Middle Wallop Nr. Andover

Friday 22nd September 2023

Thirteen members, including two partners, joined former museum curator Derek Armitage (a fellow Probus Member), for a guided tour of this important collection of artefacts and aeroplanes.

The Army Flying Museum is located at Middle Wallop, close to Andover, in Hampshire. The Museum tells the story of British Army Flying from the early days of military ballooning to the modern Army Air Corps. The collection was started in 1946 at RAF Andover but later moved to Middle Wallop and first opened to the public in 1974.

In 1984, the Museum moved to a new, purpose-build hangar which is located on the edge of an active airfield. The Museum has since been extended twice more and now comprises two large aircraft halls (the Prince Michael of Kent Hall and the Hayward Hall) and other facilities.

The collection covers the five main branches of Army Aviation: Royal Engineers (1878 – 1912), The Royal Flying Corps (1912-1918), Air Observation Post Squadrons (1941 – 1957), the Glider Pilot Regiment (1942 – 1957) and the current Army Air Corps (1957- to date). Over 40 aircraft can be seen in the Museum. These range from a First World War biplane to a Huey Cobra attack helicopter plus an example of every Allied glider used operationally during the Second World War. 

Highlights of the collection include a Sopwith Pup – an example of a single-seat fighter introduced in 1916 -and a Lynx helicopter which broke the world speed record in 1972 by achieving an average speed of 199.92 miles per hour (321.74 km per hour) in a 100km closed circuit. It was also the first British helicopter ever to complete a barrel roll. 

Derek, as one may imagine, was a fount of knowledge, and provided a very entertaining and information commentary as he guided us through the history of the Army in the air, from the initial quandary about how to utilise aircraft for the good of the Army, to the skill and bravery of the men of the Gilder Pilot Regiment and their contributions to the success of the D-Day landings and other important airborne assaults such as at Arnhem.

The nearby operational airfield of the Army Aviation Centre provided a suitable soundtrack at times that certainly added to the atmosphere of the visit.

Derek deserves considerable praise for organising this visit – his first as social secretary, and we look forward to other events.

Afterwards, members adjourned to the George Inn at Middle Wallop for lunch and refreshments.

All agreed, it was another successful social visit for the Probus Club of Salisbury.

You can find out more about the Army Flying Museum here.