The National Museum of Flight at East Fortune, East Lothian celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Located on an atmospheric former wartime airbase, the attraction has been telling the story of flight and Scotland’s aviation heritage since 1975 and will mark its golden jubilee with a summer programme of special events for visitors. The Museum’s creation followed the donation of a Supermarine Spitfire to the Royal Scottish Museum (now National Museums Scotland) in 1971. Unsuitable for display in Edinburgh, it was instead stored in a hangar at the former RAF airbase at East Fortune. Further aircraft donations followed, including a Hawker Sea Hawk from RNAS Lossiemouth, before the Museum of Flight opened its doors on Monday 7 July 1975, displaying many of the aircraft that remain popular today.
A world-class showcase of civil and military aviation
The National Museum of Flight’s collections have since evolved into a world-class showcase of civil and military aviation. Exhibits include an Avro Vulcan delta-winged bomber as well as an RAF Red Arrows Hawk T.1A that took part in a flypast over Edinburgh in 1999 to celebrate the opening of the Scottish Parliament. The attraction’s most famous exhibit is Scotland’s Concorde which arrived in 2004 following an epic 16-day journey by land and sea from Heathrow airport. The iconic aircraft now sits as the centrepiece of a special exhibition about the story of supersonic flight.
In recent years, the Museum has undergone significant development including the transformation of two former Second World War buildings into the new Fortunes of War and Fantastic Flight galleries. Another major milestone came in 2016 with the restoration and redevelopment of two Second World War hangars which now house an impressive collection of civil and military aircraft presented alongside interactives and films that tell the stories of those who flew them. Conservation work completed in 2024 also means that the site’s Second World War blast and air raid shelters can now be explored.
The story of flight in Scotland and beyond
This summer the National Museum of Flight is offering a special programme for visitors, including its popular 360 Fest on 6 September. The event features high-energy mountain bike stunt shows, pedal-powered activities, circular circus workshops and STEM-themed sessions. Throughout the season, there will be a series of engaging lunchtime talks about the Second World War from Ian Brown, assistant curator of aviation with topics ranging from the Enigma machine to the RAF’s food production efforts and the wartime bombing of Haddington.
Visitors will also be able to borrow a Second World War satchel packed with contents that offer a glimpse into RAF life during the Second World War and allow families to discover some of the skills required to be part of the Special Operations Executive. They can also test their code-breaking skills in the Second World War Puzzle Room.
Steve McLean, General Manager at the National Museum of Flight, said: “This is a hugely exciting milestone for the National Museum of Flight. For five decades, we’ve been telling the story of flight in Scotland and beyond, inspiring visitors through our iconic aircraft, fascinating interpretation and displays, and our unique location. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we’re proud to look back on our remarkable history and delighted to offer a summer of engaging events that will entertain and inspire our visitors about the science and story of flight.”
The National Museum of Flight is open seven days a week from 10am until 5pm. For more details visit: www.nms.ac.uk/flight