Bristol's aviation history is to be packed away in storage
MORE than 100 years of Bristol's aviation history will be dismantled and put into storage at the end of next month.
The Bristol Aero Collection has been based in a hangar at Kemble airfield, near Tetbury, for the past 15 years while waiting for a permanent museum in the Filton area.
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A dedicated group of enthusiasts has been responsible for the upkeep of the displays and has welcomed countless visitors to see them at Kemble.
But the lease on the section of the hangar it occupies is about to expire and the display has to close at the end of May. It means anyone who wants to view the history of one of the Bristol area's most important industries has just weeks left to see the collection, as it could be some time before it is reassembled.
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Discussions are still continuing over the eventual development of a museum in the Filton area to house not only Bristol's Concorde 216 but also the aero collection.
South Gloucestershire Council wants the "long term legacy" of aviation to be secured on the redeveloped Filton airfield once owner BAE Systems closes it at the end of December.
BAE Systems is in talks with the Concorde Trust and Bristol Aero Collection about their futures but the immediate task for the collection is to find a suitable storage site.
Spokesman Oliver Dearden, pictured, said: "We are very hopeful of finding suitable storage local to Filton but there is nothing specific yet. We are also hopeful that, with the Concorde Trust, an appropriate facility will come to Filton in due course.
"We don't want our exhibits to be in storage for too long but it may be for a couple of years."
Mr Dearden said while at Kemble the collection had acquired a growing reputation for its artefacts and archives from 100 years of aviation and associated industries originating from the Bristol Aeroplane Company.
He said: "We have been fortunate to receive the support of a number of companies, organisations and local authorities, in particular from Airbus and BAE Systems, without whose generosity Kemble would not have survived.
"The day-to-day operation of Kemble has been undertaken by a very loyal and dedicated group of members and volunteers."
The collection features aircraft, engines, missiles and a mock-up of the Giotto space vehicle, along with other Bristol products such as the Alpha Dinghy, Bristol buses and lorries.
Visitors can see the collection from Good Friday through to Easter Monday from 10am to 4pm and then every Sunday and Monday until May 28. The hangar will then be closed to the public so the exhibits and archives can be dismantled and prepared for transport.
Admission is £5 for adults, £4 with concessions and £2.50 for children. A family ticket costs £12.
Comments
by Stagnate
Thursday, April 05 2012, 10:58AM
“@ RobMcCarthy
New Filton House, the office block that stands at, what used to be the main entrance to the site, but is now in the process of being refurbished is a listed building.
I am not sure if the 'old' Filton House that stands between it and the public house is also listed. It should be but so many 'add ons' have been constructed over the years that a lot of the structure is utilitarian.”
by Stagnate
Thursday, April 05 2012, 10:52AM
“@ Kwacker
Heating the Brabazon hanger, although on the face of it it could it be used for the museum, would be prohibitive as it is a metal clad structure with a very large internal area. History and heritage often takes second place when commercial interests are factored into the equation unless there is a political agenda.
Filton (Gloucestershire/Avon/South Gloucestershire) and Bristol have a proud aviation heritage and there are examples of early British and Colonial Aeroplane Company products at M Shed although not as many as the industry would, in my view, warrant.
A purpose built museum is the right solution so that all the exhibits and artefacts, together with Concorde 216, that have marked a proud aviation heritage dating back to 1910 can be displayed and viewed by generations to come.”
by Kwacker
Wednesday, April 04 2012, 4:57PM
“I don't understand why this part of our history was left out of the "M" shed, some of it was included when it used to be the industrial museum.
Bristol was the world leader in the aero industry but some idiots somewhere seem to want to forget it.
As said already use the Brab hanger for Concorde and the Aero collection and show we're proud of what we once did.”
by RobMcCarthy
Wednesday, April 04 2012, 3:20PM
“I'm amazed that they aren't listed! Possibly the only buildings on that site that should be. If the airfields fate is sealed and the whole area becomes a housing estate, it would be another great shame if we were left with literally NO reminders of what was once there.”
by Stagnate
Wednesday, April 04 2012, 2:53PM
“@ RobMcCarthy
I would agree on the face of it that the Brabazon hangers would make an ideal storage facility or museum for the Concorde 216 and the Bristol Aero Collection except for the big obstacle of heating such a large expanse of aluminium building.
For some reason, known only to those in authority, the Brabazon hanger is not a listed building and would be a prime candidate for, and I use the word advisedly, recycling on the closure of the airfield which would make the commercial argument for pulling it down outweigh any historic interest that could come about by using it for storing BAC exhibits or as a permanent museum.
Having watched the first flights of the Bristol Type 167 Brabazon and the Concorde with the Brab hanger as a backdrop I have a keen interest in seeing the heritage of the site preserved and to that end would welcome a purpose built museum to house Concorde 216 and the Bristol Aero Collection.
With the 'temporary' close of the BAC it is to be hoped that it will not become permanent and that it will bring new impetus to a purpose built museum facility.”
by RobMcCarthy
Wednesday, April 04 2012, 1:09PM
“What about the giant Brabazon hangers on the Cribbs side of the airfield? They're still there storing all of that dust and nostalgia. Surely that can't be too expensive to fill with history.”
by frank1958
Wednesday, April 04 2012, 12:43PM
“With the closure of the airfield another piece of bristol's history will disapear, theres not much left.”
by yiddo7
Wednesday, April 04 2012, 8:23AM
“I totally agree with what you are saying ,they seem to fund many things with the lottery money which is all very good but when these people that want to save a bit of Filton and Bristols AERO History they dont want to know about it ,Why is that then they seem to save other things which not many people use or want why cant they help save this .”
by Stagnate
Wednesday, April 04 2012, 7:22AM
“For many years, there has been talk of a permanent museum at Filton in South Gloucestershire to house Concorde 216 and the Bristol Aero Collection. The Lottery Fund failed to approve it as a recipient of Lottery funding and the cost has spiralled as each idea is passed over.
The aero industry was an important part of the development of Filton and north Bristol that is liable to be lost to future generations when the airfield and the aero collection close.
A great deal of money, effort and publicity can apparently be spent on denigrating Bristols' distant trading past yet little thought seems to be given to a great industry and asset to the area.
In short, pull out the fingers and move forward with a permanent museum for 216 and the Bristol Aero Collection.”