NASAM Update as of the 16th Jul 2021

In This Edition Of The Online Flier

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Chairman’s Update

ROC and Veterans Day Update

We have been notified by the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight that we have been allocated a Spitfire flypast for the ROC and Veterans Day on the 8th of August 2021. The actual aircraft and the timings will be notified on the day and the flypast is subject to weather conditions and operational commitments on that day. Please keep an eye on our Social Media sites for further updates nearer the time. Social Media links are at the foot of this Blog.

SABS Mk2a Bombsight

Over the last few weeks, the Museum has been in correspondence with Old Sarum Aviation Museum re one of our bombsights, the Stabilised Automatic Bomb Sight Mark 2a (SABS Mk2a). It appeared that John Bell, a Director at the Old Sarum Museum, used this particular model of the bombsight whilst flying as aircrew on 617 Sqn in WWII. Only a small number of these SABS bombsights were ever produced, and Flixton had one of the remaining few.

Old Sarum wanted to borrow the bombsight on a particular day so that they (Old Sarum) could look at it with the veteran, as they hope to have TV and newspapers there given the uniqueness of the occasion. It looked like this may be one of the few days they could get the veteran there, saying that John is the last living person who can explain how the SABS Mk2a worked, and they would like to film that interview.

The meeting was scheduled for the 28^th of June, and Cliff and Lottie from the Museum took the bombsight down to Old Sarum. It was arranged for Old Sarum to sign a loan form for six months so that the bombsight could then go in their Lancaster front end that is being built.

Andrew Panton who had facilitated the move later reported that the visit with John Bell went very well and that John was delighted to see the SABS Mk2a bombsight again, saying that the last time he used one was during the summer of 1944. Old Sarum attached a couple of pictures showing John with the bombsight. John was able to explain once again how he used the bombsight (John Bell 01 thru 03).

Andrew said that a video was made of the visit and John’s explanation of how the bombsight worked. The video will be completed during the summer; it will be used to help people understand how the SABS Mk2a worked. A copy of the video would be made available to Flixton when completed.

John Bell said he was very grateful for the Flixton Museum to allow him the opportunity to be reunited with the bombsight he used so many years ago. He really did enjoy his day, quite amazing; he is now 98!

Andrew also said that he would like to thank the Flixton Museum for our help and support in making such a unique event happen. This summer he (Andrew) was working on a couple of films for us based on the discussion that took place at Flixton when he visited. He commented that we have the best collection of bombsights that he had seen and he had visited a few museums in his time.

(Ed …. Note … The SABS bombsights became available in early 1943 and were used by the Pathfinder Force first. The sights were then turned over to 617 Sqn, who first used them on the operation in Nov 1943 against the Anthéor railway viaduct target in Southern France. The best-known use of the bombsight was by 617 Sqn and 9 Sqn was in 1944 against the German battleship Tirpitz in the Norwegian Fjords from heights of up to 16000 feet.)

John Bell at Old Sarum Photos

Classic cars

A classic car group from Colchester visited the museum on Sunday 4th July on a drive out. A dozen cars of very varied types were parked on the grass by the entrance for other visitors to admire (Classic Cars 01 thru 08).

Colchester Classic Cars Photos

Steve Bell

Keep Up To Date

To keep up to date with further information, please keep an eye on our Social Media or click on the button below to be notified of any upcoming changes whenever we publish a new blog.

Go to the form forEMAIL NOTIFICATIONS

In addition, the Latest COVID restrictions in place at and around the museum can be found by clicking on the button.

NASAM COVID Guidance

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General Updates

The regular contributors again came up trumps and sent in a number of updates from their respective areas along with the photos published below.

Does Anyone Know Update

In a previous edition of the blog, we published 4 photos found by Ash when he was tidying up some areas of the Museum. As they were obviously taken of US airmen we asked our readers in the USA if they recognised anything or anyone. The answer came from closer to home as, the following note was received from Ian, past Chairman of the Museum, who said:

“I think that one of the “US” photos was taken at Flixton. (Ed. Ian also sent in a recent photo taken in the same room showing the fireplace as it appears today (Flixton Recent 01)).

In view of the rank badges worn by the personnel, I think it is inside the NCOs Mess rather than the Officers’ Club, and as a pumpkin is on the mantle, it is likely to be Halloween.

The other two shots, which seem to have been taken at the same event, are again of NCOs – one of them eating possibly pumpkin pie (might be some kind of tradition on the day).

As for the exterior group, probably at Flixton if found together with the others but difficult to say for sure.”

(Ed – I have published the photos again (Does Anyone Know 01 thru 04), and the photo sent by Ian (Flixton Recent 01)).

Does Anyone Know Photos

Does Anyone Know Again

Speaking of “Does Anyone Know” ?? Ash has again found a couple of photos as he continues his tidying up of the Museum. The first of these appears to be a graduation photo and the second, he commented “looks like the ground crew on and around a Mosquito. Doesn’t look like any flyers from the clothing. Nothing on the back so another anonymous pic” (Does Anyone Know 05 and 06).

We ask our readers, therefore, “do they know anyone in these photos or where and when they were taken ??” Click on the link to let us know. Click to let us knowWhat You Think

Anyone Know Again Photos

Artists at the Museum

Michael took a few photos of the group of Artist group that came to the museum on Thursday the 7th of July (Artist Group 01 thru 04). Their day was mixed: cloudy morning, sunny around lunchtime and torrential rain when they left (Rainy Day 01)!

Artists Group Photos

Chippies Update

Michael reported on the progress from the Chippies shop on the work being undertaken by those volunteers in the woodworking shop:

Hangar Entrance Cupboard

First, Dave H, Ash and Michael F have been continuing the hangar entrance cupboards work. Over the last few workdays, we squared up the doors in the frames, mounted them on their hinges and fitted the door handles and locks. Big thanks to Ian S and the newest volunteer Dave (all volunteers are called Dave!) who moved the metal cabinet to behind the Steerman and hung all the brooms neatly behind the wheelchairs. They then removed the accumulated junk and swept the area behind the entrance door, all ready for Thursday (7th) when we installed the first sections of the broom cupboard (Hangar Entrance Cupboard 06 thru 12).

Hangar Entrance Cupboard Photos

Gun Rack

A couple of weeks ago, Ian S brought in his gun rack and suggested we copied it so that on open days we could safely display weapons. On Tuesday, Tony and Ash found some suitable wood to make a new rack and used Ian’s one as a pattern. By the end of the day, it was ready. The photo shows the original and new racks together (Gun Rack 01).

Gun Rack Photo

Bird Boxes and Safe Cracking

The stocks of recovered wood and offcuts have meant Tony has been hard at work building yet more bird boxes and bird tables – if ever there was a production line at the Museum, Tony assisted by Morris doing the painting is it (Bird Boxes 01 and 02).

Ash meanwhile has been perfecting his safe-cracking skills, opening up another donation box and installing a new lock. No pictures as Ash says his skills are only to be seen by those sworn to the trade.

Bird Box Photos

Once again many thanks to the contributors for their input to this edition and to the dedication that they put into their Volunteer work.

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Would You Like To Help

We are now seeing visitor numbers increase slightly on the limited opening days (aided by being open three days per week), however, because of the restricted numbers due to Government guidelines, the donations are still well below the levels of previous years. The museum continues to incur expenses for insurance, maintenance and essential running costs, I make no apologies therefore for keeping this section in the blog, therefore, hoping a few people will consider helping in the ways below.

If you think you can help the museum, there are several ways you can do this. Help by becoming a Museum Member, also by Volunteering to help at the museum, or by donating to assist in our running costs. To become a Museum Member or to Volunteer Member, please click on the appropriate button below to see the details on our main website.