Avro Vulcan B1 XA903
 Introduction
History
Blue Steel
Olympus 593
Tornado RB199

Part of the Solway Military Trail.
Member of Aviation heritage UK.
Member of the Scottish Aviation Museums Group.


We are next open on Sunday 13th October 2024



Stoneykirk Aviation Museum is a small collection of aviation artifacts and is located about 10 miles south of Stranraer, a couple of miles from MOD West Freugh. The museum provides a fascinating insight into the golden age of British aviation. The emphasis of the museum is to show the technology of cold war military aviation - something that most aviation museums skirt around. The museum has a selection of restored aircraft cockpits, comprising:
  • Avro Vulcan B1 XA903
  • De Havilland Vampire T11 XE921
  • English Electric Canberra T4 WE191
  • English Electric Canberra TT18 WK124
  • BAC Jet Provost T4 XP558
  • Hawker Sea Hawk FGA6 WV903
  • De Havilland Sea Vixen FAW2 XP925
  • Blackburn Buccaneer S1 XK533
  • Blackburn Buccaneer S2B XN983

The Vulcan is one of the main exhibits and is one of only two forward sections of a B1 Vulcan remaining (the other being in storage at RAF Cosford Museum). XA903 has a very well documented life as it served as a test bed for:

  • the Blue Steel stand-off missile (the UK's nuclear deterrent). XA903 was the only Mk1 Vulcan to carry the Blue Steel and did so to test the missile and the ability of the Vulcan to use it. B2 Vulcans had the missile recessed more, whereas XA903 had it protruding more underneath.
  • the Olympus 593 engine that was to be used for Concorde. XA903 had the Olympus engine mounted underneath the fuselage and performed extensive testing of the engine prior to Concorde flying.
  • the RB199 engine, as used on the Tornado.
The cockpit has been restored to reflect the Concorde engine testing period. Come and see the story of how the Concorde engine was tested prior to Concorde flying.

OPENING TIMES

The museum will be open to the public on certain Sundays from March to October.
The opening hours are 10am to 4pm. (last entry 3pm)
A list of dates that we will be open for the rest of the year is listed below.

    Oct  13th & 20th

ENTRANCE FEE

At present, Credit Cards are NOT accepted. Cash only please.

The prices are:
  • Adults £6.00
  • 5 - 16 years £3.50
  • under 5 years free

LOCATION/DIRECTIONS

The museum is located between Stoneykirk and Sandhead, in South West Scotland, about 10 miles South of Stranraer.
Click here to get directions. Directions

OTHER INFORMATION

The main part of the museum is not heated, so if you are visiting on a cold day, please dress accordingly.

There is a small vegan friendly cafe in the museum, serving tea/coffee and cake/tray bakes for use by museum visitors. All cockpits are open allowing you to look in. Access to the Vulcan cockpit may be dependant on how busy the museum is.

Questions and Answers

Do you accept credit/debit cards?
No. Payment is by cash only.

Do we need to book?
No.

Are the exhibits inside or outside?
All exhibits are inside.

Do you have any complete aircraft?
No, only cockpits.

What is a cockpit?
It is the bit at the front of a plane where the pilot sits.

Is the museum wheelchair friendly?
Unfortunately not. There are steps into buildings, and steps to look into cockpits.

Are dogs allowed in the museum?
No.

Is there any parking in the shade?
No, parked cars may be in full sun light.

How long should I allow for my visit?
It depends on how interested you are in the exhibits. Allow up to 2 hours.

Are there toilet facicities?
Yes, there is a toilet.

Is access and parking suitable for large vehicles, such as a motor home?
No. Access is only suitable for cars.

Do you accept large groups?
The museum is only small. If you have a large group, please contact us for advice.


If you need to contact someone, contact

site last updated - 06 Oct 2024