The Conservation in Action Workshop

Aerospace Bristol is soon to begin the restoration of the oldest listed aircraft hangar on the museum site. Hangar 16M which was most recently home to the Air Ambulance, dates from 1915 and was once part of the historic Filton Aircraft Acceptance Park and home to No. 501 Squadron RAF.

Archive image of Hangar 16M and a photo of what the Hangar looks like today

The grade II listed Hangar is to be transformed into a dynamic ‘Conservation in Action’ workshop. The building will become an exciting space for our dedicated volunteers to work on rare and nationally-significant Bristol aircraft in view of our visitors.

The workshop will become an exciting extension to the visitor journey at the museum, as well as an important space for inspiring and teaching the engineers of the future. Young industry volunteers and engineering students will have the chance to undertake work on Bristol aircraft with the support of the museum’s volunteers. Aerospace Bristol’s enthusiastic cohort of volunteers are predominantly ex-industry employees with a wealth of engineering knowledge and experience. They will be able to pass on their skills to a new generation and to those who will become the engineers of the future.

The main phase of construction on Hangar 16M is planned to start towards the end of 2019, with the workshop opening to the public by the beginning of summer 2020.

The museum will launch a public appeal in the lead up to Christmas, asking for your support to raise the vital funding required to complete this special project. We need your help to restore this Grade II listed hangar and inspire the next generation of engineers through hands-on conservation here in Filton.

If you would like to find out more about how you can play your part, with a personal or corporate donation and to discuss the range of recognition options that will be available, please feel free to contact our Fundraising Department for an informal chat by emailing fundraising@aerospacebristol.org or calling 0117 363 4621. Thank you for your support.