Solway Aviation Museum

The Solway Aviation Museum is home to a collection of aircraft, aviation artifacts and displays reflecting Britain’s position as a world leader in aircraft design and innovation at the dawn of the jet age. The museum’s primary objective is the preservation of our Aviation heritage, its display and interpretation. The Museum is run entirely by a team of volunteers from the Solway Aviation Society. All the staff are aviation enthusiasts who dedicate some of their spare time to preserving part of Cumbria’s aviation history. Many have skills and abilities gained from experience in the aviation industry or as ex-service personnel, while others have a keen interest or skill that they are willing to share.

We are always striving to develop new ways to present our exhibits and to develop the Museum into a permanent site with covered areas to protect our aging aircraft collection. There is always something to do and current projects include the ongoing repaint of the Vulcan along with the refurbishment of its systems in an attempt to halt the effects of corrosion.

Our aircraft collection is based on post-war British jets that entered service with the Royal Air Force during the 1950’s and 60’s; many have local connections. We have also adopted some other post war aircraft which we considered worthy of restoration and preservation. The very popular Bluestreak Room displays photographs, parts and equipment from that project.

The Crosby Room past and present, details the fascinating history of the civilian life of Carlisle Airport over many years. There are displays on the Airport Fire Section and a life size working copy of the tower control desk, along with the history of the various flight schools that have operated from Carlisle Airport where our Museum is based.