Warbird Information Exchange

It looks like I have a 48 hour pass in London due to an airline screwing up one of my flights and the wife wanting to check in on her grandmother. So I'm faced with the question many airmen have been faced with in the past: What to do?

I've seen the IWM--twice. It's awesome and a third time would probably thrill me as much as the first. I've also seen the RAF Museum at Hendon, though it's been a few years. Cabinet War Rooms - smelled the gin and cigar smoke, saw the Churchill's hand written speech notes.

But something tells me there's some aviation/military history stuff I'm missing which may be within easy tube distance of Picadilly. I might try to get into the RAF Club to check out their aviation art collection (I hear it's quite nice).

What's your list of favorite aviation/military history sites to see in the Greater Metro London area?

Science Museum in South Kensington. One of the world's most significant collections of historic airframes. First British jet, first aircraft to fly the Atlantic (9 years before Lindbergh ), only surviving Fokker Eindekker, Supermarine S6B (and the Schneider trophy itself). It is well worth a visit, and easily accessible by tube (English for subway!). There's also a great collection of aero engines.

http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitmu ... light.aspx

It's about 2 1/2 hours drive SouthWest-ish to Yeovilton and the RNAS museum, CONCORDE #1 & such.

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

We were there in July. The Sunderland at Hendon was FINALLY open in it's new digs. Outstanding display.

The Churchill War rooms have added the Churchill Museum. We spent about 4 hours in the museum and didn't realize we were there that long.

There's also an interesting little WWII museum on the other side of Tower Bridge from the Tower of London. Has an incredible amount of WWII memorabilia. Some military stuff but mostly stuff from the lives of everyday people. Here's the website:
http://www.britainatwar.co.uk/
It's near the London Bridge tube (English for subway ) station but we just walked across London Bridge from the Tower.

I second the suggestion for the Science Museum. It's pretty dark in the a/c section so if you're taking pictures, either take a tripod, for timed photos, or make sure your batteries are fresh for your flash. A wide angle (10-22mm) lens would also be a good ides as things are kinda' on top of each other and you can't back up far enough to get an entire airplane in the photo.

That's all I can think of at this time.

Mudge the hopefully helpful

ps.. Been to Duxford? It's a trip but well worth it. You could go up and back in a day for about $90 including entry to Duxford. I'll be glad to give you some more specific info if you send me a PM. Train times and such.

pps...Thanks for the reminder fearless. Yes...the HMS Belfast is a must. It's on the same side of the Thames as the little museum I pointed out. You could do both in about 3 hours and they're within walking distance of each other.

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Land of the free because of the brave

Not specifically aviation, but if you haven't seen them before .....take the tube to Greenwhich and see the National Maritime Museum. Also check out HMS Belfast near the tower bridge on the Thames.

Then find any number of pubs and eat drink and be merry....that is what I would do. Oh, and my recommendation for dinner would be Simpson's in the Strand.

Duxford

If you have 48 hours you could combine Duxford with The Shuttleworth collection,which is a pretty ace place to go.

Great ideas all gentlemen, I very much appreciate the recommendations!

GO TO DUXFORD. then see whatever's left on the list. But you'll probably be back at Duxford on day 2!!!!

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All I did was press this red button here...

Yup, I'll echo what the others have said. Duxford first, RAF Hendon second, Churchill Museum third...

Between Duxford on day 1 and the other two on the second day, that's 'my' 48 hours.

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Offer me solutions, offer me alternatives, and I decline......

If you are a first timer and don't want to leave the environs of London...
The War Rooms and Churchill Museum. Similar to Mudge- I spent half a day there without noticing it until I got hungry.

While I agree about the HMS Belfast IF this is a first for you a proper first time visit should include the British Museum- I know it is not specifically aviation BUT- the Elgin/Parthenon Marbles, the Halicarnassus) statuary, the Rosetta Stone, the Sutton Hoo digs, the list goes on and on of civilization's treasures.

All that being said, I am taking a newbie through London next year and will hit the two aforementioned stops ON OUR WAY TO DUXFORD!

Enjoy,

SPANNER

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Support Your Local Warbirds! KBO!
The only reasons the airplanes matter is what the veterans did with them... and why.

Double Post,

SPANNER

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Support Your Local Warbirds! KBO!
The only reasons the airplanes matter is what the veterans did with them... and why.

A good looking Brunette English woman and some single malt scotch, oh and all that museum stuff too.

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"According to the map, we've only gone 4 inches."

Looks like a bit of thread creep going on, so to keep on target: What's your list of favorite aviation/military history sites to see in the Greater Metro London area?

IWM London -done; Cabinet War Rooms - done; Brit Museum - done (trying to keep military history/aviation related)
Single malt - done
Brunette - done (though the suggestion of an English brunette is well received, at least by me, so I'll take it up with the wife but I'm not making any promises and that's probably for another board anyhow...)

Good hints so far:
Science Musuem
Maritime Museum
HMS Belfast
Yeovilton, Duxford & Shuttleworth - though I'm afraid this may be too far afield if I wind up having to make the familial visit on Sat. afternoon...but maybe a trip to the country will sound in comparison good after the English brunette suggestion gets shot down?

Don't forget about Lillie from Picadilly!

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Always looking for WW2 Half-Tracks and Parts.