Fenland aviation collection set to go on show in Norwich

They are set to be shown at the City of Norwich Aviation Museum this summer. 

The collection was originally curated by Wisbech's Fenland and West Norfolk Aviation Museum and is being moved to the city following its closure last year. 

Museum assistant Linda marks said: "We're hoping the building will be cladded by late spring, it will be June or July before we've got any of the exhibits in it.

The remains of an engine from a Lancaster Bomber, which crashed near Peterborough in 1944 (Image: Chris Bishop)

"It's lovely for it to be kept together rather than being split up into different places."

The Fenland museum was home to a large collection of aviation archaeology excavated over more than three decades.

It includes parts from crashed Lancaster and Stirling bombers, along with the remains of a Mosquito fighter-bomber which had lain hidden in mudflats in The Wash near King's Lynn for 60 years until they were spotted at low tide in 2004.

The remains of the Mosquito discovered in The Wash in 2004 (Image: Chris Bishop)

Full-sized aircraft, including a Cold War Lightning fighter have been passed on to other museums and collections.   

The Fenland museum was also home to a full-sized fibreglass replica of a Spitfire, which could be seen on Google earth in the garden of enthusiast Paul Linsell, who restored it at his home in Heacham.

The fighter's restoration is continuing at another enthisiast's home near Downham Market. 

Models at the former Fenland and West Norfolk Aviation Museum (Image: Chris Bishop)

The Fenland museum also hosted a large collection or aircraft models and memorabilia, such as pilot's suits, many of which have been transferred to Norwich.

The Norwich museum has seen visitor numbers steadily increase since the opening of the city's Northern Distributor Road. 

The museum, at Horsham St Faith, is open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am - 4pm and on Sundays from 11am - 3pm.