HMS Tern Living Museum
@hmstern61.bsky.social
We are creating a Living Museum at HMS Tern in Orkney. The team of volunteers and paid staff are recreating the look, smell and feel of a training airfield in World War II on Orkney. The site is open to the public, see our website for opening times.
Join us this summer in #Orkney for exciting new events at HMS Tern! We look forward to seeing you.👉 July 26th 'Life on the Homefront' 👉 1940's Day featuring children's games 👉 September 13th '1940's Training Day' - Travel back in time to when HMS Tern served as a training base.
In today's blog, we examine our well-worn aircraft compass, discuss aircraft navigation, and address the challenges trainee pilots faced when flying out of wartime #Orkney #navalhistory hmstern.blog/2026/07/17/p... 📷Wiki Commons IWM
Fantastic day at HMS Tern #Orkney today. Thanks to everyone who made it such a great community event.
A huge welcome to the Anchor Community Group Stromness, who joined us at HMS Tern to view the tapestry they made and enjoy a picnic in the sun. More on the tapestry in our blog hmstern.blog/2026/06/06/c...
The story of the 'Mickey Mouse Gas Mask' on display at HMS Tern living museum. #Orkney #navalhistory #heritage hmstern.blog/2026/07/13/f...
Facing the Threat: The Story of the 'Mickey Mouse Gas Mask' - About Tern - the blog for HMS Tern Orkney
During the tumultuous early years of the Second World War, the threat of gas attacks loomed large, instilling fear in the hearts of civilians across Europe. The impact of gas attacks during the First ...
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HMS Tern Living Museum is excited to welcome a group of vintage military vehicle enthusiasts to the site from July 12th to July 15th, 2026, marking the finale of a drive across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. hmstern.blog/2026/07/12/j...
Join Us for a Historic Gathering: Vintage Military Vehicles Take Centre Stage at HMS Tern Living Museum. - About Tern - the blog for HMS Tern Orkney
HMS Tern Living Museum is excited to announce a special event welcoming a group of vintage military vehicle enthusiasts to the site from July 12th to July 15th, 2026. This exhibition will not only sho...
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Our lodgers in the air raid shelter are growing up fast and looking out for mom to return by the look of it! #Orkney #Islandlife
We're in the news..... Thanks to the team at @theorkneynews.bsky.social for this fantastic article on HMS Tern #Orkney #navalhistory theorkneynews.scot/2026/07/10/c...
Curious and Interesting Findings at HMS Tern
Visit the post for more.
theorkneynews.scot
A closer look at those torpedo air tanks that created so many questions a few weeks ago. This was before the area was cleared, so they haven't multiplied while we were not looking. 😃
The day in the life of a volunteer at HMS Tern #Orkney #Navalhistory Happy music too, so turn on your speakers.
It is incredible to think that stars such as Gracie Fields, George Formby and John Mills performed on the stage in the cinema at HMS Tern #Orkney during WW2. A stage which you can still visit today. See blog for more. #navalhistory hmstern.blog/2026/07/01/s...
Stars of the Stage at HMS Tern - About Tern - the blog for HMS Tern Orkney
During the Second World War, HMS Tern welcomed a remarkable array of entertainers who travelled long distances to the remote Orkney Islands to perform for the personnel stationed here. Some of these e...
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The local birds are finding our buildings particularly cosy. These guys were found in the air raid shelter this morning. We'll leave them be for a while. #wildlife #Orkney #islandlife
The collection of World War II artefacts at HMS Tern #Orkney includes a fuel tank from a Blackburn Skua aircraft that crashed into Scapa Flow during the Second World War. #navalhistory hmstern.blog/2026/06/28/u...
Unearthing History: The Blackburn Skua and Its Legacy at HMS Tern - About Tern - the blog for HMS Tern Orkney
The collection of World War II artefacts at HMS Tern includes a fuel tank from a Blackburn Skua aircraft that crashed into Scapa Flow during the Second World War. Unfortunately, specific details about...
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Amazing footage of US sailors on shore leave in Kirkwall #Orkney during WW2. Unlike most UK towns & cities, nothing has changed very much. Source: WWII Public Domain #Navalhistory youtu.be/b3sIDI8Z1X8?...
WWII U.S. Sailors, Kirkwall, Orkney Island (full)
YouTube video by WWIIPublicDomain
youtu.be
The Home Front Exhibition Appeal. HMS Tern are organising a temporary exhibition focused on the Home Front, featuring documents, clothing, and equipment from #Orkney. If you have any items available for loan, get in touch. hmstern.blog/2026/06/22/t...
The Home Front exhibition appeal - About Tern - the blog for HMS Tern Orkney
At HMS Tern, we are frequently asked about the events around our islands, not just at the airfield, but also on the Home Front. What was life like during that time? We are organising a temporary exhib...
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University of the Highlands and Islands Archaeology Institute staff visited the site at HMS Tern on 19/06/26. See their blog for more.... archaeologyorkney.com/2026/06/19/h...
Experiencing wartime Orkney on staff visit to HMS Tern airbase - Archaeology Orkney
Last Friday, June 12, UHI Archaeology Institute staff took a morning fieldtrip to HMS Tern in Birsay, also known as Royal Naval Air Station Twatt.
archaeologyorkney.com
HMS Tern volunteer Nick has been working with vintage cameras, and this past week he captured stunning photographs around the airfield using a 1939 Leica IIIb camera. More on the blog hmstern.blog/2026/06/19/r...
Volunteers have been working hard this week, clearing the Vehicle Wash area at HMS Tern Living Museum, uncovering a concrete platform dating back to the 1940's. #orkney #navalhistory
Blooming marvellous.....flora and fauna bursting into life across HMS Tern. Even the snail is making a break for it.
Today, we tend to overlook the radio, viewing it mainly as a convenient source of music and relaxation. However, during World War II, radios were far more than just entertainment devices; they were vital tools in the larger conflict. See blog for more #history hmstern.blog/2026/06/16/v...
Voices of Resistance: The Crucial Role of Radio During World War II - About Tern - the blog for HMS Tern Orkney
Today, we tend to overlook the radio, viewing it mainly as a convenient source of music and relaxation. With advances in technology, we now have smart radios that respond to voice commands, allowing u...
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Desktop trainee navy pilot graffiti from WW2 at HMS Tern. All meaning is now lost, except for the enigmatic GOOD LUCK. 🙂 #NavalHistory
The first German air raid on British territory during the Second World War occurred over Orkney on 17 October 1939. Junkers Ju88 aircraft attacked ships in Scapa Flow, damaging HMS Iron Duke, which was anchored off the island of Hoy. hmstern.blog/2026/06/13/e...
Echoes of history: HMS Tern’s air raid siren
The first German air raid on British territory during the Second World War occurred over Orkney on 17 October 1939. Junkers Ju88 aircraft attacked ships in Scapa Flow, damaging HMS Iron Duke, which…
hmstern.blog
Think I may make this into my mobile ringtone. Our air raid siren making a rare outing at HMS Tern #Orkney youtu.be/z3TdvUb6MMw
Air Raid Siren at HMS Tern
YouTube video by HMS Tern
youtu.be
Just testing.....Just Testing....yep seems to work....OK. You can turn it off now.🤣 Just one of the many vintage pieces of equipment brought to life by our skilled volunteers at HMS Tern #Orkney
Reel Escape: How Cinema Boosted Morale at HMS Tern During WW2 tinyurl.com/mr57nxwr
Reel Escape: How Cinema Boosted Morale at HMS Tern During WW2 - About Tern - the blog for HMS Tern Orkney
Imagine sitting in the small cinema building at HMS Tern, with its curved corrugated iron roof arching overhead, eagerly waiting for the main feature to begin. The place would be packed with off-duty ...
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HMS Tern in the news tinyurl.com/3jknydxu
Wartime wall hanging to go on display - The Orcadian Online
An impressive wall hanging has been created, commemorating Orkney’s wartime past. The work, which includes fabric recovered from a parachute, will soon be on show at the HMS Tern fire station. The pro...
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We are excited to present a beautiful wall hanging created by the talented members of the Anchor Group, Stromness. Showcased in the cinema alongside ‘Vera’s Story’- the inspiration for the artwork.’ #Orkney #NavalHistory hmstern.blog/2026/06/06/c...
Celebrating History and Creativity: Vera’s Story Inspires the Anchor Group’s Stunning Wall Hanging
We are excited to present a beautiful wall hanging created by the talented members of the Anchor Group, based in the Orkney town of Stromness. This remarkable piece reflects the creativity and craf…
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Just a quick trip through the foyer of the cinema building RNAS HMS Tern #Orkney #NavalHistory #islandlife
I just love it when a place stirs someone to write.....and especially when it's HMS Tern.........Terry Thornhill sent us this haunting poem entitled 'The Voices of the Past 'about the airfield and the men and women who served there. hmstern.blog/2026/06/04/t...
The Voices Of The Past
On the airfield here they say In the twilight of the day You can listen to the pilots As they talk From the shadows far away As the grass begins sway In the silence round the grounds They all stil…
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