Welcome





Welcome to the first blog of The Cornwall At War Museum.

The museum is on part of the site of the R.A.F Davidstow Moor air station. There are 19 buildings which cover the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines and Royal Naval Air Stations from WWI to the Falklands Conflict. 

The museum is wheel chair friendly and dog friendly - one of the few museums where dogs are allowed in all the buildings. The museum is so different to other museums, it's owned by Steve and Sheila Perry and staffed totally by volunteers. Sheila was awarded the British Empire Medal in the last new years honours for services to Second World War Heritage. 99% of visitors comment on how the place is run with a passion and love.

Many of the exhibits have been donated with a mix of military and domestic items. Displays range from a grocer's shop in WWII to the hangar filled with military vehicles and planes. 

Unlike some military museums, Cornwall At War appeals to the ladies as well as the men and children. If Steve is around, he'll get the old rifle out and explain to children how old it is and let the family have a photo shoot with it.

During the season we host a lot of local schools as WWII is now taught in history. All the children and the teachers - who are made corporals for visit - really enjoy themselves.

The museum is shut for winter now - that's when the real work begins.

When it's freezing cold and blowing a gale we're up on top of the moor painting, fixing, making new displays and anything else that needs doing.

Now that we have the hangar, we can do more painting during the winter break. Currently the mobile control tower is being given a new lease of life with it's red and white squares gleaming after being newly painted.

The Fairey Gannet is being treated to a new paint job this winter. There's a lot of her to sand down and paint, but she'll look wonderful when finished. If there's time, the Hunter may get another top coat.

Outside the buildings have been pressure washed to remove dirt and loose paint. Any building in need of a new coat of paint will get done during the spring and summer next year.

We'll keep you posted during the winter with photos showing progress and completed tasks.


The Mobile Control Tower

Undercoating the Fairey Gannet

Comments

  1. What is the relevance of the black & white logo at the top of the page?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The black and white design at the top of the page is the museum logo. It represents the three runways on Davidstow Moor airfield which can still be seen today along with many of the original buildings. The buildings are in a state of disrepair but you can climb up into the old control tower and get a superb view on a clear day. The land is common land and comes under the category of "right to roam."

      It is still classed as an airfield and was used by the military as practice for the Falklands conflict.

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