The collection includes a rare Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B that saw service in the 1991 Gulf War.
The resident Avro Shackleton WR982 is one of the few examples of the type capable of taxiing under its own power.
The site features a preserved Gloster Meteor, the first jet-powered aircraft to enter service with the Royal Air Force.
Several exhibits were recovered from crash sites or long-term outdoor storage and underwent multi-year restoration projects.
The hangar architecture allows for internal viewing of aircraft that would otherwise be exposed to the elements.
The museum serves as a repository for historical artifacts related to the development of Gatwick Airport.
The Gatwick Aviation Museum houses an extensive collection of British aircraft spanning from the Second World War through the 1970s. The site features the largest display of Shackleton aircraft in the world, including the Shackleton WR982 which is maintained in ground-running condition. The museum is located on the edge of the Charlwood village, directly adjacent to the western boundary of London Gatwick Airport. Visitors can observe the preservation work occurring in the onsite hangar where volunteers restore historical airframes. The collection includes notable Cold War-era jets such as the English Electric Lightning and the Blackburn Buccaneer. The facility occupies a hangar space originally built to support private flight activities and local aviation history. Exhibits include cockpit sections, aero engines, and a variety of aviation memorabilia. The museum emphasizes the heritage of British aerospace engineering and local regional aviation history.
The nose-on view of the Avro Shackleton inside the main hangar provides the most iconic perspective.
Check the museum's official website for 'engine run' event dates to see aircraft perform ground maneuvers.
Wear sturdy footwear as the hangar floor and outdoor display areas can be uneven.
Allow extra time to speak with the volunteers, who often have direct personal experience with the aircraft types on display.
Do not attempt to walk from the airport terminal to the museum, as there is no pedestrian-safe route.
Typically open to the public on weekends and select bank holidays; closed during the winter months.
Do not touch aircraft surfaces unless explicitly permitted by signage or staff; maintain respectful distances from active restoration zones.
