Helping you explore the UK's incredible living history
in the air and on the road

Welcome to the world of

Aviation & Automotive Heritage

If you’re interested in how to relive and experience lots of Britain’s incredible pedigree on the ground and in the air, through our aviation and motoring & automotive industrial and social history, you’ve come to the right place!

I will be your host to these subjects, writing regular articles and features on anything and everything to do with these fascinating subjects, and bringing together other specialist contributors on their own expert areas! Despite the advent of Covid-19 in 2020, we are confident that the UK’s aviation and motoring venues will be all up and running with a full calendar of events to showcase the planes and vehicles in their collections as we move into 2021.

But I’m going to kick off with a look back in time, and start with what was going on in the UK, 100 years ago. Ironically, the world was just recovering from the impact of the Spanish Flu, the deadliest pandemic, which followed the end of WW1. But the innovation and the imagination of our pioneers in the air and on the road were clearly apparent!

Guy Thomas, Editor

Summer Airshows 2023

The airshow circuit this year takes off in May 2023. An occasion for all the family or aviation enthusiasts alike and here below is a list of some of the…

6th January 2022

Aviation, Special Events

Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar Tour

I recently visited Warbird Experiences Ltd’s Hangar 204/5 at the iconic airfield, for a tour of the various Spitfires on display. Not only were there the two twin seater aircraft…

12th October 2021

Aviation, Places

Post War flying in the 1920s – Moths pioneer a new air age 100 years ago

Following the end of WW1, the development of passenger air travel and the use of light aircraft for pleasure flying marked the beginning of a desire for people to ‘take…

27th November 2020

Aviation, Themed

Full steam ahead for Tinkers Park Bus Rally

With lockdown restrictions slowly easing it’s time to look forward to the rest of the summer and the events fortunate enough to go ahead. Tinkers Park Bus Rally and Model…

29th June 2021

Automotive, Special Events, Themed

Great British Car Journey – the UK’s newest visitor attraction

Welcome to the UK’s newest visitor attraction: Great British Car Journey has opened its doors at a former wire works factory on the banks of the River Derwent in Ambergate,…

10th June 2021

Automotive, Themed

A short history of Southdown in East Sussex

The First World War was directly responsible for the formation of Southdown Motor Services Ltd. As a result of fuel supplies being cut, staff being signed up for military service…

17th February 2021

Automotive, Themed

Comeback for cherished British motor bike brands

Britain’s great motor bike marques have included: HRD Vincent, Triumph, BSA and Norton, amongst the many manufactured in the UK over the years. In India, an enthusiasm for them has…

17th February 2021

Automotive

Sporting cars of the 20’s – MG leads the way on the racetrack and the open road

Morris Garages had opened in 1913 and was building cars at Cowley, near Oxford. A young Cecil Kimber joined the company as Sales Manager in 1921. He took over as…

27th November 2020

Automotive, Themed

2021 Anniversaries of a few aviation and auto achievements

Aviation Anniversaries 30 years ago 17th January 1991 was the first day of Operation ‘Desert Storm’ when a US, UK, French and other coalition forces led a defence force to…

3rd February 2021

Aviation & Automotive, Themed

Aviation and Motoring restoration – the latest examples of iconic aircraft and vehicles – and the creation of new versions!

The world of restoration and rebuilds is HUGE and there are many examples of aircraft and vehicles that have been beautifully restored to their former glory. I’ve included just a…

22nd January 2021

Aviation & Automotive, Themed

History of speed achievements in aviation and motoring

Aviation The history of speed records is littered with many prominent attempts to drive faster, fly distances in shorter times and achieve a ‘first’ as either a driver or a…

19th January 2021

Aviation & Automotive, Themed

Bristol Company builds up business in both aeroplanes, cars and commercial vehicles

The Bristol Aeroplane Company, formed in 1910, at Filton, was originally known as the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company. As one of the first British aviation companies, over 70 years,…

1st December 2020

Aviation & Automotive, Themed

Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar Tour

I recently visited Warbird Experiences Ltd’s Hangar 204/5 at the iconic airfield, for a tour of the various Spitfires on display. Not only were there the two twin seater aircraft giving passenger flights, but also the four or five spitfires under rebuild to flying condition. Other aircraft included one of the original Messerschmitt 109s’ still […]

Shuttleworth Collection

Famous collection of mainly airworthy vintage aircraft, plus motor bikes and veteran cars, founded by the late Richard Ormonde Shuttleworth. Its airshows which run from May to October, are superb. Adjacent to the collection is the 19th Century Swiss Garden. Website: www.shuttleworth.org/the-collection Postcode: SG18 9EP

Grampian Transport Museum

Award-winning museum boasting a range of transport exhibits, from travelling chariots of the 1800’s to some of the fastest cars ever made. Website: www.gtm.org.uk Postcode: AB33 8AE

Riverside Museum, Glasgow

Purpose-built museum housing the city’s transport and technology collections which reflect the important part Glasgow has played through its contributions to industries such as shipbuilding, train manufacturing and engineering. Website: www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/venues/riverside-museum Postcode: G3 8RS