Beaufighters, Blenheims and Sycamores
Containing aircraft from WWI to the early 21st century, Aerospace Bristol commemorates the many military and civil aeroplanes and helicopters that were named after the city
Located six miles (10km) north of Bristol in the town of Filton, Aerospace Bristol is an aviation museum that exhibits both civilian and military aircraft. Situated on Filton Airfield, the museum’s main exhibition is housed in a Grade Ii-listed hangar dating from the First World War. During 1914-18, Filton was the home of the Bristol-based British and Colonial Aeroplane Company. Thousands of Bristol F2 Fighter aircraft were built on the site, with the Royal Flying Corps also having a base there.
From 1929, Filton became an RAF base and was home to 501 (City of Bristol) Squadron that was equipped with Hawker Hurricanes. RAF Filton was heavily bombed by German aircraft on 25 September 1940, which led to a squadron of Supermarine Spitfires being based at the airfield. Despite the damage, aircraft continued to be manufactured at Filton, including Bristol Blenheims, Beauforts and Beaufighters.
During the post-war period, Filton was owned by various aviation companies including the British Aircraft Corporation, British Aerospace and BAE Systems. On 26 November 2003 the last flight of any operational Concorde supersonic airliner occurred at Filton, and the aircraft is now one of the museum’s most famous exhibits. Based in the Concorde
Hangar, visitors can step aboard this iconic aircraft, and Aerospace Bristol has plenty of military aircraft to see as well.
The museum, which has been open since 2017, contains over 8,000 artefacts. Exhibitions are themed around seven eras of aviation at Filton, two of which focus on the World Wars. Era Two: First World War & Beyond c.1914-1920 shows the impact of the First World War on Filton and features replica Bristol F2 Fighter and Bristol Scout reconnaissance aircraft.
Era Four: World War II c.1935-45 depicts how Filton was affected by the war and features a cutaway section of a Bristol Beaufighter – a night-fighter that flew during the Battle of Britain. Era Five: Bigger, Faster,
Further 1945-1960 exhibits a Bristol Bloodhound – a ramjet-powered surface-toair missile that served as the UK’S main air defence weapon during the Cold War. Other displayed surface-to-air missiles include a Sea Dart and Sea Wolf.
A British Aerospace Sea Harrier can be seen at the museum and helicopter enthusiasts can view examples of a Bristol Sycamore and Bristol Type 173. The Sycamore was the first British-designed helicopter to serve in the RAF during the 1950s and the Type 173 was eventually developed into the RAF Bristol Belvedere during the 1960s. Visitors can also closely observe a First World War Bristol F2 Fighter and Second World War Bristol Bolingbroke patrol aircraft being restored by volunteers in the Conservation in Action Workshop.
For more information visit www.aerospacebristol.org