Battle of Britain Museum

[Barrett]

Almost 20 years ago I visited Hendon and had a marvelous time at the museums, then limited to the RAF and Battle of Britain Museums (I understand there's a separate Bomber Command Museum now.) I seem to recall some WW I exhibits dealing with zeps and such. Even got to shake Sir Douglas Bader's hand--the only time anyone ever addressed me as "old chap."
Anyway, a web search leads me to believe that the BoB Museum as such no longer exists. I infer that it's been absorbed by the RAF Museum and is represented within that context rather than by itself. Current info would be welcome. Thank you--chaps.

Man you lead a charmed life, what other famous aces have yuo shaken hands with?

Sorry I don't know If the museum is still active.

Yes, so it is.
Looking at http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/IndexHendon.cfm
you'll see that they have all the exhibits the 'old BoB Museum' hat. But as far I could remember, I would not say, that the BoB Museum was 'absorbed'. It was enlarged!

Ooops! I have just dicovered a Fokker DVII on the RAF's museum homepage
http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/index_collections.cfm
The Fokker wasn't there when I last visit in 1990. Is it a genuine Fokker or a replica?

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Hans:
It is the real McCoy! I believe it was originally with Jasta 18. Atleast they use to paint it up as such. The recently completed it's restoration.
Blau Himmel,
Dan-San Abbott

[Barrett]

Thanks to all you chaps who responded; I could not tell whether the BoB Museum was absorbed by the RAF Museum or what. When I was there the BoB and RAF Museums were separate; the Bomber Command Museum wasn't finished.
MAN, that Lancaster is impressive! Usually flown by one sergeant. Who says you need a college diploma to fly military aeroplanes???
Kory, the meeting with Sir Douglas was strictly coincidence. Even though I already had his book, I bought one from him just to have the signature. The other RAF types I've hosted on symposium panels include JE Johnson and the late Geoffrey Page ("Tale of a Guinea Pig"). Among the Luftwaffe vets, I was fortunate to get to know Dolfo Galland fairly well; an extremely impressive leader. Steinhoff, Rall, Falck, as well. Gunther Rall is a hoot--tremendous sense of humor.
Frank Olynyk and I probably got to KNOW more US aces than any non WW II veterans. Naturally, I'm more familiar with navy/marine guys owing to the type of books I write but we've lost so many of the great ones recently: Marion Carl, Ken Walsh, Dave McCampbell.
Among the USAAF/AF guys, just saw Bud Anderson again this month; he's awesome, still flying Mustangs at 78, ready and apparently willing to load the guns and do it again. Check out the web site his son operates: cebudanderson.com for some exceptional illustrations and narratives.

Hi All,
It's all basically still there, just in two or three seperate halls. I went first when I was just a kid and then and every time since then I walk around as astonished as I was the first time.
You're right about that Lancaster, Barrett. I sit in front of it for ages and just stare with my mouth open! In the Summer in England, the last flying Lanc' is displayed at a few airshows. To and from these shows it flies at about 1,000 agl with a Spitfire and a Hurricane in formation. Last year, while standing in my kitchen drying dishes, I heard from a long way off the unmistakeable crackle of a Merlin. In fact it turned out to be six Merlins! The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flew almost right over my house! Quite, quite awesome. My other favourite place at Hendon is the Aces section. In a small glass case lies Albert Balls' Army cap and pencil with a few other items that belonged to him. I stand and stare at that! It's tantalisingly close to a hero and I wish I could touch them.
I shan't be over for a while now though having recently, married a 'Jerry', and moved to Germany. Odd, really. For years I had a picture of a Pfalz over my bed. Now I have a Pfaelzerin in it!
Regards, John .
p.s. It's okay chaps. I'll never support the Jerries at the Footie!

Those who want a Lancaster fix don't have to cross the pond. There's a flying Lanc at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario. Ottawa's National Aviation Museum, meantime, has a Lanc front end on display with a platform that allows you to climb up alongside the cockpit and look in. Pretty amazing.

And as impressive as the Lanc sounds, I think it *looks* even more amazing in flight. Sort of like a dragonfly, if you see it at the right angle.

[Ginger.]

The most impressive flight of the Lanc was the 50th anniversary of the Dams Raid.There was a carnival atmosphere at Derwent that day,but,when the Lanc came down Derwent Water you could have heard a pin drop.I found out that day that Richard Todd was an honoury member of 617 Squadron!!! He was a Paratrooper in WW2 and fought at Pegasus Bridge.
Have you heard of the other Lanc at East Kirkby Musuem?It's a none flyer but the engines run.They bring it out and do night time taxi-ing past the control tower.East Kirkby was home to two Lanc Squadrons in WW2,and the aircraft carries their markings.Wish I had a scanner to post the photos.

[Michael]

I'm spoiled.

Here in Oakville Ontario we're on the flightpath for the CWM Lancaster when it heads east (the last time being Remembrance Day). It is an unmistakable sound.

Michael