“There is always satisfaction in being the first to do anything, whatever it may be”
Sir John Alcock, 1919
Breakthroughs in aviation often come through conflict, as a result of the need for aircraft to go faster, further, and higher to gain an advantage.
Brooklands was at the centre of some of the most significant innovations of the 20th century that have changed the way we travel today.
Discover the stories of the courage, skill and teamwork of the people behind two significant aviation milestones, demonstrating how far we have come in such a short space of time.
The exhibition celebrates two historic Transatlantic air races: the 100th anniversary of Alcock and Brown’s non-stop crossing of the Atlantic in a Brooklands-built Vickers Vimy in June 1919 and the records broken during the Daily Mail Transatlantic Air Race of 1969.
Plan your visit
Aircraft Park, Vimy Pavilion
Museum Map >
Step free access
Accessibility at the Museum >
DISCOVER THE STORIES
1919 - The Pilot:
John Alcock
John Alcock was obsessed with engineering and mechanics from childhood. He became an apprentice at the age of 16 at Empress Engineering in Manchester. In 1912, when Alcock delivered a newly-repaired Empress engine back to Brooklands, he made an instant impression and was offered a job.
At Brooklands, Alcock quickly gained his flying licence and began taking part in flying races. During the First World War he was posted to Turkey where he flew a Sopwith Camel and gained a Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry before being taken prisoner after ditching in Suvla Bay.
DISCOVER THE STORIES
1919 - The Navigator:
Arthur Whitten Brown
It is June 15th, the Imperial War Museum in London, and once again, a man stands alone, leaning heavily on his walking cane, looking up at the Vickers Vimy – the first aircraft to fly non-stop across the Atlantic. He has been here on this day every year for some time. Nobody recognises him. Even if they knew him as Mr Brown, they would probably be none the wiser. If they knew him to be the Brown in Alcock and Brown, very many would know him to be one of the most important aviation pioneers of the twentieth century.
DISCOVER THE STORIES
1919 - The Aircraft Designer:
Reginald Kirshaw ‘Rex’ Pierson
Starting out as a Vickers naval gun apprentice, Rex Pierson, would become the mastermind behind the Vimy’s success, the first aircraft he designed after being appointed Chief Designer for Vickers at the age of 26.
The Vimy was the first aircraft RKP design after being appointed Chief Designer, a post he held for 30 years. He worked closely with Barnes Wallis on the Vickers Wellington bomber and with George Edwards on the Viking and Viscount airliners.
DISCOVER THE STORIES
1969 - The Pilot:
Squadron Leader Tom Lecky-Thompson
Tom Lecky-Thompson joined the RAF at the age of 17, serving during the Suez Crisis with 249 Squadron in de Haviland Vampires. He moved on to flying Hawker Hunters with 1(F) Squadron before being despatched to Pakistan to instruct Pakistan Air Force pilots on operational use of the Hunter.
Lecky-Thompson was then selected for training at the prestigious Empire Test Pilots School. After completing his training he worked at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment at Boscombe Down. From here he was selected for the RAF entry into the Daily Mail Transatlantic Air Race thanks to his experience flying the Harrier.
DISCOVER THE STORIES
Ralph Hooper
1969 - The Aircraft Designer:
Ralph Hooper
One of the legendary team behind the Harrier, Ralph started out in the aviation industry at the age of 15, working his way up to become senior project engineer at Hawker Aircraft Ltd.
Hooper went on to become Chief Engineer at Hawker Siddeley Aviation, Kingston and led the design team of the Hawker Siddeley/BAe/Hawk, an advanced jet trainer most famous as the aircraft flown by RAF display team, the Red Arrows. The Hawk is still in production, with over 1000 built.
