UK Aviation Museums Menu:
The North East Land Sea Air Museums, formerly the North East Aircraft Museum is a volunteer-run aviation museum situated on the site of the former RAF Usworth / Sunderland Airport, between Washington and Sunderland.
The museum houses over 30 aircraft and a wide collection of aero engines. It also has a small collection of other items such as weaponry, vehicles and other historical exhibits.
History
In 1974, a group of vintage aircraft enthusiasts began to meet at Sunderland Airport (formerly RAF Usworth) to exchange views, slides and information about their chosen interest. The group established a site in Lambton Pleasure Park and became formalised as the North East Vintage and Veteran Aircraft Association (NEVVAA).
Over the next few years a number of aircraft were obtained. In 1977, NEVVAA changes its name to the Northumbrian Aeronautical Collection (NAC). It later changed its name again in 1980 to the North East Aircraft Museum (NEAM). In January 1983, a Vulcan B2 touched down at Sunderland Airport to join the growing collection at NEAM.
In April 1984, Sunderland council announce that Sunderland Airport was to close to make way for a car factory. The future of the museum remained uncertain until late in to the year when the council offered a long term lease on a four acre site just outside the boundary of the former airfield.
In 1987, NEAM decided to open the museum on a full time basis, and in 1989, a project was started centred on raising the necessary funds to place a number of airframes undercover. Planning permission was granted for a new display hangar in 1991, and 1993 saw the erection of the new hangar.
The 'Military Vehicle Museum' moved along side the North East Aircraft Museum from 2009 with the first vehicles moving on-site in January 2012. The museums are now called the 'North East Land Sea Air Museums'.
|
