Fleet Air Arm Museum Visit

28th September 2022

Wednesday 28th September saw ten members make the trip to Yeovilton and the Fleet Air Arm Museum.

We arrived at 10am and were given an introductory presentation by a member of staff before being allowed to make our own way around the various halls that make up the exhibition. The size of the collection is considerable and covers the history of the service from it’s very early days, right up to the modern day – not forgetting the BAE/Aerospatiale Concord, prototype 002.

All the exhibits are very well presented, with lots of room to move about, and plenty of information points describing the aircraft and many other items on show.

As you might expect, rotary wing aircraft are numerous, with RNAS variants, and also aircraft that saw active service in the Falklands conflict – complete with bullet holes.

Your journey around the exhibition halls takes you on a historical adventure, culminating with modern jet aircraft and a reproduction of an aircraft carrier flight deck, complete with a ‘flight deck elevator’ experience that simulates the journey from the engine room of a carrier to the flight deck, complete with physical sensations of movement – very effective and realistic. The display also includes some of the onboard areas such as the operation room, bridge and flyco.

Once we had completed our tour, the group retired to the Podymore Inn just a couple of miles from the base, were an excellent lunch was served. A few of the members are ex RNAS so there was plenty of memories, banter and general chit chat during lunch.

All in all, an excellent trip organised by the social secretary, who should be congratulated for his fine work.