NASAM Update as of the 9th Oct 2023
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Summary of Contents
Upcoming Special Event Cancelled – Forever Two Wheels UK Rideout has been cancelled and will be rebooked
The Museum will be open as usual on Sunday the 22nd of October 2023 from 1000 to 1600 on the day.
Pete S
What’s In This Edition
From The Chairman
First, from the Chairman, Steve, we have an update on the Beaver and Scouts’ Visit to the Museum on Saturday, the 23rd of September. The youngsters came from different parts of the region. There were a lot of smiley faces on the day, and my thanks go especially to the 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts for allowing us to use the photos taken by Silver Hart Photography.
We also have a few photos taken by Volunteers at the Museum, including those of a couple of volunteers past and present taking a break on Scout Day.
From Around The Museum
In the update from around the museum, we have photos taken by John S and Joe of the Rolls and Bentley Owners’ visit to the Museum on Sunday, the 24th of September, including a young visitor who came dressed for the occasion.
Painters Update
Barry continues with his updates from the Paint Team. Still involved with the Valetta and the Trojan whenever the weather permits.
Chairman’s Update
Scout Day at the Museum
Saturday, 23rd of September, saw the first of four days set aside for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts to visit the museum and work for the aviation skills badges this autumn. On this first day over 80 youngsters from four groups aged between 6 and 14 turned up to work on stage 1, 2 or 3 of the badge.
The youngsters from Norwich, Bungay, Lowestoft and Woodbridge tried their hand at various activities, building stomp rockets and polystyrene plate models plus seeing what a fighter cockpit looked like and learning about diverse topics such as weather forecasts, charts and navigation plus finding out what the parts of the aircraft do and where they are.
At the end of the day, all declared that they had enjoyed the day. Bungay Cubs won the quiz competition.
Steve B
(Photos) 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts
Our thanks go to the 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts for allowing us to use the photos taken by Silver Hart Photography.
(Photos) Sea Scout Day
Around The Museum
Rolls Royce and Bentley Owners
We have a few photos below of the Rolls Royce and Bentley Owners’ visit to the Museum on Sunday, the 24th of September 2023. The owners arrived in the morning for a talk in the main hangar and a guided tour of the Museum. They then retired to the Buck Inn for lunch, followed by further visits in the afternoon to see the aircraft, cockpits and artefacts. We understand that the visit was well enjoyed. Photos from John S and Joe.
(Photos) Rolls and Bentley Owners
Painters Update
03/10/23 – If the cap fits… !
Well, Mr UK Weather served up a right old mixed bag today, resulting in only intermittent outside painting progress.
Following overnight rain, it was pretty soggy down at the Valetta first thing, which resulted in a bit of joshing while we waited for things to dry out. Mark had turned up with a leather flat cap that Mrs K had won in a local raffle. After a bout of “you’re not wearing that” at home, Mark was looking to offload said cap onto one of the team. Not satisfied with being a member of the Flixton-on-Sea Home Guard, east-end boy Private Walker (Ian) then set about auditioning for the SOE (see pic 2310 01 SOE). Evidently, he is looking forward to his first ‘drop’ out of the back of the Valetta!
Due to the damp start, Barry looked around for indoor jobs and was steered towards the new plywood panel in Room 3. This needed priming, plus a topcoat in white gloss (see pic 2310 02), ready to take back some exhibits (what an exciting photo, not! – Ed.).
Down at the T28, the Skipper (Cliff) and Gwen were thwarted by the weather and not quite able to finish off the Trojan, which is complete save for the restoration of the ‘face’ of the Buffalo on the port side nose (see pic 2310 03).
As the day progressed, the weather improved, although there were still some untimely showers in the afternoon. In between times Mark, Ian and Barry managed to extend the red ‘cheat’ line on the Valetta. By close of play, the port side was complete up to the middle of the wing, and the starboard side up to the back of the wing (see pic 2310 04)… to be continued.
With the T28 a no-go today, Gwen sought alternative employment and did a brilliant job tidying up the Paint Store, so one can now get in the door without falling over stuff! After that, she started on some touching up of the Coastal Command buildings where the paint was flaking off.
Barry
(Photos) Painters Update
Upcoming Events
Forever Two Wheels UK at the Museum
Has been Cancelled and will be rebooked
The Museum is pleased to be able to host Forever Two Wheels UK on their ride out on Sunday, the 22nd of October 2023.
FTWUK was started back in May 2019 by Kier. After not riding for a few years due to personal reasons, he decided he wanted to get back to 2 wheels. However, he found that his old biking buddies had either stopped riding, passed away tragically, didn’t have time, or lifestyle changes happened. With these issues facing him, he decided to create FTWUK, to meet like-minded people who wanted to go to new places and enjoy the freedom of 2 wheels & FTWUK was born.
Their website can be seen @ https://www.forevertwowheelsuk.com
Rideouts throughout the year saw the group visiting biker cafes around East Anglia. Friendly marshalled rides for all the enjoy kept growing and growing in numbers, with the best ride out of the year being the M25 memorial ride for HM Queen Elizabeth, with well over 200 bikers joining in a ring of the m25 to pay their respects. We are therefore pleased to see the group coming to the Flixton Museum for their October ride out.
The Museum site will be fully open as usual from 1000 thru to 1600 on the day, with all the aircraft, cockpits and equipment displays, the 446th Bomb Group, Air Sea Rescue and Coastal Command, Bomber Command and ROC buildings all open and with Museum Volunteers on hand to explain the thousands of aviation related items that make up the Museum Collection.
The NAAFI cafe will be open for hot and cold drinks, snacks, and cakes. The shop will be offering a wide range of aviation-related goodies and ice cream to help you make the most of your day.
Entrance to the Museum and parking when you arrive are all free – but we would really appreciate a donation to help with the never-ending maintenance of all the exhibits and to help us keep the Museum growing.
We have aeroplanes on display that date from before the war to the Canberras, Lightnings, Hunters and Harriers that have seen service in the RAF more recently. Across the whole site, we have more than 60 aircraft and cockpit sections on display and can often offer access to many of them for photo opportunities. Museum Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and point out some of the features of each aircraft.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome, provided they are kept on a lead (but not in the shop, please; it gets a bit narrow).
We are wheelchair friendly with access to all areas – apart from aircraft cockpits.
We look forward to seeing you on the day.
Pete S
The Repeat Info
I’m afraid the repeat information is still here, and I do not apologise for keeping his section in our blog. We are a charitable organisation relying on monies from the public to keep us going. Any help we receive is gratefully accepted and enables the museum to continue in our mission “To conserve, preserve and promote the history of aviation in East Anglia, whilst providing a fun, family-friendly and interactive museum, promoting education and remembrance of the events of the past“.
Are you thinking of helping ??
We obtain most of our finances by donations and by membership fees. We save money by having a dedicated group of volunteers that keep the museum and the exhibits both manned and maintained. We hope therefore a few people may consider helping in the ways below.
There are three easy ways to help: Help by becoming a Museum Member, also by Volunteering to help at the museum, or by Donating to assist in our running costs. Please click on the appropriate button below to access the appropriate information:
Click to see how to becomeMUSEUM MEMBER Click to see how to becomeMUSEUM VOLUNTEER 
Click to make aDONATION
Keep Up To Date
To keep up to date with further information, please keep an eye on our Social Media (see the Social Media buttons at the foot of this blog) or click on the button below to be notified by email of any upcoming changes by seeing the latest blog.
Go to the form forEMAIL NOTIFICATIONS
Pete S
