NAVIGATION

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The Tiger Squadron Museum Appeal

The 74 (F) Tiger Squadron Association is planning to create a display charting the Squadron's famous history using the artefacts and memorabilia which it collected over the many years during which it was operational.

The idea was conceived with the realisation that much of this memorabilia is currently stored in a warehouse in packing cases as part of the RAF Museum’s reserve collection and is likely to stay that way where nobody can see it unless we can provide a home for it where it is accessible for viewing. The City of Norwich Aviation Museum is very interested in working with us to do just that and are a very appropriate organisation to do so given they are to be found at Norwich International Airport which was formerly RAF Horsham St Faith. This is where the Tigers were based for fourteen years in the late 1940s and throughout the `50s. RAF Coltishall, sadly now closed, is just a few miles down the road and 74 were there during the war and in the early 60s. Fifty miles south of Norwich is RAF Wattisham from where the Squadron flew its Phantom F4Js and FGR2s. Geographically this all fits in well with CNAM`s objective of telling the story of aviation in Norfolk and East Anglia.

Working with Rob Walden, who is the Curator at Norwich, we are proposing an ambitious plan which will necessitate considerable fundraising on both our parts. To do full justice to the telling of the Squadron’s story photographically as well as with the memorabilia, a small hangar is necessary. In its aircraft collection CNAM already has an ex-Royal Danish Air Force Hunter F Mk 4 which has been restored in 74`s colours. This will be further refurbished and will form the centrepiece of the proposed Tiger Squadron exhibition.  The hangar, which will be prefabricated, will of course protect it and everything else from the elements. Around the sides of the hangar and across the back will be the display cases. The accompanying sketch gives you some idea of how it will look.

But this doesn't come cheaply. Total cost is estimated at £55,000 to £60,000, approximately half of which would be available in grants. That still leaves the Association and CNAM with around £30K to raise. We are looking at five years before the display opens which means three years or so to raise the money.

We are therefore launching a Tiger Museum Appeal to help us on our way to the target amount. Details will appear here of the different initiatives we devise as they happen.  And if any of you who hit this site can come up with a fund raising idea of your own please contact either Bob Cossey (Secretary) Dick Northcote (Chairman) or Rhod Smart (Treasurer) of the Squadron Association. Details of how to do so can be found on the home page.

See www.cnam.co.uk for a full overview of what the City of Norwich Aviation Museum already has to offer together with details of opening times for those of you who want to go and have a look for yourselves.

In the meantime please watch this space for further details!