This is Cornwell has reported that preparations for the opening of the Classic Air Force attraction in March are well under way with the first flyable aircraft already having arrived on the tarmac at the former RAF St Mawgan air base. The Classic Aircraft Trust and Newquay Airport are working on creating a permanent home for around 40-plus aircraft that will include an ex-RAF Gloster Meteor T7 and three De Havilland Dragon Rapide biplanes – the latter will be available for pleasure flights.
Aircraft that have already arrived or have been put in place include an Auster J1 Autocrat G-JAYI, two static Hawker Hunters, a newly-acquired Hawker Sea Hawk and the fuselage of a Vickers Varsity WJ945 (acquired from the Imperial War Museum at Duxford Airfield in Cambridgeshire) that will soon be joined by the wings and engines. Other aircraft from the combined Classic Aircraft Trust and Air Atlantique fleets will either be flown in or moved in by road over the coming weeks depending upon weather, pilot availability and whether they are serviceable.
The Classic Aircraft Trust had announced its move to Newquay back in July of last year because of development plans at Coventry. Since then, the Cornwall Council and the trust have spent considerable time and money to upgrade and renovate the former RAF facilities as Hangar 404 offers 70,000 square feet for aircraft related displays. Moreover, the The Classic Aircraft Trust intends to acquire more historic aircraft to house at the site in order to build up a display showing the heyday of British aviation manufacturing in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.
An official opening day is being scheduled for March 29th and its hoped that the display becomes a major tourist attraction for aviation history buffs. To keep track of the latest updates regarding the opening and what will be put on display, check out the Classic Air Force’s webpage where you can sign up for an emailed newsletter.