The North East Land Sea Air Museums, formerly the North East Aircraft Museum is a volunteer-run aviation museum situated on the site of the former RAF Usworth / Sunderland Airport, between Washington and Sunderland.
The museum houses over 30 aircraft and a wide collection of aero engines. It also has a small collection of other items such as weaponry, vehicles and other historical exhibits.
North East Land, Sea and Air Museums Map
History
In 1974, a group of vintage aircraft enthusiasts began to meet at Sunderland Airport (formerly RAF Usworth) to exchange views, slides and information about their chosen interest. The group established a site in Lambton Pleasure Park and became formalised as the North East Vintage and Veteran Aircraft Association (NEVVAA).
Over the next few years a number of aircraft were obtained. In 1977, NEVVAA changes its name to the Northumbrian Aeronautical Collection (NAC). It later changed its name again in 1980 to the North East Aircraft Museum (NEAM). In January 1983, a Vulcan B2 touched down at Sunderland Airport to join the growing collection at NEAM.
In April 1984, Sunderland council announce that Sunderland Airport was to close to make way for a car factory. The future of the museum remained uncertain until late in to the year when the council offered a long term lease on a four acre site just outside the boundary of the former airfield.
In 1987, NEAM decided to open the museum on a full time basis, and in 1989, a project was started centred on raising the necessary funds to place a number of airframes undercover. Planning permission was granted for a new display hangar in 1991, and 1993 saw the erection of the new hangar.
The 'Military Vehicle Museum' moved along side the North East Aircraft Museum from 2009 with the first vehicles moving on-site in January 2012. The museums are now called the 'North East Land Sea Air Museums'.
North East Land Sea Air Museums Address & Travel
NELSAM
Old Washington Road
Sunderland
Tyne & Wear
SR5 3HZ
Telephone: 0191 5190662
Car:
From Newcastle / Gateshead - Pick up the A184 travel East towards Sunderland. At the junction of the A184 / A19 turn right, join the A19 for about 500 yards then, exit 1st left sign posted (Nissan Offices) and Aircraft Museum, then follow brown signs.
From Teeside - Follow the A19 North as you pass the Nissan Car Plant exit left, sign posted (Nissan Offices) and Aircraft Museum, then follow brown signs.
From South Shields - Head West, join the A19 head South after crossing the A184 exit left, sign posted (Nissan Offices) and Aircraft Museum, then follow brown signs.
From Sunderland - Head West, join the A19 head North as you pass the Nissan Car Plant exit left, sign posted (Nissan Offices) and Aircraft Museum, then follow brown signs.
Bus:
Bus 56 from Newcastle and Sunderland or 50/50a from Durham and South Shields - get off at Nissan offices stop and follow the museum signs.
How much does it cost?
The admission fee can be found on the official website.
What are the Opening Hours?
The Opening Hours can be found on the official website.
For more information then visit the • North East Land Sea Air Museums official website. Accommodation:postcode - SR5 3HZ
Museum Aircraft
North East Aircraft Museum Photograph:
North East Aircraft Museum - John Bilcliffe
Museum Aircraft:
• AES Lone Ranger, (G-MBDL)
• Auster J1N Alpha, (G-APKM)
• Avro Anson C.19, (TX213/G-AWRS)
• Avro Vulcan B.2, (XL319)
• BAC Jet Provost T.4, (XP627)
• Bensen B-7, (BAPC.119)
• Bristol Sycamore Mk.3, (WA577)
• Brown Helicopter, (BAPC.96)
• De Havilland Comet 4C nose, (G-BEEX/SU-ALM)
• De Havilland Canada Chipmunk T.10, (WB685)
• De Havilland Sea Venom FAW.22, (XG680)
• De Havilland Sea Vixen nose
• De Havilland Vampire T.11, (WZ518)
• English Electric Canberra TT.18, (WJ639)
• English Electric Lightning F.53, (ZF594)
• FMA Pucara
• Gloster Meteor F.8, (WL181)
• Hawker Hunter F.51, (E-419)
• Hawker Hurricane replica
• Hawker Siddeley Trident 1C, (G-ARPO)
• Handley Page Jetstream nose
• Luton Major, (G-ARAD)
• Luton Minor, (G-AFUG)
• Mignet HM.14 "Flying Flea", (G-ADVU)
• Morane Saulnier Type N "Bullet"
• North American F-86D Sabre, (6171)
• North American F-100D Super Sabre, (4215757)
• Republic F-84F Thunderstreak, (6541)
• Saunders-Roe Skeeter AOP.12
• Short SD-330, (G-OGIL)
• Slingsby Cadet TX3, WT913 with wings from (WT917)
• Slingsby Grasshopper TX.1, (WZ747)
• Supermarine Spitfire replica
• Westland Dragonfly HR.5, (WG724)
• Westland Gazelle, (G-BAGJ)
• Westland Sioux AH.1, (XT148)
• Westland Widgeon, (G-APTW)
• Westland Whirlwind, (XN258)
