Harrington Aviation Museum
Features
Description
The Harrington Aviation Museum, also known as the Carpetbagger Aviation Museum, is located at Sunnyvale Farm, Harrington, Northamptonshire. Established in 1993, the museum commemorates the USAAF’s 801st/492nd Bomb Group, famously known as the Carpetbaggers, who carried out clandestine missions during World War II. Exhibits vividly depict Operation Carpetbagger, where agents, supplies, and equipment were flown into Occupied Europe to support resistance movements. Displays also highlight the work of the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) and the American Office of Strategic Services (OSS), making Harrington a hub of secret wartime activity.
The museum also explores Cold War heritage, including the Thor nuclear missiles stationed at Harrington, and the role of the Royal Observer Corps from 1925 until its stand‑down in 1991. Visitors can view authentic artefacts, mission equipment, uniforms, and detailed accounts of covert operations. An interesting fact is that Harrington was designated Station 179 during WWII, and its missions were so secret that even local villagers were unaware of the scale of operations.
Today, Harrington Aviation Museum offers a unique blend of wartime and Cold War history, making it a vital destination for aviation enthusiasts, military historians, and heritage tourists. Its exhibits provide insight into both offensive and defensive strategies that shaped modern warfare.
Nearby Defence Heritage Sites of Interest
| Site Name | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Rockingham Castle | Castle / Fortification | ~12 miles |
| Kelmarsh Hall Pillboxes | WWII Fortifications | ~14 miles |
| Naseby Battlefield Defences | Fortification / Battlefield | ~15 miles |
| Sywell Aviation Museum | Aero/Military Museum | ~18 miles |
| Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway Museum | Military/Industrial Heritage | ~20 miles |
| Holdenby House Defences | WWII Pillboxes | ~22 miles |
| Royal Observer Corps Post (Daventry) | Cold War Facility | ~25 miles |
| Rushton Triangular Lodge Area Defences | Fortification | ~26 miles |
| Northampton Museum & Art Gallery (Military Collection) | Museum | ~28 miles |
Image credit: Steve Knight