IWM American Air Museum in Britain

I was at the 2nd Air Division Memorial Library today for a presentation by the AAM team. It's a very exciting project, and they are hoping for many, many contributors. Have a look--you may be able to help.

American Air Museum in Britain

Another One!

This memorial is on a private estate, so isn't generally accessible to the public, but I received a very kind invitation to view it. I've taken a couple of photos for you:

Beautiful, isn't it? It's propeller blade from B17 Pathfinder 42-97556, Shatzi, flown by the Donald MacGregor crew. On the night of 11/12 April, 1944, it was shot down by a German intruder, Two men were killed. In 1989, Donald MacGregor attended an informal ceremony here, and a time capsule was placed in the base of the memorial.

A full account of the crash can be found in the Ian McLachlan/Russell Zorn book, 

Eighth Air Force Bomber Stories.

Flixton Handover

Here I am with Huby Fairhead, Curator of the Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum, handing over a copy of the database. Huby is hugely knowledgeable concerning the 8th Air Force in this area, and it's always a pleasure to spend time with him. The museum was very busy today--lots of steam enthusiasts!

Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum

Rattlesden Thoughts

I was posting to the AAM again today, this time some information about Rattlesden. The Control Tower is now being used as a clubhouse for the Rattlesden Gliding Club. We visited in July of 2013, which was a flying day for them, and they very kindly took us to the clubhouse, which you can only approach via the runway, and let us look around. On the clubhouse is a brass memorial for Robert Edward Femoyer, a Medal of Honor recipient. You can read about him here--if you follow the links at the bottom of the entry, you'll get the full story.

American Air Museum, Robert Femoyer

At Rattlesden Gliding Club

2nd Lt Robert Edward Femoyer
photo courtesy of findagrave.com
American Air Museum, Robert Femoyer

The Database goes to Parham!

On Easter Sunday, I drove out to Parham. It was their first open day of the season, and I wanted to be there!  Many thanks to John Curtis and Tim Brett for making me so welcome. That's John in the photo, an enthusiastic volunteer. He, his wife, and his son all give their time to the Parham Airfield Museum. Parham/Framlingham was home to the 390th Bombardment Group.

American Museum in Britain entries

Here is what I've been doing today. I've added this memorial, the memorial in nearby St Barnabas church, and the plane, the "Lady Jane."  I've also added information to the crew. Regrettably, I can't find one of the crew members in the AAM database, so  I'll add Johnie J Jones, Flight Engineer, when I add the others I find are missing.

Lady Jane Memorial