Spitfire Visitor's Centre Hangar 42 Blackpool Airport

Spitfire Visitor’s Centre, Hangar 42, Blackpool Airport Squires Gate Lane,

Blackpool, FY4 2QY

We have arranged an evening visit to the above attraction for Tuesday 27th August 2024. We will meet at the hangar at 6.45 pm for the tour to start at 7.00 pm.

The Hangar 42 collection has five Spitfire replicas, of various marks. Their collection also includes the Hawker Hurricane MKI and the Messerschmidt BF109e. All the aircraft being lovingly restored with original wartime parts, bringing these iconic aircraft back to life. For a small fee, visitors can take the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of one of the Spitfires and have a number of unique photographs taken to mark their visit. Please note that certain height, weight, age and “agility” conditions apply for those wishing to access the cockpit.

Hangar 42 was constructed for the Air Ministry in May 1939. Squires Gate was commandeered for the Royal Air Force and became a key Airfield for RAF groundcrew and aircrew training. Night Fighter cover was provided for the North West from Blackpool, with RAF and Polish Aircrews flying providing Night Fighter operations from Hangar 42 throughout the war. The building has been thoughtfully refurbished to its original WW2 appearance, whisking visitors back in time to 1940.

As a busy operational Airfield, running alongside the Vickers Aircraft factory, Squires Gate would have had Wellington Bombers, Hawker Hurricanes and Boulton Paul Defiant’s regularly in the circuit above Blackpool. Airspeed AS10 Oxfords, Botha’s and the occasional Spitfire would have also been commonplace on the Airfield and within Hangar 42.

Famous Aviation Pioneer and ATA Pilot Amy Johnson also flew her last fateful mission from RAF Squires Gate in 1941.

For members wanting refreshments during their visit there is a NAAFI café in the museum where you may purchase hot and cold drinks, biscuits and cakes.

The cost is £10 per person payable on the night to the museum, and if you wish to sit in the Spitfire cockpit an additional fee of £5 per person is payable.