2. Aircraft

Airworld Aviation Museum, Caernarfon

The Airworld Aviation Museum is located on part of Caernarfon Airport which was formerly RAF Llandwrog. It was opened in July 1941 as an Air Gunnery School, then came Navigation Training School, Air Wireless Operator and Bomb Aimer Training. RAF Llandwrog is regarded as the birth place of the RAF Mountain Rescue when it was formed by Medical Officer F/L George Graham, an experienced climber, in early 1942 and officially in late 1943. Between July 1946 and October 1956 Llandwrog became a key part of Operations Dismal and Sandcastle, the storing and disposing of many thousands of tons of captured German bombs. On completion the airfield became inactive on 12 November 1956. Local flying started in the early 1970's and in 1976 it became a fully licenced airfield known as Caernarfon Airport. Today it houses a Flying School, the Wales Air Ambulance, Microlight school and an Aviation Engineering Company. Also Bristow began one of its Search and Rescue helicopter operations here during 2015.
It is a busy airfield today.
8/10/2022
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  • G-MCGK is owned and operated by Bristow Helicopters ands used for Coastguard operations. The airframe is a Sikorsky S-92A built in 2014. Here the helicopter gets airbourne but its sortie details are not known.

    G-MCGK is owned and operated by Bristow Helicopters ands used for Coastguard operations. The airframe is a Sikorsky S-92A built in 2014. Here the helicopter gets airbourne but its sortie details are not known.

  • The Westland Whirlwind helicopter was a British licence-built version of the U.S. Sikorsky S-55/H-19 Chickasaw. It primarily served with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm in anti-submarine and search and rescue roles. XJ726 is a HAR.10 variant and is in the yellow livery of the RAF Rescue colours. It was built in December 1955 and transferred to 2 Flying Training School, RAF Shawbury. It was placed into storage around 1976 and came to Caernarfon around 1986 after four years at the Nene Valley Aviation Society, Sywell.

    The Westland Whirlwind helicopter was a British licence-built version of the U.S. Sikorsky S-55/H-19 Chickasaw. It primarily served with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm in anti-submarine and search and rescue roles. XJ726 is a HAR.10 variant and is in the yellow livery of the RAF Rescue colours. It was built in December 1955 and transferred to 2 Flying Training School, RAF Shawbury. It was placed into storage around 1976 and came to Caernarfon around 1986 after four years at the Nene Valley Aviation Society, Sywell.

  • The museum is not a large one and the main hall is a little busy. Centre of the photo is a Hawker Sea Hawk with a de Havilland Vampire.

    The museum is not a large one and the main hall is a little busy. Centre of the photo is a Hawker Sea Hawk with a de Havilland Vampire.

  • XK623 is a de Havilland Vampire T.11 trainer variant. Production of this variant started in 1952 and over 600 examples were produced at Hatfield and Chester and by Fairey Aviation at Manchester Airport, they were all retired by 1967.

    XK623 is a de Havilland Vampire T.11 trainer variant. Production of this variant started in 1952 and over 600 examples were produced at Hatfield and Chester and by Fairey Aviation at Manchester Airport, they were all retired by 1967.

  • A closer view of the front of XK623, steps lead up to the open cockpit for a closer inspection.

    A closer view of the front of XK623, steps lead up to the open cockpit for a closer inspection.

  • Hawker Siddeley ‘T-Bird’ Harrier XW269. This aircraft represents one of the rarer variants of this Classic British Aircraft, being one of only a handful of two seat examples. It has been restored to externally complete static display standard finished with an early T2 nose and repainted to early T2 specification with 3 tone camouflage paint finish. This is as the aircraft entered service with 4 Squadron RAF in 1971. A full set of external stores: 100 Gallon Drop tanks, SNEB rocket pods and Aden cannon gun pods fitted to the fuselage underside. XW269 served a long and interesting flying career having flown with: 4 Sqn, 1 Sqn, 3 Sqn, and the Strike Attack Operational Evaluation Unit (SAOEU) being used for weapons trials and testing under tactical conditions. The aircraft was finally used for "Night Bird" AV8/GR5 Harrier trials with forward looking Infra Red being tried and tested on this very aircraft. This aircraft was last flown in 1997 after 26 years of service. It is now the only first generation two seat RAF Harrier Aircraft finished to T2 specification any where in the world making this aircraft totally unique. With the early paint scheme and 4 Squadron markings this is a fitting tribute to the early days of the Royal Air Force Harrier force who operated from RAF Germany.

    Hawker Siddeley ‘T-Bird’ Harrier XW269. This aircraft represents one of the rarer variants of this Classic British Aircraft, being one of only a handful of two seat examples. It has been restored to externally complete static display standard finished with an early T2 nose and repainted to early T2 specification with 3 tone camouflage paint finish. This is as the aircraft entered service with 4 Squadron RAF in 1971. A full set of external stores: 100 Gallon Drop tanks, SNEB rocket pods and Aden cannon gun pods fitted to the fuselage underside. XW269 served a long and interesting flying career having flown with: 4 Sqn, 1 Sqn, 3 Sqn, and the Strike Attack Operational Evaluation Unit (SAOEU) being used for weapons trials and testing under tactical conditions. The aircraft was finally used for "Night Bird" AV8/GR5 Harrier trials with forward looking Infra Red being tried and tested on this very aircraft. This aircraft was last flown in 1997 after 26 years of service. It is now the only first generation two seat RAF Harrier Aircraft finished to T2 specification any where in the world making this aircraft totally unique. With the early paint scheme and 4 Squadron markings this is a fitting tribute to the early days of the Royal Air Force Harrier force who operated from RAF Germany.

  • Looking back over the left wing of Hunter WT694 with the de Havilland Vampire on the right and the Sea Hawk in the centre. Hanging from the ceiling is replica of a Bleriot XI monoplane.

    Looking back over the left wing of Hunter WT694 with the de Havilland Vampire on the right and the Sea Hawk in the centre. Hanging from the ceiling is replica of a Bleriot XI monoplane.

  • The Rolls-Royce Griffon is a British 37-litre (2,240 cu in) capacity, 60-degree V-12, liquid-cooled aero engine designed and built by Rolls-Royce Limited. The Griffon was the last in the line of V-12 aero engines to be produced by Rolls-Royce with production ceasing in 1955. Griffon engines remain in Royal Air Force service today with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and power the last remaining airworthy Avro Shackleton.

    The Rolls-Royce Griffon is a British 37-litre (2,240 cu in) capacity, 60-degree V-12, liquid-cooled aero engine designed and built by Rolls-Royce Limited. The Griffon was the last in the line of V-12 aero engines to be produced by Rolls-Royce with production ceasing in 1955. Griffon engines remain in Royal Air Force service today with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and power the last remaining airworthy Avro Shackleton.

  • The Hawker Hunter is a transonic British jet-powered fighter aircraft that was developed by Hawker Aircraft for the Royal Air Force during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It was designed to take advantage of the newly developed Rolls-Royce Avon turbojet engine and the swept wing, and was the first jet-powered aircraft produced by Hawker to be procured by the RAF. WT694 is a F1 variant

    The Hawker Hunter is a transonic British jet-powered fighter aircraft that was developed by Hawker Aircraft for the Royal Air Force during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It was designed to take advantage of the newly developed Rolls-Royce Avon turbojet engine and the swept wing, and was the first jet-powered aircraft produced by Hawker to be procured by the RAF. WT694 is a F1 variant

  • The Bristol Hercules is a 14-cylinder two-row radial aircraft engine designed by Sir Roy Fedden and produced by the Bristol Engine Company starting in 1939. The Hercules powered a number of aircraft types, including Bristol's own Beaufighter heavy fighter design, although it was more commonly used on bombers. The Hercules also saw use in civilian designs, culminating in the 735 and 737 engines for such as the Handley Page Hastings C1 and C3 and Bristol Freighter. A total of over 57,400 Hercules engines were built.

    The Bristol Hercules is a 14-cylinder two-row radial aircraft engine designed by Sir Roy Fedden and produced by the Bristol Engine Company starting in 1939. The Hercules powered a number of aircraft types, including Bristol's own Beaufighter heavy fighter design, although it was more commonly used on bombers. The Hercules also saw use in civilian designs, culminating in the 735 and 737 engines for such as the Handley Page Hastings C1 and C3 and Bristol Freighter. A total of over 57,400 Hercules engines were built.

  • The Hunter F.1 entered service with the Royal Air Force in July 1954. It was the first high-speed jet aircraft equipped with radar and fully powered flight controls to go into widespread service with the RAF. The Hunter replaced the Gloster Meteor, the Canadair Sabre, and the de Havilland Venom jet fighters in service. WT694 was previously the gate guard at RAF Debden from 1969 until 1973, when she moved to become the gate guard at RAF Newton before disposal and eventual display at Caernarfon.

    The Hunter F.1 entered service with the Royal Air Force in July 1954. It was the first high-speed jet aircraft equipped with radar and fully powered flight controls to go into widespread service with the RAF. The Hunter replaced the Gloster Meteor, the Canadair Sabre, and the de Havilland Venom jet fighters in service. WT694 was previously the gate guard at RAF Debden from 1969 until 1973, when she moved to become the gate guard at RAF Newton before disposal and eventual display at Caernarfon.

  • The cramped layout of the hangar prohibits a good angle of the Sea Hawk and this is the best I could do. Having the ability to fold the wings means it takes up less space. WM961 served with 811 and 802 NAS and then moved on to FRADU's forerunner - FRU, before being retired and used as an instructional airframe at the School of Aircraft Handling at RNAS Culdrose. It is a FB.5 variant, a fighter-bomber FB.3 upgraded with a Rolls Royce Nene mk103 engine.

    The cramped layout of the hangar prohibits a good angle of the Sea Hawk and this is the best I could do. Having the ability to fold the wings means it takes up less space. WM961 served with 811 and 802 NAS and then moved on to FRADU's forerunner - FRU, before being retired and used as an instructional airframe at the School of Aircraft Handling at RNAS Culdrose. It is a FB.5 variant, a fighter-bomber FB.3 upgraded with a Rolls Royce Nene mk103 engine.

  • This is a cockpit from a Vickers Varsity. The Varsity is a retired British twin-engined crew trainer operated by the Royal Air Force from 1951 to 1976. The first production aircraft were delivered for operational use in 1951 to No. 201 Advanced Flying School at RAF Swinderby, where they were used to train pilots to fly multi-engined aircraft. It also equipped two Air Navigator Schools in 1952, and the Bomber Command Bombing school, with the job of training crews for RAF Bomber-Command's V-bomber crews.

    This is a cockpit from a Vickers Varsity. The Varsity is a retired British twin-engined crew trainer operated by the Royal Air Force from 1951 to 1976. The first production aircraft were delivered for operational use in 1951 to No. 201 Advanced Flying School at RAF Swinderby, where they were used to train pilots to fly multi-engined aircraft. It also equipped two Air Navigator Schools in 1952, and the Bomber Command Bombing school, with the job of training crews for RAF Bomber-Command's V-bomber crews.

  • The type was withdrawn from service with the RAF in May 1976, its role as a pilot trainer being taken over by the Scottish Aviation Jetstream T1, and as a navigation trainer by the Hawker Siddeley Dominie T1. The last flying example (Serial WL679) was operated by the Royal Aircraft Establishment; it was retired into preservation at the RAF Museum in 1992

    The type was withdrawn from service with the RAF in May 1976, its role as a pilot trainer being taken over by the Scottish Aviation Jetstream T1, and as a navigation trainer by the Hawker Siddeley Dominie T1. The last flying example (Serial WL679) was operated by the Royal Aircraft Establishment; it was retired into preservation at the RAF Museum in 1992

  • A mock up and mural of a crashed Anson trainer aircraft with the crew sitting around waiting to be rescued.

    A mock up and mural of a crashed Anson trainer aircraft with the crew sitting around waiting to be rescued.

  • The Rolls-Royce Gnome is a British turboshaft engine originally developed by the de Havilland Engine Company as a licence-built General Electric T58, an American mid-1950s design.[1] The Gnome came to Rolls-Royce after their takeover of Bristol Siddeley in 1968, Bristol having absorbed de Havilland Engines Limited in 1961. A free-turbine turboshaft, it was used in helicopters such as the Westland Sea King and Westland Whirlwind.

    The Rolls-Royce Gnome is a British turboshaft engine originally developed by the de Havilland Engine Company as a licence-built General Electric T58, an American mid-1950s design.[1] The Gnome came to Rolls-Royce after their takeover of Bristol Siddeley in 1968, Bristol having absorbed de Havilland Engines Limited in 1961. A free-turbine turboshaft, it was used in helicopters such as the Westland Sea King and Westland Whirlwind.

  • After a career with only 33 Sqn, XH837 was placed into storage at Kemble, before being reduced to a cockpit section. The nose section was then moved to Bicester, and later on to No.114 ATC Sqn as 8032M in 1968. XH837 was later moved to Northolt fire section before being disposed of in April 1986 to the Caernafon Airwold Museum. This is a FAW.7 variant, introduced new Sa.7 engines with 11,000 lbf (48.9 kN) thrust each, powered rudder, extended rear fuselage. Armed with two 30 mm ADEN plus four Firestreak air-to-air missiles. FAW 7s equipping two squadrons were armed with four ADEN cannon only; 142 produced. AI.17 radar installed.

    After a career with only 33 Sqn, XH837 was placed into storage at Kemble, before being reduced to a cockpit section. The nose section was then moved to Bicester, and later on to No.114 ATC Sqn as 8032M in 1968. XH837 was later moved to Northolt fire section before being disposed of in April 1986 to the Caernafon Airwold Museum. This is a FAW.7 variant, introduced new Sa.7 engines with 11,000 lbf (48.9 kN) thrust each, powered rudder, extended rear fuselage. Armed with two 30 mm ADEN plus four Firestreak air-to-air missiles. FAW 7s equipping two squadrons were armed with four ADEN cannon only; 142 produced. AI.17 radar installed.

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