Our Story

The Tangmere Military Aviation Museum was founded through the determination and enthusiasm of a small group of volunteers who shared a common ambition: to preserve the remarkable history and legacy of RAF Tangmere for future generations.

RAF Tangmere occupies a unique place in Britain’s military aviation history. From the First World War through the Battle of Britain and into the Cold War, the station was home to generations of airmen and airwomen who played a vital role in defending the nation. As the airfield gradually disappeared following its closure in 1970, there was a real danger that its extraordinary story would be lost forever.

In 1981, West Sussex County Council donated a former SECO hut to the fledgling organisation, providing the Museum with its first permanent home. After countless hours of hard work by dedicated volunteers, the Museum officially opened its doors to visitors in June 1982.

What began as a modest collection of artefacts has since grown into one of the country’s most respected military aviation museums. Today, the Museum houses an extensive collection of aircraft, engines, uniforms, medals, photographs, documents and personal memorabilia, each helping to tell the story of military aviation and the people who shaped it. Alongside the collections are interactive exhibits and flight simulators, allowing visitors of all ages to experience aviation history in a hands-on and engaging way.

Although RAF Tangmere remains at the heart of our story, the Museum’s collections and exhibitions celebrate the wider history of British military aviation, from its earliest pioneers to the jet age and beyond. Above all, the Museum stands as a lasting memorial to the Allied airmen and airwomen who served—and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice—in the defence of freedom.

The Museum continues to be run largely by a dedicated team of volunteers whose passion, knowledge and commitment ensure that these stories remain alive for future generations.

In 1987, the Museum became a registered charity and charitable company, now operating as the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum Trust Ltd. The charity is governed by a Board of Trustees, with the day-to-day operation of the Museum overseen by its Director and management team.

For more insight into the history of both the museum and RAF Tangmere, click here to read past issues of our Friends magazine ‘Talking Tangmere’