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'Solway Aviation Museum'
Carlisle Airport, Crosby-on-Eden, Carlisle, CA6 4NW. Tel: 01228 573823
Email: info@solway-aviation-museum.co.uk
Location : Brampton
Map - Ordnance Survey - NY 485613
Avro Vulcan XJ823
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Carlisle Airport, Crosby-on-Eden, Carlisle, CA6 4NW. Tel: 01228 573823
Email: info@solway-aviation-museum.co.uk
Location : Brampton
Map - Ordnance Survey - NY 485613
Avro Vulcan XJ823
The Solway Aviation Museum is run by volunteers from the Solway Aviation Society. The society owns nine aircraft - the most prominent of which is an Avro Vulcan bomber. This was the standby aircraft during the Falklands War, and visitors may climb up into the cockpit - a remarkable experience. The Vulcan XJ823 which was flown into Carlisle on 24th Jan 1983, is 100 ft long, has a wingspan of 111 ft, and weighs 200,000 lb.
Inside the Vulcan
The other aircraft on display are an English Electric Canberra bomber, Britain's first jet bomber, a Gloster Meteor the first jet fighter, and a Lightning Interceptor. Recent additions are a Sea Prince Twin Prop, a Phantom FGR2, a Vampire trainer and a Wessex helicopter.
There is a new indoor exhibition, with a small display on the history of Carlisle airport, and all the local RAF Airfields, during the war years. On display in the museum are various aero engines from early piston engines through to the Rolls Royce Merlin (as used in the Spitfire). There are more modern jet turbine engines including an early Frank Whittle design, as fitted to early jet aircraft such as the Meteor.
Various aircraft fittings and equipment including ejector seats and instruments can be seen, along with various RAF uniforms, radio and radar equipment.
The Whittle prototype jet engine Welland-1 (for the Meteor)
Blue Streak display at the Solway Aviation Museum
It also houses a display on the Blue Streak project from the 1950's and 1960's, which was test fired a few miles away at Spadeadam. The engines that powered the Blue Streak Rocket are on display.
The Cockpit of the Nimrod AEW3
The BAC Lightning Interceptor
Avro Vulcan XJ823
English Electric Canberra, Jet Provost, Sea Prince, Sikorsky Whirlwind helicopter, Nimrod AEW3 cockpit
BAC Lightning Interceptor, Gloster Meteor, McDonnell Douglas Phantom
Aerial photos, and Vulcan photo by Simon Ledingham.
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Page last changed 6 Oct 2007.