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East Essex Aviation Museum (479th Fighter Group)

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Details:

In the historic Martello Tower.

Museum

The East Essex Aviation Society & Museum has been housed in the historic Martello Tower at Point Clear since its first opening to visitors in 1986.

 The Tower is one of the first Napoleonic Forts built in 1806 on the East Coast to repel any possible invasion from France and is one of the few Martello Towers still open to the public.

 The Society was formed in 1985 when interest grew locally in the recovery of a crashed American P-51 Mustang of the U.S. 479th Fighter Group (Riddle's Raiders) that was forced to ditch in the sea off the coast of Clacton on 13th of January, 1945 with the loss of the pilots life (LT Raymond E. King). The Tower was the ideal place to store and preserve the wreckage after it was retrieved from the sea.

 The remains of this aircraft now take pride of place along with a memorial display to the pilot. In addition to this, the Museum also houses a large collection of displays covering the major conflicts of the 20th century.

 

See Museum website and facbook page for opening times.

Monument Text:

Commemorates:

People:

Raymond Earl King

Units:

434th Fighter Squadron, 479th Fighter Group

435th Fighter Squadron, 479th Fighter Group

436th Fighter Squadron, 479th Fighter Group

479th Fighter Group

8th Air Force

Wars:

WWII

Other images :