Solway Aviation Museum

The museum is one of only a handful of aviation museum based on a “live” airfield and as such can provide a historical view of aircraft along with the modern aircraft operating from the field including many military visitors. 

Step back in time when you enter a WWII airfield air raid shelter, which is a copy of the only remaining shelter on the field today and visit the information rooms for the war time RAF airfields in and around Cumberland.

In the aircraft engine room you will see displays of early piston engines right through to a Tornado Jet engine. There is also a helicopter engine and various other jet engines.

The Spadeadam room houses the display of Blue Streak the rocket programme of the 50’s and 60’s and gives a fascinating insight to the quality and dedication of all the personnel who worked there and in Australia where the rocket was tested.

There are aircraft radio and escape equipment displays, the Royal Observer Corps No. 22 Squadron display, and a wreakology section with information and displays on some of the war time aircraft that crashed in Cumbria.

The latest room to open is dedicated to Carlisle Airport and its civilian role since it opened in 1961. The displays are of many of the flight schools and carriers that have operated from here over the years and a pictorial selection of many of the aircraft types that have landed at the field. There is a growing and very interesting display on the unsung hero’s of the Airfield the “Carlisle Airport Fire Service” showing its development from Land Rovers to the specialist fire fighting vehicles it operates today.

Totally run by volunteers, the museum is reliant on visitors for the restoration and preservation of the aircraft displays. In 2004 we hope to have a new attraction which will be a refurbished Airport Fire fighting foam tender. This mighty six wheel drive vehicle was in service at Carlisle from the early 90’s until it was replaced by the new vehicles.

Open
Each weekend - 10.30 am to 5.00 pm from April to the end of October and all Bank Holidays.
Additional opening times will be during the English school summer holidays when the museum will be open each Friday from late July until early September.

The Aviation museum is based at Carlisle Airport to the right of the main entrance, look for the camouflaged building. The free museum patron’s car park is located behind the main building.