Review of 2025 – Wight Aviation Museum
Source: https://wightaviationmuseum.org.uk/2026/02/02/review-of-2025
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:22
Review of 2025 – Wight Aviation Museum
Review of 2025
Feb 2, 2026
—
by
wamiow
in
Latest News
Winter Project – New Men in Sheds Workshop
Although closed to the public work continued at the museum over the winter with the building of our new bigger “Men in Sheds” wood working workshop. Men in Sheds is a great way for men to socialise and learn new skills in a friendly environment, no prior woodworking skills are needed but we recommend you wear suitable clothing for a workshop environment.
If you would like to join our Men in Shed team please email us at: wightaviationmuseum@gmail.com
January – A special guest visitor from 12,000 miles away
In January Andrew Hall Jones from New Zealand; the son of Rod Hall-Jones visited the Wight Aviation Museum.
who is, with WAM, the co-owner of the
Spartan 3-Seater
aircraft that WAM is bringing home to its birthplace on the Isle of Wight from New Zealand.
Andrew is a pilot with the New Zealand Defence Force and was completing a tour of duty in Britain and used the opportunity to inspect Wight Aviation Museum to see for himself and to reassure his father of the suitability for displaying the Spartan aircraft.
Andrews father Rod Hall-Jones once flew helicopters for the famous French marine explorer and conservationist Jacques Cousteau.
Andrew centre with WAM volunteers Paul, Helen and Richard
Andrew was shown around the museum by members of the WAM Team and was very impressed with what we have achieved in just a few years. Andrew presented the museum with a signed and dedicated copy of his father’s autobiographical book
You’ll Never Make it!
You can be a part of history and support our campaign to bring the Spartan Aircraft home to the Isle of Wight by clicking on the link below.
Support our Spartan Aircraft Campaign by Donating Here
January – Volunteer Fair
WAM Chairperson Helen Blake and the High Sheriff of Isle of Wight, Graham Biss on the Wight Aviation Museum stand at the “Volunteer Fair” at the Riverside Centre, Newport.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of the museum and we welcome people of all abilities.
If you are interested in volunteering and can spare a few hours a week please come and see the museum and meet the other volunteers for coffee, tea and plenty of biscuits. To arrange your visit please email us at: wightaviationmuseum@gmail.com
February – Derek Barratt Tribute
The Wight Aviation Museum were very saddened to hear of the death of Derek in February who was one the museums first volunteers, helping to promote and fund raise before we even had a building.
Once the museum was open to the public he could always be relied on and was often the first to arrive and the last leave.
He was extremely knowledgeable about the exhibits and had a great gift for relaying information to visitors in an informative and entertaining manor.
As well as volunteering at the museum he was also a skilled photographer taking superb photos in and around the airfield having previously worked as semi-professional wedding photographer.
Derek was key to making the Wight Aviation Museum a success and will be missed by many at the museum.
March – Rambling at WAM..
NOTES FROM THE TRAIL! It was a fantastic turn-out for International Women’s Day on Saturday. The event began with a pre-opening tour of
Wight Aviation Museum
especially for the occasion, followed by a fabulous walk through the surrounding countryside!
T
he large group of walkers were treated to a wonderful tour of the museum focused on the first female aviators who took to the skies in WW2 that included Island resident Mary Ellis who most loved flying spitfires. The walk took us on a circular path headed towards Alverstone and then onto Newchurch along footpaths that met fields and stunning woodland. This route was designed and led by Helen J.
Wight Aviation Museum
re-opens on April 12 after its winter break. Visitors gain an extraordinary insight into WW2 local history and aviation on the Island through exhibits of heritage artefacts, innovative storytelling as well as models including every spitfire ever made. It is run entirely by volunteers and well worth a visit!
If you would like to book a group visit to the Wight Aviation Museum please email us at: wightaviationmuseum@gmail.com
April – Museum Re-opened to the Public
All preparations being completed on time, the Museum reopened for the 2025 season on April 7
th
and the ceremony was performed by Lord Lieutenant Susie Sheldon. She enjoyed an extensive tour with individual presentations by knowledgeable members, after which she enthused, “It’s actually amazing here! So many exhibits! It was a pleasure to visit.
Susie stated “
This is an absolute ‘hidden treasure’, you don’t need to be into aeroplanes as there is so much to see and do! All the volunteers are passionate about it! People think museums are very dry, but this isn’t!”.
This year, for the first time we opened to the Public on Fridays, bringing the weekly offering to five days. This was an experiment as we could not be sure whether an additional day would just dilute the numbers attending on the other opening days, but this does not appear to be the case.
Easter “Squirrel” Hunt at the Wight Aviation Museum
WAM held its first Easter Egg hunt weekend where little ones were invited to to find our very own “Captain Squigglesworth’s” Easter Eggs hidden around the museum.
This was our first Easter Egg hunt and proved a great success with visitors of all ages. We hope to hold a another “Eggcelent” event in 2026..
May – Sheriff Visits the Museum
The Wight Aviation Museum were pleased to welcome the Islands High Sheriff, Jacque Gazzard, who visited in May and was given the VIP treatment. She said, “This is an incredible collection! People, with any interest or not in aircraft, should come and see the depth of the collection. It’s sheer delight! All the volunteers should be very proud of what has been achieved!”
The Wight Aviation Museum team give Jacque a guided tour of the museum.
June – Shed Fest 2025
WAM used its second new hangar to good effect by hosting a number of public events. An art and crafts fair, the return of Shedfest, a new event named Modelfest in conjunction with our friends the Isle of Wight Bus and Coach Museum, all brought a new audience to the Museum and raised public awareness of who we are and what we do.
June – New defibrillator for emergency use at Sandown Airport.
A new defibrillator has been donated to the
Wight Aviation Museum
thanks to Wight Event First Aid and Training.
The handover of this life saving piece of equipment took place during the recent art and crafts fair at Sandown Airport.
The donation aims to support public safety at the site, which regularly welcomes visitors through both the museum and the airport.
Wight Event First Aid and Training described the museum as “fabulous” and said they were pleased to support the cause.
July – WAM at the Isle of Wight Science Fair
The 2025 Science Festival held at Cowes Enterprise College and was organised by the IoW Science Festival Steering Team and supported by the Wight Aviation Museum.
The Wight Aviation Museum were delighted partners of this years event which was attended by thousands of Isle of Wight school children. The Science Festival included:
Exhibitor stands from over 30 companies and organisations
A pop-up science centre
Live science shows including Where Science Meets Wonder
A STEM Challenge Workshop
A Planetarium experience
Interactive exhibits from the Isle of Wight College and CECAMM, including forensic science and “invisible beams”
A special appearance from the Island’s very own National Poo Museum!
For our Year 10 and 12 students, the day will also include a careers speed-meet event, giving them the chance to meet professionals from a wide range of industries, explore future career pathways, and learn vital employability and interview skills ahead of their GCSE and A-Level exams.
The WAM team of volunteers were also on hand to tell the story of how the isle of Wight was at the forefront of Britain’s space programme developing both the Black Knight and Black Arrow rockets in the 1950’s and 60’s.
The Black Arrow was also the first and only British built rocket to date, to place a satellite called “Prospero” in orbit in 1971. This still orbits the Earth today over 50 years later.
July – Hurricane at the Airfield
The forecast was for high winds at the Airport, but no-one was expecting a Hurricane, July saw this classic aircraft visit Sandown Airport.
Hurricane P3717 (G-HITT) also known as “Hugh” is a “Battle of Britain” veteran built by the Hawker Aircraft Ltd in 1940 as a MkI Hurricane and handed over to the RAF in June of that year.
Initially flown by Polish Pilot Officer W. Samolinski, after just seven weeks the aircraft was heavily damaged in combat with Messerschmitt BF 110’s.
Following repairs P3717 was sent to the 257 Squadron to see further combat before being returned to Hawker Aircraft for additional major works and upgraded to the MK 2 standard. It was then sent to Russia where it saw combat on the Eastern front. The aircraft was recovered from Russia in the late 1990’s and after extensive restoration was returned to airworthiness in March of 2017.
The Hawker Hurricane entered RAF service in December 1937 and at the outbreak of WW2 outnumbered Spitfires by two to one. Nearly 15,000 Hurricanes were built in total and today P3717 is just one of 12 in the World that are still flying..
Wight Aviation Museum volunteers with Hurricane “Hugh”
September – “Modelfest” at the Wight Aviation Museum
Over the weekend of the 13th and 14th of September WAM held it’s first Modelfest in partnership with the Isle of Wight Bus and Coach Museum. Model builders and owners from across the Island were able to display their collections for the public to enjoy. Visitors were also able to take a classic bus ride between the two venues. The event proved a great success and we hope to hold another Modelfest in 2026.
October – WAM secures “Lifetime Achievement” award for John Philips
John with his Skeeter Helicopter
Skeeter XL765 takes pride of place at the museum
John Phillips was a lifetime helicopter enthusiast and a long-serving member of the Helicopter Museum.
In 2002 he was able to acquire the remaining incomplete airframe of Saunders-Roe Skeeter AOP12 XL765 and began his search for sufficient components to rebuild it to static display condition.
With his son-in-law Adrian this was finally achieved by 2023 and by then, owing to failing health, John and Adrian reached the conclusion that a new home must be found for their helicopter.
This early Skeeter had been built at the SARO facility, East Cowes, and John had long felt that he would eventually return it to its place of origin. He offered it to the Wight Aviation Museum, who gladly accepted it and it now enjoys pride of place and is a major attraction for visitors.
In 2025 WAM bid successfully for John to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from Aviation Heritage UK and this was duly awarded at a recent gathering at Rolls-Royce in Derby.
John was unable to make the journey and so a small delegation of WAM members was privileged to present it to John at his home in Melksham. Very sadly John passed away in November.
October – Viper arrives at WAM
The Wight Aviation Museum took delivery of an Armstrong Siddley Viper jet engine that had kindly been donated to the museum. The engine was delivered with great skill and aplomb by DH Price’s superb driver Steve and will form a new part of a new display at the museum.
October – Model of the Saunders Roe SRA/1 (Sea Squirt)
The Wight Aviation Museum were delighted to receive a donation from Isle of Wight aircraft modeller Geoffrey, who has donated this fantastic model of the Saunders Roe experimental jet fighter the SR A/1. Geoffrey builds his models by hand using aluminium sheeting replicating panel for panel, from the original aircraft.
This model will now be displayed in custom built display case thanks to grant funding from Airbus via Aviation Heritage UK.
Geoffrey has donated several of his hand built model aircraft to the museum for the public to enjoy including a replica Spitfire which takes pride of place at the heart of the museum.
History of the SR-A1
The The Saunders-Roe SR.A/1 (nicknamed the Sea Squirt) was a prototype flying boat fighter aircraft designed and built by British seaplane manufacturer Saunders-Roe at east Cowes on the Isle of Wight in 1947. It was the first jet-propelled water-based aircraft in the world.
The concept behind the SR.A/1 originated during the Second World War as a reaction to Japan’s successful use of military floatplanes and the emergence of the turbojet engine. Saunders-Roe presented an initial proposal of their jet-powered seaplane concept, then designated SR.44, to the Air Ministry during mid-1943.
In April 1944, the Air Ministry supported its development with a contract for three prototypes but development was protracted by Saunders-Roe’s work on other projects, the war having ended prior to any of the prototypes being completed.
On 16 July 1947, the first prototype made its maiden flight. The SR.A/1 was evaluated by the Royal Air Force (RAF), who concluded that the design was incapable of matching up to the performance of land-based designs. Despite interest from foreign governments, including the United States, no orders for the SR.A/1 materialised. As such, it never entered volume production or saw service with any operators. While interest in the SR.A/1 programme was briefly revived following the start of the Korean War, the aircraft was considered to be obsolete by that point and was again rejected.
The surviving aircraft now resides at the Solent Sky Museum.
Render showing the SR.A/1 in flight off the south coast of England.
November – WAM AGM
The final opening day of the Season was November 2
nd
, and two days later we held our AGM in the new hangar.
32 members attended the AGM and after many years of services as our Head of Media, Director & Trustee Brian Curtis decided to step down from board but will continue to support the museum, especially with our education outreach work.
Member David Edwards was elected to the board as were the existing board members. At the subsequent Directors’ meeting on December 3
rd
, previous chair Helen Blake decided to step down, taking on the role of Deputy Chair, with existing board member Jonathan Lamb taking on the role Chair.
December – Henry Nobbs Tribute
The Wight Aviation Museum were very saddened to hear of the death of Henry Nobbs at the age of 94.
Henry was on one the museums earliest supporters and members helping to raise funds towards our very first collection in 2017.
Affectionally known as “Mr Sandown” as his knowledge of local history was unsurpassed, he will be missed by many at the museum and at Sandown airport where he regularly volunteered.
A full tribute can be read via the link below:
A Tribute to Henry Nobbs 1931-2025 – Wight Aviation Museum
Henry Nobbs
December –
On December 16
th
a pre-Christmas social event was held in the 2nd hangar for all volunteers, upon which we closed for the remainder of the year.
The Wight Aviation Museum is now aiming to build on it’s previous success to make 2026 even better.
Review of 2025
Feb 2, 2026
—
by
wamiow
in
Latest News
Winter Project – New Men in Sheds Workshop
Although closed to the public work continued at the museum over the winter with the building of our new bigger “Men in Sheds” wood working workshop. Men in Sheds is a great way for men to socialise and learn new skills in a friendly environment, no prior woodworking skills are needed but we recommend you wear suitable clothing for a workshop environment.
If you would like to join our Men in Shed team please email us at: wightaviationmuseum@gmail.com
January – A special guest visitor from 12,000 miles away
In January Andrew Hall Jones from New Zealand; the son of Rod Hall-Jones visited the Wight Aviation Museum.
who is, with WAM, the co-owner of the
Spartan 3-Seater
aircraft that WAM is bringing home to its birthplace on the Isle of Wight from New Zealand.
Andrew is a pilot with the New Zealand Defence Force and was completing a tour of duty in Britain and used the opportunity to inspect Wight Aviation Museum to see for himself and to reassure his father of the suitability for displaying the Spartan aircraft.
Andrews father Rod Hall-Jones once flew helicopters for the famous French marine explorer and conservationist Jacques Cousteau.
Andrew centre with WAM volunteers Paul, Helen and Richard
Andrew was shown around the museum by members of the WAM Team and was very impressed with what we have achieved in just a few years. Andrew presented the museum with a signed and dedicated copy of his father’s autobiographical book
You’ll Never Make it!
You can be a part of history and support our campaign to bring the Spartan Aircraft home to the Isle of Wight by clicking on the link below.
Support our Spartan Aircraft Campaign by Donating Here
January – Volunteer Fair
WAM Chairperson Helen Blake and the High Sheriff of Isle of Wight, Graham Biss on the Wight Aviation Museum stand at the “Volunteer Fair” at the Riverside Centre, Newport.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of the museum and we welcome people of all abilities.
If you are interested in volunteering and can spare a few hours a week please come and see the museum and meet the other volunteers for coffee, tea and plenty of biscuits. To arrange your visit please email us at: wightaviationmuseum@gmail.com
February – Derek Barratt Tribute
The Wight Aviation Museum were very saddened to hear of the death of Derek in February who was one the museums first volunteers, helping to promote and fund raise before we even had a building.
Once the museum was open to the public he could always be relied on and was often the first to arrive and the last leave.
He was extremely knowledgeable about the exhibits and had a great gift for relaying information to visitors in an informative and entertaining manor.
As well as volunteering at the museum he was also a skilled photographer taking superb photos in and around the airfield having previously worked as semi-professional wedding photographer.
Derek was key to making the Wight Aviation Museum a success and will be missed by many at the museum.
March – Rambling at WAM..
NOTES FROM THE TRAIL! It was a fantastic turn-out for International Women’s Day on Saturday. The event began with a pre-opening tour of
Wight Aviation Museum
especially for the occasion, followed by a fabulous walk through the surrounding countryside!
T
he large group of walkers were treated to a wonderful tour of the museum focused on the first female aviators who took to the skies in WW2 that included Island resident Mary Ellis who most loved flying spitfires. The walk took us on a circular path headed towards Alverstone and then onto Newchurch along footpaths that met fields and stunning woodland. This route was designed and led by Helen J.
Wight Aviation Museum
re-opens on April 12 after its winter break. Visitors gain an extraordinary insight into WW2 local history and aviation on the Island through exhibits of heritage artefacts, innovative storytelling as well as models including every spitfire ever made. It is run entirely by volunteers and well worth a visit!
If you would like to book a group visit to the Wight Aviation Museum please email us at: wightaviationmuseum@gmail.com
April – Museum Re-opened to the Public
All preparations being completed on time, the Museum reopened for the 2025 season on April 7
th
and the ceremony was performed by Lord Lieutenant Susie Sheldon. She enjoyed an extensive tour with individual presentations by knowledgeable members, after which she enthused, “It’s actually amazing here! So many exhibits! It was a pleasure to visit.
Susie stated “
This is an absolute ‘hidden treasure’, you don’t need to be into aeroplanes as there is so much to see and do! All the volunteers are passionate about it! People think museums are very dry, but this isn’t!”.
This year, for the first time we opened to the Public on Fridays, bringing the weekly offering to five days. This was an experiment as we could not be sure whether an additional day would just dilute the numbers attending on the other opening days, but this does not appear to be the case.
Easter “Squirrel” Hunt at the Wight Aviation Museum
WAM held its first Easter Egg hunt weekend where little ones were invited to to find our very own “Captain Squigglesworth’s” Easter Eggs hidden around the museum.
This was our first Easter Egg hunt and proved a great success with visitors of all ages. We hope to hold a another “Eggcelent” event in 2026..
May – Sheriff Visits the Museum
The Wight Aviation Museum were pleased to welcome the Islands High Sheriff, Jacque Gazzard, who visited in May and was given the VIP treatment. She said, “This is an incredible collection! People, with any interest or not in aircraft, should come and see the depth of the collection. It’s sheer delight! All the volunteers should be very proud of what has been achieved!”
The Wight Aviation Museum team give Jacque a guided tour of the museum.
June – Shed Fest 2025
WAM used its second new hangar to good effect by hosting a number of public events. An art and crafts fair, the return of Shedfest, a new event named Modelfest in conjunction with our friends the Isle of Wight Bus and Coach Museum, all brought a new audience to the Museum and raised public awareness of who we are and what we do.
June – New defibrillator for emergency use at Sandown Airport.
A new defibrillator has been donated to the
Wight Aviation Museum
thanks to Wight Event First Aid and Training.
The handover of this life saving piece of equipment took place during the recent art and crafts fair at Sandown Airport.
The donation aims to support public safety at the site, which regularly welcomes visitors through both the museum and the airport.
Wight Event First Aid and Training described the museum as “fabulous” and said they were pleased to support the cause.
July – WAM at the Isle of Wight Science Fair
The 2025 Science Festival held at Cowes Enterprise College and was organised by the IoW Science Festival Steering Team and supported by the Wight Aviation Museum.
The Wight Aviation Museum were delighted partners of this years event which was attended by thousands of Isle of Wight school children. The Science Festival included:
Exhibitor stands from over 30 companies and organisations
A pop-up science centre
Live science shows including Where Science Meets Wonder
A STEM Challenge Workshop
A Planetarium experience
Interactive exhibits from the Isle of Wight College and CECAMM, including forensic science and “invisible beams”
A special appearance from the Island’s very own National Poo Museum!
For our Year 10 and 12 students, the day will also include a careers speed-meet event, giving them the chance to meet professionals from a wide range of industries, explore future career pathways, and learn vital employability and interview skills ahead of their GCSE and A-Level exams.
The WAM team of volunteers were also on hand to tell the story of how the isle of Wight was at the forefront of Britain’s space programme developing both the Black Knight and Black Arrow rockets in the 1950’s and 60’s.
The Black Arrow was also the first and only British built rocket to date, to place a satellite called “Prospero” in orbit in 1971. This still orbits the Earth today over 50 years later.
July – Hurricane at the Airfield
The forecast was for high winds at the Airport, but no-one was expecting a Hurricane, July saw this classic aircraft visit Sandown Airport.
Hurricane P3717 (G-HITT) also known as “Hugh” is a “Battle of Britain” veteran built by the Hawker Aircraft Ltd in 1940 as a MkI Hurricane and handed over to the RAF in June of that year.
Initially flown by Polish Pilot Officer W. Samolinski, after just seven weeks the aircraft was heavily damaged in combat with Messerschmitt BF 110’s.
Following repairs P3717 was sent to the 257 Squadron to see further combat before being returned to Hawker Aircraft for additional major works and upgraded to the MK 2 standard. It was then sent to Russia where it saw combat on the Eastern front. The aircraft was recovered from Russia in the late 1990’s and after extensive restoration was returned to airworthiness in March of 2017.
The Hawker Hurricane entered RAF service in December 1937 and at the outbreak of WW2 outnumbered Spitfires by two to one. Nearly 15,000 Hurricanes were built in total and today P3717 is just one of 12 in the World that are still flying..
Wight Aviation Museum volunteers with Hurricane “Hugh”
September – “Modelfest” at the Wight Aviation Museum
Over the weekend of the 13th and 14th of September WAM held it’s first Modelfest in partnership with the Isle of Wight Bus and Coach Museum. Model builders and owners from across the Island were able to display their collections for the public to enjoy. Visitors were also able to take a classic bus ride between the two venues. The event proved a great success and we hope to hold another Modelfest in 2026.
October – WAM secures “Lifetime Achievement” award for John Philips
John with his Skeeter Helicopter
Skeeter XL765 takes pride of place at the museum
John Phillips was a lifetime helicopter enthusiast and a long-serving member of the Helicopter Museum.
In 2002 he was able to acquire the remaining incomplete airframe of Saunders-Roe Skeeter AOP12 XL765 and began his search for sufficient components to rebuild it to static display condition.
With his son-in-law Adrian this was finally achieved by 2023 and by then, owing to failing health, John and Adrian reached the conclusion that a new home must be found for their helicopter.
This early Skeeter had been built at the SARO facility, East Cowes, and John had long felt that he would eventually return it to its place of origin. He offered it to the Wight Aviation Museum, who gladly accepted it and it now enjoys pride of place and is a major attraction for visitors.
In 2025 WAM bid successfully for John to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from Aviation Heritage UK and this was duly awarded at a recent gathering at Rolls-Royce in Derby.
John was unable to make the journey and so a small delegation of WAM members was privileged to present it to John at his home in Melksham. Very sadly John passed away in November.
October – Viper arrives at WAM
The Wight Aviation Museum took delivery of an Armstrong Siddley Viper jet engine that had kindly been donated to the museum. The engine was delivered with great skill and aplomb by DH Price’s superb driver Steve and will form a new part of a new display at the museum.
October – Model of the Saunders Roe SRA/1 (Sea Squirt)
The Wight Aviation Museum were delighted to receive a donation from Isle of Wight aircraft modeller Geoffrey, who has donated this fantastic model of the Saunders Roe experimental jet fighter the SR A/1. Geoffrey builds his models by hand using aluminium sheeting replicating panel for panel, from the original aircraft.
This model will now be displayed in custom built display case thanks to grant funding from Airbus via Aviation Heritage UK.
Geoffrey has donated several of his hand built model aircraft to the museum for the public to enjoy including a replica Spitfire which takes pride of place at the heart of the museum.
History of the SR-A1
The The Saunders-Roe SR.A/1 (nicknamed the Sea Squirt) was a prototype flying boat fighter aircraft designed and built by British seaplane manufacturer Saunders-Roe at east Cowes on the Isle of Wight in 1947. It was the first jet-propelled water-based aircraft in the world.
The concept behind the SR.A/1 originated during the Second World War as a reaction to Japan’s successful use of military floatplanes and the emergence of the turbojet engine. Saunders-Roe presented an initial proposal of their jet-powered seaplane concept, then designated SR.44, to the Air Ministry during mid-1943.
In April 1944, the Air Ministry supported its development with a contract for three prototypes but development was protracted by Saunders-Roe’s work on other projects, the war having ended prior to any of the prototypes being completed.
On 16 July 1947, the first prototype made its maiden flight. The SR.A/1 was evaluated by the Royal Air Force (RAF), who concluded that the design was incapable of matching up to the performance of land-based designs. Despite interest from foreign governments, including the United States, no orders for the SR.A/1 materialised. As such, it never entered volume production or saw service with any operators. While interest in the SR.A/1 programme was briefly revived following the start of the Korean War, the aircraft was considered to be obsolete by that point and was again rejected.
The surviving aircraft now resides at the Solent Sky Museum.
Render showing the SR.A/1 in flight off the south coast of England.
November – WAM AGM
The final opening day of the Season was November 2
nd
, and two days later we held our AGM in the new hangar.
32 members attended the AGM and after many years of services as our Head of Media, Director & Trustee Brian Curtis decided to step down from board but will continue to support the museum, especially with our education outreach work.
Member David Edwards was elected to the board as were the existing board members. At the subsequent Directors’ meeting on December 3
rd
, previous chair Helen Blake decided to step down, taking on the role of Deputy Chair, with existing board member Jonathan Lamb taking on the role Chair.
December – Henry Nobbs Tribute
The Wight Aviation Museum were very saddened to hear of the death of Henry Nobbs at the age of 94.
Henry was on one the museums earliest supporters and members helping to raise funds towards our very first collection in 2017.
Affectionally known as “Mr Sandown” as his knowledge of local history was unsurpassed, he will be missed by many at the museum and at Sandown airport where he regularly volunteered.
A full tribute can be read via the link below:
A Tribute to Henry Nobbs 1931-2025 – Wight Aviation Museum
Henry Nobbs
December –
On December 16
th
a pre-Christmas social event was held in the 2nd hangar for all volunteers, upon which we closed for the remainder of the year.
The Wight Aviation Museum is now aiming to build on it’s previous success to make 2026 even better.