Spent an enjoyable couple of hours at the East Essex Aviation Museum near Clacton today. Housed in the Martello observation tower it is reached by following the road through the Orchards caravan park. And although its free entry its nice to drop a few quid in the collection box.
Good quality displays including uniforms etc as well as aircraft parts, with lots of information labels of dig items but especially the seriously impressive recoveries made from the sea by museum members and local fisherman. The highlight of which is the substantial remains of P-51D ‘Little Zippie’ which ditched just off shore during WW2, together with a whole host of parts collected with it including the original control column.
http://www.eastessexaviationsociety.org/East_Essex_Aviation_Society/Home.html
Rob
By: sopwith.7f1 - 10th June 2013 at 11:26
Lovely little museum, that keeps adding more & more bits to the display area.
I’ve been there several times, & there seems to be something new each time.
Bob T.
By: Foray - 10th June 2013 at 11:14
A small museum packed full with exhibits mostly with a local connection, but also from further afield, as demonstrated by two of Wyvernfan’s pics (#9):
The Packard Merlin from Mustang 15560 (339th FG) found just below the surface in a suburban Frinton garden. The householder had no idea is was there but was curious about the odd metal fragments that kept emerging from the flower beds each year. Lt John Gokey baled out after just making it back over the North Sea with engine trouble. The ‘trouble’ can be seen from the holes in the crankcase where the con rods punched their way through the casing wall.
Catalina tail fin from the beaches of Diego Garcia!
By: Foray - 10th June 2013 at 10:28
Missed that Stirling control column base the first time around, looks in really good condition too
John
A couple of wall panels are full of Stirling bits and pieces, most with the metal in good condition having been well preserved in the coastal mud.
By: Wyvernfan - 10th June 2013 at 08:47
Yes the Shackleton undercarriage is certainly an eye opener when you get to the top of the steps. I won’t tell you how one man managed to get it onto the roof though, that story is best left to the members to tell.
John, that is indeed in nice condition and apparently there is more to come as and when time allows to recover them !
This is the last of my pics but there’s loads more displays to see when you visit.
Rob
By: 12jaguar - 10th June 2013 at 07:53
Missed that Stirling control column base the first time around, looks in really good condition too
John
By: Rocketeer - 10th June 2013 at 07:43
That museum has been on my ‘to do list’ too long….this is the year.
Please donate to these museums! I know 90% of people here would/do, but every penny is helpful. The genpub think these museums are funded by local councils and/or the government! In our museum on saturday, a chap thought that!
I would love to see a combined Lottery Heritage grant get put to gether to aid several of the smaller museums.
By: David Burke - 9th June 2013 at 22:35
The main u/c chunk on the roof is interesting!
By: JT816 - 9th June 2013 at 20:02
Agreed with all the above. Nice view from the top too. It’s hard to appreciate the building itself as there really is so much stuff in there. Slightly off the remit of the board but if anyone wants a good look round a Martello tower the children’s zoo in Clacton is worth a look.
Carl
By: ian_ - 9th June 2013 at 19:20
Great pictures, thanks for posting. I’m taking a trip down that way in the summer, will certainly call in.
By: Wyvernfan - 9th June 2013 at 18:51
Yes i have to say they have done an excellent job on stabilising it, together with virtually everything else they have recovered from the sea. The large three bladed german bomber prop they have is still in superb condition.
Rob
By: Trolly Aux - 9th June 2013 at 18:33
Great to see, thank you. Nice also to know that the Mustang has not turned to dust as predicted for the Dornier
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June 9, 2013 at 5:46 pm