July 5th, 2011
The Museum was delighted to welcome as a guest, Erich Schmidt, a Luftwaffe veteran who served as a Flight Engineer on Junkers Ju88 nightfighters with the deadly Nachtjagd, that exacted a terrible toll on RAF night bombers. Erich served with Nachtjagdgeschwader 1, and was involved in the ‘Wilde Sau’ (Wild Boar) tactics designed to allow single-engined fighters not equipped with radar to intercept and attack RAF aircraft over German cities.
Erich happily chatted openly with visitors about his amazing wartime experiences and also signed personal items, including prints of Geoff Nutkins latest artwork, ‘Totenkopf Schnellbombers’. Copies of this print and the classic ‘Height of the Battle’, both signed by Erich are available to purchase. Please contact the Museum for more details.
Nachtjagd emblem
July 5th, 2011
The latest all colour edition of ‘Friends of The Few’ has gone out to Museum Club members. Contents include:
- Details on exhibits returned to display for the 2011 season
- News about the restoration of the Schnellbomber rear canopy
- Report about some amazing Luftwaffe bomber fins
- Remembering Squadron Leader Peter Brown
- RAF Bomber Command Tribute
- ‘Perfect Interception’ by P/O ‘Shippy’ Shipman
- Visits to the Museum by veterans
- Troopship tale by One of The Few
- Focus on ‘new’ Museum communication system!
June 19th, 2011
Due to popular demand, we are pleased to announce that the Museum will open on Saturdays as well as the normal Sundays and Bank Holidays for the rest of the season. Our final weekend of the year will be at the end of October. Full information on opening times and entry charges are on our Opening Times page. We look forward to seeing you soon!
June 18th, 2011
If you want to read more about the Museum and our own Geoff Nutkins, Kent Lifestyle Magazine have two articles about us in their July 2011 edition. Read them here!
June 7th, 2011
The Museum was enthralled to receive a visit from Bob Woods, a veteran RAF Wireless Operator/Air Gunner who flew many sorties over Occupied Europe in Short Stirling bombers with 199 Squadron. Despite the dangers from enemy flak and night-fighters, Bob remarked that Stirling crews jokingly considered their biggest threat to be the bombs dropped by the higher-flying Avro Lancasters and Handley Page Halifaxes.
In a bomber stream, the Stirlings with their short wingspans could not reach the greater altitudes attained by the other RAF ‘Heavies’, but despite this shortcoming Bob still holds a great fondness for the Stirling, which in his opinion was strongly built and possessed amazing manoeuvrability for such a large 4-engined bomber.
April 27th, 2011
A very welcome return to the Museum was made by SOE veteran Harry Verlander who as ever was accompanied by his charming wife Elizabeth.
He had many great tales as always of his daring service behind enemy lines and it is always astonishing to think that having joined the Army underage, Harry had not reached his nineteenth birthday when he was parachuted into Occupied France in July 1944. Less than a year later he was in the thick jungles of Burma taking on the Japanese.
Harry’s book, ‘My War in SOE’ is highly recommended reading.
April 10th, 2011
We are pleased to announce a new print by our own Geoff Nutkins – “Totenkopf” Schnellbombers.
Each costs just £39.50 + p&p and all proceeds go towards the restoration of our Ju88 cockpit section. For more information, or to place your order, visit Geoff’s Avi-Art site.
April 5th, 2011
Mothering Sunday was blessed with fine Spring weather and this encouraged many to visit Shoreham that helped to make a great start for the 2011 season.
A special highlight of the day was the visit to the Museum by Polish RAF veteran Adam Ostrowski, who flew Spitfires with 317 ‘Wilenski’ Squadron during 1944-45. He very kindly chatted to visitors and signed personal items, including the new Geoff Nutkins print ‘Totenkopf Schnellbombers’.
The winter work in the Museum, Tearoom and Teagarden were favourably commented on by visitors and this augurs well for a successful year ahead.
Particular mention goes to volunteers Kevin and Lindsey, who laboured hard to transform the Tearoom and their sterling efforts are clear to see. Hopefully the new-look Tearoom coupled to the pleasant atmosphere of the Teagarden will attract a greater number of regular visitors.
A warm welcome to Shoreham is guaranteed.
February 2nd, 2011
The Museum was sad to learn of the passing of Squadron Leader Peter Brown on 20th January 2011, aged 91. One of ‘The Few’, Peter was a wonderful friend and supporter of the Museum and regularly attended fund-raising signing events, his last attendance being in April 2010.
Joining the RAF in 1938, Peter was flying Spitfires in 1940 with 611 ‘West Lancashire’ Squadron during the Dunkirk evacuation and continued in action over Southern England during the Battle of Britain, later joining 41 Squadron before being rested in mid-1941 to become a flying instructor.
With a credited score of three and one shared enemy aircraft destroyed, Peter had numerous flying establishment appointments through the remainder of the war including teaching Turkish pilots to fly Spitfires. Released from the RAF in late 1945 with the rank of Squadron Leader, he was awarded an Air Force Cross.
In civilian life Peter pursued a successful career in the plastics industry and after retirement worked as a healer in the care of cancer patients. He also undertook extensive research into elements of the Battle of Britain, especially the ‘Big Wing’ controversy, culminating in the release of his book titled ‘Honour Restored’.
Peter will be much missed, but the Museum will treasure his memory. Blue skies Sir.
January 19th, 2011
The latest all colour edition of ‘Friends of The Few’ has gone out to Museum Club members. Contents include:
- Follow-up story about the Castle Farm Dornier
- Recollecting the discovery of the Museum’s 1,000 kg ‘Hermann’ bomb
- Report on a wealth of relics and other items donated to the Museum
- Sgt John Lansdell and Oblt Paul Temme personal items
- A visit by ‘Boffins’ from the National Physical Laboratory
- Tribute to Wing Commander John Freeborn DFC & Bar
- Museum news and activities
- Results of Battle of Britain competition and the Museum raffle
Please note that the gazette will now only be issued as combined Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter editions.
