “Friday the 13th” was displayed in the centre of London for the original Victory in Europe celebrations!!

Amongst a large, internationally acclaimed historic aircraft collection you will also find examples of the Gloster Meteor, Britain’s first jet fighter and many aircraft from the Cold War era with exciting, evocative names such as Lightning, Hunter, the Yorkshire built Blackburn Buccaneer, Nimrod and the awesome and still futuristic looking Victor V-Bomber. Climb aboard the Douglas C-47 Dakota, the aircraft famed for its role in the airborne invasion of the D-Day Landings and stand up close to our examples of the famous WWII Spitfire and Hurricane fighters and reflect on the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the greatest aerial battle ever fought and the brave pilots who wheeled and soared to defend our shores!!

From the birth of flight, you can also see the only example of Sir George Cayley’s historic man-carrying glider of 1853, the only full-size replica in Europe of a Wright Flyer, the world’s first powered aircraft, and the intriguing Blackburn Mercury Monoplane.

Still creating a great deal of interest is the Dassault Mirage IV strategic, supersonic nuclear bomber, gifted to the Museum by the French Government, which is the only example of this type to be seen in the world outside of France. This imposing aircraft makes a rare, and possibly unique, pairing with its smaller variant, the Mirage III supersonic fighter here at Elvington.

There is a great deal for the visitor to discover during a day out with us. Based on an authentic WWII Bomber Command Station, the former RAF Elvington, we maintain the atmosphere of the period, whilst housing superb displays and exhibits, such as the Bomber Command exhibition “Against the Odds”, which is now the definitive national presentation on this subject. Similarly, the “Pioneers of Aviation” exhibition provides a fascinating insight into Yorkshire’s literally ground -breaking role in the birth of manned flight, with Sir George Cayley, renowned as the Father of Aeronautics and the inventor of the aeroplane, who was born in Scarborough in December 1773. The exhibition also explores Leeds born Robert Blackburn who established a hugely successful aircraft manufacturing business; Hull born aviator Amy Johnson, whose daring exploits and solo flights to Australia and South Africa are indeed the stuff of legend. The work of Sir Barnes Wallis on the R101 airship at Howden is also explored and the exhibition features a dramatic interpretation of the famous ‘Dambuster raids’ with the Bouncing Bomb.

The Museum prides itself on being a dedicated Memorial to the Allied Air Forces and the tranquil Memorial Gardens provide a peaceful haven to reflect on the service and sacrifice of so many brave young airmen and women, from WWI to the present day. Indeed, our mission statement is to Honour, Educate and Inspire and we hope you will take something of this away with you after your visit.

With so much to see, we have an excellent restaurant in which visitors can relax and enjoy a tasty meal, snacks and refreshments during their stay with us. Most importantly, the Museum is a place of discovery and certainly much more than just an air museum and we are one of the best value family attractions in the area!!

The charity “Victory Ball” is a Ticket only event, featuring the superb Echo 42 Swing Band, period singers and an impressive hot buffet and complimentary glass of champagne within an atmospherically created setting of our main display hangar!! It will launch our Museum and Memorial Fundraising Appeal to further develop the museum and preserve this historic site, aircraft and artefacts. See yorkshireairmuseum.org for ticket information. Friends, this is your hour!!

Details

Nearest UK Airport: Leeds/Bradford
Months Open: Open Daily 10am – 5pm Summer; 10am – 4pm Winter.
Groups/Parties Welcome: Yes
Discount for Groups: Yes - See admission prices below
Car Parking: Yes
Admission Price:

Group rates available for parties of 10 or more. A great destination for school visits!
Gift Shop: Yes
Catering: Restaurant

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