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

4 Comments

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  By Debra Otten Banks, 16 August 2010 @ 4:07 pm

  Is the Rick Watts associated with your museum, the Rick Watts from East Cowes Isle of Wight? I am trying to locate that Richard Watts and would be grateful if you would let me know and pass this on to him if it is! Thanx, Debi Banks

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  By Rob Harwood, 15 September 2010 @ 9:53 pm

  I’m not sure if the Chairman is the Rick Watts I knew from East Cowes. He went on to join the RAF. We were best friends at Carisbrooke Grammar School and I lived near him in East Cowes. I would very much to make contact with him again and with Debra Otten Banks if she has any contact info Many thanks for any assistance you can offer Regards and thanks Rob Harwood

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  By Rob Harwood, 5 December 2010 @ 12:00 am

  Email address changed to roberth4290@live.com

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  By Peter Mackness, 17 May 2011 @ 1:23 pm

  My wife and I were part of a group visit at 6pm on the 16th May. The visit was organised on behalf of Northants WEA and our expectation was for a tour of the airport facilities and the aviation museum. Only the latter took place was disappointing on two counts. We convened immediately outside the museum building and were addressed there for 15 minutes on a cold, windy evening. We entered the building – a nissen hut – where Ben continued to address the group. There were at least 30 of us and we felt cramped. Most were unable to hear what Ben was saying as we were strung-out along the full length of the museum building. When he finished talking we had all of ten minutes ‘free’ time to examine the many exhibits. We had made a 56 mile round trip to attend this event and frankly felt it was a wasted opportunity and a wasted evening.

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