Wings Museum Past Achievements & Future Objectives

Past projects

• Clearance of cave system in Tunnel Road Reigate ready for hosting World War Two Themed public open days (the Reigate Caves was used as an ARP Control Centre during World War Two).
• Setting up of temporary World War Two displays in the cave system off Tunnel Road Reigate for the public four times per year for several years.
• Setting up of temporary World War Two display in the cave system off Tunnel Road Reigate for the mayors and mayoresses of Surrey.
• Setting up temporary World War Two display for the Surrey Military Collectors society in Dorking Halls - Gold Rosette awarded.
• Setting up temporary World War Two display and talk for 135 Squadron Air Cadets.
• Researched and erected permanent memorial stone and plaque to the crew of Handley Page Halifax JN920 of 51 Squadron RAF which crashed at Kasterlee in Belgium on 22nd October 1943 with the loss of all on board. Traced and reunited surviving relatives with the graves of the crew and liased with the local community which hosted a dedication service which was attended by the relatives. We also arranged for representatives of the current 51 Squadron to attend the unveiling of the memorial. A display was transported to Belgium and put on display at the memorial service.
• Saved a 1948 historical twin engined DeHavilland Devon (VP967) from being scrapped. Dismantled moved and stored the air frame for several years. Restored the aircraft and put it back into its original service colours. Sourced many missing parts from all over the world including one engine, replaced fuel system and bought the airframe back to full ground running and taxiable condition for display to the public. VP967 is now on permanent public display on the flight line at Redhill Aerodrome the home of our current museum.
• Traced surviving relatives to aircrew of local well known crash of an American Boeing B17 bomber and liased with a local lady for a permanent memorial plaque to be placed at the site in memory of the crew. Attended ceremony with surviving relatives and local press for unveiling of the memorial. Commissioned local artist to depict the aircraft on its last flight in an oil painting, copies of which were presented to the relatives. Prints have been made for sale to the public to raise money for the museum and future memorials.
• Rescued important historic aircraft (Miles Magister) one of only eleven in the world. This aircraft actually flew from Redhill Aerodrome. It is now on public display in the museum and it is intended to restore the aircraft for display in the Wing Museum.
• Received request from family of pilot of Halifax MZ565 51 Squadron RAF to locate the crash site. Travelled to Belgium to locate the crash site, found the location. Liased with local community. Erected permanent memorial plaque on 12th October 2002 with full memorial service attended by the family. Opened the Wings Museum on a special open day to receive other surviving family members from the crew from Canada and the USA.
• Put on display at RAF Waddington on behalf of 51 Squadron based there at their air show.
• Researched and liased with Swindon Archaeology Group and subsequently excavated artefacts from an American P38 aircraft which crashed in Wiltshire in 1944. Traced surviving family members. A display of representative parts has been permanently gifted to the family in the USA. A play was subsequently written about the pilot and was performed by school children in the United States as an educational project.
• Put on temporary display of the P38 for a Science Museum open weekend at Wroughton.
• Put on temporary display of the P38 for the Wroughton History Group.
• Recovered rare and important World War Two aircraft wreckage and airframes from Russia for display in the museum. One of which is the only known surviving aircraft of its type in the world today above sea level! Some of these aircraft will be restored for static display.
• We have opened the museum to the public for various groups to visit, have opened on scheduled open days and at Redhill Air Show open days. Any donations received have been used to finance the various memorials etc to date.
• We have achieved full membership status of the British Aviation Preservation Council (BAPC).
• Our DeHavilland Devon was used in 2005 for filming of a historical documentary drama for Channel 4 called 'Margaret'. The money raised from this is to be used to help finance the restoration of the interior of the aircraft.

Current Projects

• Restoring the cockpit section of an American B25 Mitchell bomber which was shot down during World War Two and subsequently recovered by members of the Wings Museum. This will enable visitors to appreciate the conditions which our heroic airmen served under during such harrowing times. This has included sourcing many of the internal fittings from America.
• Preservation of items for display within the museum
• Jumo 211 engine restoration
• P-63 King Cobra Restoration
• Rolls Royce Merlin Restoration
• A-26 Invader cockpit restoration

Future Projects

• To improve upon the museum to allow greater public access including school visits and also visits from veterans associations, local historical societies and other parties.
• Our aim is to promote an appreciation of our armed forces and to provide a focal point for veterans, relatives of those who served and young people and any one interested in our military history.
• We aim to provide disabled access.
• To enhance the team of volunteers and encourage new skills.