Tangmere Military Aviation Museum

Tangmere Military Aviation Museum
Name	Tangmere Military Aviation Museum
Caption	Hangar and static display at Tangmere
Established	1982
Location	Tangmere, West Sussex, England
Type	Aviation museum

Tangmere Military Aviation Museum is an aviation museum located at the former Tangmere airfield near Chichester, West Sussex, England. The museum preserves the heritage of Royal Air Force units, Fleet Air Arm detachments and associated squadrons that operated from Tangmere, presenting collections spanning First World War, Second World War, Cold War and post‑Cold War eras. Its exhibits focus on operational history, aircraft restoration, and the stories of aircrew, engineers and commanders associated with Tangmere and nearby airfields such as Goodwood Aerodrome and Ford (airfield).

History

Tangmere airfield originated as a Royal Flying Corps landing ground in the First World War and developed into a major Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force base through the Interwar period. Tangmere played a prominent role in the Battle of Britain and later Operation Overlord preparations; notable figures associated with the airfield include Douglas Bader, Johnnie Johnson, Stanley Unwin and Adolph Malan. After the Second World War Tangmere hosted jet units such as those flying the Gloster Meteor and Hawker Hunter before closure as an active RAF station in the 1970s. The museum was established by local veterans, enthusiasts and groups including the Royal Air Forces Association to conserve surviving structures, artefacts and aircraft connected to Tangmere’s operational legacy.

Site and Facilities

The museum occupies original and reconstructed buildings adjacent to the former airfield, including preserved hangars, a control tower replica and workshops similar to those found at Tangmere heritage sites elsewhere. Facilities include conservation hangars, climate‑controlled stores, research rooms for archives and a library containing operational diaries, squadron records and personal papers from units such as No. 1 Squadron RAF, No. 610 Squadron RAF and 849 Naval Air Squadron. Visitor amenities encompass exhibition galleries, a café, a museum shop and outdoor hardstanding for large exhibits, with landscape features referencing the original runways and perimeter tracks used during campaigns like the Dieppe Raid and Operation Torch.

Collections and Exhibits

The museum’s collection covers airframes, aero engines, armament, uniforms, pilot logbooks, squadron standards and ephemera from squadrons including No. 602 Squadron RAF, No. 416 Squadron RCAF and No. 11 Group RAF. Thematic displays contextualise artefacts within campaigns such as the Battle of Britain, Channel Front operations and Cold War air defence. Special exhibits highlight personalities like Arthur Harris and collections of aircraft types developed by firms such as Supermarine, Hawker Aircraft, Gloster Aircraft Company and Fairey Aviation Company. The archive holds official documents from commands including RAF Fighter Command, oral histories from veterans of Bomber Command and photographs documenting deployments to theatres like North Africa and the Western Front (World War I).

Aircraft on Display

On display are historic examples spanning biplanes through jets: representatives built by Supermarine such as replicas of the Supermarine Spitfire, types from Hawker including Hawker Hurricane and Hawker Hunter, and jets like the Gloster Meteor. Naval types associated with nearby squadrons include aircraft from Fairey Barracuda lineage and carrier‑borne types flown by Fleet Air Arm units such as Swordfish derivatives. The collection also includes training and liaison types used by Central Flying School, rotary examples linked to Army Air Corps cooperation, and notable engines manufactured by Rolls‑Royce and Bristol Aeroplane Company. Many exhibits are accompanied by documentation linking airframes to operations like the Channel Dash and individual pilots recognised with awards such as the Victoria Cross and Distinguished Flying Cross.

Restoration and Conservation

Conservation work is conducted by in‑house specialists and volunteer teams in cooperation with organisations such as the Aircraft Restoration Company and university conservation departments. Projects follow guidelines published by bodies like the Museums Association and use archival research drawing on squadron ORBs, government records from the National Archives (United Kingdom) and technical drawings by manufacturers including Supermarine Aviation Works. Restorations range from full airframe rebuilds and engine overhauls to surface treatment and paint schemes researched against period photographs of squadrons such as No. 92 Squadron RAF and No. 501 Squadron RAF.

Education and Public Programs

The museum runs education programs for schools linked to the National Curriculum (England) themes of local history and technological change, workshops for cadet organisations including the Air Training Corps and guided tours for veteran groups and researchers from institutions such as the Imperial War Museums. Public events commemorate anniversaries like Battle of Britain Day and host lectures from historians affiliated with universities such as University of Portsmouth and University of Chichester. Volunteer training, apprenticeship placements with aerospace firms and collaborative exhibitions with groups like the Royal Air Force Museum expand access to technical skills and archival material.

Visiting Information

The museum is accessible from A27 road near Chichester, with parking, step‑free access to principal galleries and seasonal opening hours that reflect volunteer staffing and conservation activities. Visitor facilities include an orientation desk, exhibition trails and signage referencing local heritage sites such as Goodwood Motor Circuit and wartime pillboxes still visible on the airfield. Membership options, group booking provisions and special‑interest tour arrangements are available through the museum’s visitor services.

Category:Aviation museums in England