Royal Air Force Museum London

[cessna152towser]

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.

[cessna152towser]

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!

[McMurdo]

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.

[BEEDEE]

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

[rickmac15]

Very nice pictures thanks for the tour.

Rick

[SFCRick]

Nice pics, great kilt excursion, looked very fun

[BoldHighlander]

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!

[Alaskan Kilted Guy]

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

[McClef]

Nice pictures Alex!

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

[ccga3359]

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.