Welcome to the ATA’s study and exhibition space - home of Grandma Flew Spitfires! and a fabulous SPITFIRE SIMULATOR.

The Air Transport Auxiliary Exhibition and Archive tells a forgotten story of courage, skill and sacrifice. 70 years on, it is difficult to believe that Britain was so desperate that the amateur pilots of Air Transport Auxiliary, (men and women), were allowed to fly dozens of different types of war plane between factories and front line squadrons. But it is true, as you will discover when you visit Grandma Flew Spitfires at Maidenhead Heritage Centre in Berkshire.

Why Maidenhead? Because Air Transport Auxiliary’s headquarters airfield was at White Waltham, just 30 seconds flying by Spitfire from Maidenhead Heritage Centre, where you will find one of the largest collections of ATA memorabilia and records anywhere in the world. For the first time, this Air Transport Auxiliary collection is now on permanent display. Come and discover the inspiring story of ordinary men and women who achieved extraordinary things.

Best of all, you can fly a Spitfire simulator, just like the intrepid men and women of Air Transport Auxiliary!

Saturday 19th May. The Grandma Flew Spitfires! exhibition and Spitfire Simulator will be closed after 3pm.

Saturday 26th May. The Grandma Flew Spitfires! exhibition and Spitfire Simulator will be closed until 1pm for filming by BBC TV for the series “How We Won The War”.

Spitfire Simulator: visitor comments

"A fantastic realistic simulator. I want one for my birthday"
"It was fun. I liked the rolling"
"Amazing - I was up there"
"Beautifully presented exhibition & wondeful Spitfire Simulator"

Here is one "young pilot" flying the Spitfire Simulator.

 

 

 

 

The Spitfire Simulator at Maidenhead Heritage Centre has recently been flown by a 91 yr old Air Transport Auxiliary veteran, who shows just how it should be done. If you want to see a video of his flight, click the following link: Peter Garrod's flight in the Spitfire Simulator

Notice the replica flight controls and wide screen pilot view - this is the most sophisticated Spit simulator available to the general public and is part of a permanent exhibition dedicated to the forgotten pilots of ATA.

 

"From Air Cadet to Air Marshal, via BOTH Gulf Wars"
Wednesday 14th March

Click the following link to find a report of the lecture.