Boscombe Down Aviation Collection (BDAC)
BDAC recently relocated to Old Sarum Airfield in Wiltshire having formerly been resident in a Hardened Aircraft Shelter at Boscombe Down Airfield. The collection was forced to move due to a huge increase in rent that was demanded by the MOD. Happily the collection now has a home in a 1918 Belfast Truss Hangar at Old Sarum, which is one of the best preserved flying fields from the World War One period. (Note - flying ceased at Old Sarum on 31 October 2019)
The collections mission is to tell the story of Boscombe Down and to explain its history with regards to test flying and aircraft development. The collection includes a vast array of complete aircraft and cockpit sections, many of which are accessible to museum visitors. There is also a shop which on my visit saw me delving into my wallet for funds to purchase some interesting aviation related books. A trip to BDAC will be most rewarding to the enthusiast and to the general public alike.
Opening times and information can be found here -
www.boscombedownaviationcollection.co.uk
The collections mission is to tell the story of Boscombe Down and to explain its history with regards to test flying and aircraft development. The collection includes a vast array of complete aircraft and cockpit sections, many of which are accessible to museum visitors. There is also a shop which on my visit saw me delving into my wallet for funds to purchase some interesting aviation related books. A trip to BDAC will be most rewarding to the enthusiast and to the general public alike.
Opening times and information can be found here -
www.boscombedownaviationcollection.co.uk
In November 2013 the forward fuselage of De-Havilland Comet C-2 XK699 Comet C.2 'Sagittarius' arrived at Old Sarum. Formerly gate guardian at RAF Lyneham the Comet was put up for disposal after the airfield closed. Originally destined to go to the museum at Cosford it is understood that the cost of dismantling the aircraft and transportation was prohibitive. It was also known that corrosion was present within the fuselage due to her having been outside for many years.The aircraft was dismantled by volunteers from BDAC and then transported to Old Sarum. The rear part of the aircraft was recycled to pay for the costs of acquisition and transport. The Comet will now be restored so that she can be opened up to the public for visits to the cockpit.
de-Havilland Comet C.2 XK699 Comet 'Sagittarius'
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de-Havilland Comet C.2 XK699 Comet 'Sagittarius' following restoration.
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Hawker Hunter F.6A - XF375
Sepecat Jaguar GR.1 XX734
Lightning F.2A XN726
Event to mark the completion of the restoration of Lightning F.2A XN726 30 October 2017, in the front row are all former Lightning pilots.
Gloster Meteor NF.11 WD686 arrived at Old Sarum in April 2017 from the Muckleburgh Collection at Weybourne, Norfolk, on loan from the Imperial War Museum. After restoration the aircraft has now returned to the Muckleburgh Collection.
On 21 August 1974, prototype Hawker Siddeley Hawk T.1 XX154 flew for the first time at Dunsfold piloted by Duncan Simpson, during the flight which lasted for 53 minutes, the aircraft was taken to a height of 20,000 feet before a return to its airfield of departure. Forty five years to the day later on 21 August 2019, XX154 made her last 'flight' as an underslung load beneath a 27 Squadron Chinook HC.6A ZH892, which flew from RAF Odiham to Boscombe Down to pick up its cargo for onward delivery to the Boscombe Down Aviation Centre (BDAC) at Old Sarum. The Hawk had previously flown with the Empire Test Pilot School and was retired in December 2018 when it was declared to be out of hours. Now at BDAC the aircraft will be put on public display within their 1918 Belfast Truss hangar, a fitting home for the Hawk, after its long association with the airfield from which the collection takes its name.
Page Index - Aircraft & Images Within This Gallery -
BAe Sea Harrier FA.2 - XZ457 - Panavia Tornado F.2 - ZD936 (AO) - English Electric Canberra B.2 (MOD) - WH876
HS Andover CC.2 - XS790 - BAe Hawk T.1 - XX343 - BAC 1-11 - 402 - XX919 - RAF BE.2C Replica
Sepecat Jaguars GR.1A - XX761 & S.06 - XW560 - Hawker Sea Hawk FGA.4 - WV910 - English Electric Lightning F.2A - XN726 - Lightning F.6 XS923 (BE) Tail Fin - Supermarine Swift F.7 - XF113 - De Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.1 - XJ476 - English Electric Canberra T.4 - WJ865 - Hawker Hunter F.1 - WT648 - Hawker Hunter F.2 - WN890 - Hawker Hunter F.6 - XG290 - Supermarine 544 Scimitar - WT859 - BAC Jet Provost T.3A - XN503 - BAe Harrier GR.3 - XV784 - Westland Wasp HAS.1 - XT437 (423) - BAC Jet Provost T.4 - XR650 - Hawker Hunter F.6A - XF375
Gloster Meteor D.16 - WK800 - De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 - WD321 - Westland Sycamore HR.14 - XJ380
Radar Research Squadron Badge - Experimental Flying Squadron Badge - Boscombe Down Aviation Collection Badge
BAe Sea Harrier FA.2 - XZ457 - Panavia Tornado F.2 - ZD936 (AO) - English Electric Canberra B.2 (MOD) - WH876
HS Andover CC.2 - XS790 - BAe Hawk T.1 - XX343 - BAC 1-11 - 402 - XX919 - RAF BE.2C Replica
Sepecat Jaguars GR.1A - XX761 & S.06 - XW560 - Hawker Sea Hawk FGA.4 - WV910 - English Electric Lightning F.2A - XN726 - Lightning F.6 XS923 (BE) Tail Fin - Supermarine Swift F.7 - XF113 - De Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.1 - XJ476 - English Electric Canberra T.4 - WJ865 - Hawker Hunter F.1 - WT648 - Hawker Hunter F.2 - WN890 - Hawker Hunter F.6 - XG290 - Supermarine 544 Scimitar - WT859 - BAC Jet Provost T.3A - XN503 - BAe Harrier GR.3 - XV784 - Westland Wasp HAS.1 - XT437 (423) - BAC Jet Provost T.4 - XR650 - Hawker Hunter F.6A - XF375
Gloster Meteor D.16 - WK800 - De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 - WD321 - Westland Sycamore HR.14 - XJ380
Radar Research Squadron Badge - Experimental Flying Squadron Badge - Boscombe Down Aviation Collection Badge