Yorkshire Air Museum puts Second World War aircraft centre stage for reopening

By John Blow
Published 29th Jun 2020, 06:00 BST
Military aviation fans will be treated to a close-up view of a reconstructed Second World War bomber when the Yorkshire Air Museum reopens.

The air forces memorial at Elvington near York will welcome visitors again from Saturday when lockdown restrictions are further relaxed.

museum’s reconstruction of the Halifax Bomber, called Friday the 13th, has been brought into a prime spot so that visitors can get a good view of the aircraft as they return.

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Ian Richardson, head of memorial and heritage at the museum, said that a major clean-up operation and the introduction of a one-way system had been under way to get the site ready for customers, who are encouraged to book tickets to visit the site online.

Bob Emmett, a volunteer and trustee at the Yorkshire Air Museum (left) helps the Halifax into position as Alex Roberts, a reenactor dressed in RAF uniform, gathers up the flags from VE Day as they get ready for reopening. Picture: Gary Longbottom.Bob Emmett, a volunteer and trustee at the Yorkshire Air Museum (left) helps the Halifax into position as Alex Roberts, a reenactor dressed in RAF uniform, gathers up the flags from VE Day as they get ready for reopening. Picture: Gary Longbottom.
Bob Emmett, a volunteer and trustee at the Yorkshire Air Museum (left) helps the Halifax into position as Alex Roberts, a reenactor dressed in RAF uniform, gathers up the flags from VE Day as they get ready for reopening. Picture: Gary Longbottom.

He said: “We’ve moved the Halifax from its position buried in the middle of the hangar to bring this unique World War Two aircraft reconstruction centre stage. It’s going to have a really imposing position.”

The centrepiece is based on a section of the main body of Halifax II, HR792, which carried out an emergency landing on the Isle of Lewis in 1945.

The Halifax I and II aircraft were powered by Rolls-Royce Merlin engines.

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The museum will open between Wednesdays and Sundays only, until further notice, a policy that may change in August, said Mr Richardson.

The museum this month reported that it had lost nearly all of its expected income since March, and Mr Richardson said that the summer season is usually a period in which it can build up reserves.

It faces a potential shortfall of £50,000, funds which are “vital to see us through the dark winter months,” the museum has said.

Mr Richardson said: “Financially, we’ve lost a lot of income.

“We still can’t open our catering facility at the moment.

“It’s important that people do come and support us.

“We hope we get some new people that haven’t been to see us before.”

Donations towards the museum’s running costs can also be made at yorkshireairmuseum.org/donate

Related topics:Yorkshire Air MuseumYorkElvingtonIsle of Lewis