RAFA and Veterans’ Day @ NASAM
Sunday 11th August saw several different groups visiting the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum for the Royal Air Forces Association and Veterans Day annual event.
Norfolk Military Vehicle Group brought ten different vehicles to the museum. The Austin Seven Club had several different marks of vehicle present. A motorcycle club was also in attendance (sorry, I forgot to ask your name) as well as three individual vintage vehicles. Earlier in the day, a very rare De Lorean popped in for a quick visit.
As well as local RAFA organisations, we were also joined by two veterans of World War II.
All of these generated a large amount of interest with over 500 visitors throughout the day. Visitors could also reminisce or learn about coinage from the pre-decimal era (is that really over forty years ago now?), try on various items of uniform and military wear such as flying helmets and gas masks. The museum was operating its Helicopter Flight Simulator based in the Sycamore cab, and using the actual controls (still connected to the rotor head for added complexity and realism) in an attempt to fly. Five vintage guns were available for visitors to touch and see.
Unfortunately one visitor was unable to attend. The hoped-for flypast of the Battle of Britain Flight Dakota couldn’t take place due to the aircraft being unserviceable at the last minute. We understand that the ground crew tried hard to get the aircraft working, but didn’t manage to do so until too late for us.
All in all though a very interesting and successful day.
Well done everyone who turned up to support our day.