About this museum
RAF Tangmere was a frontline Battle of Britain station and, later, the shadowy departure lounge for SOE Lysander flights into occupied France. The museum on the old base is enthusiast-built and proud of it — less white-cube, more squadron scrapbook with jet aircraft attached — and its speed-record gallery holds genuine crown jewels of British test flying.
Listed inventory: 19 airframes.
Hawker Hunter WB188 in one-off scarlet, in which Neville Duke took the world air speed record to 727.63 mph off this coast in 1953; alongside the record-breaking Meteor and a Swift with similar form.
- Hunter WB188 — 727.63 mph world record, 1953
- Meteor EE549 — 1946 world record holder
- Swift WK198 world-record fuselage
Ex-RAF volunteers, simulators kids can actually fly, and frequent 'we met a veteran' moments in reviews. Bus 55 from Chichester if you're car-free.
- “Great little museum. The staff and volunteers are friendly and knowledgeable and the exhibits are great. Nice to be able to get up close and personal.”— Chris Dulieu
- “This is well worth a visit lots of genuine displays and artifacts from ww2 this base was Douglas Barders posting in ww2 its value for money and free parking, the cafe was great value for money ,and the volunteers were knowledgeable.”— Andy Bembridge
- “Amazing museum, huge hangars with collection of aircraft, and lots of historical displays. The flight simulator was awesome, managed and directed by Arthur, who was so helpful and knowledgeable. Lovely gift shop and cafe as well. Definitely worth a visit”— Sue Connell
Public map reports · excerpted for reference · not reviews collected by this gazetteer
Frequently asked
What are the opening times for Tangmere Military Aviation Museum?
Daily 10am–5pm (Mar–Oct). Verify current opening times with the museum before travelling.
How much does Tangmere Military Aviation Museum cost?
Adult admission is listed as £15. Check the museum's current prices before travelling.
Which aircraft can you see at Tangmere Military Aviation Museum?
The listed collection includes Hawker Hurricane – replica, Supermarine Spitfire K5054 – replica, Westland Lysander – replica, de Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.2 XJ580, de Havilland Vampire T.11 XH313. Aircraft move between displays, so confirm current holdings before travelling.
Does Tangmere Military Aviation Museum have parking or a cafe?
Parking is recorded on site; a cafe or restaurant is recorded. Check current facilities with the museum before travelling.
Airframe checklist
Tick them off as you go. Identities are as held in the gazetteer survey — verify against the museum’s own labels if something has moved.
| Type | Identity | |
|---|---|---|
| de Havilland Canada Chipmunk T.10 WZ876 | — | |
| de Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.2 XJ580 | — | |
| de Havilland Vampire T.11 XH313 | — | |
| English Electric Canberra B.2 WE113 | — | |
| English Electric Lightning F.53 ZF578 | — | |
| Gloster Meteor F.4 EE549 | — | |
| Hawker Hunter F.3 WB188 | — | |
| Hawker Hunter F.4 WV332 | — | |
| Hawker Hunter F.5 WP190 | — | |
| Hawker Hurricane – replica | — | |
| Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.3 XV744 | — | |
| McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2 XV408 | — | |
| Percival Provost T.1 XF840 | — | |
| Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5A – replica | — | |
| Supermarine Spitfire IX – under construction | — | |
| Supermarine Spitfire K5054 – replica | — | |
| Supermarine Swift FR.5 WK281 | — | |
| Westland Lysander – replica | — | |
| Westland Wessex HU.5 XS511 | — |
Inventory last verified 2026-07-18: source 1. Aircraft move between sites; report corrections to the compiler.
Location & contact
- Address
- Gamecock Terrace, Tangmere, Chichester PO20 2ES
- Phone
- 01243 790090
- Website
- www.tangmere-museum.org.uk/
- Hours
- Daily 10am–5pm (Mar–Oct)
(from your local clock — verify before travel) - Gazetteer
- SE-03 on the situation map