Sywell Aviation Museum News
An old friend returns to Sywell after a 40 year absence
31st January 2012
The Sywell Aviation Museum starts the New Year with an old friend returning to the aerodrome after at least 40 years! Mr Paul Spendlove contacted the Museum concerning his rather unique 1938 Fordson Major tractor. He had rescued it from Redden's scrapyard in 2000, it having lain there for at least thirty years. Still readable on the paintwork was 'Brooklands Aviation' and 'S.R.D' (Sywell Repair Depot) - it was the original machine bought new by Brooklands for use as an aircraft tug at Sywell!
Paul restored her to running condition but thankfully did not touch the paintwork meaning that her unique history has been preserved. Offered by him to the Museum on loan, the tractor arrived on the 28th January and has taken up residence in The Paul Morgan Hall - our new Chairman, Andy Shemans, was there to accept her. We are absolutely delighted that Paul has kindly brought her home to Sywell!
Fordson Major tractor from Paul Spendlove
The Museum's Grand Opening is on Easter Saturday, April 7th, 2012 from 10.30. Our friends from The Troops, Trucks and Stores Military Vehicle Group and Pitsford Home Guard will ensure there is an amazing collection of wartime vehicles and renenactments to see and our new American Hall and Luftwaffe Hall will be unveiled for the first time. It is hoped that a WW2 fighter will also be attending to mark the occasion.
As ever the Museum is always keen to obtain artefacts (loaned or donated), unbuilt model kits, military and aviation books and mannequins.
Group visit bookings are now being taken for weekday evening visits from April- September which include a tour of the aerodrome and museum - Cub Packs, Boys Brigade, Local History Groups, U3A, Rotarians, Classic Car Clubs and more have all visited us before so make your booking now! Please contact us for details
.Sywell Aviation Museum Update 2012
4th January 2012
Our talk on the 9th January 2012 - 'The Handley Page Hampden - More than just a restoration' by Darren Priday - The Deputy Manager of the RAF Museum Cosford Michael Beetham Conservation Centre will be THE talk to see and interest is already huge - please see the talks page for more details.
The Museum reopens on Easter Saturday, 7th April 2012 and will be back, better than ever. The results of our second extension appeal raffle are also now available.
Until then may we wish all our visitors, friends and supporters a safe and prosperous New Year.
Museum Trustee Terry Levett Passes Away
24th December 2011
More sad museum news to report we're afraid. Our dear friend and trustee Terry Levett passed away recently after the cancer which he beat in 2008 returned.
Museum Chairman Richard Watts Passes Away
14th November 2011
The Museum is sad to report that our Chairman of over 12 years, Richard Watts, has sadly passed away after a short illness.
Richard
Blakesley B-17 Memorial
20th September 2011
The Memorial to the Blakesley B-17 Crash was formally opened on the 17th September 2011 - for the full story please see here.
A new exhibition
Museum Update
14th September 2011
With the end of the season approaching it is time for an update on Museum activities!
When we last checked the Paul Morgan Hall had only just
Time Now Flies at School!
13th August 2011
Chris Belton, Headteacher of St John The Baptist Primary School in Colwick, Notts asked the Sywell Aviation Museum for its help in finding a rather
Northamptonshire Heritage Awards 2011
16th June 2011
At The Northamptonshire Heritage Awards held at Harrowden Hall, Wellingborough on the 14th June 2011, Sywell Aviation Museum was Highly Commended
Paul Morgan Display Hall - Grand Opening
26th April 2011
The grand opening of the new Paul Morgan Display Hall at the Sywell Aviation Museum took place on the 23rd April 2011. In glorious weather, the good
Museum Grand Opening and Unveiling of Brand New Display Hall!
23rd February 2011
On Easter Saturday, 23rd April 2011 from 10.30am the Sywell Aviation Museum is due to open our brand new hall dedicated to the history of the aerodrome.
March for Honour
9th November 2010
Sywell Aviation Museum was proud to host the RAF team participating in the Royal British Legion's March for Honour on the 5th November 2010. Four
Sywell Aviation Museum - Tiger Moth project - help needed!
25th October 2010
Sywell has a very strong affinity with the Tiger Moth, as many were used by Brooklands Aviation pre and post War and 6 EFTS had over 400 on strength
Blockbusters!
6th September 2010
On Saturday 4th September, members of the Museum visited The Old Drill Hall, Wellingborough to rescue nine anti-tank blocks which were to be crushed
Museum Expansion Update
22nd July 2010
Its all hands to the pump in readiness for the Airshow on the 22nd August - the building is now essentially complete, is internally and externally
Extension Latest and Tour & Dinner Bookings for Summer 2010
5th May 2010
Work on the Museum Extension is now moving apace with the hoops, inner tins and windows now all in situ! We don't hang about you know! It is hoped
Sywell Aviation Museum reopens for 2010
6th April 2010
On the 3rd April 2010 Sywell Aviation Museum opened its doors for what will be its ninth year of opening. A gathering of military vehicles from the
Sywell Aviation Museum Grand Opening 2010
5th February 2010
Easter Saturday 3rd April 2010 sees the Museum open for its ninth season and as usual we welcome anyone with vintage or military vehicles who are
Museum begins expansion!
18th October 2009
After a cracking 2009 season, the museum has been able to move on to stage one of its expansion plans. Bretton Builders of Northampton were contracted
New Defiant Exhibition opened
29th September 2009
Mrs Lilian Sproson from Stourbridge, West Midlands, visited Sywell Aviation Museum on 5th September 2009 to unveil the new exhbition displaying the
Sywell Aviation Museum goes nuclear!
18th May 2009
Due to some keen eyed work by our friends, the museum was informed of a mysterious concrete sphere recently uncovered at the former Royal Ordnance
Sywell Aviation Museum grand opening 2009
9th March 2009
The award-winning Sywell Aviation Museum opens its doors for the 2009
season at 10.30am on Easter Saturday, 11th April 2009.
The museum
Very rare new exhibits for the Museum
15th November 2008
Sywell Aviation Museum has recently acquired two very rare Allan Williams Turrets for the Museum's airfield defence collection. The Allan Williams
Wellington nose art mystery
11th November 2008
Recently donated by the Sanders family to The Sywell Aviation Museum is this very rare piece of Wellington Bomber nose art - the museum is looking for
History comes to light at Sywell Aerodrome
26th September 2008
Work on the all-weather runway at Sywell Aerodrome has been progressing well over the past few months and recent ground workings have uncovered an
'Mick' Mannock commemoration
14th August 2008
The Mannock Commemoration at Sywell Aviation Museum took place on Saturday 26th July as planned with the benefit of some stunning weather. It was the
Local WW1 Ace to be commemorated at Sywell on 26th July 2008
10th June 2008
Major Edward Corringham, 'Mick' Mannock VC DSO** MC* 1897 - 1918
Mick Mannock was the leading British fighter pilot of the First World War.
Bill Donald - 305th BG Historian passes away
13th May 2008
The Museum is sad to report the passing of William 'Bill' Donald - historian of the 305th Bomb Group USAAF, Chelveston.
Bill not only wrote
New Zeppelin relic on display at Sywell Aviation Museum
24th April 2008
A very rare relic of First World War aviation has been placed on loan
with Sywell Aviation Museum by Kettering Manor House Museum and Art
Gallery.
Happy Birthday India November!
17th November 2007
November 2007 marks the 60th birthday of resident Miles Messenger G-AKIN
which has been based at Sywell since 1952.
The first entry in
Museum Opening 2007
13th March 2007
The Museum will reopen on Easter Saturday - 7th April - at 10.30 for the 2007 season. Once again our friends from the Troops, Trucks and Stores Military
Museum make-over
30th January 2007
Museum members have been very busy over the past weekend. Another local Museum which is moving into new premises kindly donated a large number of superb
Happy New Year
12th January 2007
A very Happy New Year to all our supporters from the Sywell Aviation Museum - we reopen again on Easter Saturday at 10.30hrs but in the meantime if
Winter closing & weaponry!
19th October 2006
Sywell Aviation Museum is now closed for the 2006 season and we reopen at Easter 2007 (though out of hours group visits can often still be arranged).
Sywell Airshow
20th September 2006
Come and visit the museum on Sunday 24th September... and enjoy an airshow while you're at it! See the airshow website for details, and don't forget there's
Defiant dig
16th September 2006
Museum members carried out a dig on a Boulton-Paul Defiant crash site in Ketton, Rutland this weekend. Defiant N1794 from 151 Squadron at RAF Wittering,
Museum Bombed!
31st August 2006
A tragic chapter in Northamptonshire's history will be recalled this week when Northamptonshire County Council hands over a Zeppelin bomb to Sywell Aviation
New website
3rd July 2006
Part of the new Sywell Aerodrome website is a complete section devoted to the Sywell Aviation Museum.
We will shortly be expanding this section
