A Triumph of Initiative and Vision

The Solent Sky depicts the history of aviation in the Solent area and Hampshire. This small geographical area was arguably the most important area in the world for aircraft experimental and development work also for civil and military aircraft operation. The Museum tells the story of 26 aircraft companies, the largest flying boat operation in the world and in particular the legendary Spitfire designed at Supermarine by R.J.Mitchell in the heart of the City of Southampton.

The Southampton Hall of Aviation owes its very existence to a bold initiative of the Commanding Officer of 424 Southampton Squadron of the Air Training Corps, Sqn/Ldr Alan Jones. The Air Training Corps (A.T.C.) with the vision of Southampton City Council enabled them to bring this commendable venture to the success it enjoys today.

The ATC Cadets together with their Officers and Instructors were instrumental in setting up the first R.J. Mitchell Memorial Museum in 1976. Prior to this initiative the Southampton Junior Chamber of Commerce had made a stirling effort in trying to achieve a similar goal, but the scheme had been fraught with many problems not least of which was raising sufficient money for a purpose built building. Alan Jones suggested that a realistic and economic way forward would be to use a redundant building alongside the A.T.C. Headquarters which was at that time in Havelock Road (near the Southampton Central railway station) and which had formerly been a NAAFI canteen and dance hall. He also volunteered the services of his Squadron to undertake a large share of the practical work involved. The Southampton City Council duly approved the release of the hall to the newly-formed R.J.Mitchell Committee. With the help of the A.T.C. Squadron, a Spitfire and the original Supermarine S6A Schneider Trophy racing seaplane (both designed by Mitchell), it was opened to the public in 1976. Although necessarily restricted to the Supermarine aircraft company and the work of its legendary Chief Designer, their efforts alone enabled the new Museum to operate successfully for the next 8 years as a self-supporting venture.

The Southampton Hall of Aviation (Solent Sky) relies on visitor attendance and donations to keep the museum open. In this modern day rising costs are making this harder to achieve. Please help us keep the doors open by donating to our charity. Every penny helps, simply use the Paypal link to donate via your credit card, you do not need to have a Paypal account to do this. Thank you.