Airbase


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	Stop Press: Stop Press: Stop Press: Stop Press: Stop Press New Summer Opening Hours - Thursday to Sunday from 10.00am until 6.00pm Whilst AIRBASE grows and evolves over the summer holidays we would like to offer FREE admission to all under 16s. Throughout the summer season all adults will now pay just 4 pounds to visit AIRBASE.
	" Clear Start! " Starting a 1950s de Havilland Venom jet fighter is a complicated and spectacular procedure. The cordite starter cartridge fires with a whoosh, sending a ploom of black smoke high into the sky. The turbine starts to whine as the engine spins into life and watch out for the jet of flame behind the aircraft if the pilot has over-primed the engine! Finally you hear the roar as the mighty Ghost engine spools up. There aren't many places you can see this spectacle... but you can at AIRBASE! Visitors to Britain's newest aviation attraction can step back in time and see the nation's largest collection of flyable vintage jets and iconic vintage airliners. AIRBASE is housed in 35,000sq ft hangar at historic Coventry Airport and forms the home for more than 30 aircraft operated by the Air Atlantique Classic Flight. AIRBASE is far from your typical aeroplane 'museum' - this is a working hangar, where aeroplanes are maintained and prepared for flight. AIRBASE visitors can see, hear and even smell these historic aircraft as they reach for the skies. Meet the crew and photograph the aircraft in action. Among the gems on show is the world's only airworthy Gloster Meteor Night Fighter. This aircraft was built at Coventry Airport in 1952 and flies on in memory of those who strived to make jet technology a reality. Flying alongside the Meteor are de Havilland Vampire and Venom jet fighters, Jet Provost trainers and the mighty Canberra jet bomber. Canberra WK163, on show at AIRBASE, is actually a world record breaker! On August 28, 1957 Mike Randrup, with Walter Shirley acting as flight observer, flew WK163 to 70,310ft - in doing so acquiring the world altitude record for Great Britain. Rubbing shoulders with these historically important jets is a collection of classic transport, airliner, training and liaison types ranging from the 1930s Dragon Rapide biplanes through the Douglas Dakota to the evocative Avro Anson and iconic Chipmunk. Air Atlantique and Classic Flight has long been associated with the Dakota and three examples still operate from Coventry and can usually be seen in and around the AIRBASE centre. The Dakota is famous for its role in both the D-Day landings and the Berlin Airlift - in fact one of Classic Flight's 'Daks' is a Berlin Airlift veteran. Working Now to Preserve the Aircraft of the Past for the Generations of the Future AIRBASE is established not just to preserve our aviation heritage but to inspire the next generation. Youngsters with a love of aircraft, engineering and science will find AIRBASE fascinating. There are activities aplenty and our staff and volunteers are always on hand to answer questions from inquiring young minds. Few places in the world offer such 'up close and personal' views of aircraft being restored, maintained and flown. Reach for the Skies Classic Flight's fleet of pleasure flying aircraft are also based at AIRBASE. During your visit why not take a trip into the skies to see wonderful Warwickshire from the air? Warwick Castle and Shakespeare's Stratford-on-Avon are just a short flight from AIRBASE. The charismatic de Havilland Dragon Rapide biplane airliners are a favourite mode of transport but there's plenty of choice. The stylish de Havilland Dove offers a comfortable and classy alternative to the Dragon Rapide and the 1950s Percival Prentice is the only example of its type offering pleasure flying anywhere in the world! The 1940s Percival Proctor should also join the pleasure flying fleet in 2010. Book your flight online in advance by calling 02476 882616 Taxi Back to the Fifties On selected days Classic Flight's wonderful Douglas DC-6 'Cloudmaster' airliner provides exciting taxi experiences at AIRBASE. Step back in time as you take your seats in the cabin of this charismatic propliner and imagine yourself being transported back to the elegant 1950s. The four huge radial engine belch smoke as they burst into life and their staccato bark echoes around the airport. Feel the power as the captain advances the throttles and you start to move. With the brakes set the pre-take off power checks give a sense of just how much power the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engines can produce, the aircraft humming and vibrating as the propellers are exercised. Lining up on the runway you will feel the acceleration as the captain simulates a take-off run, the 10,000hp combined power of the engines forcing you back in your seat as the aircraft sets off down the tarmac. Taxiing back in to AIRBASE we hope you will have experienced a taste of the 1950s, when flying remained an exotic privilege for many. Something for Everyone Whether you want to reminisce about a bygone era, wonder at our technological marvels, take to the skies in a classic aeroplane or exercise an enquiring young mind AIRBASE has something to suit. We look forward to welcoming you soon. Opening Hours AIRBASE is open from Thursday to Sunday and is also open on Bank Holiday Mondays. The centre will be open from 10.00-18.00 daily (or sunset if earlier). Admission Adults - 4.00 pounds Children Under 16 go FREE! How to Find Us... AIRBASE is located at Coventry Airport (West). From the North - leave the M6 at Junction 3 and follow the A46 towards Coventry. From the South - leave the M40 at Junction 15 and follow the A46 towards Coventry. Follow signs for Coventry Airport (WEST). Once you are on Rowley Rd continue past the Midland Air Museum into Bagington village. Turn left at the mini-roundabout and then drive past the Oak public house. The Airport West gate is just past the Oak on the left hand side. Please drive up to the barrier (which will open automatically) and then follow signs to the AIRBASE car park. Contact us on 02476 882616 for further information. Aircraft on Display The following aircraft are usually on display at AIRBASE. Auster J.1 Avro Anson Avro Shackleton AEW.2 BAC Jet Provost T.5 De Havilland Canada Chipmunk De Havilland Dragon Rapide (x3) De Havilland Devon/Dove De Havilland Vampire De Havilland Venom (x3) Douglas DC-3 Dakota (x3) Douglas DC-6 Cloudmaster (x2) English Electric Canberra (x2) Gloster Meteor NF.11 Gloster Meteor T.7 (arriving 2010) Hawker Hunter (x3) Hawker Siddeley Nimrod MR.2P Hunting Jet Provost T.3 Lockheed L-188 Electra Percival Pembroke Percival Prentice Percival Proctor Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer Many of these aircraft are flyable and may be away from base during your visit. If you want to view a specific aircraft please call ahead to ensure it is available on the day of your visit. We look forward to welcoming you to AIRBASE. Keep checking back for the latest updates and news.*

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