By: RPSmith
- 16th December 2014 at 00:13Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
...... Let's just say my stay in the U.K. isn't exactly temporary.....
If you have lots of time then you ought to get the latest edition of "Wrecks and Relics" by Ken Ellis. This not only includes all of the UK's air museums but gate guards, civil (and the odd military) airfields with a high count of historic aeroplanes (such as North Weald), private collections, etc. Arranged alphabetically in county then town/village location it has good indices for both locations and aircraft type.
By: Sabrejet
- 16th December 2014 at 06:34Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I have no links with the place, but I love The Museum of Berkshire Aviation at Woodley. No gimmicks, just lots to look at, plus great, attentive, knowledgeable staff too.
By: aeronut 2008
- 16th December 2014 at 08:54Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
There is of course 'historic aviation' to be had if you visit Stonehenge.
The new visitors centre is at the road junction known as Airman's Corner and the memorial stone commemorating the first RFC fatal crash in 1912 is now between the car park and the visitors centre. If you then feel the need to go and see the stones you will pass another memorial cross to a 1913 crash. Once at the stones the field to the west was the sight of RAF Stonehenge and was the home to HP 0/400 and to the north east is Larkhill where some of the earliest structures built to house aircraft can still be seen. Nearby in Amesbury (the oldest continually inhabited town in Britain) the George pub hosts the Amesbury Aviation Collection, which explains all the historic aviation that has happened in the area.
A bus ride from Stonehenge is the city of Salisbury which has on it northern edge the WW1 vintage airfield of Old Sarum which houses the Boscombe Down Aviation Collection.
Salisbury would make a good base as apart from these collections it is also close to Middle Wallop and its museum, Southampton for Solent Sky and Yeovilton for the FAAM and central London is only a one and a half hour train ride away.
By: mike currill
- 16th December 2014 at 09:59Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Just a quick question off topic. What is the exact date of the 1912 crash. I only ask because the RFC suffered a crash at Port Meadow, Oxford the same year and I'd be interested to know which was the first. I'm not sure if it was the first Aviation fatal crash in Oxfordshire or even if it was the first RFC fatal in the county. All I know for sure is that the airfield there was established as on of the first RFC stations.
By: adrian_gray
- 16th December 2014 at 12:38Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The Port Meadow crash was about September, remembering the centenary commemoration recently. I'm fairly certain it was the second RFC crash, so I expect Sabrejet is right.
By: TwinOtter23
- 16th December 2014 at 20:05Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The aviation museum guide website in #32 is a good starting point but I suggest that you be a little careful when using it as some of the entries are out of date.
By: robdd1
- 16th December 2014 at 20:56Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
+1 to twinotter23 post - also if planning long trips out check the museum opening times - some are only open limited periods.
A bit of research and you can find some hidden gems out and about.
By: TwinOtter23
- 16th December 2014 at 22:52Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I've just had another quick look at the website and in the East Midlands section one of the sites that is still listed closed several years ago; and the pricing etc. at others is well out of date.
By: mike currill
- 17th December 2014 at 06:59Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The Port Meadow crash was about September, remembering the centenary commemoration recently. I'm fairly certain it was the second RFC crash, so I expect Sabrejet is right.
Adrian
Thanks both of you for the replies. I'm ashamed to admit that I'm an aviation and history nut who doesn't know much about the aviation history of my home county.
By: exmpa
- 17th December 2014 at 17:00Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
In Lincoln you should visit the Bomber Command Memorial in Lincoln Cathedral. Stand in the North Transept and reflect that is is due to those remembered there that all this is possible.
By: J Boyle
- 17th December 2014 at 18:26Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
If you're anywhere in East Anglia you're close to a wartime USAAF or RAF airfield.
The local tourist information offices have/had? a nice brochure on the subject.
If you're going south, try Manston and the pub seen in The Battle of Britain film.
By: dant
- 17th December 2014 at 22:17Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Ok, I'll bite as you've got me thinking. You'll need a car but a trip along the south east coast takes some beating.
Start at Reculver where Bouncing Bomb tests were undertaken and head to Manston for the RAF Museum & Spitfire and Hurricane Museum. Down to Dover Castle for where Bleriot landed and the Secret Wartime Tunnels you can spend a day here alone. There's also a spectacular view over the harbour from the old gun battery. From here head to Capel-le-Ferne & Hawkinge for the Battle of Britain Memorial & the superb Museum. A rolling stone gathers no moss so onwards to the Romney Marshes for the Dungeness Sound Mirrors, Brenzett Museum & Lydd airport for some general avaiation. If you still haven't had enough, head to Headcorn Aerodrome to watch some skydivers and visit the Lashenden Air Warfare Museum.
Here's the route and to get round all of that properly will take you over a week lol http://goo.gl/maps/LurBJ
By: Flying_Pencil
- 30th December 2014 at 16:49Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Just did a trip.
Dux was amazing.
Cosford is also excellent (stay in Telford, the Park Inn gives discounts if you say you are there for RAFM. Telford is also easy train trip from Cosford)
Hendon RAFM is also a must see, but I think not as good as Cosford.
I am sure others mentioned are well worth trip.
Note the Science Museum in London has a number very notable displays, worth a stop if time allows.
Posts: 2,895
By: RPSmith - 16th December 2014 at 00:13 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
If you have lots of time then you ought to get the latest edition of "Wrecks and Relics" by Ken Ellis. This not only includes all of the UK's air museums but gate guards, civil (and the odd military) airfields with a high count of historic aeroplanes (such as North Weald), private collections, etc. Arranged alphabetically in county then town/village location it has good indices for both locations and aircraft type.
Roger Smith.
Posts: 1,788
By: Sabrejet - 16th December 2014 at 06:34 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I have no links with the place, but I love The Museum of Berkshire Aviation at Woodley. No gimmicks, just lots to look at, plus great, attentive, knowledgeable staff too.
Posts: 6,044
By: bazv - 16th December 2014 at 06:58 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Don't worry too much about visiting 'Stonedhenge' - Avebury is just up the road and is really nice : )
Posts: 11,141
By: charliehunt - 16th December 2014 at 07:18 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
But not as impressive, Baz....:)
Posts: 1,528
By: aeronut 2008 - 16th December 2014 at 08:54 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
There is of course 'historic aviation' to be had if you visit Stonehenge.
The new visitors centre is at the road junction known as Airman's Corner and the memorial stone commemorating the first RFC fatal crash in 1912 is now between the car park and the visitors centre. If you then feel the need to go and see the stones you will pass another memorial cross to a 1913 crash. Once at the stones the field to the west was the sight of RAF Stonehenge and was the home to HP 0/400 and to the north east is Larkhill where some of the earliest structures built to house aircraft can still be seen. Nearby in Amesbury (the oldest continually inhabited town in Britain) the George pub hosts the Amesbury Aviation Collection, which explains all the historic aviation that has happened in the area.
A bus ride from Stonehenge is the city of Salisbury which has on it northern edge the WW1 vintage airfield of Old Sarum which houses the Boscombe Down Aviation Collection.
Salisbury would make a good base as apart from these collections it is also close to Middle Wallop and its museum, Southampton for Solent Sky and Yeovilton for the FAAM and central London is only a one and a half hour train ride away.
Posts: 1,788
By: Sabrejet - 16th December 2014 at 09:49 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Too true! If Stonehenge is a church then Avebury is a cathedral.
Posts: 8,505
By: mike currill - 16th December 2014 at 09:59 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Just a quick question off topic. What is the exact date of the 1912 crash. I only ask because the RFC suffered a crash at Port Meadow, Oxford the same year and I'd be interested to know which was the first. I'm not sure if it was the first Aviation fatal crash in Oxfordshire or even if it was the first RFC fatal in the county. All I know for sure is that the airfield there was established as on of the first RFC stations.
Posts: 1,788
By: Sabrejet - 16th December 2014 at 11:59 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
It was 5th July.
Posts: 3,185
By: adrian_gray - 16th December 2014 at 12:38 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The Port Meadow crash was about September, remembering the centenary commemoration recently. I'm fairly certain it was the second RFC crash, so I expect Sabrejet is right.
Adrian
Posts: 7,989
By: PhantomII - 16th December 2014 at 16:48 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Wow! I don't know how I'll ever see all these places, but I'm damn well going to give it a try. I want to track down some Hurricanes and Phantoms. :)
Posts: 228
By: robdd1 - 16th December 2014 at 19:36 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
http://www.aviationmuseumguide.co.uk/index.php
Posts: 7,742
By: TwinOtter23 - 16th December 2014 at 20:05 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The aviation museum guide website in #32 is a good starting point but I suggest that you be a little careful when using it as some of the entries are out of date.
Posts: 228
By: robdd1 - 16th December 2014 at 20:56 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
+1 to twinotter23 post - also if planning long trips out check the museum opening times - some are only open limited periods.
A bit of research and you can find some hidden gems out and about.
Good luck and enjoy!
Posts: 2,841
By: Anon - 16th December 2014 at 22:22 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I can offer you a private viewing of the (as yet unrestored) ex-Vandy 1, Black Bunny Phantom, 153783 cockpit, Phantom II?
Contact me via PM if you're interested.
Anon.
Posts: 7,742
By: TwinOtter23 - 16th December 2014 at 22:52 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I've just had another quick look at the website and in the East Midlands section one of the sites that is still listed closed several years ago; and the pricing etc. at others is well out of date.
Posts: 8,505
By: mike currill - 17th December 2014 at 06:59 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Thanks both of you for the replies. I'm ashamed to admit that I'm an aviation and history nut who doesn't know much about the aviation history of my home county.Posts: 320
By: exmpa - 17th December 2014 at 17:00 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
In Lincoln you should visit the Bomber Command Memorial in Lincoln Cathedral. Stand in the North Transept and reflect that is is due to those remembered there that all this is possible.
exmpa
Posts: 9,823
By: J Boyle - 17th December 2014 at 18:26 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
If you're anywhere in East Anglia you're close to a wartime USAAF or RAF airfield.
The local tourist information offices have/had? a nice brochure on the subject.
If you're going south, try Manston and the pub seen in The Battle of Britain film.
Posts: 35
By: dant - 17th December 2014 at 22:17 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Ok, I'll bite as you've got me thinking. You'll need a car but a trip along the south east coast takes some beating.
Start at Reculver where Bouncing Bomb tests were undertaken and head to Manston for the RAF Museum & Spitfire and Hurricane Museum. Down to Dover Castle for where Bleriot landed and the Secret Wartime Tunnels you can spend a day here alone. There's also a spectacular view over the harbour from the old gun battery. From here head to Capel-le-Ferne & Hawkinge for the Battle of Britain Memorial & the superb Museum. A rolling stone gathers no moss so onwards to the Romney Marshes for the Dungeness Sound Mirrors, Brenzett Museum & Lydd airport for some general avaiation. If you still haven't had enough, head to Headcorn Aerodrome to watch some skydivers and visit the Lashenden Air Warfare Museum.
Here's the route and to get round all of that properly will take you over a week lol http://goo.gl/maps/LurBJ
Posts: 722
By: Flying_Pencil - 30th December 2014 at 16:49 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Just did a trip.
Dux was amazing.
Cosford is also excellent (stay in Telford, the Park Inn gives discounts if you say you are there for RAFM. Telford is also easy train trip from Cosford)
Hendon RAFM is also a must see, but I think not as good as Cosford.
I am sure others mentioned are well worth trip.
Note the Science Museum in London has a number very notable displays, worth a stop if time allows.