North East Aviation Themes

  

The following will be covered within the WON facility:

 

 A portion of the heritage centre will focus on early aviation, in particular the pioneers of Northern Aviation. Early aviation displays will include:

• Samuel Cody perfecting his kite designs on the Town Moor, Newcastle in 1902.
• George and Jobling’s first aircraft built at South Street, Newcastle in 1909 (a Farman Biplane)
• Arthur George creating the G&J aircraft in 1910, and becoming the first person in the North East to hold an official Pilot’s Certificate. He later went on to form the Newcastle Aero Club. A significant display will be made for this true pioneer of Northern Aviation.
• 1912-1918 – Sir W.G. Armstrong, Whitworth and Co. forming an aircraft factory at Cramlington using the West Moor as an airfield. From an initial batch of 27 BE2a’s produced under tender, the company went on to create its own aircraft. The AW F.K. series of aircraft (1-10) were designed and built here, as well as the FM4 Armadillo and Ara. A large display will be made, and the possibility of recreating some of these early aircraft will be investigated.

World War 1 features highly in Northern Aviation, with Blyth being the preferred crossing point of Zeppelins during 1915, and various towns in the region were bombed as a result. The first foreign enemy attacking British soil since 1797 hit Hartlepool in 1914. W.E. John’s character, Biggles was based at RFC Cramlington in the early stages of the book ‘Biggles and the Black Peril’. Biggles’ companion, ‘Ginger’ made his debut in this book and was described as living in Northumberland thanks to the industry in the region. World War 1 displays will include:

• Royal Flying Corps Stations – Cramlington, Hylton and Ashington
• Zeppelin Raids
• Biggles and the Black Peril

 

Northumberland has been a centre for pilot training due to its non-strategic position in the country, and the vast areas of uninhabited land. RAF Eshott was one of the largest Spitfire bases during WWII, and the region trained the majority of fighter pilots and air gunners throughout that conflict. Its importance during this decisive time is overlooked by all of the major aircraft collections in the country. Northumberland’s use during the Cold War was one of continued flying training, gunnery ranges, and most importantly, the intercept of hostile aircraft into UK airspace. This continues in the 21^st century with the un-crowded skies being used by both civilian and NATO pilots for training. Training displays will include:

• Training aircraft of the RAF – Avro 504 to Tucano
• Civilian training aircraft – DH Moth to Piper Cherokee
• Newcastle Aero Club and Northumbria Flying School
• Airfields of Northumberland – RAF
  • Morpeth
  • Eshott
  • Acklington
  • Ouston
  • Brunton
  • RFC Cramlington
  • Tranwell
  • Boulmer
  • Milfield

• Operational Training Units (OTU’s)
  • Survival Training and ground studies – escape and evasion
  • Aircraft familiarisation
  • Gunnery ranges and Air Gunnery Schools
  • Live combat exercises (Air to Air)
  • Altitude training (Hypoxia)
  • Target towing

 

The Cold War period will be covered by displays of:

• Search and Rescue
• Interception – Lightning to Eurofighter
• RAF Boulmer – communication centre

 

Engineering will be covered with informative displays featuring cutaway engines, components and aircraft.

 

Past and current civilian flying aspects will be covered by relevant modern displays featuring Microlight aircraft, the previously stated feature on Newcastle’s flying schools and finally via displays of commercial operations.

 

The military and engineering aspects of the centre will be complemented by a focus on social history. Service men and women from around the world served in the Allied Air Forces in the North East, many of whom never returned to their homes, paying the ultimate price for their service in WWII. Every Commonwealth country is included in this list, from Canada to New Zealand as well as German-occupied countries ranging from Norway to Czechoslovakia. In addition, post war training and exercises have brought aviators from across the NATO alliance to the region. There is a wealth of stories to be told; both those of the visitors and about the impact those visitors had on the locals. Bringing those stories together will help put the facility on the international aviation map. Civilian life was naturally severely disrupted during both World Wars and their stories will be told here. Tragedies arising from the sustained bombing during the wars including the Battle of Britain will be remembered.

 

A final display section will cover the archaeology aspect of aviation and will display the remains of various crashed aircraft in a sympathetic manner. This will serve as a lasting memorial to the aircrews who perished in the north east either as a result of enemy action or tragic accidents. This display will have an emotional impact on visitors and allow them to appreciate the human cost of conflict in the air.