A 6.5-TONNE engine will go on display at the National Museum of Flight from the beginning of next month.

The recently-acquired Boeing 747 engine is the latest attraction to be added to the museum, which already houses Scotland’s only Concorde, a Red Arrows Hawk and other aircraft.

The Rolls Royce RB211-524H turbofan engine will help the East Fortune museum tell the story of the Boeing 747 aircraft, which first took to the skies in 1969 and revolutionised long-haul air travel.

As the first wide-bodied commercial passenger jet, it could transport increased passenger numbers, allowing ticket prices to be much lower and making air travel affordable for many more people.

In 2020, British Airways decided to withdraw its 747 fleet due to the impact of Covid-19 on air travel.

Steve McLean, general manager at the National Museum of Flight, said: “The National Museum of Flight contains some incredible aircraft and objects, each with a fascinating story to tell,so we’re delighted to be able to add to our collection with this newly acquired 747 engine.

“Its development enabled cities and countries to be connected in a way that wasn’t previously possible and opened up huge travel and business opportunities.

“The new arrival helps to cement our position as one of Europe’s major aviation museums and, together with our events programme, provides another great reason to visit this year.”

This weekend, National Lottery players will be able to enter the National Museum of Flight free of charge.

READ MORE: How to get free entry to the National Museum of Flight through the National Lottery

In addition to the new acquisition, this season at the National Museum of Flight will see the return of the attraction’s Second World War-themed Operation Sabotage escape room for over-14s.

The museum will also be running a number of family events from April 10 to 14 as part of the Edinburgh Science Festival, including a tour examining aircraft in the civil aviation hangar, and a technical challenge to build a glider.

The popular Awesome Bricks LEGO event returns on Fathers’ Day weekend (June 17-18) and offers the chance to see objects built by experts and adult LEGO fans as well as an opportunity for visitors to build something themselves.

The National Museum of Flight is located on the UK’s best-preserved Second World War airfield and families will also be encouraged to explore outdoors at the historic site through a special Summer Satchels initiative supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Visitors will be able to explore the rest of the museum’s displays telling the stories of military and civil aviation over the past century.

They can use the interactive exhibits in the family-friendly Fantastic Flight gallery to discover how aeroplanes fly and can learn about East Fortune’s wartime heritage in the attraction’s Fortunes of War exhibition.

Go to nms.ac.uk/flight for more information on the museum, which is currently open from 10am until 4pm at weekends.