Last month, the Wight Aviation Museum (WAM) team welcomed a well-known and highly respected ‘aircraft preservation guru’, avid historian and renowned author and magazine editor Ken Ellis.

The former editor for many years of the Flypast magazine, he is the author of the bi-annual Wrecks and Relics, first published in 1961 and now in its 28th edition.

It is regarded by aviation enthusiasts and the aircraft preservation community as its Bible.

Ken’s visit was arranged so he could update his entry in the forthcoming edition of Wrecks and Relics.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ken signing copies of his bookKen signing copies of his book (Image: Wight Aviation Museum)

He was shown around the museum by members of the WAM team and was very impressed with what they have received in just a few years.

Ken said: "I am very pleased to see the WAM is developing so well, not only preserving and displaying artefacts and exhibits from the very rich Isle of Wight aviation heritage but also its focus on the stories of the people from the island involved in that history!"

Isle of Wight County Press: Ken and members of the Wight Aviation Museum teamKen and members of the Wight Aviation Museum team (Image: Wight Aviation Museum)

Helen Blake, chair of WAM, added: "It's really encouraging for the WAM Team to get visitors like Ken and from that much wider appreciation of what we have achieved."

The museum is planning events throughout the summer, and will post information on the WAM and Sandown Airport websites.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ken being presented with two Wight Aviation Museum booksKen being presented with two Wight Aviation Museum books (Image: Wight Aviation Museum)

Isle of Wight County Press: Ken Ellis, in glasses, met by Helen Blake, Wight Aviation Museum chair and John Kenyon, founder memberKen Ellis, in glasses, met by Helen Blake, Wight Aviation Museum chair and John Kenyon, founder member (Image: Wight Aviation Museum)