Brooklands marks 100 years of loyal aviation service to the forces

The end of an astounding 100 years of continuous service with the British armed forces by Brooklands-built aircraft is marked on September 28th at the annual Brooklands Aviation Day.

No other aircraft factory site in the world can claim a continuous 100-year relationship with a customer. It began when the first Brooklands-assembled Sopwith Three-Seater Tractor Biplane was delivered to the Royal Naval Air Service in August 1913 and ends this month when the RAF finally retires its last Brooklands-built Vickers VC10 Tanker aircraft. This legacy embraces over 17,000 aeroplanes of dozens of types including the Sopwith Camel, Vickers Vimy, Wellington and Valiant, the Hawker biplane fighters of the 1930s and the Hurricane.

To mark this historic achievement, Brooklands Museum's Aviation Day on September 28th will feature a special display of a full-size replica of one of the first aircraft supplied to the British forces, a 1913 Sopwith Tabloid - alongside the Museum's long-time resident VC10. Brooklands is, fittingly, the only place in the world where these two types can be seen together.

The gates open at 10am and on site will be many organisations and clubs bringing visitors ideas, career advice and information covering the wider aspects of aviation. Over by the Shell Pagoda, the 'Joystick Club' will be letting youngsters sit in and ride their pedal-driven model aeroplanes and simulator whilst the Light Aircraft Association's YES Group will cater for all the young Einsteins with their rocket-building workshops. Additional activities for youngsters will come courtesy of the Brooklands team including, for instance, the opportunity for visitors to make their own windsock.

Two special guests will be there on the day: Nancy Wilson will be signing copies of her book Queen of Speed which chronicles the extraordinary 'Indiana Jones'-style real-life adventures of aviator Mary Peter Bruce, who as The Hon Mrs Victor Bruce was a regular Brooklands driver and flyer in the 1920s and '30s. Upstairs in the Napier Room, Josie Payne will be giving her moving and fascinating talk in the morning and afternoon about her experience as an Air Stewardess involved in a terrorist attack.

At around 11am two Phoenix Helicopters will be flying in on the airstrip opposite the main Museum entrance at Mercedes-Benz World*. Spectators will be able to gather to witness the landings and then chat to the crews and inspect the machines. The Museum's own Sopwith Camel and a recently completed White Monoplane built by a Museum volunteer will demonstrate their engines in a fantastic line-up outside the WWII Bellman Hangar at 12 o'clock and 2pm. All day, visitors will get the chance to experience a virtual flight aboard the Museum's own Concorde - 'Delta Golf' - or step inside one of the many aircraft in the Brooklands Vickers collection including the VC10, Viscount and Varsity.

The finale of the day will be a spectacular overhead flying display* from a vintage Tiger Moth and Gypsy Moth. There will be great vantage points to see this show from the Aircraft Park or by Concorde on the Museum site and it is expected to take place between 3 and 3.30pm. The Sunbeam Café will be open all day for refreshments and the shop will be well stocked with games, models, toys and DVDs for a souvenir to remind visitors of a fantastic day out.

Normal Museum admission charges apply: Adults £10, Seniors & Students £9, Children (5-16 yrs) £5.50, Family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) £27. The Concorde Experience is £4 for adults and £2 for children.

* Programme may change subject to operating and weather conditions.

Extra parking will be available in The Heights off Wellington Way (post code KT13 0NY) - please look out for event signage.

For full details of events, directions and general Museum information, please visit www.brooklandsmuseum.com or telephone 01932 857381. The Museum is open daily from 10am - 5pm during the summer (last entry one hour before closing).