Aviation Museums (UK)

[ukaskew]

Any good suggestions? I have a random free day in September and have never been to an aviation museum before. I'm in the South West which realistically means I'm happy travelling to the Fleet Air Arm, Cosford or Duxford.

I'm more of a jet person than prop and photography is my main aim. Duxford seemed to tick the boxes as I love the US stuff, but I see that hall is closed until next Spring with exhibits distributed around the site, so not sure if it's worth waiting until next year for that.

[jamieduff1981]

Given your jet preference, Cosford is probably a good shout. Some very interesting (i.e. unique) machines there.

I've been to all three and would happily recommend any of them, however I would agree that it would be good to wait until the American Air Museum at Duxford is finished if this is going to be a one-off trip.

[lufbramatt]

If you're South West then check out the Fleet Air Arm museum at Yeovilton. Great place with loads of jet things- Phantoms, Sea Vixen, Harriers, Concord, lots of prototypes and views of the ops going on at the air base itself. Worth getting in touch with the Royal Navy Historic Flight as you might be able to visit their hanger on the other side of the airbase. Took my dad there a couple of years ago and he had a great time, they let him get up in to the Swordfish, fantastic bunch of guys.

Edited by lufbramatt on Tuesday 25th August 12:42

[Mr_B]

RAF museum in Hendon, London is great, free entry too. Plus if travelling you also have other options while in town.
Was at Duxford a couple of weeks back and it's well visit, plus there is usually something flying, a couple of Spit when I was there and had a 20 min flight in a DeHavilland Rapide for £39 with Classic Wings. There's also the option of a 30 min Tiger Moth flight for around £120 I think - Google 'Classic Wings' . If you got deep pockets, they were also doing Spitfire flights for £3k a time and did 4 flights while I was there.
The US hanger is closed but everything is either outside or in other hangers, so you can see it all but can't walk around and under them as you could before, the SR-71 being tucked in a corner of a hanger being the best example.

Edited by Mr_B on Tuesday 25th August 12:51

[Riley Blue]

They're all well worth visiting but I'd suggest Yeovilton, Cosford, Duxford, Hendon in that order.

[KTF]

There is the Solent Sky in Southampton as well although its probably more like a half day than a full day visit:

http://www.solentskymuseum.org/

[ecsrobin]

However your unlikely to get any good photos in the museums the ex its are too tightly packed in.

[ukaskew]

Thanks guys, may go with Yeovilton as its just down the road, I will leave Duxford until next year but definitely want to get to Cosford as well soon.

[andy97]

Yeovilton, Cosford and Duxford are the 3 best aviation museums in the country inmho. But given your location then it makes sense to go to Yeovilton first. Remember that approx 2 mi.es from there is the Haynes Manuals car museum as well if you can make time; there's a helicopter museum at Weston Super Mare and there's the Army Aviation Museum not far away at Middle Wallop and the Tank Museum at Bovington, too, if you fancy a 5 day SW museum experience!!!

[Sticks.]

Not forgetting Old Sarum if you're near Middle Wallop. Not a day out in itself, but good for a small volunteer-run museum.

[Smollet]

This is an intersting little place to visit.
http://www.wingsmuseum.co.uk/

[CrutyRammers]

Sticks. said:

Not forgetting Old Sarum if you're near Middle Wallop. Not a day out in itself, but good for a small volunteer-run museum.

Definately. Quite small, but then there aren't many (any?) other places where you can sit in so many cockpits.

[Mutley]

Duxford are moving their AAM exhibits back to the American Hall over September, so if you know what day you are going, you could see something on the move. Although you won't get into the hall itself.
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft-move-aro...

Although, Cosford is a good call, especially the Test Flight hanger, and the Cold War exhibit

[Fluffsri]

RAF museum in london.

http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/things-to-see-a...

[chopperver1]

http://www.tangmere-museum.org.uk/

Just along the road from Arundel in Sussex.

Great for a few hrs. Full of old ex-military buffers to talk too

[Eric Mc]

FAST Museum in Farnborough

http://www.airsciences.org.uk/visitor-information....

Museum of Berkshire Aviation, Woodley -

http://home.comcast.net/~aero51/html/index.htm

[Steve vRS]

Another vote for Cosford. The Cold War hall is fantastic, especially if you go to the very top observation gantry beside the Gloster Javelin.

Steve

[Fluffsri]

As your on PH your must like cars so there is always Brooklands. Its a very interesting collecton they have there with a few motors and the old track included. Also is Merc world next door that is free!

[DrDeAtH]

Coventry air museum is a good shout by all accounts.

[perdu]

DrDeAtH said:

Coventry air museum is a good shout by all accounts.

Certainly is a good shout

When my branch of MASC visited we were invited to clamber, three at a time into the cockpit of their Vulcan

As an Air Cadet in the early sixties I have been inside Valiants when they were front line aircraft at Gaydon

Somehow, Vulcan seems more dangerous, when you are inside

To the visitor if not AN ENEMY

(It's a blooming long way up that ladder)