South East England | Hampshire | Museums | The Museum of Army Flying

The heroic story of the army in the air from nineteenth century observation balloons to attack helicopters! The museum is home to a national collection of military kites, World War 2 gliders, aeroplanes and helicopters. With imaginative displays and dioramas the museum traces the development of army flying from pre World War 1 to today's modern Army Air Corps. In 1941 Winston Churchill identified the need for combating the tactic that was being used by the enemy of directing artillery fire from the air and the use of gliders, by the formation of our own force. In February 1942 the Glider Pilot Regiment was formed followed in December 1942 by the Air Observation Post Squadron. The elite who made up these forces played a unique - and never to be repeated - part in World War 2. The survivors are now very elderly gentlemen. Their exploits and heroic bravery must never be forgotten and it is more than ever necessary to provide a suitable home for the archives recording the exploits of those whom Churchill called "Total Soldiers". The Glider Pilot Regiment regard the Museum as their spiritual home and sole guardian of their unique heritage.