Aircraft Displays and Exhibitions

A large collection of replica historical aircraft that were displayed in three main areas around the park: the R.N.A.S

(Royal Naval Air Service) Exhibition, the Fleet Air Arm Exhibit and the Schneider Trophy Exhibit.

Location:

R.N.A.S Exhibition

Then – In and around hangers, next to the showground

Now – This area is now part of Calypso Quay

Fleet Air Arm Exhibit

Then – Near the Mountbatten Pavilion on the shore of Abbey Lake

Now – This area is now the part of Lost City where Vortex and Zodiac stand

Schneider Trophy Exhibit

Then – On a section of land that jutted out into Abbey Lake

Now – This area of the lake was later infilled and redeveloped to become Canada Creek

Official Thorpe Park Description:

The Attraction:

In the early years of Thorpe Park Leisure Sport Ltd owned a large collection of replica historical aircraft. These were displayed around the park in three main exhibits: the R.N.A.S Exhibition, the Fleet Air Arm Exhibit and the Schneider Trophy Exhibit.

Each of these exhibits showcased aircraft relevant to their themes:

The R.N.A.S (Royal Naval Air Service) was the air arm of the Royal Navy from 1914 – 1918. So this exhibition was home to replicas of some of the greatest fighting planes from the WW1 era.

The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the Royal Navy responsible for the operation of aircraft. It was founded in 1937 and is still in service today. This exhibit contained examples of aircraft from WW2 onwards.

The Schneider Trophy exhibit contained replicas of aircraft that were entered into the completion with which the exhibit shared its name. The Schneider Trophy was a prize competition for Seaplanes that was held 11 times between 1913 and 1931.

Some of the aircraft at the park were airworthy and took part in flying displays, where as some were only static displays.

These included:

Airworthy

Airco DH2 G-BFVH

Albatros D.Va G-BFXL

Fokker Dr.I G-BEFR

Fokker D.VII G-BFPL

Fokker D.VIII G-BHCA

Sopwith Camel G-AWWY

Sopwith Camel G-BFCZ

Sopwith Strutter G-BIDW

Spad XIII G-PFYO

Supermarine S.5 G-BDFF

Static

Airco DH2 BAPC-112

Bristol M.IC BAPC-135

Curtiss RC3-2 BAPC-140

Deperdussin 1913 Floatplane BAPC-136

Fokker DR.I BAPC-139

Fokker D.VII BAPC-110

Hansa-Brandenburg W.29 BAPC-138

Macchi.M39 BAPC-141

SE5a BAPC-113

Sopwith Triplane BAPC-111

Sopwith Baby BAPC-137

Supermarine S.6B BAPC-156

Vickers Viking IV BAPC-114

More information about these aircraft can be found on this forum discussion on the Aviation Forum: http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=561

Another replica aircraft on show was the R100. HM Airship R100 was a privately designed and built rigid airship that was manufactured by Vickers and first flew in 1929.

By the mid to late 1980’s most of the collection had left the park with most of the replicas being sold to other collectors and museums, this then opened up new areas of the park for development including the area that is now Canada Creek.

Memories of The Aircraft Displays and Exhibitions:

Merchandise: