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01-31-2008, 02:26 PM
|  | | | Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Hawick, Scotland
Posts: 8,843
| | | Royal Air Force Museum London
An air museum that I had not visited previously, on part of the site of Hendon Aerodrome, in London's northern suburbs - London's first airfield when it opened in 1910! 
I wore my RAF tartan kilt when I went there yesterday. 
The Station Chapel
One of the more poignant exhibits, the airmen's chapel from RAF Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, made from an old shipping container, and used for worship from 1983 until 1986. Here is the interior. 
A huge collection of 'planes but I only post a few here. This is a World War I Sopwith Triplane 
The latest exhibit to arrive is a prototype Eurofighter Typhoon, seen here being set up for display by RAF personnel. This has now ended its series of test flights and the type has recently entered service. 
Mustang 
Liberator 
Mitchell 
B-17G Flying Fortress 
Texan, or Harvard as it was also known. 
For me the most interesting exhibit was the big Sunderland flying boat. This actual aircraft was berthed with 57 Maintenance Unit at Wig Bay on the Solway coast from November 1944 until February 1945 receiving repairs. My father was serving with 57MU at Wig Bay at those dates, where he serviced flying boats, and he would probably have done some work on this aircraft.
Last edited by cessna152towser; 01-31-2008 at 03:54 PM.
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01-31-2008, 02:55 PM
| | | | Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Hawick, Scotland
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I spent some time inside the big flying boat, in quiet contemplation that my late father had probably worked in here sixty three years ago. This is the view from the bomb compartment, looking forward through the crew quarters. 
The hull or fuselage narrows towards the rear. 
My personal favourite - the little De Havilland Canada Chipmunk trainer - the only Royal Air Force type which I ever got to fly! 
I just had to include a Hawker Hurricane MkI for Riverkilt as his father flew these. This aircraft is kept in relative darkness as it forms part of the Battle of Britain Experience presentation and is only spotlighted for a few seconds during the presentation, but I was permitted to take a flash photo in between displays. Thats all for here, plenty more going up on my website!
Last edited by cessna152towser; 01-31-2008 at 03:03 PM.
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01-31-2008, 03:05 PM
|  | Retired Forum Moderator | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Wonderful photos, and history as always Alex. Especially the Sunderland flying boat, it is just awe inspiring to me that you could go and see a craft that your father had worked on so many years ago, thank you for posting the photos, and what a wonderful kilt to wear on such an occasion.
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01-31-2008, 03:09 PM
|  | Retired Forum Moderator Chairman | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: On the East side of NC
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Wonderful photos. I remember seeing the Harvard in service with the RNZAF and also remember the Solent flying boat (which I believe was the civilian version of the Sunderland) operated by TEAL. It used to fly right over our house on final approach to Auckland Harbour.
Brian
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01-31-2008, 03:10 PM
|  | Has not logged in for 1 year | | Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: winston-salem N.C. USA
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Very nice pictures thanks for the tour.
Rick
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01-31-2008, 03:29 PM
|  | | | Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Aberdeen Proving Ground
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Nice pics, great kilt excursion, looked very fun
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01-31-2008, 03:40 PM
|  | | | Join Date: May 2006 Location: Far NW Corner of Washington State, USA (48° 45' 51.5808" N / -122° 30' 36.6228" W)
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| | Very nice photos!
I have a real soft spot in my heart for WWII aircraft & the sound of those piston engines -- I live near an airport & regulary see a P-51 (amongst other warbirds) fly over, and once a year a B-17 flys in. My dream is to fly in that bird! 
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proud descendant of the McReynolds / MacRanalds of Ulster & Keppoch.
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01-31-2008, 04:04 PM
| | Membership Revoked | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
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Very cool photos! I have been an aviation buff since I was a child.
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01-31-2008, 04:07 PM
|  | | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: South Wales UK
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Nice pictures Alex!
I seem to recall that Hendon was the place Neville Chamberlain flew from on his way to Munich. 
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Cymru, Yr Alban, Iwerddon, Cernyw, Ynys Manau a Lydaw am byth! Yng Nghiltiau Ynghyd!
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01-31-2008, 04:08 PM
|  | | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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Excellent pics Alex. During the war my Dad's ship came upon a Sunderland adrift with no crew and no sign of emergency evacuation, I think he also said that tea was set out on the table! His share of the salvage award was like 5 shillings.
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