Kevin Webster, Associate Director at Clowes Developments, was honoured to attend the grand opening of the Hucknall Flight Test Museum on Friday 4 April 2025.
In 2024, Clowes Developments acquired the 31-acre Harrier Park site in Hucknall from Rolls-Royce, a location with a storied legacy in engineering innovation. Originally an aerodrome, the site played a pivotal role in the development of the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine during World War II and later the groundbreaking vertical take-off technology that led to the Harrier ‘Jump Jet’.
The newly opened Hucknall Flight Test Museum—the UK’s only surviving pre-war aero-engine test facility—is housed in the Grade II listed Hucknall Wing Hangars, constructed in 1944 to support Merlin and Griffon engine testing. The museum features iconic exhibits, including the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, which powered legendary aircraft such as the Spitfire, Hurricane, and Lancaster Bomber.
Adjacent to the museum, Harrier Park is set for regeneration, with planning permission secured for 500,000 sq ft of warehouse and industrial space across six buildings.
In recognition of the site’s aviation legacy, Clowes Developments is collaborating with the Hucknall Flight Test Museum and Ashfield District Council to relocate the Rolls-Royce Thrust Measuring Rig—affectionately known as ‘The Flying Bedstead’—to a dedicated heritage area within Harrier Park for public enjoyment.
The museum’s official opening was attended by local dignitaries, guests, and descendants of Lord Hives of Duffield, the visionary Rolls-Royce chairman who established Hucknall’s Flight Test Establishment. The event also featured:
- Sir Mark Spencer, King’s Bachelor and former MP for Sherwood, who joined long-serving volunteer John Housley in cutting the ribbon. Sir Mark has championed the museum since its inception in 2015.
- Michelle Welsh MP, the Member for Sherwood, who continues to support the project enthusiastically.
The open day drew strong local support, including from Kevin Webster, who remarked:
“It was a privilege to attend this remarkable opening. The trustees and volunteers have created a fitting tribute to Hucknall’s aviation history. My thanks to Alan Spray and the team for their warm welcome—we wish them every success.”
The Hucknall Flight Test Museum is currently open for pre-booked group visits on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with additional days subject to volunteer availability. While entry is free, donations are gratefully received. To arrange a visit, email shrnsev@aol.com.
