Yorkshire Air Museum.

Back in November I took a drive to Doncaster’s Yorkshire Air Museum.

I’d discovered the museum online and, as it was only a 30 minute drive for me, decided to visit one damp Saturday morning.

The one plane that really caught my attention before even visiting was the Hawker Siddeley Jump Jet.

When I was a kid I was fascinated by the Jump Jet as I’d seen it on the TV quite a bit as it saw extensive use during the Falklands Conflict.

I was quite excited to see one in real life and, better still, possibly sit in the cockpit.

Unfortunately the Jet is quite high up and needed a ladder to get inside so was not accessible when I visited.

It is possible on special days the museum calls “Cockpit Days” to get in the cockpit but I was slightly disappointed to find that the Saturday I visited was not one.

This means that I will have to definitely pay another visit to the museum on one of these “Cockpit Days”.

There are many other cockpits you can sit in and flick switches to pretend you flying them though. It really awakened my inner 8 year old and I know, that as a kid, I would have absolutely loved this place.

It’s great fun to sit in these cockpits and hold the joystick while imagining that you are soaring through the air. Or that you are a fighter pilot off on another mission.

Obviously this was not something I did as I am a responsible adult.

This may be a lie.

I also did not make engine noises.

This too may be a lie.

In the 1930’s the land on which the museum now stands was opened as Doncaster airport.

During the Second World War the airport became RAF Doncaster and reverted back to civilian use once the war was over.

The airport closed in 1992 and was taken over by AeroVenture, which then became The Yorkshire Air Museum.

Many of the original RAF huts are now used by the museum to house displays and exhibitions. This includes the hangars which are packed with planes, helicopters and other vehicles.

This display in one of the huts shows how the control room would have looked during wartime.

There is also an amazing display detailing the Blitz and its affects on Sheffield and Doncaster.

It’s difficult to photograph but there are sounds and lights that recreate the Blitz. It’s quite atmospheric.

A dirty Air Raid Patrol Warden.

A mock up of the interior of an Anderson Shelter.

It’s not a quick visit to the Yorkshire Air Museum, if you are planning on visiting I would recommend spending a few hours here as there is so much to see.

You’ll also want to read the stories about the exhibits.

Westland Sea King.

The planes outside the main hangar do have fences around them but it is still an awesome sight to stand next to these planes and helicopters and read about their history.

A mock up of a World War II shop.

Inside the original RAF building there are displays of uniforms and hats that would have been seen at the air base like the one above.

There is also a train set with working train. I watched this go round for about ten minutes.

I would definitely recommend a visit to the Yorkshire Air Museum it’s a great day out.

The museum is run by volunteers and is a registered charity so, if you can, remember to add Gift Aid to your entry fee.

The £8 entry fee is well worth the price and the shop has lots of model kits and other stuff on sale.

I bought a small bear in a flying jacket and goggles and a reprinted manual for signing up during the second world war.

If you want to visit the museum it’s just off the M1 if you are driving, public transport links can be found on the Yorkshire Air Museum website.

I’ll definitely be going back, after all, I want to pretend to fly a Jump Jet.

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