Scramble! Season takes off at Blackpool airport museum

Blackpool Air Museum, housed in Hangar 42 at the airport, opened for the first time today.
The museum's Spitfire. PIC BY ROB LOCK
26-3-2017 — Blackpool Air Museum, housed in Hangar 42 at the airport, opened for the first time today. The museum's Spitfire. PIC BY ROB LOCK 26-3-2017

The team at Blackpool Airport greeted more than 350 visitors to see the replica Second World War aircraft and vehicles on display in the authentic wartime building.

The team are working hard to put the museum together and hope to be able to open it as a full time visitor attraction.

To help raise the funds, they area staging a series of open days and wartime dances complete with music of the time.

The aircraft, Spitfires and a Hurricane have appeared in a whole range of TV shows and the museum is working with volunteers from Blackpool and the Fylde College to give youngsters some work experience on aviation projects.

John Coombes from the allied Lytham St Annes Spitfire Display Team, said: “Visitors came from as far as Leeds and the Midlands to visit Blackpool Airport’s latest Visitor Attraction in Hangar 42.

“This year the Lytham St Annes Spitfire Display Team Visitor Centre will open it’s doors to the public more often.

“We will be starting on Tuesday, April 18 and the centre will be open most Sundays and Tuesdays from 10 am until 3 pm. We will be closing on September 26 for the Winter months.

Blackpool Air Museum, housed in Hangar 42 at the airport, opened for the first time today.
Squadron Leader Mark Dawson explains a Spitfire cockpit to Carole Buckley. PIC BY ROB LOCK
26-3-2017 — Blackpool Air Museum, housed in Hangar 42 at the airport, opened for the first time today. Squadron Leader Mark Dawson explains a Spitfire cockpit to Carole Buckley. PIC BY ROB LOCK 26-3-2017

“After many months and thousands of volunteer hours Hangar 42 and its many exhibits were finally put on show to the public this weekend and were well received.

“The open days will help us raise much needed funds towards our future Hangar refurbishment works as well as helping raise pump prime funding towards our plans to return an airworthy warbird to Blackpool Airport on a permanent basis.

“For 2017 the hangar will be available for private business functions as well as the big band dances scheduled for the April 15 and June 24.

“The Spitfire flight simulator will also be ready from mid summer and will offer the public a rare chance to be taught how to fly a combat mission in a full size Spitfire.

Blackpool Air Museum, housed in Hangar 42 at the airport, opened for the first time today.
Beverley Hunt from JLC Dance teaches 5 year-old Jessica Gallimore some vintage moves. PIC BY ROB LOCK
26-3-2017 — Blackpool Air Museum, housed in Hangar 42 at the airport, opened for the first time today. Beverley Hunt from JLC Dance teaches 5 year-old Jessica Gallimore some vintage moves. PIC BY ROB LOCK 26-3-2017

“We are also taking private bookings for local schools to attend Hangar 42 during the year to learn about the Second World War and the history of the RAF at Blackpool Squires Gate.”