East Lothian, UK — A planned £3.6 million redevelopment of the National Museum of Flight at East Fortune has moved up a gear, with it passing Heritage Lottery Fund first round criteria for a £1.3 million grant. Two nationally significant Second World War hangars will be restored and new exhibitions of military, leisure and smaller civil aircraft created in them, should full funding be secured.
National Museums Scotland now has up to two years to submit detailed plans to the Heritage Lottery Fund. With a first-round endorsement, its chances of getting the £1.3m grant are high.
The Scottish Government has pledged £1.8 million towards the £3.6m revamp and National Museums Scotland will seek the outstanding sum from trusts, foundations and the corporate sector.
Built in 1940-41, the hangars – part of the East Fortune Airfield Scheduled Monument – have long outlived the 10 years or so they were originally designed to last.
Restoration plans would keep the original building fabric and install heating for the first time.
A German-built rocket-powered Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet, the only rocket-powered interceptor ever built, plus a de Havilland Dragon, which ran the first passenger air services in and out of the Highlands and Islands, could be on show, plus uniforms, photos and flight technology brought out of storage.
Delighted by the first round pass award, Dr Gordon Rintoul, National Museums Scotland director, said detailed plans to transform the two hangars into “vibrant” new display spaces, worthy of NMS’ internationally significant collections, would now proceed.
Museum’s bid to restore hangars takes flight