This Museum is recognised as East Anglia's Aviation Heritage Centre. Maintained and run by volunteers, with one paid staff member, the Museum celebrated its 35th Anniversary in 2007. Constituting an impressive collection of aircraft and equipment, the Museum also displays in separate buildings themed collections for the Royal Observer Corps No. 6 Group, the 446th (H) Bomb Group USAAF, RAF Bomber Command, RAF Air-Sea Rescue & Coastal Command, and local aviation through the years. There are also numerous exhibitions on special subjects including WWII Decoy Crews, Boulton & Paul, RAF training aids, aerial photography, and the Home Front.
The idea for an aviation museum in the Bungay area was initially conceived by half a dozen local aviation enthusiasts, resulting in its establishment in 1972. Following coverage in the local press, the first public meeting of The Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Society was held early the following year, attracting 25 attendees. It was not until four years later that their efforts were finally put on view to the general public. The current museum has grown considerably since its official opening in 1976 - their first premises was a Nissen hut behind the Flixton Post Office. It soon became obvious that the Nissen hut could not be a permanent home, as in the first year alone, there were 5,500 visitors! Jim Patterson, an ex-World War One pilot, ran the Post Office at the time, and was as surprised as the rest of the Society at the interest shown. He understandably had reservations about so many people invading his back garden - it is said that he lost most of his lettuces that year under trampling feet.
After considering other sites for relocation (including Seething Control Tower, Tibenham and Ellough ), Andrew Gilham, then landlord of Flixton's local pub, The Buck, provided the solution. Andrew offered the use of two small meadows to the rear of the pub together with a barn. The offer was accepted, although much effort and hard work was needed to make the barn suitable for housing the displays and storage. The enthusiasm and spirit of the members ensured that the job was completed in time for the new facility to be opened to the public on 24th April 1975.
By 1978, the Society had changed its name to the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum (NSAM), had become a Limited Company, and had registered as a Charity. Wing Commander Ken Wallis, who developed the Wallis Autogyro, and built "Little Nellie" famously used by James Bond in "You Only Live Twice", agreed to become the Museum's President. www.kenwallisautogyro.com
The Museum's collecting policy has always been - if it is available and we can both afford and accommodate it, we will have it. Aircraft and equipment, artefacts and records have been steadily acquired over the years by virtue of "keeping ears to the ground" and being very aware of what has been available. However, it has certainly not been a case of indiscriminate acquisition, as each aircraft or section of aircraft is first evaluated for suitability.
Museum Chairman Ian Hancock displays his own aircraft at Flixton, some aircraft are on loan, and some are bought by the Museum outright. Visitors give many items to the Museum. We are often asked how acquisitions are funded, as NSAM has never charged admission, relying instead on the contributions of the public when they visit. It is a measure of the success and appeal of the Museum that the public has always been generous enough to keep it going from year to year. Other sources of income include appeals and fundraising initiatives, open days and special events, corporate donations, and grants from Local Government and Europe. However, it must be recognised that without the time and effort, so freely and unstintingly given by members of the museum in the running and maintaining of the Museum, we would not have achieved what we have to date.
Please also see:
Bungay Town Guide
