Canberra T.4 WH840 was one of the RAF’s dedicated twin-seat training variants of the legendary English Electric Canberra — Britain’s first jet-powered bomber and one of its most successful post-war aircraft. The T.4 version was developed to train pilots and navigators transitioning to the Canberra B.2 and later marks.

By the early 1950s, it was seen that the high altitude, unarmed jet bomber would become vulnerable to ground-to-air missiles so a special Interdictor version was called for. An entirely new nose fuselage was designed with a fighter-style, off-set cockpit to provide good all-round vision, and a navigator/bomb-aimer position was moved forward of the pilot. A gunpack was fitted in the rear of the bomb bay, and under-wing pylons carried bombs or rocket launchers.

The Canberra was the first jet bomber to serve in the RAF, and was also the first jet aircraft to make an Atlantic crossing without refuelling. The first production B.Mk 2 version was delivered to 101 Squadron at Binbrook in May 1951 and replaced the Avro Lincoln. This mark was built in greater quantities than any other later variant, and many were based in the Anglia region.

This aircraft is a tandem, two-seat, single-engine primary trainer aircraft, of all-metal stressed-skin construction. It was designed and developed by De Havilland Canada shortly after the Second World War and sold in large numbers during the immediate post-war years, being typically employed as a replacement for the De Havilland Tiger Moth.

Built as an F.6, this aircraft was allocated in January 1957 to 54 Squadron at Odiham and converted to FGA.9 configuration in the July. The design progressed through various Marks but the F6 was generally regarded to be the "definitive" version. The airframe was purchased by Flixton's former Chairman. Ian Hancock, in 2002 and moved to Flixton for display.

Our SEPECAT Jaguar XX108, the first production GR.1, first flew on October 12, 1972, and served as a key trials and international demonstrator airframe rather than in front-line squadrons. Used for weapons clearance, it appeared at the 1974 Farnborough and 1979 Paris Air Shows, later being upgraded to GR.1B.

Built originally as an R(AW).7, this aircraft was stored at 5MU Kemble from April 1958 to July 1959 before conversion to F(AW).9 (F/R) standard. It joined 23 Squadron at RAF Coltishall, Norfolk, in 1960 and flight refuelling was practiced by this unit with the Valiants of 214 Squadron at Marham.

The Jet Provost T.3, which was to become the standard jet trainer for the RAF for several years, made its first flight in June 1958 and entered service with the RAF one year later. Some T.3 aircraft were upgraded to T.3A and received new avionics equipment, plus a revised instrument panel layout.

Luton Aircraft Ltd. built the LA-5A Major, and the prototype (Q-AFMU) flew in March 1939 but only a few were built by the outbreak of war. Construction of this aircraft commenced at in 1959 by L. D. Blyth but the airframe was sold twice and never completed. The last owner, Michael Powell, donated it to the museum as an incomplete build.

English Electric Lightning XG329 is a significant P.1B development aircraft, first flown in April, 1959. Used extensively for trials (cannon, missiles, and F.3 fins). At Boscombe Down, XG329 served as a TSR.2 chase plane. Retired in 1970. The airframe was bought by Flixton's former Chairman, Ian Hancock, in 1990 and moved to Flixton for display.

Completed at Baginton by Armstrong Whitworth in 1951 this aircraft served with 56, 1 and 611 Squadrons before being transferred to the Middle East Air Force in 1960 where it was allocated to the Nicosia Flight until 1963. During this period it was flown by 43 Squadron as a “hack” and target-tug.

This aircraft (623794 c/n 5630022) first flew on 13/9/1956 and served from 6/10/1956 until 1968 with 1.SLP (No.1 Fighter Air Regiment) – Czech Air Force number 3794.

79/2-EG was originally assigned to 5 Escadre de Chasse at Orange, France. It retired in 1978 and returned to RAF Sculthopre, Norfolk and was later presented to the museum on long term loan.

McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2, serial number XV497, had a distinguished 22-year career with the Royal Air Force (RAF) from 1970 to 1992, serving in various tactical, reconnaissance, and air-defense roles including a deployment to the Falkland Islands.

Percival Provost T.1 WV605 is a preserved Royal Air Force basic trainer, manufactured in the early 1950s. WV605 represents the final piston-engined trainer used by the RAF. It served as a standard basic trainer for the RAF from 1953 until being phased out by 1961. The Provost was a key aircraft in the 1950s, replacing the Percival Prentice and paving the way for the Jet Provost.

Built 1979, the aircraft served with the Argentine Air Force 3rd & 9th Air Brigade. During the Falklands War in 1982, It was flown by Commodore (ret.) Miguel Navarro, commander of the Pucará Airmobile squadron.

Sea Prince WF128 was one of the Royal Navy’s dedicated multi-engine trainers, operated by the Fleet Air Arm in the post-war period. Assigned to Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose, 750 Squadron, WF128 served until retirement in 1976. Later used as a maintenance airframe at RAF Honnington, WF128 arrived at the museum in 1981.

This was the ninth production aircraft built at Christchurch and went to 700Y Flight at Yeovilton in November 1958. The aircraft returned to the factory in February 1959 and was prepared for cold chamber tests, it was delivered to Vickers, then to 7668 Flight at Yeovilton. It was sometimes lead aircraft in the stations aerobatic team “Fred’s Five” until February 1967.

This aircraft served with the 20th Fighter-Bomber Group (FBG) and 803rd Fighter-Bomber Group, United States Airforce. Delivered and in service mid 1950's. Under the Mutual Defense Aid Programme (MDAP) this T-33A was transferred to to the French Air Force from 1956 to 1978.

This aircraft served with the USAF circa 1954 and then the French Air Force. Assigned to the 45th Day Squadron at Sidi Slimane in French Morocco, then the 48th Fighter Bomber Wing then with EC2/11 Vosges’ and then EC4/11 ‘Jura’ in Dibouti. The aircraft is displayed in the colours of the US “Skyblazers” aerobatic team, serial number 42196.

The HR.14 was the major production variant of the Sycamore and the RAF received around 90. The aircraft joined the Joint Experimental Helicopter Unit (JEHU) at Middle Wallop in January 1956 and was used for navigation, homing and landing aids training, as well as for casevac (casualty evacuation) and troop carrying. It was coded 5 and later V. It is now configured as a helicopter simulator, do you think you could fly it?

Few Tiger Cubs were built and this example was the sixth one registered, on the 2nd February 1983 to Mr Bob Adams. Bob flew it from a grass strip near East Dereham. Its Certificate of Airworthiness expired in 1986 and the microlight never flew again. Bob donated it to the museum in 2002.

T-28C BuNo 14629 began its career in 1957 with the United States Navy. It initially served in the basic carrier qualification role, providing advanced pilot instruction including carrier landing practice aboard the USS Lexington (CV-16). After retirement, the aircraft was transferred to the Congo Air Force, based in Léopoldville during the Congo Crisis employed in a light attack and counter-insurgency role. When the Congo became Zaire it was stationed at Kamina airbase taking part in combat operations.

Built in Weybridge during 1950, VX580 saw service as a VIP transport based in Malta, Egypt and Cyprus. It was retired in 1968 and arrived at the museum in 1982.

XK624 entered service in July 1956 with 7 FTS at Linton-on-Ouse. It was the last remaining T.11 in service displaying alongside a Meteor T.7 as the RAF Vintage Pair display team. The airframe was purchased by Flixton in 1980.