Sywell Aviation Museum Within Sywell Aerodrome

The Sywell Aviation Museum (SAM) is a non-profit-making organisation, dedicated to preserving the rich history of Sywell Aerodrome and Northamptonshire's aviation heritage. Our journey began in 1998, and our museum building was officially opened in 2001 by the legendary aviator Alex Henshaw MBE, who also became our honorary president. As a voluntary organisation, we rely on our passionate team of unpaid volunteers and members of the Sywell Aviation Museum Trust to keep our doors open.

Our museum is more than just a collection of artefacts; it is a living tribute to the brave men and women who contributed to aviation history, particularly during the early days of aviation, the Second World War, and beyond. We are proud to provide an important educational resource and an engaging visitor experience within the thriving boundaries of Sywell Aerodrome.

Our Facilities and Exhibits

Our museum is housed in five Nissen huts, three of which were originally used as bomb fuzing sheds at RAF Bentwaters during WW2, and two of which were former POW camp huts from Snape Farm, Derbyshire. These buildings themselves are historical artefacts, adding to the authenticity of our museum.

Our exhibits include a growing collection of aircraft, with the first complete airframe, a Hawker Hunter, acquired in summer 2012. We are currently working on restoring this exhibit, and we plan to continue expanding our collection in the future. Our museum also features a cockpit collection and a complete WW2 Link Trainer in The Paul Morgan Hall, which was added in 2011.

Additionally, we have a range of themed exhibitions, including:

• The American Hall: This exhibition showcases the significant role of the United States in Northamptonshire's aviation history.
• The Norton B-17: This exhibit tells the story of the Norton B-17, a Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress that was stationed at Sywell Aerodrome during WW2.
• The Blakesley B-17: Another Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress, this time from Blakesley Airfield, is the focus of this exhibit.
• The RAF Hall: This exhibition celebrates the history of the Royal Air Force and its role in shaping aviation history.
• The Home Front: This exhibition explores the impact of war on the home front, particularly in Northamptonshire.
• The Luftwaffe & Cold War Hall: This exhibition delves into the history of the Luftwaffe and the Cold War era.
• The Last Flight of The Woodpecker: This exhibit tells the story of the infamous last flight of a Bristol Beaufighter TF.X, known as The Woodpecker.

Our Mission

Our mission is to preserve the memories and honour the fallen who lost their lives in the conflicts of the 20th Century. We are proud to share their stories with our visitors and to provide an educational resource for those interested in aviation history.

We are not a Duxford or Hendon, but we are determined that all visitors should enjoy their time with us, learn about the aviation heritage which is part of our locality, and above all, remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Our Acknowledgements

We are grateful to all our past and present visitors, Sywell Aviation Ltd, FOSA, our donors and supporters over the years - we would not be here without you!