A Norwich museum has saved an aviation collection after a Norfolk museum announced its closure.
The City of Norwich Aviation Museum (CNAM) has announced its expansion to encompass the Fenland and West Norfolk Aviation Museum's (FWNAM) collection.
FWNAM approached CNAM in late 2021 to ask if the museum would take on the majority of its collection due to its forced closure.
Unless a home could be found, the items were at risk of being split up and lost to organisations outside Norfolk.
Fenland's collection is centred around aviation archaeology and comprises of a significant number of artefacts recovered from Second World War crash sites in and around the county.
Fenland chairman, Chris Herring, said: “While it is with great sadness we needed to make the decision to close our museum.
"We have been very fortunate to be able to keep the majority of the collection together at CNAM - securing the future of our historically important collection that has been gathered over the last 30 years."
To house the new collection, the city museum has begun plans to construct a new exhibition building they will call Fenland Hall in dedication to Fenland and West Norfolk Aviation Museum’s members.
It will make the museum the largest independent museum in East Anglia.
CNAM chairman, Thomas Emms, said: “It was a no-brainer. Our motto is to preserve Norfolk’s aviation heritage.
"We already house unique, rare and relevant artefacts associated with aviation in the local area so when we were approached by Fenland the committee instantly agreed that we had to do our best to house the collection in its entirety.
"We hope this collection will enhance our visitor experience and we are grateful to Fenland for approaching us”.
Mr Herring added: "We hope the new displays will continue to inspire future generations and also help keep alive the memories of so many aircrew and support staff from around the world that gave their lives in the service of our country and to protect its citizens.”
It is hoped that the new exhibition will be completed next May, and ready for visitors in the summer of 2023.
CNAM is open on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm and on Sunday from 11am to 3pm.
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