Museum vows to protect Coventry’s aviation heritage
The Midland Air Museum says its role will be even more vital as Coventry Airport prepares to close
The Midland Air Museum says its role will be even more vital as Coventry Airport prepares to close.
Barry James has been at the forefront of the centre for 30 years and is already planning events to make the museum’s 60th anniversary next year.
A proud Coventry lad, he has seen the rise and fall of the airport and is anxious that the city’s aviation heritage is not forgotten when it evolves into Greenpower Park incorporating the West Midlands Gigafactory.
Mr James said: “As an air museum, our role is to make people aware of the heritage and history of the area which is considerable with companies we had along with Sir Frank Whittle who was born in Coventry. There is also the role this place played in the war.
“When the airport goes, our role becomes even more important, maintaining that heritage to make people aware of what skills were in the area. It is important to know how things have developed – everything has a process.”
The nationally accredited museum, regarded as one of the country’s leading independent aviation museums, has 60 aircraft along with a further 250 engines and numerous artefacts and memorabilia.
Staffed by a team of five employees and around 40 working volunteers with ages ranging from 18 to 96, it opens seven days a week throughout the year apart from two days over Christmas. It is also home to the Sir Frank Whittle Jet Heritage Centre.
“People give a lot of their time and energy to make the place function which is something we are proud of,” Barry added. “We work with universities, model groups, various schools and societies who hold meetings here at the museum in the evenings and working with the local community is one of our key objectives. We’re not going anywhere.”
The airport has been owned by the Rigby Group since 2009 and it is set to close on June 11 when the site will become Greenpower Park which is a joint venture between Coventry City Council and Coventry Airport.
In January, it was announced that a £23m funding package had been secured from the West Midlands Combined Authority.