About the Museum
The Midland Air Museum as it is today represents many years of dedicated commitment by our volunteers and staff who have helped to establish one of the country's leading self-funded independent aviation museums.
We believe it is very important that our museum provides the opportunity for visitors of all ages to experience the world of aviation in a friendly and informal environment.
In 2008 we acquired the status of a Nationally Accredited Museum which is a recognition of our achievements over many years. This award is one that we are very proud of and is also a benchmark for our ongoing future development.
May I take this opportunity on behalf of the Staff and Volunteers of the Midland Air Museum to welcome you to the Museum and would like to thank you for your support.
Barry James
Chairman of the Trustees
The History of the Midland Air Museum
The Midland Air Museum is a unique aeronautical collection. Started in 1967 by a small group of local aircraft enthusiasts as the Midland Aircraft Preservation Society (MAPS), they started to collect books, photographs and aircraft parts. With no permanent home MAPS exhibited at air displays and fetes to raise money for further acquisitions.
In 1975 a lease was secured for a small plot of land on the North side of Coventry airport which laid the foundations for a permanent museum. MAPS changed its name in 1977 to Midland Air Museum (MAM) and became a Charitable Trust with Educational Charity status following in 1979.
With just five aircraft on display the Midland Air Museum first opened to the public on Sunday 2nd APril 1978 with 67 visitors.
Following the arrival of the Vulcan bomber in 1983 and the Argosy freighter in 1987 the museum further developed by moving onto its present site and establishing the Sir Frank Whittle Jet Heritage Centre. MAM became one the first independent aviation museums to achieve the government's Museum and Galleries prestigious registration status in 1990.
A World War II Robin Hangar was acquired and erected in 1995 giving the Museum valuable covered space for restoration projects and displays.
After a period of consolidation several new exhibits were acquired from the late 1990s onwards including the iconic MiG-21, revolutionary Sea Harrier 'jump jet' and our first all-composite aircraft, the CMC Leopard.
MAM has displayed at many outside events including the SBAC Show at Farnborough and has forged many links with the local community and with educational bodies such as Coventry University and industry at local, national and international levels.
During 2008 the Museum was awarded National Accreditation status and plans to build on its continued success in the future.
The Museum now employs one full time Manager and three other permanent staff members but is lucky to rely upon a large volunteer workforce. An active youth programme is in place to bring new people into the restoration scene and countless hours of unpaid work by juniors as young as 14 up to senior citizens in their 80s have gone into establishing, maintaining and improving this, the Midland Air Museum.
