Imperial War Museum

[Willi Von Klugerman]

Im planing a trip to London soon and Im visiting the museum.I don't want to things for me but,chap,tell me,for those who been their,ask me what it's like.Whats the holucost,air raid,trench system exhibits like and everything else!!!!Please,Ich must know!!

[crankcase]

Easy, willi, take a deep breath...now, that's better.
if you have time, go see not only the imperial war museum, but check out the science museum and hendon as well. if time outside london, nothing beats biggleswade (shuttleworth).

i would put these ahead of the tower of london, trafalgar square and piccadilly. if the queen invites you to tea, well then that's something else!
have fun
crankcase

[Butch]

From the Tower of London, take the Greenwich ferry. Lots of history along the river. In Greenwich, go up the hill to the Naval museum and see Lord Nelson's uniform he wore at Trafalgar. And have a pint or two at the Trafalgar Inn on the river.
Pete

[Sandy Spigot-Colon]

Originally Posted by crankcase

Easy, willi, take a deep breath...now, that's better.
if you have time, go see not only the imperial war museum, but check out the science museum and hendon as well. if time outside london, nothing beats biggleswade (shuttleworth).

i would put these ahead of the tower of london, trafalgar square and piccadilly. if the queen invites you to tea, well then that's something else!
have fun
crankcase

As far as Hendon goes, you'll need to get there when The Claude Grahame-White building is open.
It contains all the Great War aeroplanes (apart from about three or four others which are situated in other parts of the museum) and it doesn't open everyday.
It's something to do with the museum being short of staff--go figure, and is the cause of much complaint!

As to The Shuttleworth Collection, you can get a train from Kings Cross to Biggleswade and then a taxi to the village of Old Warden where the collection is situated.
You will need a day to look round and if you can tell me in advance when, I could meet you there.
The Collection is a bit special (no very special) and is hallowed ground. I am of course, biased.

The IWM is excellent for Great War-aholics. There's a BE2C and Culley's Camel hanging up in there as well as a very wonderful Great War section which includes the famous trench and much military kit from the period.
The book shop is worth a look too.
Allow yourself a day.
Anytime left over at the end, there's a decent pub across the road which serves an acceptable pint and food.

Hope this helps.
S S-C.

[Willi Von Klugerman]

What was the trench system and hulocost exhibit like,don't worry you guys telling me wont ruin it for me.

[crankcase]

the trench system is spooky but interesting. a bigger impression was made by the blitz air raid shelter. you sit in there and hear and feel the bombs falling and the light flickering. definitely well done.

i am not familar with the holocaust exhibit, which must have been added after i visited (quite a few years ago).

enjoy your visit
marc

[Lucky Dog]

Originally Posted by Sandy Spigot-Colon

As far as Hendon goes, you'll need to get there when The Claude Grahame-White building is open.
It contains all the Great War aeroplanes (apart from about three or four others which are situated in other parts of the museum) and it doesn't open everyday.
It's something to do with the museum being short of staff--go figure, and is the cause of much complaint!

Andy,
Their website only says that The Claude Grahame-White building is open daily from 10:00-12:00, no indication of only specific days. That is definitely on our agenda for the visit in a few weeks , and I'd hate to get there on find it wasn't open.

[Sandy Spigot-Colon]

Originally Posted by Lucky Dog

Andy,
Their website only says that The Claude Grahame-White building is open daily from 10:00-12:00, no indication of only specific days. That is definitely on our agenda for the visit in a few weeks , and I'd hate to get there on find it wasn't open.

Mike,
I might suggest that you ring them on the day in question--once you get to the UK.
The CGW building is the jewel in Hendon's crown but I don't think the mausoleum management grasp that simple fact yet.
They're more interested in award winning (well for expensive architects at least) 'prestige' buildings.
You'll see them at a number of British museums--sadly.
(Duxford has several and a more queer assemblage of strange modern buildings you'd be hard pressed to find.)

At Old Warden we still persist in the belief that the best place to keep aeroplanes is in a hangar--we're old fashioned that way.

We'll talk when you get here.
A.

[Turnbuckle]

Andy, it does open every day but just for those two hours. Whilst the Grahame-White Factory's open the management take the liberty of shutting the Battle of Britain Hall (Which you'll need a torch to find your way around it's so badly lit). You can't have it all - adequate staffing and aeroplanes apparently don't mix.

[Sandy Spigot-Colon]

Mike/Rob.
this very day I pulled the Harley Davidson from the back of the garage and took a run out to the RAF Museum Hendon.
The CGW building was open with one rather sleepy security guard over-seeing the visitors.

They've tidied it up a bit since I was last there last year with the engines (a good collection in it's own right) spread evenly around the building between the aeroplanes.
They've also moved the replica Sopwith Tabloid in there too.
There are three motorbikes of RFC origin, model T Ford pickup (in RFC colours) and the Crossley tender too.
All in all, quite a collection.

I walked through parts of the mainbuilding too.
The DH-9A and sectioned Bristol Fighter are in the main hall and I expect the BE2A is still the Bomber Command hall.

Afterwards, rather than paying out at the overpriced and poor quality museum restaurant I rode down to the North Circular road and dined for well less than ten quid at 'The Ace Cafe'. A revitalised and restored bikers cafe from the 1950's--full of 'interesting' biking folk etc.
Food was excellent.
A.