Pocket Watch Acquired
20th September 2025
A lovely pocket watch has been acquired for museum display:
No.318 Gdanski Squadron. STANISLAW SKALSKI 1943. Victory in the skies.
The "Gdańsk Squadron," officially No. 318 "City of Gdańsk" Polish Fighter-Reconnaissance Squadron, was a unit of the exiled Polish Air Force that served alongside the Royal Air Force during World War II.
Ju88 Control Column Donation
Thursday 24th July 2025
On 24th July 2025 we received a really lovely donation for our Ju 88 project from Larry Tritle across the Pond.
His father, Robert Charles Tritle Jr, was an Air Gunner with the 389th HBG/8th Air Force, up at Hethel, near Norwich, on B-24 Liberators. He luckily kept this Control Column souvenir from a Ju 88 that came down near his base in 1944.
Larry has very kindly donated it to our Projekt Schnellbomber Ju 88 rebuild at the museum here in Shoreham. Just the job! Many thanks Larry.
Luftwaffe pilot Oberleutnant Armin Faber's family visit
Saturday 19th July 2025
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
Thursday 22nd May 2025
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.
Lancaster Bomber Model Donation
Saturday 29th March 2025
Many thanks to Johanna Overton-Fox who popped in to the museum today and kindly donated a lovely scratch-built Lancaster Bomber model.
The story behind the bomber is very sad:
Squadron Leader Richard David Campling D.S.O, D.F.C was the pilot of Lancaster III ND445, 7 Squadron, Royal Air Force. On the 15th February 1944 it took off from RAF Oakington on a raid to Berlin. The Lancaster was shot down near the Griebenstrasse at Linde and he was killed with the rest of his crew.
The crew were: S/L R.D. Campling, F/L R.J.H. Clayton, F/L D.F. Langahm, W/O/ C.L. Quinn, Sgt. G.E. Coombe, F/Sgt G.H.L. Wright, F/Sgt B.S. Cubbage.
S/L Campling is buried at Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Coll. grave 9. L. 8-14.
Meet the Author (20th April 2025)
Sunday 23rd March 2025
On Easter Sunday, 20th April 2025 please come along and meet Brian Bradshaw, author of The German Connection, a historical novel about two German S.O.E. agents.
When Sabine Wilkinson's past as an SOE agent collides with her present life as a schoolteacher, long-buried secrets resurface. Amid unexpected encounters and lingering traumas, she must navigate the shadows of wartime espionage and personal resilience. In a journey of rediscovery and strength, Sabine's story is a testament to the enduring power of courage and friendship.
ISBN 9781835432570, published by Olympia Publishers
We will be celebrating the 80th Anniversary of VE Day on the early May bank holiday weekend.
Meet two RAF Veterans
We are delighted to confirm that on Saturday 3rd May we will have the honour of being visited by two RAF Veterans:
Albert "Bert" Westgate
Bert trained as a Lancaster rear gunner, then prior to D-Day posted to Compton Basset for wireless operator training. He was re-posted to Portland, Weymouth in early June 1944 and crossed the Channel to Omaha Beach on D-Day +6 with American forces following the 21st Army Group through Normandy, France, and into Belgium.
View an ITV interview with Bert from March 2024.
Warrant Officer Roy Briggs
Posted to 576 Sqn at RAF Fiskerton, Roy served as a Wireless Operator on Lancasters. Flying 10 Ops’ his missions included raids on Plauen and Bremen before taking part in Operation Manna. As the war ended he transferred to 156 Pathfinder Sqn.
A very happy young man here at the museum earlier today!
Sunday 9th March 2025
We received a lovely email today thanking everyone for providing young AJ with such a fab morning at the museum.
TikTok video promoting our museum
January 2025