Surrey Photo Gallery - Brooklands Museum (Aviation Section)

I first heard about Brooklands Museum because of its bus collection. I was curious whether this was a branch of the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden, which I visited many years ago. But apparently it's a separate museum in the far outskirts of London, charging a fairly hefty admission fee.
The ticket includes admission to 2 museums on the site. Thanks to the many friendly volunteers offering detailed commentary throughout the site, I learned that this museum sits on the world's first motor racing circuit, which opened in 1907. I left very impressed and the admission was well worth the experience.
Aircraft manufacturing arrived during World War I and continued during World War II. Over 5700 military aircraft were produced here, and after the war, a few successful civilian planes were also made here. During its 80 year history, nearly 19,000 aircraft made their first flights at Brooklands.
The first major aircraft I saw upon entering the aviation section of the museum is the Concorde! However, visiting its interior requires an additional 6 pound supplement. I had entered one in New York many years ago so I passed this time.

Opposite, there was a British Airways VC10 without wings.

On the other side of the Concorde is a special VC10 that was used by the Sultan of Oman. The first VC10 flew from Brooklands in 1962 and was the biggest, most luxurious aircraft produced in the country. This aircraft was bought by the Omani government in 1974 and became the last civilian-operated VC10 in service, operating its final flight to Heathrow in 1987.

The volunteer guide invited me to sit in the cockpit to learn more about this very special aircraft.

The BAC 1-11 flew for 29 years and arrived here in 1994. Developed in the 1960s, this type was one of Britain's best-selling planes, with the largest version able to carry 119 passengers cruising at 21,000 feet.

This Vickers 806 Viscount was built in 1958 and the model was the world's first turboprop plane for passenger use. After 444 planes were made, production ceased in the early 1960s. It can seat up to 71 passengers.

Behind it are a few more aircraft that I could not enter.

The "Superb" was built in 1961 for British European Airways. It was converted into a cargo plane in 1970, and flew until 1996 when Hunting Cargo donated the plane to the museum. The Vanguard came at the wrong time when turboprop planes were no longer competitive and only 44 of these were built, all at this site.

This Vickers Viscount XT 575 only has the cockpit section left.

This unsuspecting-looking building is actually quite historic. This was the world's first booking office offering recreational flights to the public, dating from 1911.


I first heard about Brooklands Museum because of its bus collection. I was curious whether this was a branch of the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden, which I visited many years ago. But apparently it's a separate museum in the far outskirts of London, charging a fairly hefty admission fee. The ticket includes admission to 2 museums on the site. Thanks to the many friendly volunteers offering detailed commentary throughout the site, I learned that this museum sits on the world's first motor racing circuit, which opened in 1907. I left very impressed and the admission was well worth the experience. Aircraft manufacturing arrived during World War I and continued during World War II. Over 5700 military aircraft were produced here, and after the war, a few successful civilian planes were also made here. During its 80 year history, nearly 19,000 aircraft made their first flights at Brooklands. The first major aircraft I saw upon entering the aviation section of the museum is the Concorde! However, visiting its interior requires an additional 6 pound supplement. I had entered one in New York many years ago so I passed this time. Opposite, there was a British Airways VC10 without wings. On the other side of the Concorde is a special VC10 that was used by the Sultan of Oman. The first VC10 flew from Brooklands in 1962 and was the biggest, most luxurious aircraft produced in the country. This aircraft was bought by the Omani government in 1974 and became the last civilian-operated VC10 in service, operating its final flight to Heathrow in 1987. The volunteer guide invited me to sit in the cockpit to learn more about this very special aircraft. The BAC 1-11 flew for 29 years and arrived here in 1994. Developed in the 1960s, this type was one of Britain's best-selling planes, with the largest version able to carry 119 passengers cruising at 21,000 feet. This Vickers 806 Viscount was built in 1958 and the model was the world's first turboprop plane for passenger use. After 444 planes were made, production ceased in the early 1960s. It can seat up to 71 passengers. Behind it are a few more aircraft that I could not enter. The "Superb" was built in 1961 for British European Airways. It was converted into a cargo plane in 1970, and flew until 1996 when Hunting Cargo donated the plane to the museum. The Vanguard came at the wrong time when turboprop planes were no longer competitive and only 44 of these were built, all at this site. This Vickers Viscount XT 575 only has the cockpit section left. This unsuspecting-looking building is actually quite historic. This was the world's first booking office offering recreational flights to the public, dating from 1911.

Surrey Photo Gallery