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Harrington Aviation Museum

Museum | Northampton | England | United Kingdom

The Harrington Aviation Museum in Northamptonshire, England, is a significant museum that focuses on the history of aviation during World War II and the Cold War. It is located in the former operations building of USAAF Station 179 in Harrington and was founded in 1993 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 801st and 492nd Bombardment Group of the USAAF.

Highlights of the exhibition:

Operation Carpetbagger: The museum sheds light on the secret operation of the 801st and 492nd Bombardment Group, which delivered agents and supplies to resistance groups in occupied Europe during World War II. This operation was crucial in supporting resistance movements in Europe.

Special Operations: Another focus is on the work of the British Special Operations Executive, which operated from the nearby RAF Station Tempsford. The SOE played a key role in supporting resistance groups in Europe.

Thor Missiles: The museum also showcases the role of Harrington Air Force Base during the Cold War, particularly the deployment of Thor missiles, a nuclear intermediate-range ballistic missile system used in Britain from 1958 to 1963.

Royal Observer Corps: Another exhibition area is dedicated to the Royal Observer Corps, which was active from 1925 to 1991 and played an important role in Britain's air defense.

In addition to these main themes, the museum also offers exhibitions on the history of Harrington Air Force Base and the activities of the Royal Observer Corps. A special highlight is the Northants Aviation Society Museum, located in a former Nissen hut, which displays numerous relics from World War II as well as military equipment and memorabilia.

The Harrington Aviation Museum is a valuable site for those interested in aviation history and military operations of the 20th century. It provides a deep insight into the secret operations and military history of Britain during and after World War II.

Contact details

Web

Phone

Address
Sunnyvale Farm, Lamport Rd
Harrington
NN6 9PF Northampton

Map view

Opening hours

Sunday10:00 - 17:00
Monday10:00 - 16:00
Tuesday--
Wednesday--
Thursday--
Friday--
Saturday10:00 - 17:00

Reviews

143 Reviews

Петър Михайлов
05.10.2024

Amazing place, full with history
R Butcher
01.09.2024

Do check whether it’s open. A great little place to visit with very informative volunteers.
Mick Holmes
18.08.2024

I had been before many years ago, this little museum has a great deal of history, next time we will take a picnic and spend more time there, the guides are fantastic, knowledgeable . The whole place is very welcoming. A lot to see, a lot to appreciate. One of the best days out I have had for a long time. Highly recommended for all ages.
Aaron Sturgess
06.08.2024

Found this lovely little museum by pure happenstance. Found the memorial first (it's just down the road) then found the museum. You'll need to check the FB pages as it's not open all year round. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. Will go again.
Vytis Kaminskas
27.07.2024

Just was closed, all what saw, just locks😝
John Heninghem
03.07.2024

A very good volunteer run museum
c d
23.06.2024

Fantastic history and smashing staff
Don Ham
29.05.2024

Unfortunately when we visited on Wednesday 29th June 2024 it was closed. This was despite information online to the contrary. We were very disappointed and visited Sywell Aviation museum instead.
Greg S
25.05.2024

Great piece of history.
Ian Jolley
24.05.2024

A very interesting place. Lots packed into a small space. Well worth a visit.
Thorn Burntpaw
10.02.2024

An amazing museum with such an amazing history about the SOE and the USAAF bomber crews dropping people and supplies behind enemy lines. Great staff and amazing information about the history of the airbase which you can walk around the remaining parts after visiting the museum.
Andy Crouch
03.11.2023

Hidden jewel, fantastic stories and history. Sad to hear the future is uncertain
Eddy Wiggins
03.11.2023

I've been to this museum several times, but I go to the Amateur Radio club that's also on site
Trains,Planes, Phones and Drones ,Gazman1966
29.10.2023

Very good museum with lots to see and knowledgeable and friendly staff.
Margaret Tebbutt
08.10.2023

Very good exhibition of items giving an insight of world war ll history. Very welcoming staff.
Richard Crump
07.10.2023

Small but very detailed Museum about the US Carpet Bagger missions to fly allied agents into Europe during World War 2 and later on the use of Harrington air base as a cold war Thor missile station. Staffed entirely by volunteers. Be warned the café is really only tea and biscuits. The whole museum is only open in the summer months. Staff were very enthusiastic but the displays themselves were a bit jumbled and not logically laid out. There is almost too much to read next to each item. But a really, really interesting place especially if you are into SOE, spy missions and WW2 history.
Stephen Prigmore
20.09.2023

I've given the museum 5 stars, don't be mislead into thinking that this is a modern multi media Disney type place, far from it. It's put together by enthusiastic amateurs with the resources they could muster. The point is, that this is an important piece of fairly modern history, Betty and her husband now act as volunteer guides and lived locally as children, they saw the airfield operating when 4,000 service men got over 60 planes into the air delivering supplies and SOE agents behind the lines in occupied Europe. Their recollections are priceless. Check opening times before you go.
Michael Keith Hammond
15.09.2023

Excellent. Go round by yourself and watch the video they have to show.
Darren Bayliss
11.09.2023

A hidden Gem! Amazing history of the WW2 USAF 'carpetbaggers' and SOE operations. Fantastic array of exhibits and, artifacts and history with friendly and helpful volunteer staff set in the original HQ building. Little cafe doing drinks, snacks and the like too. Allow a good hour+ if you're visiting.
Tom Byrne
09.09.2023

Terrific, I would recommend it especially if you enjoy local history.
Sally Sharp
26.08.2023

Fascinating little museum, very friendly knowledgeable staff
Sarah Hyams
15.08.2023

Great little museum with very dedicated volunteers
PAUL TEAL
12.08.2023

Wow, what a fantastic museum and lovely people that run it. Will be back in a few weeks!
Emma Powell
30.05.2023

Great place to visit, lovely staff great exhibitions...lots to learn about the people and the time. Great cuppa too!!
mo
01.05.2023

This is a great volunteer led museum and the friendly people who run it have a wealth of information to share.The museum building was part of a ww2 airbase used for clandestine spy operations. I found the information about those courageous people's experiences in ww2 very interesting. Also enjoyed the exhibition about the cold war. Well worth a visit.
Vaughn Glynn
23.04.2023

Nice little museum packed with memorabilia
Daisy Richards
18.04.2023

Excellent little museum. Highly recommended.
keith doswell
01.10.2022

Well worth a look
Tom Keyes
26.09.2022

Extremely nice experience, the staff are incredibly good and very knowledgeable, well worth a visit particularly for groups. Well worth a visit.

 

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