Static Display Aircraft
Six of the Museum’s historic aircraft can be viewed in the grounds:
Phantom FGR2, Sea Vixen FAW2, Meteor F8, Wessex HU5, Harrier GR3 and the Vampire T11 (currently undergoing refurbishment in the conservation area adjacent to the car park).
The Air Raid Experience
Part of an old WW2 air raid shelter recovered from the old Tangmere airfield provides visitors with the opportunity to see how such facilities and their adjoining blast walls were constructed and to experience an ‘air raid on Tangmere’ with full sound effects. Not for the faint-hearted.
Pickett Hamilton Fort
Such ‘forts’ were pillboxes placed on military airfields in late 1940 alongside runways. Manned by three men with a machine gun they were designed to rise out of the ground and surprise attacking enemy paratroopers landing on the airfield.
Memorial Garden
The Memorial Garden is a place for quiet reflection. Over 200 people are remembered via individual plaques, many of which are accompanied by a rose bush, garden seat or other feature. Museum volunteers are represented together with Service personnel and others associated with RAF Tangmere. “They shall grow not old.”
Picnic Area
A grassed area with picnic benches is available for use immediately in front of the Museum’s main entrance.