New Zeppelin Exhibition Opens

A new exhibition detailing the Zeppelin raids on South-east Essex has opened at the Southend central museum.

The exhibition that details the Zeppelin raids on Southend is free to enter and has many rare artefacts on show including an un-exploded incendiary bomb, parts of a shot down Zeppelin and early air raid horns.

One of the star exhibits is the 1/72 scale model Zeppelin specially made for the exhibition.

The exhibition has a series of photos from the double raid on 10th May 1915 when over 100 bombs were dropped in the first pass the Zeppelin flew on to Thames Heaven before encountering heavy flak and changed course back towards Southend dropping more bombs on the town.

A book has been published to co-inside with the exhibition; this book also contains brief histories on the Wartime Hospitals and Nursing in Southend, The Home Front, Rochford Airdrome, Anti Aircraft Defences and the people of Southend. The 70page book is on sale at the Museum shop priced at just £3.50.

I can thoroughly recommend the exhibition a fascinating and very well thought out part of not just Southend’s history but of our very nation’s history such a shame that the role Southend played is over looked far too often.

Zeppelin L32 Parts.

Early Air Raid Sirens were basically just blown horns.

Incendiary bomb that failed to ignite found at Sutton Road Southend.

The hand built 1/72 scale model zeppelin, made from MDF it was originally intended to have it suspended from the ceiling but the weight of the model meant it had to be supported in a rapidly built frame, made to look like it had been caught in the search lights.

Rear cabin detail.

This is a rare chance to see origianl artifacts that rarely go on show to the public. The exhibition is now open and runs until 12th July entry is free.