Sit in a Spitfire on Open Cockpits Day then experience what it’s like to be a Dam Buster at Tangmere events
With its fascinating collection of full-scale aircraft and stories to tell, put a date in your diary as the new calendar of events and displays is announced for Tangmere Military Aviation Museum near Chichester.
May 14: Model making in action
More than nine modeller groups, including many award-winning members, will display their skills. Watch as they compete for club and show competition titles from 10am and take a wander around the trade stalls, take part in the raffle and enjoy hot food and drink. Then use your entry admission to take a ‘free’ look around the rest of the museum.
May 15-19: 80th anniversary of the Dam Busters
Tangmere Military Aviation Museum remembers the Dam Busters, as some of its 160 volunteers bring to life the daring stories and mark the 80th anniversary.
June 4: Open Cockpits Day with new Spitfire
Sit inside as many of the cockpits as they can open, both inside and outside the museum. Most are the original aircraft, while others are made more accessible, so everyone can try the experience.
The list is quite extensive and covers both fixed wing and rotary. Inside the museum will be the SE5 (replica WW1), Chipmunk, Provost, Hawker Hunter F4, Canberra B2, Lightning and Lynx Mk 9 helicopter. While outside, they hope to provide the Wessex, Harrier GR3, Sea Harrier, Phantom FGR2 and possibly the Sea Vixen and Vampire T11.
The day will include the launch of the new replica Spitfire LFIX cockpit which has been built by its own special projects team. This is an amazing piece of engineering. The formal opening will take place at 12.15pm, before the cockpit is open for visitors to sit in. See and feel what it was like to fly this classic fighter plane.
Simulators will also run inside the museum, including the Combat Sim for young children, two Red Sims with a selection of various aircraft and the Lightning Sim for adults.
July 2: Militaria Artefacts Day
Whether it’s a badge or a medal, or a part from a plane, bring your artefacts to be assessed by the experts. They may not put a price on it but they can tell you where it came from. Artefacts are welcome from WWI, WWII or any other era.
August 6: Family Day and becoming a Dam Buster
Sit in an open cockpit and experience what it was like to be a pilot, then see if you’ve got what it takes to be a good Dam Buster in the Lancaster model. There will be plenty of stalls to keep you entertained, plus competitions and activities for children to take part in.
September 7: World air speed record breaker
With the original aircraft on loan from the Royal Air Force Museum, see Neville Duke’s Hawker Hunter WB188 and the display to mark his 1953 record-breaking flight at an average 727mph from Littlehampton to Bognor Regis. Memorabilia from his family will also be on display.
Suitable for all ages
Museum spokesman Mike Bennett said: “We’re looking forward to a bumper season of events and displays, and to welcoming families to the museum. To see the delight of visitors, aged from two to 85 years, is so rewarding – while they sit in an aircraft cockpit for the first time or to re-live memories.”
No two visits are the same to Tangmere Military Aviation Museum and all of the special days out include entry to the whole of the museum at the old Tangmere airfield near Chichester.
Spare enough time to explore the many exhibits and exhibitions, including the heroic stories of the Special Operations Executive, world speed record aircraft of 1946 and 53, women in the RAF, ejection seats and weapons. The more you look the more you will find.
Then find refreshments at the Cockpit Café, offering a wide range of snacks and drinks, and visit the museum shop for models or a souvenir to take home.
Tickets and details
For the full details of events and museum entry, plus opening times, visit www.tangmere-museum.org.uk