Wellesbourne Wartime Museum, Stratford-upon-Avon

The Wellesbourne Wartime Museum, nestled within the historic Wellesbourne Mountford Airfield in Wellesbourne, Warwickshire, offers visitors a unique glimpse into England's aviation past. This museum, strategically located at the airfield's car park's end, near the iconic control tower, serves as a gateway to exploring the rich history of this former Royal Air Force station.

Wellesbourne Mountford Airfield, opened in 1941, was crucial during WWII as part of Bomber Command, training aircrews with Vickers Wellingtons and Avro Ansons. Post-war, it served RAF units like No. 3 Glider Training School and RAF Schools until closing in 1964. Afterward, it housed Air Atlantique Douglas DC-3s, served as a vehicle testing site, and became a hub for microlighting.

Today, the airfield hosts the popular Wings and Wheels event annually, featuring military and classic cars alongside aircraft like the Avro Vulcan bomber XM655, maintained by the 655 Maintenance & Preservation Society. This event, along with a vibrant market on Saturdays and Bank Holidays, flying schools, and a café, brings excitement to the airfield, drawing aviation enthusiasts and the public alike.

The Wellesbourne Wartime Museum itself, officially opened on 14 April 1991, houses a curated collection of military and civilian exhibits that narrate the airfield's storied past during wartime. The museum's unique setup includes an underground bunker and an above-ground building, ensuring a diverse and immersive visitor experience. Among its prized exhibits is the Avro Vulcan B.1 XA903 cockpit, a testament to the aircraft's role as a flying testbed for the Olympus engines utilized in the iconic Concorde.

Furthermore, the museum's proximity to Avro Vulcan XM655, owned by Wellesbourne Airfield, adds a tangible connection to Britain's aviation heritage. This aircraft not only symbolizes the technological advancements of the time but also serves as a living museum piece, with the 655 Maintenance & Preservation Society offering public taxi runs during the Wellesbourne Wings and Wheels show, allowing visitors to experience history in motion.