Museum News

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 Troops Trucks and Stores Group garnered a great deal of interest but at around 12.30 the real star of the show was a display by Hawker Hurricane IIB 'BE505' (G-HHII) owned and flown by Peter Teichman of the Hangar II Collection, North Weald.

This was the Hurricane's first visit to Sywell having only flown for the first time last year. The aeroplane is configured as a 'Hurri- bomber' with hard points under its wings to accept bombs. Dummy 250lb bombs were constructed for the aircraft by the Museum for Hangar 11 in 2009.

Another honoured guest was Mrs Margaret James, 92, widow of the late W/C Peter James DFC. W/C James was a distinguished pilot during the Second World War. Having joined the RAF in 1938 he completed tours flying Armstrong Whitworth Whitley (78 Squadron) and Handley Page Halifax (35 Squadron) bombers. He later became a flying instructor at Sywell. Post war he continued in this vein eventually becoming C/O of the Sywell Air Cadet attachment.

The James family placed his uniform on display at the Museum from its opening in 2001. Mrs James, her son John and daughter Diane visited on Easter saturday to loan W/C James' medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross, and his log books to the Museum for display alongside his uniform.

Museum Secretary Ben Brown said "We have received support from the James' family from our opening in 2001 and we are delighted that they have kindly agreed to loan W/C James' medals and log books to the Museum to complete our display on him. He was a very brave and experienced pilot who was well known and respected at Sywell for many years. As one of 'our' pilots we are delighted to continue to commemorate him in the Museum".

The Museum is now open for the 2010 season every weekend and bank holiday between 10.30-16.30 until the end of September. We are always keen to secure new artefacts, military and aviation books, mannequins or unbuilt model kits.

Click here for other news stories.