The Shoreham Aircraft Museum

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

Note: the cycle Dean is sitting on in the picture is not the one he will be riding; he needs to cover a distance of over 80 miles – not 80 yards!

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.

The art sale that took place at the Museum over the weekend of 11^th/12^th 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.

The latest all colour edition of ‘Friends of The Few’ has been sent 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

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.

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.

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).

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