East Essex Aviation Museum (479th Fighter Group)
Details:
In the historic Martello Tower.
MuseumThe 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:
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 :