Tank Museum

Key Facts

What’s Here

Located at the home of the Royal Armoured Corps, the Tank Museum comprises a collection of some 350 tanks and other military vehicles of many nationalities in six display halls. A large amount of supporting display material records the history of armoured vehicles. A Hamilcar glider fuselage illustrates how armour and airborne forces supported each other in battle, while a Skeeter helicopter ‘hovers’ over the ground-based exhibits. There are regular ‘Firepower & Mobility’ displays during the summer season (July-September), when tanks and other AFVs can be seen in action.

At Bovington Camp, off the A352 near Wool, west of Wareham, Dorset. Well signposted. See this location on Microsoft Live Search Maps

Open daily 10.00 am to 5.00 pm, except for Christmas week.

See official website for details.

Amenities:

Toilets, Parking, Cafe, Souvenir shop, Access for the disabled.

Tank Museum, Bovington Camp, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 6JG. Tel: 01929 462359, Fax: 01929 405360, e-mail:info@tankmuseum.co.uk, website:Tank Museum.

Tangmere Military Aviation Museum

Meteor F.8 ‘WA829′ (photo, Dan Lord)

Key Facts

The museum is located on the edge of the famous Battle of Britain fighter airfield. The indoor displays portray the history of Tangmere airfield, the RAF in general and the Battle of Britain. Two of the aircraft exhibits are world speed record breakers, both flying from Tangmere to make their record-breaking runs.

Directions

South of the A27, east of Chichester, West Sussex. Well signposted. See this location on Microsoft Live Search Maps

Open daily 10.00 am to 5.30 pm, March to October; daily 10.00 am to 4.30 pm February and November. Closed December and January.

See official website for details.

Amenities:

Toilets, Parking, Cafe, Souvenir shop, Access for the disabled.

P.1067 Hunter WB888 (photo, Dan Lord)	Hunter front view (photo, Dan Lord)
Meteor IV EE549 (photo, Dan Lord)	Swift FR.5 WK281 (photo, Dan Lord)

Notes: The Fairey Gannet cockpit has moved to Hooton park.

Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, Tangmere Airfield, Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 2ES. Tel: 01243 790090. Website: Tangmere Museum

Spitfire FSM ‘BL924′ (photo, Dan Lord)	The Spitfire display (photo, Dan Lord)
Spitfire Prototype FSM ‘K5054′ (photo, Dan Lord)	Ferret armoured car (photo, Dan Lord)
WW2 support equipment (photo, Dan Lord)	Hurricane FSM L1679 (photo, Dan Lord)
T-33A 19252 (photo, Dan Lord)	Sea Vixen FAW.2 XJ580 (photo, Dan Lord)
Lightning F.53 ‘XR753′ (photo, Dan Lord)	Whirlwind HAR.7 XN299 (photo, Dan Lord)

Sywell Aviation Museum

Key Facts

Officially opened on 21st July 2001, the Sywell Aviation Museum aims to preserve the history of Sywell Aerodrome and Northamptonshire’s rich aviation heritage from the early days of aviation to the Second World War and beyond. There is a large collection of memorabilia photographs, artefacts, models and uniforms on display which charts the history of the area. Aviation Archaeology – the recovery of crashed aeroplanes – is a core aspect of the displays. One of the larger exhibits is a Bristol Hercules engine recovered from the wreck of the Vickers Wellington bomber which crashed tragically at Hardwick, now carefully cleaned and preserved. Other displays include the History of Sywell from 1928; Brooklands Aviation etc; RAF memorabilia; USAAF Display hall (concentrating on the USAAF at Chelveston); RAF/USAAF ordnance including a 1943 Mercury Bomb Tractor, period C Type Bomb Trolley and inert 1000 lb bomb, Norden Bomb sight, mock up B17 Cheek Position etc. The museum building comprises three linked together Second World War Nissen huts, previously located at the now closed RAF Bentwaters and moved by S.A.M. members.

At Sywell aerodrome, off the A43 north east of Northampton, just before the village of Sywell, Northamptonshire. See this location on Microsoft Live Search Maps

Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays 10.30 am to 4.30 pm, Easter to the end of September. All other times by prior appointment.

Entrance to the Museum is free (donations welcome).

Amenities:

Free Car Park; adjacent to Aviator hotel with overnight accomodation, WCs, Bar, restaurant; fixed wing, helicopter, microlight pleasure flights and aircraft hire; hangarage etc; Public airfield viewing area; Conference centre (Hangar One).

Note: The Auster and Grasshopper are currently in store, and the other types are held elsewhere until more display space is available.

Sywell Aviation Museum, Sywell, Northampton, NN6 0BN. Chairman, Richard Watts Tel: 01604 811582. Group Secretary, Ben Brown Tel: 0796 8061708. e-mail: Ben Brown Web: Sywell Aviation Museum

Second World War Aircraft Preservation Society

Key Facts

The SWWAPS occupies a small museum housed in a wartime building. Indoor displays and exhibits tell the story of Lasham Airfield, and show items recovered from aircraft crash sites. Gliding activity at the airfield can be viewed from the car park.

In the north-east corner of Lasham Airfield, 6 miles north of Alton, Hampshire. See this location on Microsoft Live Search Maps

Open Sundays and Bank Holidays 10.30 am to 5.00 pm (or dusk if first).

Free.

Amenities:

Parking, Souvenir shop.

Hunter F.51 E-423 (photo, Allan Barley)	Prentice T.1 VR192 (photo, Allan Barley)
Meteor F.8 WH291 (photo, Allan Barley)	Meteor NF.13 4X-FNA (photo, Allan Barley)

Second World War Aircraft Preservation Society, Lasham Airfield, Alton, Hampshire. Tel: 02392 389944.
SWWAPS, Bob Coles, 8 Barracane Drive, Crowthorne, Berks, RG45 7NU. Website: Second World War Aircraft Preservation Society.

F-104G 22+35 (photo, Allan Barley)	Sea Hawk FGA.6 WV798 (photo, Allan Barley)
Auster AOP.9 XK418 (photo, Allan Barley)	Wessex HAS.3 XM833 (photo, Allan Barley)

Stondon Transport Museum

Flying Flea ‘G-ADRG’
(photo, Daniel & David Leaney)

Key Facts

What’s Here

Amongst over 400 motor vehicles and other transport exhibits can be found a few aviation artefacts. Hanging from the roof is a Flying Flea and elsewhere a Saro Skeeter helicopter can be found. The museum is co-located at a garden centre, with a coffee shop.

West of the A600 and Henlow Aerodrome, north of Hitchin, Herts. See this location on Microsoft Live Search Maps

Open daily except Fridays 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Closed Christmas week.

See official website for details.

Amenities:

Gift shop, tea room (no hot meals), toilets, free car park.

Skeeter AOP.12 XN431 (photo, Daniel & David Leaney)	Gilera & Excelsior motorcycles (photo, Daniel & David Leaney)

Stondon Transport Museum, Station Road, Lower Stondon, Henlow, Beds, SG16 6JN. Tel: 01462 850339. Website: Stondon Transport Museum

Penn-Smith Gyroplane G-AXOM (photo, Daniel & David Leaney)	SA-2 ‘Guideline’ missile (photo, Daniel & David Leaney)

Station 146 Control Tower Museum

Key Facts

The 448th Bomb Group operated from Seething with B-24 Liberators in World War 2. Situated in the restored control tower here is a museum dedicated to the history of the airfield and the surrounding area.

East of the B1332, north of Bungay. Follow signs for Seething Industrial Estate from the B1331, or signs for Mundhall and Sisland from the A146 Loddon bypass. Access from the Thwaite St Mary road to the south of the aerodrome. See this location on Microsoft Live Search Maps

Open first Sunday of the month, 10.00 am to 5.00 pm, May to October.

Free admission.

Amenities:

Toilets, Parking, Cafe, Souvenir shop.

Station 146 Control Tower Museum, 18 Park Close, Thurton, Norwich, Norfolk, NR14 6AU. Tel: 01508 480635.

Stanford Hall

Key Facts

Housed in the former stable block is a display devoted to aviation pioneer Percy Pilcher. During a demonstration flight at Stanford Hall in September 1899, Pilcher was killed while flying his Hawk hang-glider. Other attractions include the Hall and grounds, and a motorcycle museum.

North-east of Rugby, near Swinford, 6 miles south-east of Lutterworth. Signposted. See this location on Microsoft Live Search Maps

Open Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays, 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm (last entry 5.00 pm), Easter to the end of September.

See official website for details.

Amenities:

Toilets, Parking, Cafe, Souvenir shop, Access for the disabled.

Stanford Hall, Swinford, near Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 6DH. Tel: 01788 860250, Fax: 01788 860870, e-mail: enquiries@stanfordhall.co.uk, website: Stanford Hall

Solent Sky

Key Facts

At one time or another, twenty-six aircraft companies were based in and around Southampton. The most famous of these being Supermarine, but they also included Airspeed, Folland and Saunders-Roe. Southampton was also the departure point for Imperial Airways flying boat routes to the Empire and across the Atlantic. The aircraft and displays at Solent Sky illustrate this proud heritage. Dominating the display area is a Sandringham flying boat, which is open for internal inspection, while a Spitfire and Folland Gnat can also be viewed. The walls and upper gallery tell the story of the aviation activities in the area, in a series of informative and well illustrated displays. In mid-2004 the former Southampton Hall of Aviation changed its name to ‘Solent Sky’.

100 yards back from the Canutes Pavilion car park, near Ocean Village, close to the Itchen (toll!) Bridge, in the southern tip of the city. Signposted from the A36. See this location on Microsoft Live Search Maps

Open Tuesday to Saturday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm; Sundays 12.00 noon to 5.00 pm. Last admissions 4.00 pm. Closed on Mondays except for school and bank holidays. Christmas and New Year: Please check for details.

See official website for details.

Amenities:

Souvenir shop, Facilities for the Disabled.

Sandringham VH-BRC ‘Beachcomber’	Britten Norman BN-1F G-ALZE
Under the Sandringham’s right wing	Under the Sandringham’s left wing

# being built off site.

Note: EB518 Airspeed Oxford V remains; XD596 de Havilland Vampire T.11; XJ476 Hawker Siddeley Sea Vixen FAW.1 nose; XD332 Supermarine Scimitar F.1; XF114 Supermarine Swift F.7 (G-SWIF) are held in store and NOT available for public inspection. Walrus W2718 is currently under restoration.

Solent Sky, Albert Road South, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 3FR. Tel: 02380 635830, Fax: 02380 223383. Website: www.spitfireonline.co.uk.

Folland Gnat F.1 XK740	Spitfire F.24 PK683
Saro SR.A1 TG263	Another view of the jet flying boat fighter
Wight Quadraplane N546	Supermarine S.6A N248
Tiger Moth BB807	Avro 504J C4451
The SUMPAC man-powered aircraft

Solway Aviation Museum

Key Facts

What’s Here

A small but interesting collection of aircraft, including a Vulcan and a Phantom can be seen at this museum. The aviation history of the North-West of England is recorded in various displays. A workshop for current restoration projects is open to visitors. Testing of the Blue Streak missile took place at the local Spadeadam ranges, and some unique material from this programme is on display.

At Carlisle Airport, Crosby-on-Eden, Cumbria. Off the A629 east of the airport. From junction 44 on the M6 follow the ‘Airport’ signs on the A689 towards Brampton. After 6 miles turn right, following airport signs round the perimeter to the museum car park. See this location on Microsoft Live Search Maps

Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays 10.30 am to 5.00 pm, April to end of October; also open Fridays during school summer holidays. Last admission 4.30 pm.

See official website for details.

Amenities:

Parking, Souvenir shop, Access for the disabled.

Canberra T.4 WE188 (photo, Matt Durrant)	Lightning F.53 ZF593 (photo, Matt Durrant)

Notes: Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer 3 (nose) G-AYFA has moved to Mold, Wales.

Solway Aviation Museum, Aviation House, Carlisle Airport, Crosby-on-Eden, Cumbria, CA6 4NW. Info-line/Fax: 01228 573823, e-mail: info@solway-aviation-museum.co.uk, website: Solway Aviation Museum.

Meteor NF.14 WS832 (photo, Matt Durrant)	Sea Prince T.1 WP314 (photo, Matt Durrant)
Vulcan B.2 XJ823 (photo, Matt Durrant)	Whirlwind HAR.21 WV198 (photo, Matt Durrant)

Snibston Discovery Park

Key Facts

Set at a former coal mine, the Discovery Park presents Britain’s industrial heritage. Aviation is presented by a Whittle jet engine and an Auster AOP.9 aircraft.

Well signposted off the A511, northwest of Leicester. See this location on Microsoft Live Search Maps

Open 10.00 am – 5.00 pm daily April to September; Monday to Friday 10.00 am to 3.00 pm, Saturday/Sunday & school holidays 10.00 am to 5.00 pm October to March.

See official website for details.

Amenities:

Toilets, Parking, Cafe, Souvenir shop, Access for the disabled.

Snibston Discovery Park, Ashby Park, Coalville, Leicestershire, LE67 3LN. Tel: 01530 278444, Fax: 01530 813301, recorded info line 01530 278444 (outside opening hours). website: Snibston