An iconic P-51 Mustang fighter plane will roar in to mark the official opening of Sywell Aviation Museum for the 2013 season.
A family day has been organised for the opening, which will take place on Easter Saturday, March 30, from 10.30am. Entry is free.
And weather and serviceability permitting, Peter Teichman will be taking his P-51 ‘Jumpin Jacques’ Mustang for a special appearance, to mark the 70th anniversary of the deployment of the 20th Fighter Group of the United States Army Air Force to Kings Cliffe, near Corby, in 1943.
There will also be re-enactors from the Pitsford Home Guard and military vehicles from the Troops Trucks and Stores Group and Military Vehicle Trust.
Museum secretary, Ben Brown, said: “We proudly display the fighter group’s unique and fabulously rare original mission boards, and the opening will serve as a backdrop to the unveiling of a specially commissioned roll of honour and commemorative bench, in partnership with The 20th Fighter Group Association.”
The museum is also taking bookings for its popular weekday evening tours.
It is also looking for items to display, particularly if relevant to Sywell or aviation in Northamptonshire, together with military and aviation books or unbuilt model kits.
Anyone who has items to donate or wants to book a tour, can contact Mr Brown on 07968 061708 or email sywellaviationmuseum@gmail.com
From Easter, the museum is open every weekend and bank holiday between 10.30am and 4.30pm, until the end of September.
The P-51 Mustang is widely credited with helping to change the course of the air battle over Europe in the Second World War. Powered by the British Merlin engine, the P-51 was the first plane capable of escorting the American bombers all the way to the German heartland and back on their long and hazardous daylight missions. The 20th Fighter Group were equipped with the Mustang at Kings Cliffe, after training on P-40 Warhawks and starting operations with the P-38 Lightning.
Comments