Latest News and Events
Mrs Emily Maude Maxwell Memorial, London
15th September 2025
Our original appeal for information earlier this year regarding the Messerschmitt 109 crash in London on August 31st 1940 received a fantastic response. Thank you to everyone that helped. At the museum we thought it would be nice to arrange a memorial for Mrs Emily Maude Maxwell who sadly died 2 weeks after the crash after being severely injured by the falling aircraft. She was only 51.
On Monday, 15th September 2025 (Battle of Britain Day) a memorial was held at Emily's resting place, Plumstead Cemetery SE18 in London. In attendance were her two Granddaughters, Jane and Liz, and family members. The service was held by Deacon David Daly. A Superb cross with an inscription was made by a friend of Geoff to mark the occasion.
We received the following lovely thank you from Jane, one of Emily's Granddaughters:
Dear Geoff,
Yesterday was truly amazing. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all that you did for Emily and all of us. We can't get over the trouble you took: hunting down Emily's resting place; clearing it; having the cross and inscription made; finding someone to officiate; tracking us down; and hosting a fabulous buffet at the museum after the ceremony. I kept being told it was team work - well gosh what a team you have round you! All your volunteers were delightful and we all learned so much and had a really great time being shown through your museum.
Liz and I didn't take many photos yesterday but I attach what we did take. We are very grateful to you for sending yours. There are some lovely pictures there. Thank you so much.
Thank you to everyone involved with the memorial. Emily will not be forgotten.
Our original appeal for information can be seen below:
Appeal for Information
August 31st, 1940
Messerschmitt 109 crash, Plumstead, London
Geoff Nutkins, Curator of our museum, would love to hear from anyone who has any details of this incident, or maybe even witnessed it:
For me this all started back in the day when you were obliged to wear your Sunday best clothes at the dinner table after visiting Nan on a Sunday. My Dad (Warrant Officer Frank Nutkins) would inevitably recall the events of August 31st 1940. He lived in Plumstead in those days and along with his chum Den Smith witnessed the air battles high above Plumstead SE18. He would recall as he moved the bottle of Tizer around the table how suddenly a Messerschmitt 109 lost its wing as it collided with a barrage balloon cable and span to the ground crashing between Ann Street and Robert Street.
Of course Dad and Den wasted no time in racing to the location to see if they could get a souvenir each! The German pilot, Oberleutnant Walter Binder of 3JG3, died in his aircraft, and Dad managed to obtain a wing tip for a contribution to the Spitfire Fund! Sadly, my Nan threw Dad's prize away, something he loved to mention to me, probably a million times, or more when he was called up! But this story more than any other was what started our museum off! Little did Dad realise that one day in our museum here in Shoreham he would shake hands with the victorious pilot, Sgt Jack Stokoe. The last time he had seen him he was a vapour trail high above Plumstead.
There sadly was another victim that fateful day: Mrs Emily Maude Maxwell, having heard the sirens wailing, took cover in the family Anderson shelter only to be severely injured by the falling aircraft. She was only 51, and died of her injuries 2 weeks later. Emily should be remembered as she has almost passed into history unnoticed. We have now found where she is at rest and plan to pay our respects by laying a wreath there from the museum.
Oberleutnant Walter Binder's swim vest can be seen on display in our museum (see picture).
So, if anyone wants to visit us at Shoreham (near Sevenoaks, Kent), we would be delighted to see you and show you around.
Geoff Nutkins
Curator, Shoreham Aircraft Museum
Art and Book Sale - Saturday 13th September 2025
We're hosting an Art and Book Sale day on Saturday 13th September 2025.
We will mostly have Robert Taylor and Nicolas Trudgeon prints, all multi-signed by Battle of Britain pilots.
Please come and join us at the museum for this special day.
It's an ideal time to purchase some really nice Christmas gifts!
Luftwaffe pilot Oberleutnant Armin Faber's family visit
Luftwaffe pilot Oberleutnant Armin Faber's daughter, Angela and his Great Grandson, Jonas were here at the museum yesterday (Fri 18th July 2025). It was so lovely to see old friends again after all these years. We had a great day together and ended up in the Kings Arms pub, Shoreham, who made us very welcome!!
Oberleutnant Armin Faber was a German Luftwaffe pilot in World War II. On 23 June 1942, he was given special permission to fly a combat mission with 7th Staffel, a unit that flew Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighters.
The Fw 190 had only recently arrived with front line units at this time and its superior performance had caused the Allies so many problems that they were considering mounting a commando raid on a French airfield to capture one for evaluation.
7th Staffel was scrambled to intercept a force of six Boston light bombers returning from a bombing mission; the Bostons were escorted by three Czechoslovak-manned RAF squadrons, 310 Squadron, 312 Squadron and 313 Squadron.
During the combat, Faber became disoriented and separated from the other German aircraft. He was attacked by Sergeant František Trejtnar of 310 Squadron. In his efforts to shake off the Spitfire, Faber flew north over Exeter in Devon. After much high-speed manoeuvring, Faber, with only one cannon working, pulled an Immelmann turn into the sun and shot down his pursuer in a head-on attack.
Trejtnar bailed out safely, although he had a shrapnel wound in his arm and sustained a broken leg on landing; his Spitfire crashed near the village of Black Dog, Devon. Meanwhile, the disoriented Faber now mistook the Bristol Channel for the English Channel and flew north instead of south. Thinking South Wales was France, he turned towards the nearest airfield – RAF Pembrey. Observers on the ground could not believe their eyes as Faber waggled his wings in a victory celebration, lowered the Focke-Wulf's undercarriage and landed.
His plane was the first Fw 190 to be captured by the Allies and was tested to reveal any weaknesses that could be exploited.
Above description taken from Wikipedia
Our museum displays the armoured-glass windscreen of Faber's Fw 190, together with part of its control panel. We also have some wreckage fragments of František Trejtnar's Spitfire. In 1991, Armin Faber visited our museum and presented us with his officer's dagger and pilot's badge.
Special Offer - 2 signed prints for £57.50
Two prints by Geoff Nutkins, both signed by Oberleutnant Armin Faber are available: "Aces High" and "Lone Wolf".
Both can be purchased for a total of £57.50 + p&p. Please contact Geoff at the museum for more information.
Spridgeteers Museum Visit
We were visited by the "Spridgeteers" today, a fantastic group of people for Spridget owners in Kent, Surrey, East Sussex and South London. Here's what Richard kindly sent over:
Dear Geoff & Team, Very many thanks from The Spridgeteers to you and colleagues for your very warm welcome at the museum today. Everyone really enjoyed the visit, your amazing collection of historic artefacts and especially the cream teas.
"Spridget" is a nickname given to the Austin-Healey Sprite and MG Midget, two classic British sports cars.
Superb cars owned by superb people. We hope to see you all again soon.

Model Project for the Battle of Britain 85th Anniversary
Read about our model project to coincide with the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in 2025.
Professional model maker Dom Pound is creating detailed 1:48 scale models of three aircraft for display in our museum. The three aircraft include:
- Spitfire of P/O E.Shipman (41 Squadron)
- Hurricane of Sgt. J.Lansdell (607 Squadron)
- Hurricane of F/O M.Ravenhill (229 Squadron)
The Museum in the News
In August 2022 the museum appeared on an ITV News report regarding our Local RAF Memorials Project for remembering pilots who died within a ten mile radius of Shoreham.
The report is titled Roadside memorials in Kent honour Battle of Britain pilots near where they fell
Local RAF Memorials Project
In 2006 the museum decided to erect permanent memorials to Battle of Britain pilots who lost their lives within a 10 mile radius of Shoreham. Three memorials have also been arranged a little further afield. The project is ambitious and expensive, so we rely heavily upon volunteers and fundraising. If you can help, please get in touch.
The latest (twelfth) memorial sevice took place on Friday 22nd March 2024 in Stansted Village, Kent.
The memorial stone is dedicated to P/O Colin Francis of 253 Squadron, who lost his life on 30th August 1940.
Despite the rain, the memorial was well attended and included moving speeches from Air Commodore (ret) Rick Peacock-Edwards and Air Vice Marshal (ret) David Hobart.
Photos and a video of the memorial service are available to view.
Read about our Memorials Project