The Artefacts Collection

FAST has collected, and has been donated, an extensive archive of scientific, engineering, experimental and social artefacts, as well as a wide range of experimental devices, laboratory artefacts and flight trial specialist equipments.

Currently they number over 7000 and virtually all originate from the RAE – from almost all departments within the RAE and from its long history; from the staff at Farnborough during its closing down period; and later from donations by QinetiQ, DSTL, the Aviation Industry and a number of individuals who worked at, or were connected with the staff at RAE.

Most of the artefacts are unique, one-off items that were produced and used for the research and development programmes at Farnborough and its outstations (Bedford, Aberporth, Pyestock etc.). Amongst the archive there are a range of wind-tunnel models, aerial photography cameras and fittings, a complete range of Flying Clothing and Helmets, instrumentation, radio and radar items, guided weapons, gas turbines, small wind-tunnels, space department items and many, many more.

All items are entered on an electronic database after being tagged and photographed. Only about 2% of the archive total is displayed in the FAST Museum (due to restricted space available) and the remainder is held in the reserve collection on the G1 Museum site.

The larger artefacts, such as the Concorde engine, intakes and exhaust buckets, NGTE Pyestock research test rigs, Pendine rocket sled, gas turbine engines etc. are stored in a new building on the same site.  Some engines are out on loan.

Enquiries & Access

If you wish to see any of our archives or artefacts, or to enquire whether we have a particular item, please see Enquiries & Access for details and forms.