I will be up in the Lake District next week all being well, and thought that I’d ask about anything you guys think would be worth looking at. I’ve not been there before so any suggestions will be most helpful. Thanks in advance.
By: scotavia - 8th August 2017 at 20:40
12/13th aug http://www.visitblackpool.com/detail/blackpool-air-show-2017-675160/
By: Elmdon Boy - 8th August 2017 at 18:57
Yes its Walney not Thorney, I put it down to an age thing, Knowing the right word, but getting it muddled up. Oh well!!
By: Zidante - 8th August 2017 at 15:47
Yes, not quite aviation but maybe of some interest, the Ruskin Museum in the village has the new sponsons for Bluebird along with the original spars that connect them and some original outer skins and the wrecked Orpheus engine on show, with some interesting supporting material in their Bluebird Wing. There’s a wrecked Merlin from (I think) a Halifax outside there, too.
I was up there two weeks ago. Really nice display it is too and fantastic to see some of the fine work that you have done.
I put all of my loose change (and the kids’ ice cream money) in the sponson.
The Merlin was indeed Halifax, an HCU MkV if I recall correctly, and an undercarriage leg is up at the memorial. Got me thinking, are there any preserved Dowty legs anywhere else?
Well worth a visit.
By: ozplane - 8th August 2017 at 14:55
I think it’s Walney, not Thorney Island. Pretty much closed for use by B Ae in conjunction with the shipyards at Barrow.
By: Elmdon Boy - 8th August 2017 at 14:16
Theres the Lakeland motor museum at Backbarrow north east of Ulverston. It has a replica Mignet HM.14 Flying Flea , plus replicas of Sir Malcoim Campbells 1935 Bluebird car and 1939 Bluebird K4 boat, and K7 boat in which Donald was killed in 1967. Also some aviation exhibits I believe.
www.lakelandmotormuseum
There’s also Thorney Island airfield, Barrow in Furness, don’t know what’s visible, or if anything is accessible. Perhaps someone else can enlighten.
By: Sopwith - 8th August 2017 at 14:06
Well that has given me something to go on, thank you all very much for your suggestions, much appreciated.
By: Meddle - 8th August 2017 at 13:12
There is always ‘Lakes Lightnings’ at Spark Bridge. He/they have a few cockpits and a complete Lightning.
By: Bluebird Mike - 8th August 2017 at 10:55
There is also Bluebird /Coniston.
Yes, not quite aviation but maybe of some interest, the Ruskin Museum in the village has the new sponsons for Bluebird along with the original spars that connect them and some original outer skins and the wrecked Orpheus engine on show, with some interesting supporting material in their Bluebird Wing. There’s a wrecked Merlin from (I think) a Halifax outside there, too.
By: TonyT - 8th August 2017 at 10:31
Tenuous link here.. there is also the pencil museum in Keswick
https://www.derwentart.com/en/gb/7523/derwent-pencil-museum
this has on show a bit about the pencils produced for ww2 bomber crews that had a map inside replacing part of the lead.
By: TonyT - 8th August 2017 at 10:26
Also at Crosby on Eden which is Carlisle Airport you will find the Solway museum. ( was born only 5 miles from it )
http://www.solway-aviation-museum.co.uk/
then venturing a bit further norf into no mans land you have
http://www.dumfriesaviationmuseum.com/
But be careful, because Norf of the wall you find the whitewalkers.. one in particular named Sturgeon. :p
But as a Cumbrian lad I would say forget aviation for a while and enjoy the lakes, they are beautiful and there is so much to see, you will be agog on a nice day, do a boat tour, on one of the lakes. my favourite lake is Ulswater as it is the deepest and casts some stunning reflections.
Go see the pines at Buttermere, the road over the top past the slate quarry museum is stunning ( Honister Pass )… and steep, it’s a fantastic way to go, you can do a circuit that takes you to Cockermouth and then Keswick.
https://www.visitcumbria.com/cm/honister-pass/
http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/buttermere-in-autumn-light.html
also this is a nice way to spend some hours
By: FarlamAirframes - 8th August 2017 at 10:12
When in doubt ask a local.
The only air museums still here are Solway (Carlisle); D&G ( Dumfries) and then NEAM (Sunderland).
Kirkbride and Silloth still have the hangars and are both Industrial units. The modelling club fly from Kirkbride.
Kingstown at Carlisle was flight training school and many buildings still remain.
There are also walks near Spadeadam. Someone told me last week that one of the wrecks was moved to near the waterfall walk
Most of the wrecks and relics are dents in the ground.
Only visible aircraft parts I know of are the Venom above Croglin and the Hudson in the estuary at Silloth.
There is also Bluebird /Coniston.
By: windhover - 8th August 2017 at 10:00
Not too much in that area, I’m afraid. The best known is White Cross Bay on the eastern shore of Lake Windermere, where Shorts built Sunderlands. It is now a holiday home complex.
The others to the north of the Lake District proper are Hornby Hall built as an SLG, and Hutton-in-the Forest; also built as an SLG. Both these are in the Penrith area.
There are more sites in the Carlisle area: Brayton, Wath Head; both SLGs.
Silloth – Coastal Command
Kirkbride – ATA Pool.
Great Orton – satellite for Silloth
Kingstown 15 EFTS.
Crosby-on-Eden – OTU.
Burnfoot – RLG.
Longtown – satellite for the Solway area.
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August 8, 2017 at 8:39 am