News (2009)

Winter 2009 Gazette

December 18th, 2009

The latest all colour edition of ‘Friends of The Few’ has gone out to Museum Club members. Contents include:

  • The story of a tragic Battle of Britain mid-air collision
  • Museum visitors – RAF veterans
  • Report and pictures of the F/O Waterston memorial unveiling
  • Walter Binder – Luftwaffe fighter pilot lost over SE London
  • Jack Rose obituary – last of the Blackout Screen ‘Few’
  • Museum news and activities
Winter 2009 Gazette

Can you help the Museum?

December 18th, 2009

Museum Appeal

Autumn 2009 Gazette

October 16th, 2009

The latest all colour edition of ‘Friends of The Few’ has gone out to Museum Club members. Contents include:

  • News and pictures of the new Museum extension
  • Report and pictures of the ‘BoB-to-BoB’ sponsored cycle
  • Kurt Geisler – a tragic Luftwaffe fighter-bomber pilot
  • Picture montage of the ‘Sit-in-a-Spit’ event
  • Story about a relic from a local Messerschmitt Me109E crash
  • Obituaries for Jack Riddle, Leopold Heimes and Ernst Poschenrieder
  • Usual regular features and news about Museum activities
Autumn 2009 Gazette

6th Pilot Memorial is unveiled

September 30th, 2009

Waterston Memorial

On Tuesday 29th September 2009, the Shoreham Aircraft Museum was proud to unveil a stone memorial honouring 23 years old Flying Officer Robin McGregor Waterston of 603 Squadron, who was shot down and killed during the Battle of Britain on 31st August 1940.

Waterston Memorial

His Spitfire crashed in the road outside of the present day main entrance into the Royal Artillery Barracks Headquarters at Woolwich in London, where adjacent to this spot the memorial was unveiled as a lasting tribute to a brave young RAF fighter pilot who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Waterston Memorial

This is the 6th memorial to be unveiled as part of the Shoreham Aircraft Museum Pilot Memorials Project, which will continue the aim to honour more individual Battle of Britain pilots in the years ahead.

Waterston Memorial

BoB-to-BoB success

September 2nd, 2009

BoB-to-BoB start

As previously highlighted in the News page, Museum volunteer Dean Sumner embarked on his planned BoB-to-BoB cycle ride on August Bank Holiday Monday to raise funds for the Museum extension building. The accompanying picture shows the current progress with the extension building.

Museum extension
BoB-to-BoB

Setting off from the Battle of Britain London Monument at just after 8am, Dean arrived at the Museum at around 10:15am. After a welcome tea and a bun, he departed the Museum at 11am and made steady progress through the afternoon as he made his way down towards Hythe/Folkestone sticking to quiet and picturesque country lanes as much as possible.

BoB-to-BoB stop

After a slight delay passing through Folkestone, Dean successfully made it up the hill to the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne at around 6:30pm. Then he had to return home – but that was another adventure!

Anyone wishing to still support Dean’s wonderful fund-raising effort, then please contact the Museum. Thank you.

Bob-to-Bob finish.jpg
Bob-to-Bob finish.jpg

Ernst Poschenrieder

August 28th, 2009

We’re sad to announce that our old friend Ernst Poschenrieder died on 13th August 2009. He was a great friend and supporter to all of us at the Shoreham Aicraft Museum here in Kent, and will be sadly missed by his many friends here. We will always remember the many laughs we had at the great pilot reunions held at the museum over the years which Ernst used to attend.

Ernst Poschenrieder

During the Battle of Britain, Ernst flew Messerschmitt Bf 109s with 7/JG53. He was taken prisoner on 30th September 1940 after force-landing near Strood.

Sit-in-a-Spit – 8th August 2009

August 8th, 2009

For those who missed it, a few images from Saturday’s Sit-in-a-Spit event:

Sit-in-a-Spit
Sit-in-a-Spit
Sit-in-a-Spit

Museum extension taking shape update

August 7th, 2009

The wonderful extension building work is progressing rapidly and with the brick piers completed, the framework and roof has now been installed and awaits fitment of the glass. Then the flooring can be laid and other fitting out of the interior before the exciting step of placing the chosen exhibits and displays inside. The last job will be to cut the ribbon for the official opening – coming soon!

Museum extension build

Museum volunteer embarks on BoB-to-BoB

July 24th, 2009

Dean Sumner, one of our faithful Museum volunteers, is planning to ride his trusty 2-wheeled steed on a sponsored cycle ride to help raise additional funding for the Museum extension. On the up-and-coming August Bank Holiday, Dean intends to cycle from the Battle of Britain Monument in London (then via the Museum for a welcome refreshment stop) to the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne near Folkestone.

Dean's ride

Anyone wishing to pledge some support for Dean’s effort on behalf of the extension funds, please contact the Museum. Any sponsorship is very much appreciated.

Dean's bike

Museum extension takes shape

July 24th, 2009

The long awaited plan to start building the Museum extension has now begun and great progress has already been achieved with this exciting development. Within two weeks since the work started in mid-July, the foundations have been laid and the brick piers are growing in height. It is hoped that the completed extension will be ready for opening in August 2009. More in-progress updates to follow.

Museum extension

Art Sale Weekend

July 14th, 2009

The art sale that took place at the Museum over the weekend of 11th/12th July 2009 was a rewarding endeavour towards the Museum fund-raising. In addition to a variety of prints being purchased, several original artworks were sold that included three of the last remaining Geoff Nutkins paintings from the acclaimed ‘Scenes of the Battle of Britain’. There are still some ‘bargains’ available and enquiries are welcome by either visiting or contacting the Museum.

Art sale weekend

Summer 2009 Gazette

July 14th, 2009

The latest all colour edition of ‘Friends of The Few’ has gone out to Museum Club members. Contents include:

  • V-1′s from Normandy
  • ‘Archie’ Harrington – American RAF night-fighter ‘ace’
  • Story of one of ‘The Few’ from Belgium
  • ‘The White Hart’ Blackout Screen
  • A last memory of the Australian ‘ace’ Pat Hughes
  • Adam Ostrowski – A hero of Wilenski Squadron
  • A youngster’s wartime art
  • Usual regular features and news about Museum activities
Summer 2009 Gazette

Up-coming Events

June 19th, 2009

Art Sale – 11th & 12th July 2009:

Great bargains and offers on Geoff Nutkins original artwork, limited editions, pilot and artist signed prints along with one-off specials and new pencil sketches will be available to purchase at the Museum. Entrance to the art sale is free and all proceeds from the sale of artwork will go towards the Museum extension building fund.

Art sale

For more information about Geoff Nutkins artwork, please visit www.aviartnutkins.com

“Sit-in-a-Spit” – 8th & 9th August 2009:

Here’s your chance to have a great experience at a popular “Sit-in-a-Spit” event at Biggin Hill Airport. This is a rare opportunity to sit in the cockpit of the airworthy “Spirit of Kent” Spitfire and to have your photograph taken wearing authentic flying kit. There will also be guiding talks given by the “Kent Spitfire” team whose great range of merchandise will also be available to purchase.

sit-in-a-spit

The cost for this experience is £30 per head, with the proceeds split 50-50 between maintenance costs of the Spitfire and the Museum projects. To book your “seat”, please send a cheque to the Museum address payable to “The Shoreham Aircraft Museum” or call the Museum to book by credit card. You can also book by visiting the Museum. Please indicate your preferred day at Biggin Hill and the event starts at 10 a.m. on both days, meeting at the “Air Partner” hangar which is accessed via the main airport entrance. (Please note the meeting point could be subject to late change).

Spirit of Kent

For more information about the “Kent Spitfire”, please visit www.kentspitfire.co.uk

Permission granted for Museum extension

May 26th, 2009

We are pleased to share the terrific news that after a long wait, planning permission has been granted to the Museum for the extension. Building work will start as soon as possible and will hopefully open before the Museum closes for the winter period.

Museum extension

The centrepiece exhibit will be the ‘Schnellbomber Project’ along with additional displays of interesting relics to further enhance the already superb presentation of the Museum.

Next Pilot Memorial – latest news

May 26th, 2009

Thanks to the kind co-operation of the Army staff at the Woolwich Barracks, permission has been given to erect a stone memorial in tribute to Flying Officer Robin ‘Bubble’ Waterston of 603 ‘City of Edinburgh’ RAuxAF Squadron, who was tragically killed on 31st August 1940.

The Gallant Few

Further arrangements are necessary before a date for the unveiling can be announced, but it is hoped that this will take place in August 2009. Further details will be given in due course.

Spring 2009 Gazette

April 6th, 2009

The latest all colour edition of ‘Friends of The Few’ has just been sent out to Museum Club members in time for the Easter opening of the Museum. Contents include:

  • Article by Battle of Britain veteran John Greenwood
  • New exhibits for 2009
  • Italian Air Force during the Battle of Britain
  • Peter Brothers obituary
  • Tale told by Luftwaffe pilot Paul Temme
  • Plus regular features including ‘Schnellbomber News’
Spring 2009 Gazette

New Museum Leaflet

March 30th, 2009

For the 2009 season, the Museum has produced a new, colourful and interesting 16 panel fold-out leaflet describing Museum activities and facilities. These also include some of the exhibits on display, the Battle of Britain Pilot Memorials Project and the Schnellbomber restoration project.

New museum leaflet

If you would like one of these great new leaflets, then please send a Second Class self-addressed envelope (minimum size 110 x 220 mm) to the Museum address marked ‘Leaflet’. Anyone requiring a larger batch of leaflets for tourist/visitor centres, libraries etc. should contact the Museum.

New museum leaflet
New museum leaflet

A tribute to our Vera

March 30th, 2009

It is with the greatest sadness that we have to announce the very sad passing of Vera Nutkins, stalwart of the Shoreham Aircraft Museum Tearoom and widow of Frank Nutkins (see news archive for March 2008). She passed away on Sunday 15th March 2009 after a recent illness.

Vera Nutkins

She will always be remembered fondly by friends, Museum visitors and ramblers as well as the many cyclists who stop off for a welcome break to grab a cuppa and a cake or home made scone.

Vera was born in North Shields, Northumberland in 1926 and did her bit for our Country by serving with the Auxiliary Territorial Service during WWII on the Ack-ack guns as a Range-Finder. After the war she met and married Frank Nutkins, who always reckoned she was responsible for the holes in his RAF aircraft!

She really was a character, the only member of the Museum who over the past twenty-odd years saw various television celebrities in the Tearoom. These celebrities were never actually seen by anyone else, but included most of the cast from ‘Coronation Street’ and ‘The Bill’, or “that bloke in that advert“. A favourite incident recalled was when a chap ordered a cup of tea and a couple of those “Dolly Parton’s please love!” To which Vera, innocent as ever, replied “Oh, we call them English Madeleine’s” ~ the uproar was immediate. Another one was when George Cooper, twin to Henry, (who knocked down Cassius Clay) and who lives locally visited one Sunday; we told her he was Henry’s brother and Vera said to him later in the Tearoom, “Eee, you’re never that Tommy Coopers brother?” That was our Vera.

No-one can ever take her place here at the Museum. She was a straight talking, sometimes dappy, lovely lady and a fantastic Mum to Geoff, the Museum’s Curator. She will be so greatly missed.