One museum that I didn't get a chance to visit during 2020 was the RAF Museum at Hendon. The museum has had a number of re-structures over the past few years, notably including a re-vamp of the "Milestones" hangar. That hangar is now an exhibition of more modern RAF conflicts and types. I thought this … Continue reading Ultimate Pistons – Hawker Tempest V
Tag: Hendon
Fiat CR42 -Biplane Brilliance
The peaceful interwar years conjure up images of silver, shining biplanes looping and rolling their way through clear blue skies thrilling crowds of passers by below. https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/25572711506/in/photolist-8AZZoN-8AZZqs-8AWTFK-8AWTGg-8AWTPc-8AWTPv-8AZZxs-8AZZx3-8AWTMc-8AZZNo-8AZZQh-8AWTAZ-8AWTWt-8AZZv3-8AZZML-8AZZkf-8AZZwq-8AZZPs-8AWTVa-8AWU8i-8AZZmN-8AZZR3-8AZZo5-8AZZrm-8AZZpC-2gjg2bH-8AZZnC-8AWU6X-8AWU2B-8AWTXn-8AWTTz-8AWTZe-8AZZLw-8AWU1a-8AWTLD-8AWTYK-8AZZHy-8AZZSd-8AWTT8-8AWTW8-8AZZAY-8AWTU4-8AZZjL-8AZZDm-8AZZNS-8AZZm3-bv8DYK-qGPScR-EXLQc5-E3nhis As war approached the biplane gradually started to be phased out. Modern monoplane designs were coming to the fore and it seemed inevitable that the biplane would soon … Continue reading Fiat CR42 -Biplane Brilliance
Hawker Biplane Family Part 3 – Hart Survivors
I already completed two posts in 2017 taking a look at the history of the Kestrel powered Hawker biplanes as well as detailed history of the airworthy examples in the UK. Alongside the wonderful original quintet of airworthy machines there are also a pair of original Harts in the RAF Museum collection alongside a Hind … Continue reading Hawker Biplane Family Part 3 – Hart Survivors
UK Mosquitos Part 6 – B.35 TJ138 RAF Museum Hendon
At home in the Milestones hangar at Hendon is B.35 TJ138, the aircraft is displayed in a unique tail up position and wears 98 squadron markings. The aircraft was built at Hatfield and delivered as part of a batch of aircraft between July and November 1945. The aircraft flew with 98 Squadron in West Germany … Continue reading UK Mosquitos Part 6 – B.35 TJ138 RAF Museum Hendon
RAF Museum Hendon Update December 2017
Over the Christmas break I took a trip up to the Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon to get an up to date look at some of the recent changes. As you will know from past posts on this site the Museum is undergoing some significant changes. The hall previously dedicated to the Battle of … Continue reading RAF Museum Hendon Update December 2017
UK Messerschmitts Part 2: The 109s
Following on from my earlier look at the UK based Buchons, both airworthy and under restoration, it is now time to take a look at the original 109s on display in the UK. The current count on or soon to be on public display sits at 4, with one very exciting airworthy prospect for 2017. … Continue reading UK Messerschmitts Part 2: The 109s
RAF Museum Hendon Battle Of Britain Hall September 2016
In September last year I attended the excellent "Their Finest Hour" event at RAF Museum Hendon. This saw unprecedented access to all of the Battle Of Britain collection aircraft. This group of aircraft is unique in the world in telling such a clear story of an important period of the second world war. As you can … Continue reading RAF Museum Hendon Battle Of Britain Hall September 2016
Hendon Battle of Britain Hall 30th January 2016
This month has seen the start of a long-term project at the London branch of the Royal Air Force museum. Plans are in place to change things around at the site, one change will see the Battle of Britain aircraft moved to different parts of the museum. Ahead of these moves the very rare opportunity … Continue reading Hendon Battle of Britain Hall 30th January 2016
RAF Museum Hendon – “Our Finest Hour” 14th September 2015
I can’t think of many more apt ways to spend the eve of Battle of Britain day and one of the biggest aerial commemoration of the Battle than unhindered access to arguably the most significant collection of complete aircraft of the era. Following on from building success of the Open Cockpit evenings at both sites … Continue reading RAF Museum Hendon – “Our Finest Hour” 14th September 2015
Vickers Wellington – A History and Survivors
When most people think of Bomber Command in World War Two attention instantly turns to the Lancaster or the Halifax. But before these four engined work horses came along there was another aircraft which provided the nations offensive back bone, the Vickers Wellington. In 1932 the government released Specification B.9/32, which called for a twin … Continue reading Vickers Wellington – A History and Survivors
Warbird Tails 