City Of Norwich Aviation Museum

25/06/2026

Have you tried the East Anglia Trail?

Military Aviation Heritage Networks & Historic England have created an East Anglian Trail that features 30 historic airfields, museums, memorials and aviation sites concerned with aviation history ranging from First World War bases that protected the country from airships and bombers to the Cold War bases for aircraft and missiles.

Many sites are located at airfields used by the RAF’s Fighter and Bomber Commands that played roles in the Battle of Britain and the bomber offensive against Germany. The area is also well known for having the largest concentration of US Air Force airfields for the 8th and 9th Air Force.

The trail features an array of historic buildings and features including an atomic bomber base, a radar transmitter block, an anti-aircraft gun dome, control towers and numerous airfields and aircraft hangars featuring fascinating collections of aviation heritage that are accessible to the public. East Anglia has numerous smaller, lesser-known sites with unique collections that bring alive a huge range of aviation history.

Find out more here - https://www.mahn.org.uk/trails/east-anglia-trail/

23/06/2026

Remembering Tibenham...

The origins of aviation in the parish of Tibenham can be traced back to the First World War. In 1916, an Air Defence site was established in fields west of the present airfield to help counter the Zeppelin raids on East Anglia. However, it was not until the Second World War that Tibenham became fully developed as Station 124—one of the many airfields that later became known collectively as the “Fields of Little America”.

Despite being named after Tibenham, most of the base buildings and accommodation for Station 124 actually lay within the neighbouring parishes of Aslacton and Great Moulton. Constructed in 1941–42 by W. and C. French Ltd, the Class A airfield opened in 1943 with three standard concrete and tarmac runways: a main runway of 2,000 yards and two secondary runways of 1,400 yards each, all 50 yards wide. The site also included 35 frying‑pan hardstands and 17 spectacle‑type hardstands. Two T2 hangars provided indoor maintenance facilities, although much of the work was carried out on the hardstands in all weather conditions.

The American Eighth Army Air Force had been formed in January 1942, but it was not until November 1943 that the 445th Bomb Group arrived at Tibenham as part of the 2nd Air Division of the United States Eighth Air Force. The Group comprised four squadrons—700 to 703—flying B‑24 Liberator bombers. Among its most notable personnel was the Hollywood actor Jimmy Stewart, who flew numerous combat missions as commander of the 703rd Squadron and later maintained a strong connection with the airfield, returning to visit the gliding club many times during the 1980s and 1990s.

Between 13 December 1943 and 25 April 1945, the 445th Bomb Group flew 280 missions from Tibenham. During this period they lost 108 aircraft in action, and 554 aircrew were killed. A permanent memorial at the airfield stands in honour of their service and sacrifice. The 445th departed Tibenham on 25 May 1945.

The Ministry of Defence officially closed the airbase in 1959 and the Norfolk Gliding club was founded at the airfield in February that year and continues to operate from the site to this day.

22/06/2026

Important Announcement.

Due to the East of England being under an Amber and potentially Red Heat Alert from Monday 22nd June, 2026, the trustees have decided to make some amendments to activities on site for as long as the Heat Alert lasts.

During the hot weather we will potentially be restricting the access to some aircraft cockpits, this particularly relates to the aircraft that are displayed outside.

Our guides will make the final decision each day, but it may be possible that particularly the Vulcan cockpit will not be accessible.
The Vulcan, which due to the confined/cramped conditions and difficulty in providing ventilation can become unbearably hot for both visitors and the volunteers who guide visitors, this particular aircraft is most likely to be closed during the current alert.

If the temperature remains very hot we may also have to limit access to the Ni**od and the RJ 85 even though they can be better ventilated by opening doors, removing escape hatches etc. - we possibly may have to take the hard decision to stop access all together.

We apologise for any disappointment and inconvenience that these decisions may cause but we need to do as much as possible to protect our visitors, exhibits, volunteers and staff at this time. We hope that everyone will understand why we have made these decisions.

If you have any further questions please contact the museum.

20/06/2026

Get set for the Lea Valley TR Register car club!!

On July 3rd, the CNAM will be visited by the Lea Valley TR Register car club, so if you want to see some classic Triumph sports cars, then you know where to come!

We always welcome visits from such clubs, as it allows us to show off their often spectacular vehicles and friendly club members.

Come and see the Triumphs in their glory by visiting the CNAM on 3/7/26.

And if you are in the mood for cars, don't forget that we have our Wings and Wheels event on July 4th and 5th as well - find out more by seeing our events page at https://www.cnam.org.uk/events

18/06/2026

On Saturday 13 th June CNAM was pleased to welcome 26 members of the Grumpy Old Bastards Motorcycle Club, including several lady Grumpetts.

They arrived on some fantastic bikes – mainly Harley Davidsons but with a smattering of other types, which parked up under Vulcan XM612.

Almost as impressive as the bikes were the jackets worn by some of the riders, adorned with all sorts of woven badges and flags. The bikers certainly didn’t live up to their Grumpy name. Many of the group took the opportunity to have tours of the Ni**od and Vulcan, much tea was drunk and stories swapped. It was a pleasure to meet these folks.

We hope they enjoyed their time at CNAM and many thanks for coming to visit us

15/06/2026

14/06/2026

See the BBMF at our Wings & Wheels event in July!

During our Wings & Wheels event on July 4th and 5th, we will have a flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on both days. Thanks to the efforts of some of our volunteers, the BBMF have agreed to give our summer event a flypast using some of their display aircraft - we don't currently know which ones will take part in the flypast, but it will be a treat for the eyes and ears either way!!

Get more details about our Wings & Wheels event at https://www.cnam.org.uk/event/wings-wheels-2026/

Further information about our opening times and admissions can be found at https://www.cnam.org.uk/visit

11/06/2026

They think it's all over...

With the start of the 2026 World Cup today, thoughts inevitably return to England’s famous victory over West Germany in 1966. Perhaps the most memorable aspect of that match were the words spoken by BBC commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme – “….they think it’s all over – It is now!”

However, 25 years earlier, on 21st May 1941, it had very nearly been “all over” for a young RAF pilot – 748669 Sergeant Kenneth Wolstenholme of 107 Squadron. Stationed at Great Massingham in Norfolk, Kenneth was the pilot of Bristol Blenheim IV V6433 which, along with 8 other Blenheims, took off at 14.00 to
attack Heligoland.

Flying at just 50 feet, four of the aircraft were hit by flak in the target area, one
crashing into the sea. Kenneth’s aircraft was raked by anti-aircraft fire and his Observer – Sergeant John Colin Wilson RNZAF – was killed instantly by a shrapnel wound to the head (He is buried in the Churchyard of St. Andrew Little Massingham).

In spite of this, Wolstenholme managed to bring the cripped aircraft back to Great Massingham. The intelligence report on the raid contains an interesting detail in relation to Kenneth’s future career in sports commentary. “A football match was
seen to be in progress but this was not attacked though the players scattered in all directions on the approach of our bombers” One can’t help wondering if this was on Mr Wolstenholme’s mind in the commentary box on 30 th July 1966?

After his service with 107 Squadron Kenneth retrained to fly the DeHavilland Mosquito and soon found himself back in Norfolk – this time with 105 Squadron at
Marham. Now a commissioned officer he continued flying highly dangerous low-level missions and was awarded the DFC and bar.

11/06/2026

Our JP cockpit caught the attention of Wing Leader recently and here's a jolly good video clip of it up close!

09/06/2026

The thunder of the Harleys...

We will be visited on Saturday 13th June by the G.O.B Harley Davidson club (https://www.grumpyoldbastards.co.uk/) who are expecting to arrive about 1130 with about 20 plus of the classic motorbikes. You won't be able to miss them parked underneath our Vulcan's wings!

Why not come along on the day to see and admire what we are sure will be a super collection of the Harley Davidsons new and old.

Details about our opening times and admission details can be found at https://www.cnam.org.uk/visit/