A REVAMPED museum in Test Valley is to reopen under a new name.

The Museum of Army Flying in Middle Wallop will reopen to the public on April 1 as the Army Flying Museum.

This comes after it has undergone a £2.5 million revamp.

As previously reported, the museum’s archive, which currently holds 500,000 documents and 30,000 photographs, is being expanded and modernised.

The museum focuses on telling the international story of British Army flying, from the eve of D-Day to operations including the Falklands and Afghanistan.

The recent revamp aims to get visitors re-engaged with these stories and will also feature a three-year community, educational and volunteer programme to include a new learning and school programme, oral history project, pop-up museum, internship programme and children’s club on site.

The museum closed in autumn 2018 and will now reopen in April.

Chris Munns, chief executive officer, said: “Since the museum’s closure the inside is already unrecognisable with internal walls knocked down, new ones put up, aircraft temporarily or permanently removed from exhibition halls and everywhere brick dust and noise.

“The building work is being undertaken by contractors but much of the aircraft movement work is being undertaken by our volunteers. The major building work was completed before Christmas and this year the emphasis will turn to new exhibition fit out.”

As previously reported, the Apache Café at the site is also being refurbished.

Mr Munns said the cafe will reopen to the public on February 4.

He added: “Our regular friends will see an enormous difference with new exhibits, better lighting and exciting audio visual displays. We will be a fully equipped 21st century attraction.”

As previously reported, the museum’s application for £1.59 million National Lottery funding was given the green light last year and a further £900,000 was raised by the museum itself to fund Project Eagle.

The project is also aimed at boosting visitor numbers and revitalise the museum’s displays.