However, that has now changed, and I can quite happily say that this is one museum that is well worth visiting. It doesn’t look very imposing from the outside, I will admit, but appearances can be very deceiving.
So, when my best friend made the suggestion that we visited the museum, I thought “what the hell” and agreed to go… And I am glad that I did, because I would have missed out on this little gem of a museum.
The entrance fee for an adult is £6.00, and to be honest, having paid a damned sight more for other museums (and not enjoyed myself as much) this is really good value. It starts off with the story of the jet engine, which was developed by Sir Frank Whittle and tells of the trials that he had to endure develop his idea.
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| Whittle's first experimental jet engine (WU) Painting by Rod Lovesey |
The display also had a model of the engine that really made Sir Frank Whittle famous – his W.2/700 engine:
The theory behind this engine is shown in this diagram that comes straight from the museum's website:
Then it was into the main hangar area. I have to admit, I wasn’t too impressed, as I thought it was a tad cramped, meaning that you couldn’t get to see the exhibits in their true glory:
But there was a plus side – there were a couple of cockpits that were open – and that meant that you could not only take decent pictures, but sit inside them! This struck me as being something quite different from the “normal” museums, where you would be luck to get close to the aircraft, let alone be allowed to set foot (or otherwise) in the cockpit…
Then it was off outside – which was where the *real* surprise lay. I knew that the museum had a Vulcan (I’d seen it often enough poking its nose, and tail over the hedge), but what I didn’t realise was that you could go up into the cockpit.
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Avro Vulcan B.2 XL360, with a single seater Folland Gnat underneath (minus wings)
Foreground has Armstrong Whitworth Argosy engines / undercarriage
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Unfortunately, I am the world’s biggest coward, and could not face going anywhere near the cockpit, so satisfied myself with taking pictures of the insignia:
As there was quite a variety of aircraft, I was quite happy walking around with my camera snapping pictures of things that caught my eye – including the Fairey Gannet T.2 (I just adore the way that the engine has two sets of propellers!)
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| Fairey Gannet T.2 - facing the engine |
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| Fairey Gannet T.2 - side on. |
Other things that caught my eye (and camera lens) was the nose art on the PLZ TS-11 Iskra 408:
The other bit of nose art that I fell for was on the English Electric Canberra PR.3: (I think!)
There was a real variety of aircraft, and the full list (and better images) can be found by going to the actual website, and clicking on the interactive map showing the various aircraft outlines:
The one thing that I was impressed with, was the fact that the volunteers at the museum were willing to show people the various cockpits – including the Vulcan.
Now as I have already said, I am not good when it comes to enclosed spaces, so the thanks for these next pictures from the Vulcan’s cockpit go to my best friend, who was an absolute sweetheart, and took my camera into the cockpit with him:
After I’d gotten my camera back from my friend, we then went to the huge Armstrong-Whitworth Argosy (and if I remember correctly, this is one of only seven complete examples left!) What struck me most about this aircraft was the fact that the nose section was hinged (as is the tail section apparently) meaning that it was possible to load large / awkward cargo – a bit like the Airbus Super Guppy:
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| Armstrong Whitly Argosy nose section - it's slightly open, hence the strange appearance!) |
Argosy nose section
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| Airbus Super Guppy |
What I do remember about this aircraft was the actual cockpit. There are no photos, as I was still somewhat shaky after climbing the ladder up to the cockpit (as well as banging my head as I got into the 1st officer’s seat!) But it was well worth it, as the view was spectacular, and the gentleman who was acting as the guide for the aircraft was very informative about the various exhibits.
On the whole, this was a really good day out (and the weather was ok – a bit cold, but at least it wasn’t raining, otherwise we wouldn’t have been able to enjoy the open cockpits (or take as many photos!)
Back when I get the chance…
Karen
What I've felt, what I've known
Sick and tired, I stand alone
Could you be there?
'Cause I'm the one who waits for you
Or are you unforgiven, too?
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