Bristol Aero Collection - About Us

The Formation of the Bristol Aero Collection

The Bristol Aero Collection was formed in 1988, with the intention of preserving for future generations the history of aeronautical development in the Filton area. Aircraft production began on the Filton site in 1910, when the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company started building the Boxkite. The factory went from strength to strength, and was the largest factory in Europe by the start of World War II. Aircraft, engines, spacecraft, missiles, and other more diverse products were produced during the 20th Century, and the site is still very active as the UK headquarters of Airbus. Engine design and production still continues with Rolls Royce on the Patchway site next to the airfield.

The Bristol Aero Collection was formed in 1988 by a group of like-minded individuals, all passionate about aviation heritage in the Bristol area. The group included Brian Trubshaw, Concorde test pilot and General Manager at Filton; Sir Robert Wall; Peter Gibbs; Walter Gibb, Bristol Test Pilot in the 1950's; Graham Kilsby, who now runs the Bristol Heritage Collection in Tennessee; and Roger Hargreaves, founder of the Britannia Aircraft Preservation Trust. From here, a steering committee was set up, and the group was publicly launched in June 1990. In November 1992, the Bristol Aero Collection was formed as a registered charity. The Bristol Aero Collection Team was also created, to support the trust, by recruiting volunteers, and working towards establishing a museum in the Filton area.

Initially premises for the Collection were hard to find, but soon an 80,000 sq ft building was offered for free by Meggitt Aerospace, pending development of the site. The building was in Banwell, and was the site of a Bristol Aeroplane Company shadow factory in World War II. Artefacts could now be collected together in one place - a Bristol Britannia fuselage from the Britannia Aircraft Preservation Trust; a Bristol Sycamore helicopter from the Bristol Sycamore Group; a Bloodhound missile; the prototype Beagle 206; the Harrier PCB test rig; a mock-up of the Giotto space vehicle, and several more aircraft parts, engines, missiles and rockets. With a new (albeit temporary) home, the Bristol Aero Collection could now offer tours to members and groups.

Kemble Airfield

In 1995, the Collection agreed a 10 year lease on a hangar on Kemble Airfield - which at the time was still MoD owned, but rapidly expanding as a general aviation airfield. Initially the Collection could only be opened to groups, and during air shows and open days, but subsequent changes to the airfield layout meant that the hangar could be opened regularly. From Easter 2000, the hangar opened its doors to the public, open on Sundays and Mondays from Easter to October. The lease expired in December 2005, and a new home was found a short distance away. Airbus UK have generously given a substantial portion of a hangar which they lease at Kemble.

As well as aircraft, engines, missiles, spacecraft and buses, there are many other exhibits related to the aviation industry in South Gloucester. Displays have been arranged around the hangar, highlighting aircraft production since 1910, and its effect on the population of North Bristol. The hangar contains a souvenir shop, and light refreshment area. An significant archive of material has been gathered, and can be accessed on Mondays with prior permission.

Concorde at Filton

In April 2003, British Airways and Air France jointly announced the retirement of their Concorde fleets. The supersonic airliner has a long association with Bristol, being designed and assembled both at Filton and in France. On 26th November 2003, the Bristol Aero Collection and Airbus UK were lucky enough to receive the last Concorde built, when G-BOAF landed at Filton for preservation. A visitors centre was constructed to allow guided tours of the aircraft, opening in August 2004. Since then many delighted visitors have seen the flight deck and sat in the cabin, and all proceeds from ticket sales go towards a future museum at Filton to house Concorde and the other exhibits at Kemble.

The Future

The Bristol Aero Collection has been continually investigating a relocation to Filton, its spiritual home. A steering group was created in 2001, with a view to setting up an aviation heritage centre on or near the airfield, which would house the collection. In 2003, a 1917 hangar at Filton was offered to the BAC, but this requires substantial repairs, and is currently being used for storage. It is hoped that a site can be acquired and a suitable museum built by the centenary of aircraft production in Bristol, in February 2010.

The Collection continues to expand and change its hangar display at Kemble, where it will remain for the next few years. Kemble has developed at an incredible rate, becoming one of the top aerodromes in the country. The Collection benefits greatly from it location on Kemble airfield, with its many air shows and events throughout the summer.