Rolls-Royce Aerospace Collection to go on Display in New Museum Store at Aerospace Bristol

The museum’s Hangar 16R is being developed in partnership with Rolls-Royce and Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust

A significant collection of historic Rolls-Royce engines will soon have a new home at Aerospace Bristol. The museum is working in partnership with Rolls-Royce and Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust to develop Hangar 16R: Home of the Rolls-Royce Aerospace Collection, a historic aircraft hangar on the Aerospace Bristol site at Filton, into a new museum store.

Hangar 16R will house engines from the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust collection alongside museum objects on show to visitors for the first time. The partnership will also provide a space for Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust  volunteers to work on conserving the engines, which include Bristol radial engines like those used in the Wellington and Lancaster II, gas turbines used in combat and iconic engines such as the Olympus that powered the Vulcan and Concorde, and the Pegasus from the Harrier – alongside a number of rare experimental engines.

The development of Hangar 16R has been made possible thanks to a £180,000 donation from Rolls-Royce plc to Bristol Aero Collection Trust, the charity behind Aerospace Bristol.

Sally Cordwell, CEO of Aerospace Bristol said:

“The development of Hangar 16R and the arrival of the Rolls-Royce aerospace collection presents an exciting opportunity for Aerospace Bristol. It will enhance our visitor offer with stunning new exhibits to see, new experiences to enjoy, and new stories to explore.

We’re delighted to be working with Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust to further our shared aims of preserving and celebrating our important aerospace heritage, and we’re tremendously grateful for the generous support of Rolls-Royce, which has made this project possible.”

Andy Roberts Director of Flight Operations at Rolls-Royce plc, said:

“The engines we’re building today and designing for tomorrow owe much to our rich heritage. Hangar 16R: Home of the Rolls-Royce Aerospace Collection will make it possible for a wider audience to explore that history and learn about the engines that powered many of our most iconic aircraft. “We’re pleased to support Aerospace Bristol as a charity that aims to inspire the next generation of engineers and we’re delighted that Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust will soon have a suitable new space to care for the collection and carry out their vital conservation work.”

Hangar 16R: Home of the Rolls-Royce Aerospace Collection is one of several developments at Aerospace Bristol, with more announcements to be revealed later this year.

The AERALIS modular aircraft system was added to the museum exhibition in February, a new café - Flightline Kitchen + Bar - opened at the start of April, and the museum recently launched The Filton Blitz Experience to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The experience takes visitors inside a real WWII air raid shelter, offering an immersive insight into wartime life at RAF Filton.

Work is underway to prepare Hangar 16R for the arrival of the Rolls-Royce aerospace collection, with an opening date and further details to be announced. 

Hangar 16R under development.

Vulcan Olympus Engine Image Credit: Rolls-Royce PLC