Emma visited the ‘History of Aerospace’ display at the Wolverhampton Archives Centre, formerly the Molineux Hotel. The exhibition, which is free to the public and open until 30th March 2012, charts Wolverhampton’s rich history in the aerospace industry through original documents, photographs, books and newspaper articles.

Aerospace has long been at the heart of Wolverhampton’s industry. The North Wolverhampton aerospace cluster was established in the 1930s when Boulton Paul (now Moog), Hobsons (now Goodrich) and Marston Ltd. set up factories. Locally manufactured Boulton Paul Defiant planes were used alongside the Spitfire in the Battle of Britain. The Municipal Airport at Pendeford and the airfield at Perton also featured in the display.

Emma Reynolds MP, who is Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Aerospace, said “Our City has a rich historical heritage in aerospace. The Wolverhampton Archives and Local Studies Centre display on the industry charts the long history of the aerospace industry’s success in Wolverhampton. Currently, aerospace is one of the few private sectors showing new growth and creating jobs locally.”