UK Warbird and Heritage Museums

[CIAS]

Hi gang,

Vacationing in the UK this summer and looking for some recommendations for museums within a reasonable commute from Cambridge. I've been in the industry for 25+ years on the technical side of transport category aircraft / airline ops, grew up as an Air Force brat in Canada and still look to the sky whenever I hear something turning jet fuel / avgas into noise.

I love the old warbirds as we all do, but commercial or utility equipment is just as cool.

Thanks in advance,
CIAS

[Krystal n chips]

Plenty of choice re your query.

Duxford is just down the road...so to speak

The RAF Museum Hendon in London is another option...if you are interested in transport types, the Sunderland is a "walk through" exibit for example ( and a fascinating bit of kit as well..)

The RAF Museum at Cosford is also well worth the trip, albeit it's about 150 miles from Cambridge .... and includes the "delights" of the A14 trunk road..if open ! .

A helpful word of advice here. Unless you really want to endure the misery of our grid-locked / "road works in progress" road system ( not forgetting the cost of fuel in the UK ) I would suggest public transport for all of the above venues.

This link may help with rail travel.....but..be aware of "peak / off-peak travel" times and the rip-off costs involved. Being a tourist, you may be able to get some sort of discount . The site is deliberately not user friendly however, so take your time exploring it and download a map of the UK rail system first.

National Rail Enquiries - Official source for UK train times and timetables (http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/)

Plan Your Visit to the Royal Air Force Museum (http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/plan_your_visit.cfm)

IWM Duxford | Imperial War Museums (http://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford)

Now edited ....;) to include

Shuttleworth Old Warden Park (http://www.shuttleworth.org/)

Enjoy your stay...but please....just be aware of the pitfalls of travel in the UK...in advance.

[Pegpilot]

How could you forget the Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden, Krystal ? Again, just up the road from Cambridge....

[Shackman]

A little bit futher afield (but eminently driveable) BBMF at Coningsby, and the Lancaster at East Kirkby (http://www.pprune.org/military-aircrew/480756-lancaster-bomber-new-but-period-photo-spread.html), as well as the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington.

[Sir George Cayley]

DH Mosquito Museum at London Colney Mosquito Aircraft Museum - de Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre (http://www.dehavillandmuseum.co.uk/)

Newark Air Museum Newark Air Museum (http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/)

East Fortune in Scotland National Museum of Flight (http://www.nms.ac.uk/our_museums/museum_of_flight.aspx)

Manchester Airport RVP http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/Content/runwayvisitorpark

Manchester Museum of Science and Industry Explore MOSI | Explore Galleries | Air & Space Gallery | MOSI (http://www.mosi.org.uk/explore-mosi/explore-galleries/air-space-gallery.aspx) Trains and Planes and more.

Enough?

Sir George Cayley

[brewerybod]

You could give the Bentwaters Cold War Museum near Woodbridge,Suffolk a look ( www.bcwm.org.uk (http://www.bcwm.org.uk) ) they have their Big Open Day on Sunday June 17th.

[CIAS]

Wow, great to get this kind of feedback! Thanks all, I'm looking forward to it, pray for sunny weather!

[Planemike]

CIAS.............

Another one for the list Naval Aviation Museum, Royal Navy Helicopters, Aircraft, South West (http://www.fleetairarm.com/) Bit of a long haul from Cambridge but an excellent museum.

Re: train travel, should you happen to be above 60 years for age (I am sure you are not !!), consider investing in a Senior Railcard. Cost £ 28:00 but it will give you 1/3 off virtually all rail fares in the UK. A couple of medium length journeys and it can pay for itself. Senior Railcard - 60 or over? Save 1/3 on Standard and First Class rail fares (http://www.senior-railcard.co.uk)

Planemike

PS If you are into things rotary, you could try this one: www.helicoptermuseum.co.uk (http://www.helicoptermuseum.co.uk) Roughly in the same direction from Cambridge as Fleet Air Arm Museum.

PPS You should be here now, we are enjoying an early spring. Sunny, temps up to 20 C, record breaking for this time of year !!!!

[Krystal n chips]

I think you have to be a UK resident for the over 60's pass....however....this might be just as good for a tourist...

Official BritRail Pass - British Rail, England Train Tickets (http://www.britrail.com/)

[Planemike]

K n c.................

I am pretty sure the Senior Railcard is available to ANYONE over 60, providing you can prove your age. Checked website, available to all.

Planemike

[CIAS]

Thanks all!

[Old Photo.Fanatic]

If your in the UK end June into July.

I would think a must do visit would be for the Flying Legends Airshow at Duxford, June30th/July1st.
Free bus shuttle from Cambridge, as previous I think the Rail station maybe one of the main pick up points.

OR
Old Warden , Military Pageant Airshow 1st July.

Hope the visit goes well.

OPF

[Good Vibs]

Lots of great ideas mentioned. All wonderful museums and places to see.
Did someone mention Southhampton Solent Sky, get cockpit time in a Sandringham. Very friendly staff.
But in your planning don't forget the 2012 London Summer Olympics are taking place.
Therefore traffic, hotels, etc will be quite busy!
Have Fun!

[bobward]

I'm surprised no one has pointed you at Ken Ellis' "Wreck and Relics" book. It's about to be re-issued (update 24?) and is the bible for UK museums and other aviation related sites.

Also, this months Flypast has a handout on UK museums as well.

Between the two, that should give you more than enough to think about.

One last suggestion: it may be an idea not to come over during the Olympics. The roads and everthing else around London will be jammed totally....

[Nopax,thanx]

If you do visit Duxford, which I'm sure you will as we're only a coupla miles outside the city boundary, then call in to Hangar 2 and ask for Greg - that's me! I'll give you a close-up view of our fleet of airworthy warbirds -

The Fighter Collection - (http://fighter-collection.com/pages.php)