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!
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I wore my RAF tartan kilt when I went there yesterday.
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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.
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A huge collection of 'planes but I only post a few here. This is a World War I Sopwith Triplane
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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.
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Mustang
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Liberator
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Mitchell
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B-17G Flying Fortress
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Texan, or Harvard as it was also known.
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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.

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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.
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The hull or fuselage narrows towards the rear.
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My personal favourite - the little De Havilland Canada Chipmunk trainer - the only Royal Air Force type which I ever got to fly!
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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!

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.

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

Very nice pictures thanks for the tour.

Rick

Nice pics, great kilt excursion, looked very fun

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! :D

Very cool photos! I have been an aviation buff since I was a child.

Nice pictures Alex!

I seem to recall that Hendon was the place Neville Chamberlain flew from on his way to Munich. :cool:

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.

Alex, Thanks for sharing those there's just something about vintage aircraft that just thrills me to no end.

Thanks Alex, what a treat! And would you believe I'm here at work and wearing my RAF tartan kilt too!?

Thanks especially for the Hurricane picture. My father also flew Texans training pilots after he was rotated home, and he flew Mitchells, training bomber pilots.

But hey, fess up....I'm pretty sure they have a gift shop at the London RAF museum...any finds there???

Ron

Alex, great pics yet again! I also am a fan of the big flying boats.

Nice very nice. You do have a way of inspiring us with your photos.

Thanks for taking us along with you. That appears to be quite a big museum - is it as large as Duxford?

Never knew that the Sunderland carried bombs. Is that one of those with a binnacle in the cockpit?

Great photo's Alex--I also love the old flying boats.

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But hey, fess up....I'm pretty sure they have a gift shop at the London RAF museum...any finds there???

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A good assortment of badges and sew on patches but still no kilt pins.

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That appears to be quite a big museum - is it as large as Duxford?

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The covered exhibition areas are probably at least as big as those at Duxford but the whole site is much more compact since much of the original aerodrome at Hendon has been re-used for non aviation developments.

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Is that one of those with a binnacle in the cockpit?

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I wasn't able to get access into the cockpit to see what was there.

I love aviation museums. We use to go on a yearly to the big one her in Ottawa when I was in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. My great uncle was a Air instructor during WWII. My mother is just finishing up the application for his service records, so soon I'll get to know what he was really up to!! :lol:
Thanks for the pics Alex!
Sara

Super pictures Alex,we took my wife's uncle's log book,medals etc., to the museum a couple of years ago,the people there were wonderful and looked after us superbly.Sadly this brave man lost his life flying a Hawker Hurricane in 1940.One of "The Few".

Nice pictures.
I spent 15 years in the RAF. Never went to that museum.
The one at RAF Cosford is quite good as is the one at RNAS Yeovilton though.

These pictures stand out from your other postings Alex. Have you changed cameras?

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These pictures stand out from your other postings Alex. Have you changed cameras?

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No, still the same camera. I thought some of the pics from Hendon were rather disappointing as the lighting is difficult, also it is hard to find a spot far enough back, with a clear view of the larger exhibits to get the whole subject in shot.

Many thanks for more of your excellent photos, Alex. The one of the B-17 reminded me that I once actually had the privilege of a short flight in a B-17 that had been in combat in the US 8th Air Force. All I remember of the flight is that it was deafeningly noisy and much colder at a few thousand feet than on the ground. The flight was quite a thrill for a 12-year-old.

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Thanks Alex - I hope you never get tired of posting your flix!