which AC museum to see around London?

[joeblogs]

If you could only go to one aviation museuem in the vicinity of london, which would it be?

-Blogs

[Furball]

http://www.rafmuseum.com/london

[joeblogs]

Which is better?

-blogs

Originally posted by Furball
http://www.rafmuseum.com/london

[Guppy35]

Originally posted by joeblogs
Which is better?

-blogs

If you can make Duxford, it's the better bet.  If not then Hendon.  Duxford has the American Wings Museum as well as lots of hangers with restorations going on and active warbirds.

RAF Museum is just that, a Museum, not a place where you'll see active runways and it isn't a former RAF base as Duxford is.

Did both when I was in England a month ago.  

Dan/CorkyJr

[Furball]

Duxford isnt in London, it is in Cambridge

Originally posted by Guppy35
and it isn't a former RAF base as Duxford is.

sure it is http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/aboutus/history_hendon1.cfm

[joeblogs]

What I meant was, within a short distance to London. Cambridge is short train ride away...

-blogs

Originally posted by Furball
Duxford isnt in London, it is in Cambridge

 

sure it is http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/aboutus/history_hendon1.cfm

[hogenbor]

By any means do them both. Hendon is static but has an  amazing collection of truly original RAF birds and rare BOB stuff, like an original 110, 111, 109E, Defiant, Stuka, CR-42... drool.

Duxford is 'alive' with a grass runway, restaurations in progress and airworthy birds you might just see flying. And it has the American wings museum and the land warfare hall. Drool again.

Duxford is probably the only place in the world where you can find a B-17, a B-29 and a B-52 under one roof. And would you believe that they FLEW in the resident B-52 and that it actually landed on a grass field? Amazing stuff. And does anybody know if they still have that weatherbeaten Shackleton outside?

Boy, I should go back soon... one brief hop with a plane, rent a car there, arrange so bed and breakfast... how hard can it be? At least I shoot digital now so 2Gb might just be enough (=1100 pics).

[Tilt]

1st choice Duxford...........2nd Hendon both are good.

Hendon you can reach (from London)on the Metro and a short taxi/bus ride.

If you are into BoB history then the Fighter command bunker at Uxbridge is worth a visit.

[joeblogs]

I appreciate the tips. - Blogs

Originally posted by Tilt
1st choice Duxford...........2nd Hendon both are good.

Hendon you can reach (from London)on the Metro and a short taxi/bus ride.

If you are into BoB history then the Fighter command bunker at Uxbridge is worth a visit.

[Angus]

Hendon is indeed an old RAF airfield (you can see the open area and old hangars from the museum parking space), and a brilliant Museum.
That said, Duxford is absolutely awesome.
Not just a museum, - you can expect a Spitfire zooming over your head on a good sunday.
Look at the IWM website, you should find Duxford, then you can see the staged events. They have really some stuff.
I've seen 24 Spits in the air at the same time more or less, some mad aerobatics by them, and even WWI stuff, Se5's, Bristol fighters, Sopwith tripe, and a FOKKER DR I doing loops!!!!
For a rainy day, look at the IWM in south London, - not so much aircraft (although you can walk through some bomber fuselages and see Rudolf Hesse's 110 wreck as well as viewing aircraft hanging from the ceiling), but it has a lot of other material and is well worth the visit.
Best of luck and have fun!