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The Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum is near Flixton, in East Anglia. The museum houses a varied array of over 60 complete or partial aircraft.
The museum's aircraft include the only complete de Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.1 in private ownership, a flyable replica of the Colditz Cock escape glider, and an FMA IA 58 Pucara that was captured by British forces during the Falklands War.
History
Local enthusiasts met in 1972 and decided to record some of the aviation history of the Eastern Counties. The following year a society was formed and a Nissen hut was used behind Flixton post office.
The museum officially opened in May 1976 by the late Wing Commander Ken Wallis. A large building on the Bungay/Flixton airfield was offered along with the use of a meadow for the aircraft.
By 1978, the Society had changed its name to The Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum (N&SAM), and Wing Commander Ken Wallis, who developed the Wallis Autogyro and built "Little Nellie" famously flown by him when doubling as James Bond in the film "You Only Live Twice", had become the museum's President.
In 1984 almost 8 acres of land was purchased and work commenced on sourcing and erecting buildings and a hangar.
The theme of the museum is the occupation of the airfield by the following:- 446th Bomb Group USAAF, Fleet Air Arm and Royal Air Force. Aviation in the East of England is also a theme of the museum.
The museum does not charge for admission but relies on the income from light refreshments, the shop, bricabrac, and donations. There is only one paid employee, and everyone else is a volunteer.
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