On the west side of the former airfield.

The 390th Bombardment Group Memorial Air Museum is housed in the original World War II control tower of Framlingham Station 153. Exhibits focus on the history of the U.S 8th Air Force, the Royal Air Force, and the German Luftwaffe in the Second World War. Displays include recovered Second World War aircraft engines, parts of Allied and German aircraft, uniforms, photographs, documents, combat records, paintings, and memorabilia. The museum opened in 1981.

The 390th Bombardment Group (H) flew 301 combat missions against German military targets. It played an important role in many missions now recognized as key to winning WWII such as D-Day, Munster, Schweinfurt, and the raid on Berlin. It also participated in lesser-known humanitarian missions in which the B-17 was utilized to drop supplies and food.

After World War II in Europe, the Parham Airfield runways were broken up and the buildings were allowed to deteriorate and, when not pulled apart, were used for farm storage. Among them was the control tower, shot up and abandoned after the Americans held a riotous farewell party there in August 1945. Framlingham Station 153, as the 390th bomb group knew the airfield, now stood neglected, windowless, and derelict.

In 1976, it was then that a small band of determined enthusiasts decided to restore the decaying building as a museum in tribute to the endeavors of the 390th Bomb Group, 8th US Army Air Force, and other Allied airmen operating from bases throughout East Anglia during the Second World War.

A five-year restoration program began, using volunteer labor and funded from their own resources, and the Tower was finally dedicated as the 390th Bombardment Group Memorial Air Museum of the USAAF on 13 May 1981 and, since then, has remained in active contact with, and received support from US veterans, their relatives, supporters, and Friends.

Source of information: en.wikipedia.org, 390th.org

Source of photos: Google Maps