European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 19, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse Museum at left a valiant bomber on display at he to a bar command museum die valiant was be first British aircraft to carry an atomic weapon. Museums offer flights info history Story and photos by Dave Diehl . Bureau museums pm by Boring. Very Boring. If icy re not littered with junk from a past that most people Don t care about they re filled with relics that were once owned by the Rich seen by few and of Little significance to anybody other the Mir Seum. But every now and then you find a likable the Bristol Blenheim in is housed in the Batte of Britain museum. A Disisto he German air not Lull Loog lil i Ike 7940 Battle of Britain. Museum. One that has you walking away saying pretty neat the Royal air Force museum in London is one of those places. The British Are proud of their history particularly their history at War. The Raf museum is a splendid example of a nation preserving its history. There s a Sopwith Camel Here one of the firs do fighting air planes. And there Are jets and helicopters and bombs along with a lot of other if done right a better part of the history of British aviation from 1870 can be seen in an hour perhaps the most striking feature of the Paf museum is its simplicity combined with a completeness. There Are no Long complicated explanations of the historical significance of ailerons or fuselage construction just Basic things like samples of the first altimeter or maybe different types of airspeed indicators or perhaps what flight suits looked like during world War ii. British military aviation dates Back to the last Century but it was t until 1963 that the Raf museum was founded. It s owned and operated by the ministry of defense. Entrance is free. More than three dozen aircraft line the walkways of the museum s converted world War i hangars. One of the most interesting sections of the museum is devoted to the late sir Sydney cams a British aircraft designer responsible for some of the most important air planes and air plane technology in British and worldwide aviation. If the Raf museum is striking in its Unity its under the same roof neighbor the bomber command museum is equally exciting if for nothing More than the sheer enormity of the air planes housed there. The bomber command museum opened in 19b3, is a 2.5 million Pound about $3.75 million addition to the Raf museum dedicated to the aircrews who served in both British and Amaru ,111 bomber aircraft in world War ii. Because it s not a National museum there is a charge to get in. But that s Worth it if Only to glimpse at the giant Aster bomber that greets you at the door. There Are the remains of a Halifax bomber recently recovered from a Lake in Norway. There s also a Fine example of America s famous b 17 flying fortress on display. The third and perhaps most important addition to the Raf museum is a few Yards away the Battle of Britain museum. This is a tribute to the men and women who served in one of the most important hard fought and decisive Battles Britain Ever entered. It places itself in a life like setting by including in its display not Only British aircraft that fought in that Battle but enemy aircraft such As the Hinkel and Messo Schmitts. The museums at Raf Mendon Are for anybody who enjoys history aviation or both. This return to the recent past is Worth a look. The Raf Battle of Britain and bomber command museums Are open monday to saturday 10 . To 6 ., and 2-6 On sundays. They Are closed dec. 24, 25, 26, Jan. 1, and on Good Friday and May Day. Admission to the Raf museum is free. Adults pay 1 Pound about $1.50 and children pay 50 Pence about 75 cents for the bomber command and Battle of Britain museums. The museums arc located in the Northwest London suburb of Hendon at Raf Hendon. It s easily accessible by the m1, a1, and a41 highways leading into the City. December 19,1985 stripes Magazine 17
