Tangmere Great War day this sunday

xtangomike

Perhaps, just perhaps, attitudes have changed over the last 20 years. Madeleine and I spent about 15 minutes talking to Reginald Byron, deputy curator. I told him that as a private initiative, some time ago, I had been in touch with the Church Commissioners whom, I was led to believe owned some of the Tangmere freehold to discuss the future of the old watch tower which is now almost hidden behind a curtain of greenery. My impression was that the Commissioners were quietly obstructive.

I had offered at my expense, to clear and repair the tower; then open it as an extension to the Museum. Mr. Byron mentioned that there were some Museum plans for the use of the concrete apron/taxiway but did not go into any detail. Mr. Byron rightly or wrongly left me with the impression that nothing was written in stone.

Pete,

I’m sure you know what I was getting at! Unobstructed approaches, more or less in the right East/West axis lending itself to two or three flyins per year and raising funds for the Museum plus putting Tangmere more emphatically in the public eye.

Perhaps a trial run sometime next year ?

The founder members of this museum were hounded out by inward thinking ,selfish trustees, for even suggesting such things could be done. (1992/3)

‘The weather stayed friendly and we both thought the Museum was much improved since our last visit when Nick Berryman was around’. ‘ raising funds for the Museum plus putting Tangmere more emphatically in the public eye.’
John Green’s comments are telling words.

We were even told that Aeromarts were not to be held there …and they were not…they went to Shoreham instead !!

This museum could have been so far ahead today if it had not been made a trust museum. Beware anyone ever thinking of doing the same as we did. IT DOES NOT WORK !!

Pete,

I’m sure you know what I was getting at! Unobstructed approaches, more or less in the right East/West axis lending itself to two or three flyins per year and raising funds for the Museum plus putting Tangmere more emphatically in the public eye.

Perhaps a trial run sometime next year ?

I’ve learned something new today, I never realised that Tiger Moths and Spitfires were operated during the Great War. 🙂

I’m glad you enjoyed yourselves. The museum has, indeed, come on in leaps and bounds over the last 6 or 7 years. As with all volunteer organisations, you can only achieve what the skills of your volunteers allow but, over the last few years, some remarkably talented and enthusiastic people – especially in the engineering and electronics fields – have come knocking on the door. 😉

I agree the Boultbee Tiger and Spitfire displays were first class. Didn’t have the right camera with me for photographing air displays (tto much shutter delay) but here’s a couple of the better ones.

That large expanse of concrete to the North (c.450 x 100 yds) looks as tho’ it could do with more use !

I don’t know what you had in mind, John but if you mean that bit we were using for car parking in front of the hangars, word is that it, and the T2s behind it, are next on the list for digging up/knocking down for more housing.

Pete

I thought it was very good and very well attended. Variety of stalls, but good to see many visitors of all ages. Really enthusiastic staff and a wide range of age groups attending. Good to see Joe Roddis there too. Great displays by the Boultbee Tiger Moth and one of their Spitfires.

‘Sporty’ and I had an excellent day. A lengthy chat with the friendly and knowledgeable Reg Byron. The weather stayed friendly and we both thought the Museum was much improved since our last visit when Nick Berryman was around.

That large expanse of concrete to the North (c.450 x 100 yds) looks as tho’ it could do with more use !

Was the Spitfire, the two seater from Boultbee at Goodwood ?

Did you notice how the roof of the “hangar” is mirrored too??…. 🙂

That’s funny!

I hope you all enjoyed your visit. I have to say, whoever did the stall allocation has one heck of a sense of humour!

Pete

Excellent. Mrs P and Miss P plus boyfriend are also being dragged along so it looks like we already have the makings of a riotous assembly. Perhaps the “sporty Mrs Green” will enjoy a trip in the Lightning – no previous experience necessary! 😉
PP

If the weather is half decent, me and the much put upon but sporty Mrs. Green will attend.

Hmmm… looks like it’ll be just you and me FB! 😎

The Se5a cockpit you mention is proving to be a great hit with visitors. Not intended to be an exact replica, it’s designed to allow visitors to experience a First World war aircraft cockpit. Complete with Vickers and Lewis machine gun sounds as well as engine sounds, the front part of the cockpit slides forward on rollers to allow access to visitors of all ages and levels of mobility. More info here: http://www.tangmere-museum.org.uk/flight-simulators

Also in that section of the web site, the Hunter cockpit has recently been refurbished and although the Lightning sim is being re-engineered at the moment, it will be available on Sunday using the original software and a single projector visual system – have some fun and book yourself a ride as soon as you arrive (it’s free but very popular). There’ll be plenty of other things to do and see, too and your entry fee includes full access to the museum; if you fancy sitting down for a while there will be talks going on all day in the Neville Duke Hall with subjects including the RFC, First World War poetry and the history of Tangmere itself.

I hope you have a great time.

PP