19/01/2024
JMI Planning Ltd are delighted to have been able to play our very small part in getting things moving for the Hucknall Flight Test Museum. Working alongside Lacey & Owen Architectural Services Ltd we were able to get planning permission for the new modular building on the site to act as entrance, training and teaching rooms. We're looking forward to visiting when things are up and running.
Its Happened. The lease has finally been signed!
Photo below - Left to Right Malcolm Todd (HUFTM Trustee) Alan Spray (HUFTM Trustee) Robert Orgill (Rolls-Royce Property) and Alan Randall (HUFTM Trustee) sign the lease.
“6 World Aviation Firsts” – Flight Test & Facilities Museum to re-open in Hucknall 2024.
A new museum featuring Rolls-Royce Engines & component exhibits will re-open later this year after trustees & volunteers of the Hucknall Flight Test Museum (HUFTM), a registered charity signed a lease January 11th. 2024 to renovate & restore this unique aerodrome test facility, courtesy of an agreement from Rolls-Royce PLC.
The Grade ll Listed Wing Hangars on the Hucknall site, built in 1944 by Ernest Hives, later Lord Hives; now house documents, artefacts & exhibits, which tell the fascinating story the flight & ground testing performed on a multitude of the most famous Rolls-Royce Piston & Jet aero engines, from 1934 to 1972. Many engines were tested & developed on this historic site, including of course the mighty “Merlin” which powered the RAF to victory in the Battle of Britain in 1940 and proved itself beyond all measure in winning peace in Europe in 1945.
With the support of Rolls-Royce & members of the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust, the trustees, and volunteers at HUFTM have been able to save and preserve numerous items of great interest, which will now be able to be seen by the public, largely for the very first time, revealing the stories of incredible flight-testing achievements made at this remarkable facility.
Mr. Alan Spray, Chairman of HUFTM, said: “It is finally confirmed that the museum is to re-open this year after Covid 19 forced its doors to close in March 2020. The determined HUFTM volunteers never gave up the struggle to get the site recognised as one of the most important flight test sites that the UK has ever known. Having firmly established itself alongside the pantheon of greats in British aviation history, the team are now moving to the next stage repairing the buildings & the many exhibits in readiness for a grand opening, hopefully around May this year.”
Planning permission was granted for a new modular building, now on order, which will house a reception, STEM teaching facilities & hospitality area, as well as a dedicated archive office and toilet block with disabled facilities. The charity is hoping the modular building will be in place by end of March, to be fitted out & be ready for the big day.