Museum’s Arrows and Concorde anniversaries
◆ Two of the most iconic aircraft at East Lothian attraction are celebrating major milestones
As the National Museum of Flight begins seven-day opening for the new season this week, the East Lothian attraction is encouraging the public to come and see two of its most iconic aircraft as they mark significant milestones.
This year marks 60 years since the formation of the Red Arrows Display Team, and the museum’s 1980 Red Arrows Hawk T.1A, the only Hawk on display in Scotland, has its own special anniversary, with 2024 marking 25 years since it flew in Red 1 position over Edinburgh in celebration of the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999.
Scotland’s Concorde is also marking a major milestone, having arrived at the National Museum of Flight 20 years ago on April 19 2004 following an epic, 16-day journey across the UK. The British Airways aircraft was welcomed by cheering crowds and an RAF Tornado flypast and the supersonic superstar has since been seen by over 1.5 million people.
The museum has also announced a programme of events and activities for the new season. Flying into the Future is running until April 5 and includes technical challenges and Civil Aviation Hangar tours as part of the Edinburgh Science Festival programme.
The year ahead also sees the return of the attraction’s popular Awesome Bricks LEGO event from June 15-16 where families will be able to celebrate Father’s Day weekend with hands-on building activities and challenges. On August 31 a new all-day festival, 360 Fest, will feature cycle stunt team, The Clan, circus displays and STEM science activities.
The new season includes the chance to hear about the work of the Museum’s conservation team in a series of behind the scenes talks in the Conservation hangar. Outdoors, original Second World War features of the site are also being conserved, including an Air Raid Shelter and a Blast Shelter, which can be explored by visitors later in the year.
Steve Mclean, General Manager at the National Museum of Flight, said: “The aircraft in our Museum have some amazing stories to tell, including our Red Arrows Hawk which allows people to see this much-loved icon on the ground and to learn about its history as an advanced training aircraft and its involvement in some of the country’s most significant celebrations.
"Scotland’s Concorde is probably our most famous exhibit and 20 years on, is still enthralling visitors who can step on board to see how celebrities such as Sir Elton John and Victoria Beckham used to travel and can learn about the science behind the aircraft’s development. Combined with some fantastic family events and the chance to enjoy our full Museum experience, we hope as many visitors as possible will visit this year for a great day out.”
The National Museum of Flight is located on one of the UK’S bestpreserved Second World War airfields and includes two historic wartime aircraft hangars. Other aircraft on display include a 1963 Avro Vulcan bomber, the 1952 de Havilland Comet plus an example of the iconic Spitfire.
The National Museum of Flight is now open seven days a week from 10am until 5pm.