The Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre
Discussion
http://www.sunderlandtrust.com/
Paid them a vist last week, and thought I'd post some pics.
The main exhibits currently are bits and pieces of Sundeland Mk1 T9044 that sank during a storm while moored in the eastury in 1940. There are two buildings a short drive apart. Eventually the museum will be in the larger of the two buildings, which was recently opened by the Queen. It looks like it will be really good, especialy as the Sunderland is recovered and put on display piece by piece.
On arrival at the first building we'd barely opened the car doors when we were greeted by one of the staff who could only be described as being unbelievably enthusiastic. Within seconds, the wife, 6 y.o. son and 4 y.o. daughter and I were whisked inside the 'shed' and were treated to a short lecture on flying boats in general, the history of T9044 and aircraft recovery and conservation techniques. This was done in such an infectiously enthusiastic manner by the volunteer that he was subsequently bombarded by questions from all sides. Quite an impressive achievement all things considered: I had no idea that it was possible to gain and maintain the attention of two children (and wife) with aviation related subject matter. Even more amazing was that it was free. We bought a few things, and made our way to the main building, where one of the engines is on display with more history of the base in general. There is an entrance fee for this.
It's a bit out of the way, but all I can say is that if you are in the area, go and have a look. I admit that I wasn't expecting much, but we all thought it was brilliant. What it currently lacks in quantity of exhibits, it more than makes up for in quality, and the enthusiasm of the staff. It really deserves to be a success.
Also went to RAF (RNAS) Dale, which is long disused, but made a great kite flying site for the kids. I bought a book from the above museum on the history of the airfields in the area, and found a nice image of a Mosquito on dispersal at Dale; just as I imagined the scene might have been when we were wandering around the crumbling concrete of the perimeter:
Can't be many nicer locations.
ETA: This is a video of the only time a Sunderland landed on land (at Angle, very close to Dale). The museum staff told us to have a look on YouTube for the footage (might have been mentioned previously on PH):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZfVEoZmt-c
Paid them a vist last week, and thought I'd post some pics.
The main exhibits currently are bits and pieces of Sundeland Mk1 T9044 that sank during a storm while moored in the eastury in 1940. There are two buildings a short drive apart. Eventually the museum will be in the larger of the two buildings, which was recently opened by the Queen. It looks like it will be really good, especialy as the Sunderland is recovered and put on display piece by piece.
On arrival at the first building we'd barely opened the car doors when we were greeted by one of the staff who could only be described as being unbelievably enthusiastic. Within seconds, the wife, 6 y.o. son and 4 y.o. daughter and I were whisked inside the 'shed' and were treated to a short lecture on flying boats in general, the history of T9044 and aircraft recovery and conservation techniques. This was done in such an infectiously enthusiastic manner by the volunteer that he was subsequently bombarded by questions from all sides. Quite an impressive achievement all things considered: I had no idea that it was possible to gain and maintain the attention of two children (and wife) with aviation related subject matter. Even more amazing was that it was free. We bought a few things, and made our way to the main building, where one of the engines is on display with more history of the base in general. There is an entrance fee for this.
It's a bit out of the way, but all I can say is that if you are in the area, go and have a look. I admit that I wasn't expecting much, but we all thought it was brilliant. What it currently lacks in quantity of exhibits, it more than makes up for in quality, and the enthusiasm of the staff. It really deserves to be a success.
Also went to RAF (RNAS) Dale, which is long disused, but made a great kite flying site for the kids. I bought a book from the above museum on the history of the airfields in the area, and found a nice image of a Mosquito on dispersal at Dale; just as I imagined the scene might have been when we were wandering around the crumbling concrete of the perimeter:
Can't be many nicer locations.
ETA: This is a video of the only time a Sunderland landed on land (at Angle, very close to Dale). The museum staff told us to have a look on YouTube for the footage (might have been mentioned previously on PH):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZfVEoZmt-c
Edited by dr_gn on Sunday 1st June 22:16
Been there a few times, as family live a few hundred yards away, and although small - the guy (s) there are always welcoming and happy to chat...well worth a visit - but bet you were the only folk there....always feel happily obliged to pop a tenner in the box....
Dragged my 15 yo there for the fourth or fifth time - he wasn't impressed - until we went to Florida last year and he saw ML814...now gets it ;-)
There's an anson under tarps at Carew if you feel nosy next time you're in that neck of the woods...
Dragged my 15 yo there for the fourth or fifth time - he wasn't impressed - until we went to Florida last year and he saw ML814...now gets it ;-)
There's an anson under tarps at Carew if you feel nosy next time you're in that neck of the woods...
Have they still got an astrodome up on stilts that you can pop your head inside?
I saw them tangling with that engine a couple of years ago
A paintbrush and not much else has removed lots of corrosion and undersea detritus, I must go back for a fresh lookaround
Apologies for the model in this but the picture begs the question, how in hell did the nav manage to get his head and the sextant up inside at the same time?
My glamorous assistant refused to pop her pretty little head "inside there!"...
"Dream on lover!"
Great pics doc, thanks
I saw them tangling with that engine a couple of years ago
A paintbrush and not much else has removed lots of corrosion and undersea detritus, I must go back for a fresh lookaround
Apologies for the model in this but the picture begs the question, how in hell did the nav manage to get his head and the sextant up inside at the same time?
My glamorous assistant refused to pop her pretty little head "inside there!"...
"Dream on lover!"
Great pics doc, thanks
perdu said:
Have they still got an astrodome up on stilts that you can pop your head inside?
I saw them tangling with that engine a couple of years ago
A paintbrush and not much else has removed lots of corrosion and undersea detritus, I must go back for a fresh lookaround
Apologies for the model in this but the picture begs the question, how in hell did the nav manage to get his head and the sextant up inside at the same time?
My glamorous assistant refused to pop her pretty little head "inside there!"...
"Dream on lover!"
Great pics doc, thanks
I guess the sextant they used might have been a bit like a periscope, so only the instrument needed to go in the dome, not the navigator's head?I saw them tangling with that engine a couple of years ago
A paintbrush and not much else has removed lots of corrosion and undersea detritus, I must go back for a fresh lookaround
Apologies for the model in this but the picture begs the question, how in hell did the nav manage to get his head and the sextant up inside at the same time?
My glamorous assistant refused to pop her pretty little head "inside there!"...
"Dream on lover!"
Great pics doc, thanks
perdu said:
Have they still got an astrodome up on stilts that you can pop your head inside?
I saw them tangling with that engine a couple of years ago
A paintbrush and not much else has removed lots of corrosion and undersea detritus, I must go back for a fresh lookaround
Apologies for the model in this but the picture begs the question, how in hell did the nav manage to get his head and the sextant up inside at the same time?
My glamorous assistant refused to pop her pretty little head "inside there!"...
"Dream on lover!"
Great pics doc, thanks
What was Clarkson doing there?I saw them tangling with that engine a couple of years ago
A paintbrush and not much else has removed lots of corrosion and undersea detritus, I must go back for a fresh lookaround
Apologies for the model in this but the picture begs the question, how in hell did the nav manage to get his head and the sextant up inside at the same time?
My glamorous assistant refused to pop her pretty little head "inside there!"...
"Dream on lover!"
Great pics doc, thanks
Ginetta G15 Girl said:
Bubble Sextant Mark IX:
Eyepiece bottom left, objective on top.
IE you don't have to stick your head into the astrodome, merely the top of the sextant.
Thanks GG15G, stolen for my modelling data bank Eyepiece bottom left, objective on top.
IE you don't have to stick your head into the astrodome, merely the top of the sextant.
Did the nav have to hold it "free-fall" or was there a suitable bracing rail?
These are the questions you didn't ask yer dad aren't they? Dad flew in Sunderlands from Pembroke Dock on patrols. He made the tea and wads, he said...
perdu said:
Did the nav have to hold it "free-fall" or was there a suitable bracing rail?
That I don't know, I've only done 'Astro' with modern stylee sun guns (well modern 20 years ago!). I would imagine there was a rail or bracket to keep the sun gun steady whilst measuring the declination (altitude) of the Heavenly Body as well as while measuring the angular deviation from the a/c True Heading (angle off the nose).We have an ex-Halifax Nav who is a member of my local RAFA Branch, I'll ask him for you when I see him.
Edited by Ginetta G15 Girl on Monday 2nd June 22:10
Ginetta G15 Girl said:
That I don't know, I've only done 'Astro' with modern stylee sun guns (well modern 20 years ago!). I would imagine there was a rail or bracket to keep the sun gun steady whilst measuring the declination (altitude) of the Heavenly Body as well as while measuring the angular deviation from the a/c True Heading (angle off the nose).
We have an ex-Halifax Nav who is a member of my local RAFA Branch, I'll ask him for you when I see him.
Thanks GG, odd what you never think to ask isnt it?We have an ex-Halifax Nav who is a member of my local RAFA Branch, I'll ask him for you when I see him.
Edited by Ginetta G15 Girl on Monday 2nd June 22:10
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