Opening of the Study Collection AE ​​​​​​​​​​​​​

7 October 2025 | Faculty of Aerospace Engineering

Design from Minor Spaces of Display and original drawing from study collection (photographer Johannes Schwarz).

TU Delft opens brand-new exhibition of aerospace cultural heritage

We’re very pleased to invite you to the official opening of the new permanent exhibition of the study collection at Aerospace Engineering, TU Delft, on Tuesday 7 October 2025.

The study collection of the faculty of Aerospace Engineering is one of the oldest collections at TU Delft. At the end of the Second World War lecturers at the new aviation department at TH Delft started the collection by purchasing aircraft directly from the Allied Forces in order to use them for education. In 1965 the Aircraft Hall was built to house the growing collection of aircraft and construction parts. Throughout the years many of the aircraft have been sold or deconstructed with only the most relevant parts remaining in the collection.

Today, the collection consists of these original components and more modern objects, such as a wind tunnel model of the very first Nuna solar car, a piece of fuselage made from TU Delft composite material GLARE, a replica of a Mars Rover and parts of the original TU Delft designed Delfi satellites. Some objects, the Martin Baker C-2 ejection seat for example, are on display throughout the faculty buildings. Most of the study collection is housed in the faculty basement. The biggest pieces, such as an entire Extra400 aircraft, are in storage away from the campus.

The brand-new exhibition will be officially opened as one of the activities in the faculty Lustrum Year. From 11.00 to 16.00 staff, students and guests are welcome to visit the exhibition and talk to experts from the Heritage Team and the Minor.

Programme

11.00 - 16.00 Open Day for all staff, students and guests

16.30 – 17.00 Official opening Henri Werij, Dean Aerospace Engineering,

and Irene Haslinger, Director TU Delft Library

17.00 – 18.30 Drinks

Location

Delft University of Technology

Faculty of Aerospace Engineering

Building 62

Kluyverweg 1

2629 HS Delft

The Netherlands