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Whilst never actually wanting to be a Pilot, I have a great interest in all things Aviation from the
Wright Brothers, particularly Second World War Aviation to current days
including Aviation Spectaculars like Oshkosh!
In 2011 I visited the marvellous Shuttleworth Collection, in 2010 I visited the San Diego Air and Space Museum
which maintains a vast array of exhibits. In 2009 I attended the Biggin
Hill International Air Fair, a tremendous show spread over two days, indelibly
linked to the Battle of Britain and the dark days that followed for the British
Isles. Later in the year I toured more areas of England and in Herne Bay I found
some excellent records commemorating the life of Sir Barnes Wallis and 617
Squadron, (the Dambusters).
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THE SHUTTLEWORTH
COLLECTION:
Founded in
1928 by Richard Shuttleworth and opened to the public in 1963, the
collection includes more than forty aircraft and thirty vehicles maintained
in full working order by the Shuttleworth Trust.
The
'clickable' image depicts the engine of a 1909 Bleriot Type X1.
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SAN
DIEGO AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM:
The title,
'San Diego Air and Space Museum' eloquently describes the wide variety of
exhibits, from First World War Aircraft to the Space Shuttle with a massive
amount of exhibits and memorabilia.
The
'clickable' image depicts the replica 'Spirit of St. Louis' exhibit.
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BIGGIN
HILL INTERN'. AIR FAIR:
Everything I had hoped for, my second
viewing of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, (Lancaster, Spitfire and
Hurricane). My first ever sighting of a Vulcan Bomber and the 25th
Anniversary Celebration flypast of one of Sir Richard Branson's Virgin
Atlantic 747-400 Jumbo Jets.
Of course the obligatory Red Arrows did
not disappoint, performing regular displays throughout the weekend.
The 'clickable' image depicts two of the
Red Arrows Aerobatic Team, performing a fly by routine...
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BROOKLANDS
AVIATION:
Sir Barnes Wallis,
the Concorde, Aircraft Displays, Brooklands has plenty to offer Aviation fans.
The Museum is actively rebuilding aircraft, recovering aviation relics and
includes a marvellous display of memorabilia and artefacts of Sir Barnes Wallis'
many design and engineering endeavours.
The 'clickable' image depicts
the Museums Sopwith F.1 Camel, during a static engine test. |
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SIR
BARNES WALLIS:
Huge admiration for this man, a brilliant
Engineer. His determination won through against so many detractors, total
respect.
The 'clickable' image (web pic) depicts
Barnes at his desk.
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RAF
MUSEUM, LONDON:
The RAF
Museum, London.
The
'clickable' image is the engine of a Royal Aircraft Factory BE2b.
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RAF
MUSEUM, COSFORD:
The RAF
Museum, Cosford, England.
The
'clickable' image is a Hawker Siddeley Folland Gnat T1 XR977.
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RAF
MUSEUM, MANSTON, KENT:
The RAF Museum
in Manston, Kent, England is dedicated to the memory of the Pilots and
Aircrew of the RAF that performed heroically throughout the Battle of
Britain and continued their commitment throughout the Second World War.
Two separate exhibition halls commemorate
the Supermarine Spitfire and the Hawker Hurricane, both aircraft played a
pivotal role in the Battle of Britain.
The 'clickable' image is the propeller of
the Museum's Spitfire exhibit.
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WENDOVER AIRFIELD:
Wendover
Airfield is located approximately 160kmh west of Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
The site was chosen by Colonel Paul Tibbets for the testing and training of
the 509th Composite Group and assembly of prototype nuclear weapons.
No radioactive
material was used at Wendover, however over 150 prototype weapons of both
the 'Little Boy' and 'Fat Man' bombs were assembled and test dropped on the
nearby Salton Sea and Wendover ranges.
The 'clickable' image
depicts Colonel Paul Tibbets and the B29, 'Enola Gay'. |
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OSHKOSH:
Maybe, one day I will get to Oshkosh, a
huge Aviation Event.
The 'clickable' image (web pic) depicts
some 10,000 aircraft at a recent Oshkosh Airshow. |
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