Part 5 - de Havilland aircraft - Salisbury Hall.

This is not a trail as such like the others, but more a trail through time. It covers an area of aviation that is certainly one of my favourites and sits on the site of the old Salisbury Hall - as mentioned in the Doomsday book.An ancient and historic place, it was to be the place where de Havilland gave birth to that 'Wooden Wonder', the Mosquito.

As a child I have recollections of having my photo taken standing beside, what seemed, the enormous undercarriage of an amazing aircraft. Yet trawling through old photos, I am unable to locate it, perhaps it has been lost in moves, packed away in a box probably never to see the light of day again. However, the memory remains and since then, I have a always looked at the Mosquito with a certain awe.

Pride and Joy - The de Havilland Mosquito

Oddly, those memories didn't match what I actually saw. I seem to remember a number of Mosquitoes standing in a an outside area, all in superb condition, whilst the latter is true, the former is somewhat different. Maybe, my memory is a little jaded or maybe as time has progressed, changes have happened and the examples I saw, or thought I saw, have long since gone. Certainly in the day, it was referred to as "The Mosquito Museum" rather than the "de Havilland Museum".

The Mosquito was of course made famous by films such as 633 Squadron and 'Mosquito Squdaron' where David McCallum played the lead part as 'Dambusters' met 633 Squadron. Some time following these films, certain parts of the aviation fraternity were outraged at the 'needless' destruction of a Mosquito by raising the undercarriage whilst taxiing and then setting fire to it. At the time, it was little more than good effects, but looking back, it was a terrible waste of a beautiful and now very rare aircraft. 


The de Havilland Museum is now a sanctuary and time capsule for all things de Havilland. If you look behind some of the sheds you will see the largest collections of Mosquito wings, body parts and wheels ever; all wanting to be restored. However, before this turns into a Mosquito requiem, lets look back through time at de Havilland.

de Havilland Heron

The museum is located down a side road and you honestly believe you are driving down someones driveway. The museum is located very close to the M25, the traffic can be seen and heard a few hundred yards away. It, like many other museums, is run by a dedicated bunch of enthusiasts who put their heart and sole into making it work and preserving the history of the de Havilland aircraft Company. On site, which is relatively small, are a collection of some 15/16 aircraft and numerous bits of others, mainly whole, some in part but they are there and viewable.

de Havilland Vampire trainer

Most are kept outside, as a result, some are sadly in relatively poor condition, but that is not to say not loved and cared for. Like many, they crave money and time spent on them, a thankless and endless task. Each one a moment in time of the company. As you walk round the site, you walk through history. A Heron, Dove, DH125, Vampire and Venom await your inspection. What I liked about this museum in particular, was that they were open. The Vampire was of course, the link to my father and his tales from his RAF days. The Heron and Dove a reminder of the 'good old days' when civilian transport was in its relative infancy. Behind these, stands the fuselage of a Comet, closed off and looking rather in need of a lick of paint, it stands majestically as father of the fleet.

de Havilland Sea Vixen with an array of weaponry

Moving round the corner, a Sea Vixen, open and accessible, has an array of weaponry beneath it, reminding us that de Havilland Company were a major game player in the once thriving industry of weapons of war. It's cockpit a mass of buttons and dials. Ladders enable you to enter and sit at the controls of the 'oddly positioned' cockpit.As a youngster building Airfix models, the Illustrious and Ark Royal were both in the collection and the Sea Vixen, along with the Buccaneers, were tiny little aircraft I use to love playing with. Seeing inside put it all this into perspective for me.

Sea Vixen 'Office'.

Sitting behind the Vixen, is a small but dedicated room named the 'Pre War aircraft Hanger'. Compered to modern, even 'T' 'T2' or 'J' Type hangers, it's not a 'hanger' but more a room. However,  within it's walls are a small collection of some of the most beautiful examples of pre-war aircraft you are ever likely to see. Also, a small section of a Horsa glider, rescued from a farm in Kent where it was used as an animal sanctuary. Also here are examples, of models and artifacts collected over the years.

Returning back to the main entrance you pass the front section of a Trident. Again steps allow you to enter and experience life on one of Britain's most famous airliners. There are also various displays including the history of the de Havilland company, it's milestones and achievements. Next door, a workshop, where you can peer in and be amazed at the work it takes to restore these beautiful aircraft. On the opposite side, lies a small but poignant memorial dedicated to all those whose flew, or maintained Mosquitoes during and after second world war. Also, an almost insignificant concrete block. On closer inspection, it is a mould use to make the fuselage of the Mosquito.

Under restoration - the Prototype 'Wooden Wonder'

Of course, the main attraction. Originally designed to look like a barn to put off marauding attackers, the main and central hanger, is the very building where the first prototype Mosquito was built all those years ago. On entering, you come face to face with a Mosquito. Superbly restored to a beautiful condition, its the pride and joy of the museum. The work that must have gone into getting it such condition must be amazing. Next to it, stands the original prototype currently under restoration. Looking at this, you can truly see how it came by it's name, the Wooden Wonder'. A mass of struts, wooden panels and metal, they are truly superb aircraft examples and a testament to the work of the de Havilland company. Also in here, and somewhat overshadowed, are a Swiss Vampire and another Vixen painstakingly dissected and standing against the wall. Of course no de Havilland collection would be complete without the little Chipmunk. How many aircrew started their flying careers in this little delight?

Chipmunk

Swiss Vampire

Yes, many of the external examples are in need of a little tender care, but this is a rare corner of aviation history. A trail of one company's history through two world wars and a cold war up to the 1960s when British Aviation turned a corner. It is a unique collection of aircraft, cared for a by a small collection of volunteers, in a small rural location next to the expanding and overpowering monster that is London

The de Havilland Mosquito, a rare and beautiful aircraft.

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for more information, oening times etc see www.dehavillandmuseum.co.uk

Part 2 - Lower Lincoln and Newark

This trip also takes in the past and present. The three ports of call mentioned offer some good opportunities for viewing and photography and of course the historical aspect - the very point of the trip. This takes us across the bottom of Lincolnshire into Nottingham, land of Robin Hood, pilot training and the Newark Aviation Museum.

On the way, you can take in the delights of the RAF Cranwell Aeroflight Museum (http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/museums/cranwell-aviation-heritage-centre.htm) a small museum illustrating the history of the still active RAF Cranwell. Attached to the side of the busy A17, Cranwell is a long established airfield undertaking pilot training and there is good opportunity to see flying, passing out parades and even, I am told, the odd Jaguar taxiing under it’s own power. There are many opportunities to view aircraft, but safety can be an issue in some places.(http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/spotting/cranwell.php).

Arriving at Newark, the museum (http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/) is hidden behind trees on a small part of the old airfield, parts of which still exist. Arriving there, I am greeted by the tall tails and buildings of the old airfield. With an extensive range of cold war jets, piston aircraft and others, I am sure to be in for a great day.

With pride of place in the center of the external display, is of course the mighty Vulcan XM594. Walking below that huge triangular wing, you appreciate its ‘vastness’, stunning capability and surprisingly, how low it actually is to the ground.

Sitting beside it, is it’s payload, the ‘Bluesteel’ and other selected ordnance. Here you get a feeling of security thinking, this could actually ‘do the job’. Surrounding you are other examples from that same era, Canberra, Phantom and E.E. Lightning. Being outside, some of these models have seen better days but the long painstaking process of repainting is an ever daunting task the museum volunteers continue on with. A Meteor sits proudly nest to the Vulcan, like the many in my father’s photo album they are still relatively ‘common’ but nonetheless help to remind us of our once ‘leading the field’ heritage.

Many static cockpits adorn the area, some of which are opened at certain times of the year, an event attended by many enthusiasts and ex military alike. Along the row of airframes is the Shackleton. An aircraft that amazed me for many years, because like the Gannet and others, had a contra-rotating prop, something, as a child, I could never quite understand. How do you get two engines in that space? Before being replaced by the beautiful Nimrod, for me, this aircraft was one of the remaining reminders of prop driven aircraft with gun turrets and the last links of second world war airframes.

Across from the Shackleton stands the Jaguar, and if I’m honest, one of my favourites. These would scream across the sky often in formation and at low level. Now, bar the odd taxi run, we have to resort to ‘You tube’ for those memorable images like the motorway take off, a stunt that made the Jaguar famous.

On entering the internal exhibition, I was delighted to see two aircraft I thought I would never be able to see, the Beautiful Saab Viggen and Draken. With it’s smiling 'dopey dog’ style face, the Draken is tucked away in a darkened corner. It’s odd configuration and actual small size, giving it a cuteness lacking in other machines of war; it’s under-wing pylons, bristling with rockets, remind us that it was designed to kill. 

As a youngster making my Airfix models, I took pride in my European collection and the Viggen taking pride of place amongst them. Here was a real life Viggen, in all it’s glory right in front of me.

As I stand looking, I can’t help think that, like many modern aircraft now, it has a passing resemblance to the Typhoon. With it’s small canards and large delta wing, the shape still amazes me. The multicoloured camouflage patterns that adorn these aircraft give them a strange appeal to the onlooker. As an enthusiast, I have never seen one before, never seen one fly and will probably never will.

One story my father used to tell me was, how, once on a bus, he saw a new aircraft, guarded by armed guards and how he took a photo of it through the bus window. The immediate reaction was of course, to have a gun pointed at him, and as a serving RAF member, you would have thought it better of him to do such a thing. But thinking back, how many of us would have done the same thing! The aircraft was a Swift and here next to the Viggen, stood one fine example. How old and almost insignificant it now looks, it make you wonder why all the fuss? But, at the time, cutting edge technology I suppose!

Amongst the examples at the museum are more from the era: Gannets, Gnats, Meteors with experimental engines, Canberras and of course the Javelin and Harrier. Like many Harriers these days, it’s heart purposely taken out and displayed like a trophy. The engine, an amazing story of British technology which led the world in VTOL. The Harrier, once proud and fearsome despite it low speed, now destined to be museum pieces or scrapyard fodder. No longer shall we see a jet bow to the crowds, fly backwards or spin around it’s centre. An engineering masterpiece and a showman guaranteed to pull and wow the crowds at any air display.

Outside the hanger, standing like proud gate guards are the reminders that the cold war was two sided and that the Russians had incredible aircraft too. Another first for me, the Mig 23 and Mig 27. Two formidable aircraft that, when the iron curtain came down and better quality pictures were released from behind those closed doors, became a huge interest to many. To see the aircraft designs and acrobatic skills of Soviet pilots in fast jets made us all realise that maybe, just maybe, we were not as invincible as we thought.

Again, like the Viggen, models of such aircraft, were I thought, the only way I was ever going to be close, but here I am in between two amazing aircraft in peace time. 

Polish Mig 23 'Red 458'

Russian Mig 27 ‘Red 71’

  

Around the corner from the two Migs were, two more fine examples of this era, the Buccaneer and Sea Vixen. There are a few examples of these types scattered around the world, some flying, but most static airframes. The Vixen, with it's offset canopy, always fascinated me since my first model of the Ark Royal and its collection of these odd, twin boomed aircraft. Both these fine examples stand together as proudly today as they did all those years ago.   As with many museums, a hot drink and cake in the small, friendly shop, completes an amazing day viewing some of the worlds major cold war aircraft, not available else where. A superb day!

Addendum. Following the Waddington airshow 2013, a ‘dream’ was realised when the Swedish Memorial group flew in a Viggen to perform an incredible display including short landing and reversing. Something to be seen!

Part 1 - Lincolnshire.

Lincolnshire is known as ‘Bomber Country’. Airfields once littered the county and many have now gone, turned to agriculture, housing developments or industrial sites. The names of those who served there linger in street names, Spitfire Way, Lancaster Ave etc. In some respects, it brings me closer to my father’s experiences as he was based here at the end of his service. He talks fondly of Lincoln and stations such as RAF Digby. His memory a little jaded now, hangs on to snippets of events in his life.

So my trip around the area included places both old and new and will be quite a trip down memory lane for some.

Driving north through the Lincolnshire fens, I head toward Coningsby, one of the few active fighter airfields left. A large open expanse with excellent viewing facilities around it (http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/spotting/coningsby.php) . It is nestled on the edge of the village where extensive RAF housing can be seen. The designated viewing area is at the end of the runway and offers a great opportunity for photos and plane spotting. There seems to be a hardened crew of enthusiast permanently perched here with enormous telephoto lenses. A short distance toward the village finds the BBMF museum with its well stocked shop, super little museum and of course tours through the hanger of the famous BBMF.

 

Taking yourself back, round the airfield, diverting to a closed crash gate, you can see an EE Lightning perched in one corner. Match this with the Phantom at the main gate and you have a good idea of previous residents of the airfield. Moving on to the other end of the runway, will place you nicely for photographing approaching aircraft as they come over the road, gear down and at a speed slow enough to get a half decent picture from - if you don’t have all the fancy equipment adoring the necks of the ladder clad (no offence) professionals that is.

VC10s flying over Coningsby during the tour of Britain day prior to retirement of the type.

On a good day, you may get to see the Typhoon display team or even visiting aircraft. Have a warm day, sandwiches and camera and set your self up for superb viewing and great day out.

Leaving Coningsby, head toward the old Woodall Spa airfield just up the road. The signs are all but gone. I found one showing RAF Woodall, pointing to a quarry. If there is anything there, I do not know, but the airfield to all intents and purpose is gone.  The Thorpe Camp museum (http://www.thorpecamp.org.uk/) has a EE Lightning sat outside along with the propeller from a crashed Lancaster as a memorial. Inside old huts are artefacts and stories of life in the area. When I arrived they were closed but it looked interesting and worth a visit. Driving past here toward Woodall Spa, you pass a Two-seat hunter on the right. Bought by a farmer for a restoration project, it seems to have been left and is deteriorating in the open. Many parts are missing and / or damaged. Research has shown that it is in fact made up of two Hunters joined together and not an original. This aside, it acts as a reminder of the areas aviation history.

 

As you enter the village of Woodall Spa, you are greeted by the ‘best towns’ award.  A beautiful little village with a crossroads at the heart. Adjacent to this is a small car park and the famous Dambusters memorial, depicting a breached dam. The names of the crew adorn the side, reminding us of those brave men who sacrificed themselves for this controversial raid. Whatever you think, it is a moving piece and you cannot but stand in silence contemplating it’s significance. For those requiring a small break, there is a cake shop in the village which I have been informed, sells the most amazing cakes. It also sells a range of aviation literature so you can browse and eat all in one place.

Further up the road away from the memorial, you pass a long leafy road with a sports centre on your left. On your right after the woods, is the sign for Petwood Hotel (http://www.petwood.co.uk). A formidable building, used by Guy Gibson and his crews as a mess hall whilst based at the nearby airfield. In the Squadron bar, I am told there are pictures and memorabilia of those times, which you can look at whist having your afternoon tea.

On leaving Woodall Spa, you are heading back toward Coningsby, turning east toward the old airfield of RAF East Kirkby.

The Lincoln countryside unfolds before you, and you can just imagine (in-between the sounds of jet engine) the Merlins, Pratt and Witney’s and so on, rumbling above you. Here is a relatively little known airfield, where a real story has unfolded. A taxiable Lancaster ‘Just Jane’sits proudly in it’s hanger, next to a Dakota.  Purchased by two brothers, ‘Just Jane’ regularly taxis carrying fare paying passengers around the airfield. The long term project is to return her to flight giving two airworthy Lancasters in this country – what a sight to be hold. Around the aircraft are the stark reminders of the darker side of aviation. Bits taken from crashed aircraft along with photos, personal artefacts recovered from the sites, and a range of military vehicles all add to the historical content of the trip.  

The museum (http://www.lincsaviation.co.uk/ ) is very well laid out. A good, clear guide tells you about the history of the site, the individual buildings (which are superbly renovated) and all the displays which are housed in huts. It even points out the bullet hole in the flag pole from the maurding German night fighter. Many of the displays were new to me and a very pleasant surprise to see, considering the nature of the trip. The watch tower, one of the best preserved in this country, has mannequins, sounds and artefacts set out as it would have been when waiting for ‘the boys’ to return from one of their war time sorties.

After sampling refreshments in the lovely little café, I headed back home, through Boston, leaving bomber country behind and some fantastic memories of a great day out.