Visiting RAF museum Hendon 5/12

[Prolex-UK]

Covid permitting...

Any must see exhibits?

Er indoors is shopping so i have all afternoon to fill

[lost in espace]

Stand and gaze under the Vulcan. Its a good day out!

[Riley Blue]

There's so much to see there but if you can, have a look inside the Sunderland; it's like going to war in a biscuit tin.

[Prolex-UK]

Thanks for the replies

Looking for reference photos for some of my model kits

[Equus]

There's a full list of the exhibits on the website, of course.

[generationx]

Hendon is great. And you’re close to Hannants model shop (3 minutes walk)...

https://www.hannants.co.uk/

[Prolex-UK]

Equus said:

There's a full list of the exhibits on the website, of course.

There is of course

Was looking for pointers from people who had been... Like sunderla d tip above

[lufbramatt]

generationx said:

Hendon is great. And you’re close to Hannants model shop (3 minutes walk)...

https://www.hannants.co.uk/

Although bear in mind it's just a franchise is a small unit, they don't have a massive range there although if there's something in particular you can order it for collection.

I love the Grahame White building and exhibition, lots of history about the areas connections to aviation and some very unusual First World War aircraft. The hall has a really nice light airy feel inside in contrast to the darkness of the rest of the museum so you can actually see the exhibits!

[55palfers]

Hendon is a good day out. This thread made me think about going again!

...one of my favourite bits.

[bumblebee]

Last time I visited (4-5 weeks ago) the Sunderland was still closed for walkthroughs.

[dr_gn]

bumblebee said:

Last time I visited (4-5 weeks ago) the Sunderland was still closed for walkthroughs.

Can you get to the Sunderland cockpit in the walkthrough?

[bumblebee]

There’s a Perspex screen at the bulkhead.. so you can’t really get such a great view of it unfortunately.

I imagine it’s still closed as the upstairs gallery you usually access it from doesn’t fit in with the one way system they have implemented for Covid.

Edited by bumblebee on Sunday 11th October 11:47

[Riley Blue]

bumblebee said:

There’s a Perspex screen at the bulkhead.. so you can’t really get such a great view of it unfortunately.

I imagine it’s still closed as the upstairs gallery you usually access it from doesn’t fit in with the one way system they have implemented for Covid.

Edited by bumblebee on Sunday 11th October 11:47

That's a shame as I think it's one of the highlights of the museum.

[dr_gn]

Riley Blue said:

bumblebee said:

There’s a Perspex screen at the bulkhead.. so you can’t really get such a great view of it unfortunately.

I imagine it’s still closed as the upstairs gallery you usually access it from doesn’t fit in with the one way system they have implemented for Covid.

Edited by bumblebee on Sunday 11th October 11:47

That's a shame as I think it's one of the highlights of the museum.

Ok thanks. Does anyone happen to have a photo of what can be seen in the cockpit, specifically the area to the left side of the pilot’s seat? Cheers.

[lufbramatt]

Popped in today as I was in the area. All the cockpit stepladders were off limits but in general it was a nice visit, not many people there at all so the one way system wasn't an issue. Got given a free enamel spitfire badge which was nice.

They have really improved the lighting in the two main hangers (especially the one with the lanc and Vulcan) which is good, can actually see the exhibits now.

Don't forget to pay for parking on the way out of the gift shop, it's anpr now not pay and display.

[Slashmb]

Prolex-UK said:

Covid permitting...

Any must see exhibits?

Er indoors is shopping so i have all afternoon to fill

I went ten years ago while my wife was doing a training course. An afternoon won’t be long enough for you as I contemplated going back the next day to fit it all in. Instead I rushed the last hour or so to cram it all in and went to the Imperial War museum the following day.

If I remember correctly the Vulcan is pointing into a corner. Thought it looked a bit awkward like that. Should have been centre stage. Guess it fits with the shape of it though...

[Bigends]

Shame the Battle of Britain hall was done away with and a lot of the collections spread around other collections. Its not a patch on how it was a few years ago unfortunately. The only reason to visit the area now is Hannants just down the road

[Yertis]

Bigends said:

Shame the Battle of Britain hall was done away with and a lot of the collections spread around other collections. Its not a patch on how it was a few years ago unfortunately. The only reason to visit the area now is Hannants just down the road

That's a shame, I didn't realise that. I visited with a German friend when I was about 15, he was in raptures when he saw the Luftwaffe stuff.

[Eric Mc]

It's still worth a visit. The interesting thing about the German stuff on display in the Battle of Britain Hall were all post Battle of Britain versions of those aircraft - so they weren't really appropriate. The FIAT CR-42 WAS correct though as it was brought down in the UK towards the end of the Battle.