November 2009
The Andrew Cresswell Memorial Trophy was presented for the first time on the 15th November. The trophy which is open to all Members of the Friends of LAWM is awarded to whoever receives the most nominations from other members of the Friends of LAWM. There was a tie for the award this year with David Wild & Trevor Matthews both receiving the same number of nominations.
David Wild (left) & Trevor Matthews (right) receive the Andrew Cresswell Memorial Trophy from Museum Trustee Bob McNae
October 2009
We have been loaned a rare Imperial Commonwealth War Graves grave marker for the grave of Oberlt. S Hertel who was a member of the crew of a Dornier Do 17Z-3 U5+GK of 2/KG2 that force landed at Eastchurch on the 26th August 1940 following combat with Hurricanes of 85 squadron. The marker has kindly been loaned to the museum by A Saunders.
Uffz. A Scmolzer, Oberlt. S Hertel & Uffz. H Buhr
Standing by Do17Z-3 U5+GK Photo A Saunders
October 2009
Following an item in October’s edition of Flypast, a rare Righter engine from a WW2 American Radioplane OQ3 target drone has been donated to the Museum. The engine which has been fully restored to running condition was donated to the museum by retired engine restorer Tony Parsfield.
Tony Parsfield presents the Righter engine to museum Trustee Trevor Mathews
The engine of which only three are known to exist (the others being at the San Diego Aerospace museum & the Deutsches Museum in Munich) is a 2-GS-17 model two cylinder 6 h.p. two stroke & comes complete with a service manual & a manual on the Radioplane target drone.
Righter engine on display in the museum
Looking very much like a man-carrying sport plane except for its diminutive size, the OQ-3 was the radio-controlled target drone produced in the greatest numbers during World War II. It is ironic to note that its success resulted in there being only 6 left of the 9,403 built -- a tribute to the accurate marksmanship of those who acquired their skill by shooting them down for practice.
The OQ-3, first flown in December 1943, was an improved derivative of the OQ-2. It had a sturdier steel-tube construction in the fuselage, an uprated engine driving a single propeller, no landing gear, and modified equipment. The OQ-3 could achieve a speed of 165 km/h (102 mph). The U.S. Navy variant was designated TDD-2, and Radioplane and Frankfort eventually built a total of about 9400 examples of this drone.
The museum trustees would like to thank Tony Parsfield for his very generous donation of the Righter engine to the museum.
July 2009
On Sunday 26th July in excess of 150 attended the unveiling of a memorial plaque to museum member Andrew Cresswell. The proceedings started with a flypast at 11am from Rob Davies in P51 Mustang "Big Beautiful Doll", there followed several speeches by friends of Andrew's, including Peter Diamond who recounted many tales of Andrew's digging adventures. The memorial plaque was unveiled by Andrew's Uncle & Aunt Daphne & Graham Laws. In addition, a memorial seat was presented to the museum by Andrew's colleagues at Pivington Mill and was unveiled by Andrew's sister & brother Susan Harris & Philip White. The event finished with a flypast by Anna Walker in a Hurricane.
Susan Harris & Philip White with the Susan Harris & Philip White with the
Memorial plaque Andrew Cresswell Memorial Trophy
May 2009
The museum are pleased to anounce that on the 26th July at 11am there will be an unveiling of a memorial plaque to Andrew Cresswell. The museum will also be presented with a memorial seat by colleagues of Andrew's from Pivington Mill.
March 2009
Andrew Cresswell collection donated to museum
Following the unfortunate murder of aviation archaeologist & collector Andrew Cresswell on the night of 10th/11th November 2008, his family have donated his entire collection to the Lashenden Air Warfare Museum in line with Andrew’s previously stated wishes.
The collection of several thousand items ranging from buttons to engines, some of which have been on display at the museum for the last 8 years, will be kept together within the museum as the Andrew Cresswell Collection, dedicated to his memory.
The collection has been moved to the museum over the last few weeks & is now undergoing cataloguing prior to conservation & display preparation work.
The museum would like to thank Andrew’s sister & brother, for donating the collection to the museum & his uncle for his help in moving the collection.
Page last updated 29/10/09