GROUP VISITS Information for organisers of group parties of 15 or more WELCOME GUIDED TOURS EXHIBITION HALLS BEHIND THE SCENES FACILITIES

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1 GROUP VISITS Information for organisers of group parties of 15 or more WELCOME GUIDED TOURS EXHIBITION HALLS BEHIND THE SCENES FACILITIES

2 W E L C O M E The Fleet Air Arm Museum, one of the premier attractions in the south west, is home to the Royal Navy s aviation heritage collection. The Museum tells the story of the men, women, aircraft and ships who have served with the flying arm of the Royal Navy, since the early twentieth century. Our world renowned collection includes many unique and significant aircraft and a multitude of fascinating personal stories of endeavour and bravery. From the early box kites and seaplanes flown by heroic pioneers, to the remarkable Harrier Jump Jet and modern day helicopters, we have the largest collection of naval aircraft on display in Europe. In addition, we are proud custodians of Concorde 002, the British prototype of the world s only supersonic commercial aircraft, one of the world s greatest engineering achievements and an iconic symbol of post-war design and glamorous air travel. The Museum is an excellent venue for a group visit. We have displays and facilities to engage all age groups and interests. We offer a dedicated group bookings service to help organisers plan an excellent day out for their guests. We recognise that some groups have special interests and requirements and we will do all we can to meet them. Pre-booked groups will enjoy the benefit of a meet and greet on arrival (staff allowing) and may book guided tours, special interest talks and discounted group meal options. Most groups find that a 4 hour visit plus time for lunch works well although shorter visits are equally rewarding. Below, from Top to Bottom: Sea Harrier World War II Exhibition Bristol Scout D Carrier Experience Operations Room Airfield Viewing, RNAS Yeovilton: The Museum is situated on the edge of HMS Heron, one of Europe s busiest military airfields. The Fleet Air Arm squadrons based here operate with the Royal Navy around the world. The runways are visible from the viewing galleries inside the Museum

3 Meet and Greet We aim to offer a meet and greet service to visiting groups on their arrival. This has proven very popular with groups because it means we can introduce the Museum to guests and ensure that all the arrangements are in place for an excellent visit. This service is dependant upon staff availability. Tours The Museum is fortunate enough to have a team of qualified tour guides many of whom are experts in their particular fields of engineering or aviation. A tour of the Museum takes 1½ hours. Pre-booking is necessary and dependant upon the availability of the guides. Special interest talks These 45 minute presentations cover some of the most interesting aspects of the Museum s collections. Choose from subjects such as: Airpower from the Sea The History of the Aircraft Carrier, Concorde the Development of Supersonic Flight and our most popular demonstration: Naval Aircrew What They Wear and Why! A small administrative charge is payable for tours and special interest talks. Expertise: Our trained Volunteers/Helpers are always at hand G U I D E D T O U R S C A T E R I N G F O R G R O U P S The Swordfish Restaurant: Where you can get a hot meal during your visit The Swordfish Restaurant The 120 seat Swordfish Restaurant is licensed and open from 9.30am -5.00pm in the summer and 9.30am-4.00pm in the winter. Hot food is served from 12.00noon-2.00pm in the winter and 3.00pm in the summer. Please note: the restaurant is open all week throughout the winter, including Mondays and Tuesdays but excluding December It makes the ideal coffee and lunch stop-off for coaches en-route along the A303. Catering Packages for Groups An advanced booking service for restaurant meals is available exclusively to pre-booked parties. We offer a wide range of meal options at an excellent price, reserved seating and food served at the table for swift and effective service. These packages are only available to groups of 15 visitors or more and a single payment for the meals must be made to the restaurant on the day of the visit. Meal options available include morning refreshments, lunches and afternoon tea. Please contact Visitor Services for details.

4 T H E M U S E U M S E X H I B I T I O N H A L L S The Museum s Exhibitions are displayed in four large halls: HALL 1 The Fly Navy 100 exhibition celebrates the story of naval aviation from the Royal Navy s first airship to modern day aircraft deployed to protect British interests around the globe. Included amongst the aircraft are the stories of some fascinating personalities who made these achievements possible. HALL 3 Opposite from Top to Bottom: Short S27 Replica Corsair KD 431 McDonnell Phantom FG1 BAC Concorde 002 HALL 2 This hall displays British and American naval aircraft of WW2 and the Korean War and includes a range of smaller, thematic galleries such as the Wrens Display and Kamikaze. HALL 2 HALL 4 HALL 3 The Aircraft Carrier Experience. This award winning exhibition offers visitors the chance to explore a recreation of the flight deck and command areas of Ark Royal IV as she deploys aircraft on operations at sea as a vital part of Britain s Cold War defences in the 1970s. HALL 1 HALL 4 Leading Edge: the Story of Aviation Technology in the 20th Century. This exhibition includes some of the most significant British aircraft ever built: the Fairey Delta (first aircraft to exceed 1,000mph), the BAC221 (built to conduct Concorde s landing-trials), the Harrier Jump Jet prototype and Concorde 002.

5 Behind the Scenes Tours The Museum holds many exceptional aircraft, objects and documents in storage, some of which are undergoing research or conservation. Visiting groups have the opportunity to book a Behind the Scenes tour and gain access to these fascinating and historic objects and the expertise of the curators who care for them. The most popular of our existing Behind the Scenes Tours is Cobham Hall - the Museum s reserve store; large enough to be a Museum itself. It houses over 30 historic aircraft and at least 30,000 records and artefacts stored in a superb climate-controlled building. To arrange a visit to Cobham Hall and find out about the new tours available in 2013 please contact Visitor Services for details. Thorneycroft Seaplane: One of many rare photographs in the Museum archive Cobham Hall: Reserve Collection Open Day B E H I N D T H E S C E N E S

6 The Gift Shop: An extensive range of aviation books, DVDs, models, clothing and toys. F A C I L I T I E S Parking The Museum has a large car park with dedicated parking for coaches. Parking spaces for the disabled are available. Parking is free. Accessibility A signposted level access entrance is available for those with limited mobility. The great majority of the Museum is accessible to visitors in wheelchairs. The Museum has a number of wheelchairs that can be booked. There is no charge. Hearing loops are situated in key locations throughout the Museum. Special arrangements can be made for those with limited vision, hearing or learning difficulties. Please contact Visitor Services for more information. The Gift Shop The Museum s gift shop offers one of the most extensive ranges of aviation books and models in the south west. It also stocks a wide range of aviation related items including DVDs, clothing and toys. Opening times April - October: Open daily 10.00am-5.30pm November - March: Open Wed - Sun 10.00am-4.30pm Open all public and Somerset school holidays / half terms Closed 24th, 25th & 26th December Payment Group rates are only available to parties of 15 or more. If group numbers fall below 15 then the standard admission charge will apply. Payment is made on the day by the group organiser. We will only charge for the number of visitors who arrive on the day. Cash, credit cards and club or association cheques are acceptable for payment. Companies who have an account with us may be invoiced. For current prices please see the website or contact Visitor Services. C O N T A C T To arrange your group visit, plan your programme and pre-book our group rates please contact: Mrs Hilary Harper, Group Visits Co-ordinator Visitor Services Department Fleet Air Arm Museum RNAS Yeovilton Somerset BA22 8HT Tel: visitorservices@fleetairarm.com Online group booking forms and more information can also be found on the Museum website

7 Fleet Air Arm Museum RNAS Yeovilton Somerset BA22 8HT Visitor Services Travel Information M49 M32 M4 Bristol A46 Chippenham A38 A4 Bath Weston-Super-Mare Cheddar A37 Trowbridge Swindon Minehead M5 Bridgwater A39 A361 Glastonbury A303 A350 A303 Salisbury M5 A358 A303 A30 Yeovil A37 A354 Blandford Forum A354 Exeter Dorchester Bournemouth Weymouth Sat Nav ref BA22 8HW 7 miles North of Yeovil. Close to junction of A303 and A37 Kindly produced by AgustaWestland Limited Fleet Air Arm Museum CLG Ltd Registered Charity No