Muckleburgh Collection
Encyclopedia
The Muckleburgh Collection is a military museum sited on a former military camp at Weybourne
, on the North Norfolk
coast, England
. It was opened to the public in 1988 and is the largest privately-owned military museum in the United Kingdom.
. The site was first used in 1935 by the Anti Aircraft Division of the Territorial Army as a temporary summer camp. In 1937 and as a result of the growing threat of war, it was decided to make the camp permanent and more fixed structures and defences were erected. During World War Two the camp was surrounded by a perimeter anti-tank ditch and defended by a system of gun emplacements and barbed wire. The interior of the camp consisted of groups of Nissen hut
s, barracks
and other military buildings. The cliff top to the north was covered by a line of heavy anti-aircraft guns and batteries, slit trenches and pillboxes. As the war dragged on defences at Weybourne Camp became more complex and were altered regularly and significantly throughout the Second World War. In 1941 the camp was visited by Winston Churchill
. During the war a grass airstrip was laid out which is still used. The camp was still used for gunnery until 1960. Much of the camp and its defences are now demolished.
The Muckleburgh Collection is home to The Suffolk
and Norfolk Yeomanry
collection, the Norfolk St John Ambulance archive, the North Norfolk Amateur Radio Group and numerous special displays. The vehicles, museum site, and its unspoilt 300 acres (1.2 km²) has been used for television films, documentaries and dramas.
The museum offers rides in a Gama Goat
and hosts "tank driving" (the FV433 Abbot SPG
). Among the 16 working tanks are Panzer P-68, Chieftain
and Stuart M5A1, Soviet T-55
and Canadian-built Sherman tank
.
Guns, missiles
Aircraft
Weybourne
Weybourne is a fishing resort on the North Norfolk and has the postcode prefix of NR25. The village straddles the A149 coast road and is three miles west of Sheringham, within the Norfolk Coast AONB. Weybourne is mentioned in the Domesday book and in that survey it is called Wabrume...
, on the North Norfolk
North Norfolk
North Norfolk is a local government district in Norfolk, United Kingdom. Its council is based in Cromer. The council headquarters can be found approximately out of the town of Cromer on the Holt Road.-History:...
coast, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It was opened to the public in 1988 and is the largest privately-owned military museum in the United Kingdom.
History
The museum is located on the site of the World War Two and post-war Weybourne Anti Aircraft Training Camp. Weybourne Camp is north west of the coastal village of WeybourneWeybourne
Weybourne is a fishing resort on the North Norfolk and has the postcode prefix of NR25. The village straddles the A149 coast road and is three miles west of Sheringham, within the Norfolk Coast AONB. Weybourne is mentioned in the Domesday book and in that survey it is called Wabrume...
. The site was first used in 1935 by the Anti Aircraft Division of the Territorial Army as a temporary summer camp. In 1937 and as a result of the growing threat of war, it was decided to make the camp permanent and more fixed structures and defences were erected. During World War Two the camp was surrounded by a perimeter anti-tank ditch and defended by a system of gun emplacements and barbed wire. The interior of the camp consisted of groups of Nissen hut
Nissen hut
A Nissen hut is a prefabricated steel structure made from a half-cylindrical skin of corrugated steel, a variant of which was used extensively during World War II.-Description:...
s, barracks
Barracks
Barracks are specialised buildings for permanent military accommodation; the word may apply to separate housing blocks or to complete complexes. Their main object is to separate soldiers from the civilian population and reinforce discipline, training and esprit de corps. They were sometimes called...
and other military buildings. The cliff top to the north was covered by a line of heavy anti-aircraft guns and batteries, slit trenches and pillboxes. As the war dragged on defences at Weybourne Camp became more complex and were altered regularly and significantly throughout the Second World War. In 1941 the camp was visited by Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
. During the war a grass airstrip was laid out which is still used. The camp was still used for gunnery until 1960. Much of the camp and its defences are now demolished.
The museum
When Weybourne Camp closed, the site was acquired by C. Berry Savory with his son Michael. At the time of the museum's opening in 1988, the principal display consisted of 30 vehicles and a small room describing the camp history. The museum has expanded to include over 120 artillery pieces, tanks and other vehicles, many of which are in working order.The Muckleburgh Collection is home to The Suffolk
Duke of Yorks Own Loyal Suffolk Hussars
-History:The Duke of Yorks Own Loyal Suffolk Hussars was a unit of the British Army from 1794–1961.The regiment was formed as volunteer cavalry in 1794, during the French Revolutionary Wars. The Suffolk Yeomanry was raised in as the Loyal Suffolk Hussars, they fought in the Boer war as part...
and Norfolk Yeomanry
Norfolk Yeomanry
The Norfolk Yeomanry was a regiment of the British Army.In 1901, the Norfolk Yeomanry were raised at the express wish of King Edward VII, after a gap of 33 years, and titled the King's Own Royal Regiment with the Royal cipher as their badge.In September 1915, the regiment embarked on RMS Olympic...
collection, the Norfolk St John Ambulance archive, the North Norfolk Amateur Radio Group and numerous special displays. The vehicles, museum site, and its unspoilt 300 acres (1.2 km²) has been used for television films, documentaries and dramas.
The museum offers rides in a Gama Goat
Gama Goat
The Gama Goat was a six-wheel-drive semi-amphibious off-road vehicle originally developed for use by the US Military for the War in Vietnam. It was famous for an articulated body, which allowed it to travel over exceptionally rough terrain and for a unique four-wheel steering arrangement with the...
and hosts "tank driving" (the FV433 Abbot SPG
FV433 Abbot SPG
FV433 Field Artillery, Self-Propelled "Abbot" is the self-propelled artillery variant of the British Army FV430 series of armoured fighting vehicles, using much of the chassis of the FV430 but with a fully rotating turret at the rear housing the 105 mm gun and given the vehicle designation of...
). Among the 16 working tanks are Panzer P-68, Chieftain
Chieftain tank
The FV 4201 Chieftain was the main battle tank of the United Kingdom during the 1960s and 1970s. It was one of the most advanced tanks of its era, and at the time of its introduction in 1966 had the most powerful main gun and heaviest armour of any tank in the world...
and Stuart M5A1, Soviet T-55
T-55
The T-54 and T-55 tanks were a series of main battle tanks designed in the Soviet Union. The first T-54 prototype appeared in March 1945, just before the end of the Second World War. The T-54 entered full production in 1947 and became the main tank for armored units of the Soviet Army, armies of...
and Canadian-built Sherman tank
Grizzly I cruiser
The Grizzly I was a Canadian built M4A1 Sherman tank with some modifications, it had thicker, more sloping armour, had a longer range, and, most notably was fitted with Canadian Dry Pin tracks.-History:...
.
Exhibits
- Ford GPAFord GPAThe Ford GPA 'Seep , was an amphibious version of the WWII Ford GPW Jeep. Unlike the jeep, the seep was not a successful design being too slow and heavy on land and lacking sufficient seagoing abilities in open water...
- amphibious Jeep - Austin Tilly
- M3 Scout CarM3 Scout CarThe M3 Scout Car was an armored car in U.S. service during World War II. It was also known as the White Scout Car, after its manufacturer, the White Motor Company. It was used in various roles including patrol, scouting, command vehicle, ambulance and gun tractor.-History:Design of the vehicle...
- White M5 Half Track with M16 quad A/A gun
- Sexton self-propelled gunSexton (artillery)The 25pdr SP, tracked, Sexton was a self-propelled artillery vehicle of World War II, based on an American tank hull design, built by Canada for the British Army, and associated Commonwealth forces, and some of the other Allies....
- M24 ChaffeeM24 ChaffeeThe Light Tank M24 was an American light tank used during World War II and in postwar conflicts including the Korean War and with the French in the War in Algeria and First Indochina War. In British service it was given the service name Chaffee, after the United States Army General Adna R...
- Chieftain tankChieftain tankThe FV 4201 Chieftain was the main battle tank of the United Kingdom during the 1960s and 1970s. It was one of the most advanced tanks of its era, and at the time of its introduction in 1966 had the most powerful main gun and heaviest armour of any tank in the world...
- Centurion tankCenturion tankThe Centurion, introduced in 1945, was the primary British main battle tank of the post-World War II period. It was a successful tank design, with upgrades, for many decades...
- Universal CarrierUniversal CarrierThe Universal Carrier, also known as the Bren Gun Carrier is a common name describing a family of light armoured tracked vehicles built by Vickers-Armstrong. Produced between 1934 and 1960, the vehicle was used widely by British Commonwealth forces during the Second World War...
- Patton tankPatton tankPatton tank may refer to:*M46 Patton, a tank model operational during the Korean War*M47 Patton, a tank model in service from 1952 through 1959 with the U.S. Army, and through the mid 1990s in foreign service...
- T-55 Bridgelayer
- FV438 SwingfireFV438 SwingfireThe FV438 Swingfire was an armoured anti-tank vehicle of the British Army.It was derived from the FV430 series of vehicles by converting the FV432 to accommodate a launcher for Swingfire anti-tank guided missiles....
- T-34T-34The T-34 was a Soviet medium tank produced from 1940 to 1958. Although its armour and armament were surpassed by later tanks of the era, it has been often credited as the most effective, efficient and influential design of World War II...
85mm gun version - Scorpion tank
- Tracked Rapier
- Churchill CrocodileChurchill CrocodileThe Churchill Crocodile was a British flame-throwing tank of late Second World War. It was a variant of the Tank, Infantry, Mk VI Churchill Mark VII, although the Churchill Mark IV was initially chosen to be the base vehicle....
- flame-thrower tank, but without trailer - Austin K2Austin K2The Austin K2/Y was a British heavy military ambulance built by the Austin Motor Company for use during the Second World War.The rear body, built by Mann Egerton, could take ten casualties sitting or four stretcher cases...
ambulance - English Electric ThunderbirdEnglish Electric ThunderbirdThe English Electric Thunderbird was a British surface to air missile produced for the British Army. The Thunderbird was primarily intended to attack higher altitude targets at ranges of up to thirty miles or so. AA guns were still used for lower altitude threats...
- A/A missile - Diamond T tank transporterDiamond T Tank TransporterThe Diamond T Tank Transporter was a heavy tank transporter, used in World War II and the following years.Designed as a heavy prime mover for tank transporting, the Diamond T 980 was the product of the Diamond T Company in Chicago...
and Diamond T crane - Leyland Hippo
- Alvis SaracenAlvis SaracenThe FV603 Saracen is a six-wheeled armoured personnel carrier built by Alvis and used by the British army. It became a recognisable vehicle as a result of its part in the policing of Northern Ireland.-History:...
- Ferret Armoured CarFerret armoured carThe Ferret armoured car, also commonly called the Ferret Scout car, is a British armoured fighting vehicle designed and built for reconnaissance purposes. The Ferret was produced between 1952 and 1971 by the UK company, Daimler...
- M29 WeaselM29 WeaselThe M29 Weasel was a World War II tracked vehicle, built by Studebaker, designed for operation in snow.-Design and development:The idea for the Weasel came from the work of British inventor Geoffrey Pyke in support of his proposals to attack Axis forces and industrial installations in Norway...
- M8 GreyhoundM8 GreyhoundThe M8 Light Armored Car was a 6x6 armored car produced by the Ford Motor Company during World War II. It was used by the U.S. and British troops in Europe and the Far East until the end of the war. The vehicle was widely exported and as of 2006 still remains in service with some third world...
Guns, missiles
- OTO-Melera 155mm gun
- Bristol Bloodhound - A/A missile
- QF 17 pounder gun
- Ordnance QF 2 pounderOrdnance QF 2 pounderThe Ordnance QF 2-pounder was a British anti-tank and vehicle-mounted gun, employed in the Second World War. It was actively used in the Battle of France, and during the North Africa campaign...
- QF 6 pounder gun
- Morris C8Morris C8The Morris Commercial C8 FAT commonly known as a Quad was an artillery tractor of the British and Commonwealth forces during World War II....
"Quad" and 25 pounder gun - BL 5.5 inch Medium GunBL 5.5 inch Medium GunThe BL 5.5 inch Gun was a British artillery gun introduced during the middle of the Second World War to equip medium batteries.-History:In January 1939 a specification was issued for a gun to replace the 6 inch 26 cwt howitzers in use with most medium batteries...
- 88 mm gun88 mm gunThe 88 mm gun was a German anti-aircraft and anti-tank artillery gun from World War II. It was widely used by Germany throughout the war, and was one of the most recognizable German weapons of the war...
Aircraft
- Hawker Siddeley Harrier
- Armstrong Whitworth Meteor NF
- V1 flying bomb