For many decades there has been an ambition to create a museum to recognise and celebrate the achievements of Bristol’s aviation industry and, over time, a group of enthusiasts established a heritage collection of Bristol designed aerospace products.
This start was given further impetus by the return of Concorde Alpha Foxtrot. Since then, there have been plans to find a fitting home for Concorde at the place where the supersonic passenger jet was designed, built and tested
The new museum will enable people of all ages to explore more than a century of aviation history.
From the earliest days of powered flight to the modern day, journey through more than one hundred years of aviation history at Aerospace Bristol.
With learning at its heart, and the last Concorde ever to fly as its star attraction, Aerospace Bristol aims to inspire the next generation to achieve their full potential. The museum tells the remarkable story of Bristol’s aerospace heritage and the impact it has made upon today’s global aerospace industry. It is a story of ordinary people achieving extraordinary.
Known to this day as a global hub of aerospace design and engineering, Filton is home to world-leading companies including BAE Systems, Airbus, Renishaw and Rolls Royce.
The museum’s latest project was to transport one of the last remaining Bristol Type 170 Freighters back to Filton from New Zealand. Designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, a total of 214 Freighters, and its passenger variant the Wayfarer, were built and used by airlines and air forces across the world. Sadly, only 11 complete Freighters survive in the world today, and the Freighter returned to Filton is the only one to be located in Europe. The Freighter will now be assessed and safely stored for the foreseeable future, with the aim for it to eventually go on display as part of the museum.
The new museum will enable people of all ages to explore more than a century of aviation history. Interactive exhibitions will bring Bristol’s rich aerospace heritage to life and will tell the fascinating stories and achievements of people, industry and science.
