A PERMANENT exhibition featuring the evolution of the Irish Air Corps over the past century will be opened at the Shannon Aviation Museum on Tuesday by Air Corps Commanding Officer Brigadier General Rory O’Connor.
The exhibition includes an Air Corps Fouga Magister F216, previously on display at Collins Barracks and a Reims Rocket Cessna 172, which is the longest active aircraft in the fleet with 47 years’ service.
The installation of the permanent exhibition coincides with this year’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Irish Air Corps.
It will also mark the 83rd anniversary of the first Irish Air Corps deployment to Shannon Airport on 30th August 1939.
Flying and technical crews were trained and a detachment was dispatched to the newly constructed Rineanna, now known as Shannon Airport, aircraft to carry out coastal patrol duties.
The detachment consisted of three Avro Anson and two Walrus aircraft, 11 officers, (ten pilots and a signals officer) and 77 enlisted personnel. A medical officer and three other staff brought the strength to 92 on the first day.
Family members of that first detachment will be present at Tuesday’s ceremony which will be addressed by Shannon Airport Group chief executive Mary Considine and local Oireachtas members.
Founded in 2008, the Shannon Aviation Museum is an interactive museum and aviation discovery centre, engaging those who have a passing interest as well as those who have a passionate interest in aviation.
The Aviation Discovery Centre offers access to information and practical insight into aviation careers through its range of education programmes designed to inspire and nurture the next generation.
