Visit to Ulster Aviation Society

Some 35 eager members met in a local barista bar in Hillsborough and took the short drive to the venue where we were greeted by four members of the society which was founded in 1968. They explained how they were a charitable society working on a voluntary basis and are part of a small army of enthusiasts dedicated to rebuilding and preserving the impressive collection of over 45 aircraft all with strong links to aviation within the island of Ireland.

Entering with our guide Maurice he explained in detail the various exhibits, Phantom, Sea Hawk, Tornado and Buccaneer jets along with Puma and Wessex helicopters some of them having been used in our troubled past.

We were invited to take a seat in the Short Bros SD3-30 which was exported all over the world and viewed their Seacat missiles that were made at their missile division in Belfast.

We were told of Lillian Bland and Harry Ferguson who both designed built and flew the first linen planes in Ireland. Also included was local man, James Martin, who changed the safety record of aviation by inventing the ejector seat back in 1944.

We left feeling proud of our ancestors and the big input they had made to aviation history.