Airfield and grounds
Enjoy some open-air adventures at East Fortune.
Explore the outdoor aircraft on display in our historic airfield. If you're feeling really adventurous, take on our outdoor assault course.
Around the airfield
Vulcan
Location: Outside Military Aviation hangar
Get up close to the world's first delta winged bomber on display at East Fortune. Originally entering service with the RAF in 1963, the Vulcan at East Fortune remains one of only two Vulcans which dropped weapons in actual conflict.
BAC 1-11
Location: Next to Assualt Course
Board the most successful British jet airliner, the BAC1-11. Built in 1968, this aircraft flew passengers from Manchester and London to local and abroad destinations.
The aircraft is open for boarding at various times throughout the day. Please ask staff for boarding times.
Comet
Location: Outside Conservation Hangar
Step back in time when you step on board a 1962 de Havilland Comet. Climb on board and discover flight on the world's first passenger jet.
The Comet is open for boarding at various times throughout the day. Please ask staff for boarding times.
Assault Course
Location: Behind Civil Aviation hangar
Supervise your children as they Whizz down the zipline and tackle army-style climbing frames in our outdoor adventure playground.
Aircraft conservation
We are currently working towards a long-term solution to protect and care for the three large aircraft displayed outdoors at the National Museum of Flight.
In the meantime, a rolling conservation programme aims to address urgent structural repairs and deliver essential maintenance to manage degradation. The focus of this activity will be the external stabilisation of the aircraft, addressing issues arising from water ingress and corrosion. We are also undertaking internal repair work and assessing the feasibility of re-painting targeted areas of the aircraft.
Vulcan
Work on the Avro Vulcan includes addressing corrosion on the undercarriages, fitting new anti-bird nets and assessing the feasibility of re-painting the nose cone.
BAC 1-11
We are undertaking a programme of internal repair work on the BAC1 - 11, including the replacement of the degraded foam in the seats.
Comet
Work on the de Havilland Comet includes re-sealing the wings, painting them to help keep out the moisture and enable easier surface cleaning, addressing corrosion on the undercarriages and fitting new anti-bird nets. In parallel, a programme of internal repairs is underway, addressing issues like degrading rubber seat straps, detached insulation and fibre glass seat panels which have cracked over time.
Accessibility
Getting around the airfield
The National Museum of Flight is a historic airfield and covers a large area.
Visitors with mobility difficulties may wish to drive between the different hangars and galleries. Accessible parking spaces are available throughout the site. Please be aware that there is a 10mph speed limit on site.
Please check our museum map to plan your route around the airfield. Our Visitor Experience staff are also on hand to give you directions.
Boarding aircraft
Due to the historic nature of our collection the Comet and BAC 1-11 can only be boarded by using stairs.
The outdoor passenger aircrafts are open for boarding at various times throughout the day. Please ask staff for boarding times.
Please see details in the shop or ask a member of the team for boarding times.
Seating
There are picnic tables across the site. Some picnic tables have designated spaces for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Facilities
Toilets are available in the:
- Museum shop
- Concorde Experience hangar
- Fantastic Flight gallery
- Aviator Café.
Please check the museum map for the nearest toilets.
Visit our accessibility page for full access information for the National Museum of Flight.
