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Terrell
Things to Do in Terrell
No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum
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No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum

See all things to do
See all things to do
No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum
5
55 reviews
#1 of 16 things to do in Terrell
Speciality Museums
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10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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We are a military history museum located at the site of one of six British Flying Training Schools operated in the US during WW II. Come and see one of the only RAF Museums currently in the United States.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
55 reviews
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48
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7
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Jana B
Mansfield, TX34 contributions
No. 1 British Flight Training School Museum, Terrell, Texas
Jun 2022 • Couples
This Museum is truly a hidden gem at the Terrell Municipal Airport. Very few people know about the rich World War II history in Terrell. The town was home to the No. 1 British Flight Training School. The museum is very well laid out and full of information and artifacts of the period. Well worth the time to visit this Museum.
Written June 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
David Dixon
2 contributions
Visit in memory of my father
Sep 2019
My wife and I visited in September 2018, 75 years ago to the day, my father Master Pilot A Dixon won his RAF wings at this British flying training school.
We had a guided tour of all the exhibits and found them most interesting and informative. We had come for the air pageant but thunderstorms put paid to that and was cancelled. Please do visit and support this wonderful institution you will not be disappointed your children will love it too, enjoy. 🇬🇧🇺🇸
Written August 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
okiesooner09
Oklahoma365 contributions
A little known piece of WWII history
Mar 2021
Because of the war raging over their island, British pilots couldn't learn to fly in their homeland. Several British flying schools were set up in the United States. One was established near to my home town but it doesn't have a museum. I was looking forward to seeing this one and I was not disappointed. Most of the museum is dedicated to No. 1 school but all of the schools were very similar and there is a display for each of the schools.

They start you off with a short, informative movie. They had lots of memorabilia and exhibits pertaining to the school and British pilots that came to train. I was impressed with the Link trainer they had on display. I've seen many Link trainers in museums and always wondered how they worked. This was the first one I’d seen that had all of the electronic stuff that went with it to make it work and record the pilot’s flight. They had a hanger behind the museum with an AT-6 they were restoring. There is also a scarce "Provost" British jet trainer plane next to the hanger.
Written April 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jeff D
Corpus Christi, TX20 contributions
Great little piece of History!
May 2018 • Couples
This is a must stop for aviation fans. History of the British pilots who did their initial flight training in a safe place during WW2. Who knew! Right here in the heart of Texas at this little airfield in Terrell, TX. Great people...knowledgeable and informative...fabulous little break in our drive across the state. This is a must see!
Written May 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TallTexWally
Texarkana, Texas680 contributions
Museum Dedicated to British WW II Pilots Trained in Texas
Sep 2016 • Solo
This museum is located at the Terrell, TX Airport. It gives the history of the British men who came to Texas during World War II to learn how to be pilots. Even before the USA entered the war in 1941 it was agreed that Great Britain should send future RAF pilots to be trained in Terrell. A new airfield was created out of cotton fields. Through the years of WW II class after class arrived, were trained, and graduated. They went back to England to fight the Germans. Many lost their lives. There were casualties even during training in Texas. 20 of them are buried in Terrell's Oakland Memorial Cemetery, located on US 80 on the west side of town. The section where there graves are located is considered "forever a part of England." One of the tragic mishaps that happened during training was when several planes flew north across the Red River into Oklahoma and crashed into the Ouachita Mountains. They were flying too low and didn't realize a mountain was in front of them. I've visited the crash site. It's in Pushmataha County, north of Antlers, OK. The museum itself is larger than I expected, filled with interesting exhibits, including photos of all the classes of airmen who trained in Terrell. It's called the "No. 1 British Flying School" because it was the first one established in the USA. Several others were built in other states before the war ended. Another interesting fact I learned was how much the people of Terrell opened their hearts and homes to these young Englishmen. It reminded me of how the English people welcomed the US servicemen who arrived in England to get ready for the Normandy invasion. The US and Great Britain were truly allies during the war, and we shouldn't forget that. I also found it interesting that the pilots to be took a long journey to reach the school in Terrell. They sailed by ship, probably to New York, and then took the train across the USA, arriving at the Texas and Pacific RR station in Terrell. There are photos of some of the servicemen at the station ready to board the train to return to England. We are so used to flying to where we need to go these days that we forget that even though these men were pilots, they still had to get back to England by train, and then ship. To find the museum, take the Highway 34 exit from I - 20 and go north for about a mile. Highway 34 becomes Virginia Street. Make a right turn on Airport Road and head east a short distance to the Terrell Airport. Look for Silent Wings Boulevard and make a right turn. This is a small street, and at first you may wonder if this is actually the road leading to the museum. It is. The road will turn left past some industrial buildings. The museum itself is in a small building on the left. I noticed the signs for it were a bit obscure, so keep your eyes open. There are just a few parking spaces in front of the building. The museum is open on only a few days a week, at certain hours, so check the schedule before you go. This is a great place to stop and learn something about the tremendous effort and sacrifice that so many were willing to take during WW II, and how Great Britain and the USA worked together against the common enemy.
Written November 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Andrew P
Dallas, TX99 contributions
Fascinating place!
Oct 2016 • Couples
This small, super clean museum is a great stop! Along the airport and easy to find. Super friendly docents. Short 10 minute intro film explains the why and how it came to be. The tour can be accompanied or done singly. Be sure to go out back to see the plane. The admittance is by donation only, so be generous. Great folks and a great place. Well worth the visit. Thanks!
Written October 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jacqueline G
Dallas, TX7 contributions
Retired, traveling in rv
Aug 2016
We have found in our travels, some of the nicest museums are the little out of the way places. This was one of those. Needs better signage. Road into museum was a little rough. Museum was interesting. Short video at beginning. Did not know that we trained British flyers during WWII. If you are an airplane buff or have interest in WWII this is a find.
Written August 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lou K
Aubrey, TX10 contributions
Great Little Museum
Jul 2016 • Couples
We went to the museum as a way to beat the heat and to learn a little more about the war effort. Had lots of little exhibits, like log books and uniforms to look at. Its main feature is the training plane they are restoring that shows the difference in cockpits between the British student pilots and the American counterpart instructors.
The building itself is small, but well arranged, the volunteers are knowledgeable and very welcoming. Also as a person who uses a service dog, the people were very respectful and nice to both of us. Highly recommended for anyone interested in world history.
Written July 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
trsandsas
Terrell, TX31 contributions
Most Exciting!
May 2012
I had the opportunity to take on of my very good friends for a visit! He was in WWll and has written several books about the war. He gave the BFTSM a signed copy of his book and they were very grateful!
Written September 7, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
David
Rockwall, TX26 contributions
British Museum on US Soil
Jun 2019
Before the US entered WWII, aspiring British pilots were trained in the US. The FIRST of these locations is in Terrell, Texas, and the historical museum to honor that time and their sacrifice is located near the Terrell Airport on BFTS Blvd. It IS a must see. I understand that it is the ONLY British museum on US Soil. You can see an old flight simulator, lots of old photos and uniforms, and a great bit of American and British history. Don't miss it !!
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum (Terrell) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum is open:
  • Wed - Sat 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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