National Museum of Flight Scotland

The National Museum of Flight Scotland is situated 22 miles east of Edinburgh, 6 miles south of North Berwick.

This is the top Aviation Museum in Scotland, covering mainly British built Fighters, Passenger Jets, and Civilian Aircraft.

The Museum can be visited throughout the year with an entrance fee. Postcode: EH39 5LF

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The image top is of the British Aircraft Corporation Passenger Jet 1-11 and the Concorde Hanger. The BAC 1-11 Passenger Jet entered service in 1965, used as a short haul Aircraft with many UK and US airlines until the 1990s.

The second image shows the Aviation Cafe at the Concorde Hanger.

The Concorde Hanger contains a UK Concorde, Concorde Engines, and a Red Arrows Hawk. Concorde was in service from 1969 - 2003, with a cruise speed of 1,340 mph.

The UK BAC TSR-2 fighter jet first flew in 1964 with a top speed of 1,800 mph, faster than the American fighters, only the MIG 25 had a similar top speed. This Aircraft is said to have provided the engine technology and airframe design to build Concorde. This Fighter Aircraft never made it into production, due to its high cost.

The Russian version of Concorde, the Tupolev Tu 144, entered service in 1977 with a cruise speed of 1,320 mph.

The North American XB-70 Valkyrie Nuclear Bomber first flew in 1964 with a cruise speed of 2,000 mph. This Aircraft had a similar design as Concorde. The Valkyrie never made it into production, as by that time, the Russians had developed Missiles that could shoot it down, and its incredible cost.

The Avro Vulcan Nuclear Bomber is outside by the Fighter Aircraft Hanger. This Aircraft entered service in 1956 with its main role to drop Nuclear Bombs on Russia should World War Three break out.

1960 - a US Spy Plane was shot down by a Russian Missile at 68,000ft. The Vulcan Bombers then had to be used at low level, under radar.

Also outdoor is a De Havilland Comet, the worlds fist passenger Jet Airliner, built in the UK. This Aircraft was taken out of service in 1997. The early Comet's were known for cracks in the corners of their windows, leading to all Passenger Jets from that time having windows with round corners.

The Fighter Aircraft Hanger has mainly the top Fighters built in the UK, such as the Spitfire from the 1938, Meteor Jet 1944, Lightning fast interceptor 1959, Harrier Jump Jet 1969, Jaguar 1973, and Tornado 1979.

The fighter Hanger also contains a German Rocket Plane, the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet.

The History Building has a Video Room giving information on the Air Base from when it opened during World War One till it was converted to a Museum.

East Fortune History

1915 - the Airfield at East Fortune was established to serve as a Fighter and Airship Airfield, with the Airships and Fighters used to protect Shipping in the Firth of Forth and North Sea.

1918 - the Royal Air Force, RAF was formed, with East Fortune becoming one of 66 Training Depot Stations (TDS).

1918 - a prototype Sopwith Snipe Aircraft was tested at East Fortune. The Snipe was then used at the Torpedo Airplane School at the Base.

1919 - the British Airship R34 made the first ever return flight across the Atlantic between East Fortune and Mineola, New York, taking 4 days to cross to the US.

1920 - East Fortune was closed with the Base used as a Tuberculosis Hospital.

1940 - East Fortune was re-opened for World War Two to be used as a Night Fighter training unit with Aircraft such as the Bristol Beaufighter and later the de Havilland Mosquito.

1946 - after World War Two, East Fortune was closed with the Base once again used as a Hospital, this time for people with learning difficulties and the elderly.

1950 - East Fortune was leased to the United States Air Force as a Dispersal Base for Strategic Bombers during the Cold War.

1960 - as the site was never used by the US Airforce, it was sold by the Air Ministry.

1961 - East Fortune was used in the summer as a Civilian Airport while Edinburgh Airport was closed for construction work.

1976 - the Scottish National Museum of Flight was opened at the East Fortune Airfield.

1984 - a Vulcan Bomber was delivered to the Museum as a permanent display.

1997 - the Hospital at East Fortune was closed.

2004 - a Concorde was put on permanent display at East Fortune, one year after they were taken out of service.