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
Latest News and Events
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