East Essex Aviation Society Martello Tower Museum

	ON Thursday 13th January at 3.00pm, members of the above museum laid a wreath at the memorial in Albany Gardens, Clacton in memory of Raymond E. King an American fighter pilot from the 436th Fighter Squadron based at Wattisham near Ipswich, who crashed off Clacton exactly 60 years ago to the hour with the loss of his life. Raymond was on an operational mission escorting heavy bombers over Germany and had to return to base with a colleague whose plane had developed engine trouble.  As the pair approached the coast at Clacton F/O King’s own aircraft developed a problem and ditched into the sea just a half-mile from shore.  Although the Clacton lifeboat was launched, Raymond had been in the freezing cold sea too long and later died from hypothermia.  In 1987 a large section of his Mustang aircraft was lifted from the sea and now takes pride of place in the museum at Point Clear.  Since 1987 US veterans of his squadron have visited the museum to see the only remains left of the Mustang fighters they flew in during WW2. Over the last two months work has be on-going on refurbishing some displays ready for yet another season of visitors.  This year will be our 20th year at the Martello Tower and it is hoped to mark this occasion with a special ‘Birthday Weekend’.  More details will be announced later.  As in previous years we are always looking for volunteers to help even for just a few hours in the summer.  You will be made welcome and we would very much like to see some local volunteers. Opening Hours: Monday evenings 7-9.30pm Feb-Oct Inc Sundays 10am-2pm June-Sept Inc Wednesdays 10am-2pm Extra hours on Bank Holidays