Museums with commercial airliners
Discussion
I have no idea whether it is possible or not, but there are a few airliners in storage at Bruntingthorpe in Leicestershire, not far from East Mids Airport. Maybe somewhere there could arrange a look round one?
You could then also go via East Mids Airport and watch a few RyanAir (and others) take off and land from near the Aeropark or via the public footpath on the north side. Maybe this would help, too?
You could then also go via East Mids Airport and watch a few RyanAir (and others) take off and land from near the Aeropark or via the public footpath on the north side. Maybe this would help, too?
vacant-100 said:
You can board the Concorde at Duxford, but it's set up in testing spec inside so doesn't have a proper interior. There's other commercial aeroplanes parked outside but it's pot luck if you can go on any of them.
There are three test spec Concordes on display in the UK - British prototype 002 - G-BSST is at Yeovilton
British second prototype 02 - G-AXDN is at Duxford
British pre-production version G-BBDG is at Brooklands
None of these aircraft ever entered airline service although the Brooklands example is in British Airways colours. This is the actual colour scheme it wore in period as it was used for promotional work as well as for test flying. It never actually flew passenger services with BA.
The DeHavilland museum at Hatfield has a few - and is one of my favourite museums for being able to get hands-on with the exhibits - but possibly not the best place if your daughter is scared of flying... some of their passenger aircraft are small enough to make you feel unsafe, even on the ground!
Equus said:
The DeHavilland museum at Hatfield has a few - and is one of my favourite museums for being able to get hands-on with the exhibits - but possibly not the best place if your daughter is scared of flying... some of their passenger aircraft are small enough to make you feel unsafe, even on the ground!
I came here to post this. When I went I could almost describe it as 'charmingly crap' but I really enjoyed it and want to go back so it can't have been that bad.They are restoring a plane there too so she will be able to see how they work (although that may do more harm than good!)
How about this:
Make a weekend trip - train from Derby or wherever to Edinburgh. Visit the Museum of Flight at East Fortune - https://www.nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-flight/ - view Concorde & various other older passenger jets, then get a cheap Flybe (could be Loganair now) flight back to East Midlands, but book an advance train ticket as a backup. If booked well in advance, you should be able to just throw away whichever one you don't use without wasting too much cash.
Make a weekend trip - train from Derby or wherever to Edinburgh. Visit the Museum of Flight at East Fortune - https://www.nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-flight/ - view Concorde & various other older passenger jets, then get a cheap Flybe (could be Loganair now) flight back to East Midlands, but book an advance train ticket as a backup. If booked well in advance, you should be able to just throw away whichever one you don't use without wasting too much cash.
irocfan said:
Truckosaurus said:
Brooklands have a few (inc. Concorde).
this ^^^ (and it's great for a visit anyway)Where in the midlands are you. There is a small museum at Newark on Trent. Very friendly staff all volunteers.
I believe there is also a small museum at donnington race circuit/East Midlands airfield area. Not sure if you can bored aircraft there though.
Where are you based.
Eric Mc said:
There are three test spec Concordes on display in the UK -
British prototype 002 - G-BSST is at Yeovilton
British second prototype 02 - G-AXDN is at Duxford
British pre-production version G-BBDG is at Brooklands
None of these aircraft ever entered airline service although the Brooklands example is in British Airways colours. This is the actual colour scheme it wore in period as it was used for promotional work as well as for test flying. It never actually flew passenger services with BA.
as an aside and a little far to just pop down for a visit but Concorde and Concordski are both hereBritish prototype 002 - G-BSST is at Yeovilton
British second prototype 02 - G-AXDN is at Duxford
British pre-production version G-BBDG is at Brooklands
None of these aircraft ever entered airline service although the Brooklands example is in British Airways colours. This is the actual colour scheme it wore in period as it was used for promotional work as well as for test flying. It never actually flew passenger services with BA.
https://www.heilbronnerland.de/de/partner/poi/auto...
MB140 said:
dr_gn said:
East Midlands Aeropark (next to the airport) has an RAF VC10 forward fuselage you can go in, but IIRC the seats are rearward facing.
Having spent many an hour sat on vc10 I can confirm the seats are rear facing. 
alangla said:
How about this:
Make a weekend trip - train from Derby or wherever to Edinburgh. Visit the Museum of Flight at East Fortune - https://www.nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-flight/ - view Concorde & various other older passenger jets, then get a cheap Flybe (could be Loganair now) flight back to East Midlands, but book an advance train ticket as a backup. If booked well in advance, you should be able to just throw away whichever one you don't use without wasting too much cash.
Good recommendation. Make a weekend trip - train from Derby or wherever to Edinburgh. Visit the Museum of Flight at East Fortune - https://www.nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-flight/ - view Concorde & various other older passenger jets, then get a cheap Flybe (could be Loganair now) flight back to East Midlands, but book an advance train ticket as a backup. If booked well in advance, you should be able to just throw away whichever one you don't use without wasting too much cash.
832ark said:
No, she’s never been on one before but was at a point where she was scared of planes at high altitude overhead (not anymore). We made the mistake of taking her to a viewing field for the Cosford air show a couple of years ago which is directly under the flight path a few hundred meters from the end of the runway. It’s epic but noisy, she was fine with the prop driven stuff but the fast jets scared her. Last year we took her round the Cosford museum, I thought maybe if she got up close to some “sleeping” aircraft it might desensitise her. She didn’t like it but it it worked somewhat. She’s still very much of the opinion that she doesn’t want to go on a plane though so I want to try and make her feel slightly more comfortable when she does go on one for real.
If she's OK travelling in a car I might go for the logic route, namely that cars are also fast and noisy from outside, but actually quiet and comfy when you're inside them. Same for 'planes.832ark said:
Shakermaker said:
832ark said:
No, she’s never been on one before but was at a point where she was scared of planes at high altitude overhead (not anymore). We made the mistake of taking her to a viewing field for the Cosford air show a couple of years ago which is directly under the flight path a few hundred meters from the end of the runway. It’s epic but noisy, she was fine with the prop driven stuff but the fast jets scared her. Last year we took her round the Cosford museum, I thought maybe if she got up close to some “sleeping” aircraft it might desensitise her. She didn’t like it but it think it worked somewhat. She’s still very much of the opinion that she doesn’t want to go on a plane though so I want to try and make her feel slightly more comfortable when she does go on one for real.
Which airport are you due to fly from, and with which airline? But I can understand that having stood udnerneath a fast jet at an airshow its going to be hard to make her understand that actually hopping onto an Airbus isn't quite the same thing, but I think its worth starting your process as being more about the journey and the experience more than the actual mode of transport going to be used, just as a starting point.
Tell her some Muppets will be on board. With Ryanair the chances are strong!
Joking aside, good luck. At least your flight will be on a 737- my kids suffer really painful ears on Turboprops but rarely on jets.
surveyor said:
Manchester airport has a Concorde on the viewing park, and also good for watching takeoff and landing.
Manchester have a few jets on display, many of which are open to the public at weekends/holidays.https://www.runwayvisitorpark.co.uk/visit-us/explo...
Thanks again for all the suggestions guys I think we’ll take a trip up to Manchester and have a look at Concorde. A ratty 737-800 should be a bit of a comedown for her.
She’s not great in the car, normal driving is fine but doesn’t enjoy hardish acceleration or going “fast”. In a standard EP3 anything more than 50mph results in being told to slow down and that’s on a DC with very gentle acceleration. Took her out in an M6 once - very gingerly, lightest possible throttle openings, didn’t exceed 60mph - she hated it.
She’s not great in the car, normal driving is fine but doesn’t enjoy hardish acceleration or going “fast”. In a standard EP3 anything more than 50mph results in being told to slow down and that’s on a DC with very gentle acceleration. Took her out in an M6 once - very gingerly, lightest possible throttle openings, didn’t exceed 60mph - she hated it.
832ark said:
She’s not great in the car, normal driving is fine but doesn’t enjoy hardish acceleration or going “fast”. In a standard EP3 anything more than 50mph results in being told to slow down and that’s on a DC with very gentle acceleration. Took her out in an M6 once - very gingerly, lightest possible throttle openings, didn’t exceed 60mph - she hated it.
She's not going to like the shove into her seat when the pilot pushes the throttles to max chat for the take-off then and gathering of speed down the runway.I think handcuffs and a roll of gaffer tape will be your friend
or leave her at home!SpeckledJim said:
MB140 said:
dr_gn said:
East Midlands Aeropark (next to the airport) has an RAF VC10 forward fuselage you can go in, but IIRC the seats are rearward facing.
Having spent many an hour sat on vc10 I can confirm the seats are rear facing. Even today when I takeoff for work I face backwards. Although I’m lucky my seat rotates and I’m out of view of the boss so can sit facing anyway I please.
MB140 said:
SpeckledJim said:
MB140 said:
dr_gn said:
East Midlands Aeropark (next to the airport) has an RAF VC10 forward fuselage you can go in, but IIRC the seats are rearward facing.
Having spent many an hour sat on vc10 I can confirm the seats are rear facing. Even today when I takeoff for work I face backwards. Although I’m lucky my seat rotates and I’m out of view of the boss so can sit facing anyway I please.
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