AeroVenture lights up after hours

Welcome to this latest edition of Aerodrome and our regular look at the fascinating world of aeroplanes and the historic aviation scene around the UK.

As the days are finally starting to get just that little bit longer and British Summertime is now almost upon us, it really is time to start thinking about getting out and about, and specifically, thinking about aeroplanes. That being the case, I took the opportunity to do something very unusual for me last weekend, by visiting a UK aviation preservation site I had never previously been to, and boy was I in for a treat. Established on part of the old RAF Doncaster site, the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum can still boast some of the original buildings from the station within their premises, which is now home to an impressive collection of preserved aircraft, fascinating displays and aviation artefacts, all taking us on a journey through Britain’s aviation heritage and that of Yorkshire’s own proud links to aviation.

The reason for my visit was to attend an after hours nightshoot event arranged by the Threshold Aero team in association with the museum, the first time such an event had ever taken place at the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum, and under such historic circumstances as these, how could I possibly refuse the opportunity. Please join us as we sample the delights on offer at the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum and provide a photographic review of their very first nightshoot event, where we had the opportunity to photograph a selection of their historic aircraft which were all illuminated for our photographic pleasure.

Doncaster’s hidden aviation gem

Buccaneers and Canberras galore, the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum can boast an impressive collection of restored cockpits.

Although our header title for this section may appear a little presumptuous at first, particularly as it was taken from the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum’s own website, we decided to use it because in our opinion, it’s absolutely spot on and for those people fortunate enough to visit this magnificent museum, they really are in for a treat. Located near the bustling Lakeside area of Doncaster, close to all the amenities and attractions you might associate with a vibrant city, the museum occupies a piece of land which was previously part of the former RAF Doncaster site and indeed, several of the buildings which now house museum artifacts were originally constructed during the operational years of the old military airfield.

Taking details from the SYAM website to ensure the accuracy of information being posted, originally established in 1973 as the South Yorkshire Aviation Society, the group arranged for a display of their collection to go on show at Nostell Priory during 1976, which was known at that time as the Nostell Aviation Museum. The SYAS continued to display and maintain a small collection of aviation related artefacts in a small display area until 1981, when an appealing opportunity arose for the collection to be moved and displayed at Home Farm near Maltby, on the site of the former RAF Firbeck.

During its time at Firbeck the SYAS took the opportunity to change its name to the  South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum (SYAM), as this change more accurately represented the growing collection and displays of the society as a museum.

During 1998 and 1999, the SYAM became aware that a 4-acre site on the former RAF Doncaster (Later Doncaster Aerodrome) was about to become available, as Yorkshire Water were set to leave their depot which occupied the last remnants of the former RAF Doncaster site. The site featured an original wartime Bellman hanger and two wartime wooden buildings, along with a number of smaller structures and a large modern built garage building.

A move to Doncaster

Keeping an eye on visitors entering the museum, Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.3 XV752 reminds us just how much we miss this incredible aircraft.

After signing the lease for the new site with Doncaster Council, the Museum's collection was moved from RAF Firbeck to its new home, with assistance from the Territorial Army, who kindly transported many of the larger exhibits as part of one of their training exercises. Once taking up residency at the site, it was discovered that the buildings were without electricity and generally in a state of disrepair. The museum subsequently opened to the public over the August Bank Holiday weekend in 1999.

In the immediate period following the opening at Doncaster, much of the work concentrated on site work and repairs to the buildings, bringing them to a standard required to support public displays. Electricity supplies to the Hangar and Buildings 19 and 21 were established, with the garage building undergoing conversion to function as the museum’s main workshop.

Over 25 years of being based at Doncaster, the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum has continued to grow and develop, becoming a Registered Museum in 2003 and attaining Accredited Museum status in 2010, which recognises that the museum has attained a national governance standard on par with the major national museums.

The Museum is now a mature site and can boast all the things anyone would need to enjoy an interesting day out, including an extremely well stocked shop, small café and most importantly, a spectacular collection of aircraft, aviation related artefacts and themed displays, both out in the open and within the collection of hangars and buildings at the site. 

Even though the well maintained collection of aircraft displayed out in the open definitely serve as a major distraction as soon as you arrive at the museum, there is so much to see and admire here that you can’t allow yourself to fall for their charms at this early stage, because you’ll be missing out on so much. It really is important to spend some time in discovering all the many buildings of various sizes situated around the site, as each one plays host to a myriad of separate displays, with well maintained rooms revealing themselves at every turn, a feature which really does give this excellent museum much of its charm. With interesting displays and artefacts arranged everywhere you look, you had better not arrive at the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum having placed any time constraints on yourself, because if you do, there’s definitely going to be an overrun.

How many people knew that the first flying meeting ever staged in England took place at Doncaster in 1909?

The museum can boast an impressive collection of restored cockpit displays, all of which are maintained in exceptional condition, and with some going one stage further and offering powered displays, something which proved particularly popular during the nightshoot event itself. A particularly impressive display inside one of the smaller buildings known as Building 21 featured a replica Bleriot XI monoplane and information which described Doncaster’s unique place in British aviation history. Back in 1909, just six years after the Wright Brothers had made their historic first powered flight, Doncaster Racecourse hosted the first flying meeting ever held in England.

Attracting many of the famous aviation celebrities of the day, the event took place over a week long period in October 1909 and attracted thousands of excited visitors from all over the UK, with special trains being laid on from many towns and cities. As far as the aviators were concerned, the event offered many prizes and trophies for achievements made during the event, with such things as the greatest overall distance flown, the fastest speed attained and the fastest lap of a marked course all being up for grabs, along with the certainty of an appearance in the local press for the intrepid winners. It will no doubt come as a surprise to many people to learn that England’s first ever flying meeting took place in Doncaster.

Although not the main reason for my first visit to the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum, the main hangar display proved to be particularly appealing on the day, as it’s packed with beautifully presented aircraft and expertly curated displays. One of the aircraft which immediately caught my eye was the museum’s stunning Gloster Meteor T.7 WA662 in its striking grey, white and blue livery, and aircraft which has only just returned to display in this complete state.

A trio of images featuring delightful Gloster Meteor T.7 WA662, resplendent in her grey, white and blue livery.

Meteor WA662 was delivered to the Station Flight at RAF Gütersloh in February 1950, subsequently moving on to serve with No.3 Squadron at Wildenrath and then the Station Flight at the same airfield. Despite her time spend on the front line in Germany, this Meteor would actually spend the majority of its flying career with the Royal Aircraft Establishment, initially at RAE Farnborough, but also later based at RAF Llanbedr in North Wales.

On leaving military service, she was sold to ejector seat manufacturers Martin Baker to act as a spares machine for their test Meteors, but was subsequently passed to the care of the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum in 1994. Since arriving at the museum, WA662 has formed the basis of a major restoration project for the museum team and stands as the most intensive and ambitious project they have undertaken to date. Thanks to the concerted efforts of a great many people, she is now displayed complete with her outer wings attached, the first time she has been in this state since they were removed in the 1980s. Looking imperious in her beautiful Royal Aircraft Establishment livery, the chance to clap eyes on this beautiful Meteor is worth a visit to the museum alone.

New Hawk a prized exhibit at SYAM

The museum’s latest aircraft exhibit was gifted to them via the RAF Heritage Programme, illustrating just how far they’ve come over the years.

Occupying a display position directly opposite the Meteor is the museum’s latest acquisition and one which represents a significant milestone for the collection, British Aerospace Hawk T.1 XX238. Only arriving at the museum late last year, this particular Hawk enjoyed an active service career during her time with Nos. 4 and 6 Flying Training Schools, along with further periods spent with the Central Flying School and Nos. 19, 74 and 208 Squadrons, all prior to being placed in storage at RAF Shawbury in 2008. She was also briefly used by the Fleet Requirements and Air Directional Unit, but is of most interest to the museum by virtue of the time she spent serving with No.6 Flying Training School at nearby RAF Finningley between 1993 and 1996, the years just prior to the closure of the base.

The Hawk is the first exhibit the museum has been gifted through the RAF Heritage Programme and marks the culmination of many years of hard work and dedication by a great many people connected with the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum and is a truly monumental development in their continued history. As for the aircraft itself, she is presented in the smart black finish currently applied to RAF training aircraft, proudly retaining her RAF No.208 Squadron markings, including the unit’s famous ‘winged eye’ on the jet’s tail. This beautiful aircraft is just one of the many highlights this impressive collection can boast, many of which also possess links to Yorkshire’s own significant aviation heritage.

One thing you will quickly notice during your first visit to the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum is how this is undoubtedly a haven for classic helicopters, because they have quite the collection on site. Inside the main display hangar, there are no fewer than three beautifully presented Westland Whirlwinds, a Bell 47 Sioux, a Saro Skeeter and a stunning Bristol Sycamore. Dominating a hugely impressive Falklands Conflict display, Westland Wessex HU.5 XS481 shows just how large this beast of a helicopter actually is, particularly when it’s viewed alongside the other helicopter in the display, Gazelle AH.1 XX411. 

Even more helicopters can be found on display outside, with Westland Lynx HAS.3 (ICE) XZ246 looking resplendent in her HMS Endurance markings (complete with penguin) and Westland Scout AH.1 XP190 welcoming visitors as they first enter the site, but if you are looking for a helicopter with real stature, you have to make your way around to the main outdoor aircraft display area.

Westland Whirlwind HAR.1 XA870 in her smart HMS Protector livery.

Westland Whirlwind HAR.10 ready to keep the peace.

Rotary class, this beautiful Bristol Sycamore is a sight to behold.

Westland Sea King HAS.6 XV677 was constructed in 1970 and during its 30 year service live, underwent several significant upgrades to the latest variant and would see service with Nos. 706, 814, 819 and 825 Naval Air Squadrons. She arrived at the museum in 2006 and since that date, she has been cared for by a small, but dedicated team who are steadfastly committed in ensuring this aircraft can be enjoyed by as many people as possible, for as long as possible.

An after hours treat

The main reason for my first visit to the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum was to attend their very first night shoot event, something staff and volunteers were clearly just as excited about as we all were. Having had the opportunity to have a quick look around the museum in the afternoon, everyone was invited to leave the site at the usual 4pm closing time, to enable museum staff to make all their preparations for this inaugural event. To say this was the first time they had done it, all I can say is that they must have planned this meticulously and had several dry runs prior to the day itself, because everything seemed to go incredibly smoothly.

The real treat for us and one of the major reasons why many of us had secured our places on this event was the fact that the barriers which are usually placed to protect all the external exhibits from unwanted attention were removed for the nightshoot, offering everyone in attendance a unique opportunity to photograph the aircraft in all their unobstructed glory. As the natural light was replaced by strategically placed LED lighting, we settled down to a couple of hours of thoroughly enjoyable photographic indulgence – it was time to get creative.

Please enjoy this selection of images taken during the event.

Yorkshire’s flight training heritage, Handley Page Jetstream T.1 XX495.

A partner in training crime, Hawker Siddeley HS.125 Dominie T.1 XS735. 

Double trouble at Doncaster.

Westland Lynx HAS.3 (ICE) XZ246 under the light of the moon.

Westland Sea King HAS.6 XV677 in all its nightshoot glory.

We would like to end this review not by talking about aeroplanes, but by talking about people. Although any visit to a museum or other place of interest will always be about the items you find on display there, the lasting memories will often be created by interactions with the people you meet whilst you’re there and if that be the case, you need to get yourself to the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum. I can honestly say that I’ve never been fortunate enough to meet a friendlier group of people at any aviation museum I’ve been to, and it really did seem as if everyone was genuinely excited to have us all there to see what they’re passionate about doing.

Whether you were checking in at the entrance, talking to someone in the shop, or just chatting with one of the volunteers working around the site, nothing seemed too much trouble and if you wanted to chat about one of the displays, they were only too pleased to help in any way they could – this is such a friendly place, and it really is a credit to all concerned.

It would be nice to think that in posting this event review, we might encourage a few more people to go and discover the delights of this museum for themselves, or for more regular visitors to plan their latest visit, because these fantastic people really do deserve our support. I would like to thank everyone at the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum for their hospitality and hard work in making this such an enjoyable event and also to the Threshold Aero team for arranging yet another successful opportunity for the nation’s aviation enthusiasts.

I’m afraid that’s all we have for you this time, but we will be back again in four weeks’ time with more news and pictures from the world of aviation. Thank you for your continued support and as always, if you would like to comment on anything blog related or suggest a subject you would like to see covered in a future edition of Aerodrome, please do drop us a line at aerodrome@airfix.com, where we would be delighted to hear from you.

Should you wish to continue the aviation discussions between editions, you will always find something of interest over on the Airfix Aerodrome Forum and if social media is more your thing, please use the respective official social media icon links at the foot of the main Airfix and Corgi website homepages to access our official sites.

The next edition of Aerodrome is scheduled to be published on Friday 26th April, where we will hope to be bringing you another feature linked to the fascinating world of historic aviation.

See you all back here then.

Michael

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