With a bit of luck and subject to cashflow we hope to squeeze in 4-6 weeks in Europe in April/May next year. The timing relates to a birthday and our intentions were centred around the Monaco GP … but, well … thanks a lot Max!
So now we have to balance the tension between me seeing lots of fabulous aviation stuff and us meandering about France and Italy with Paris being about as “north” as my better half probably has in mind. Somehow I need to plan a short sharp excursion to places interesting, including a nod to my uncle (Lancaster rear gunner, 619 sqdn).
In the UK I’m thinking …
• The RAF Museum in London (is that what is also described as “Hendon”?)
• Duxford
• East Kirkby … a real live Lanc and opportunity to taxi in the rear seat!
• Woodhall Spa … my uncle flew from there in 1943
How far apart are those locations? And how time should I allow at them? I grossly underestimated NASM a few years back.
What have I foolishly overlooked?
In Europe
• Italy … I want to see the MC-72 at Vigna de Valle (near Rome)
• France … le Blockhaus d’Eperlecques (is that the same thing as Watten?)
• Where in Normandy? And where that’s evocative of WW1 … Amiens or similar … my grandfather fought in France.
• Germany … there has to be stuff in Germany! If I could I would head all the way up to Peenemunde. But it’s not exactly adjacent to the South of France.
And I do appreciate we might be a bit early (Apr/May) for airshows, but what might we be able to see flying?
Suggestions about “must sees” and some thoughts re. logical travel order (including overnighting) will be enormously appreciated.
Many thanks, Don
By: Smith - 23rd June 2009 at 01:57
Thank you
Many thanks everyone, and James for your PM too.
Moggy, in this thread in early 2008 you were about to go to Watten/Eperlecques. Did you do that? If so, any feedback?
And I note lots of suggestions in “Air Ministry’s” similar thread to mine.
Many thanks, D
By: Arabella-Cox - 22nd June 2009 at 09:28
Oh yes, suggest you put the de Havilland Museum at London Colney on the list, not too far from Shuttleworth or even Duxford come to that.
Planemike
By: RPSmith - 22nd June 2009 at 09:20
……with Paris being about as “north” as my better half probably has in mind……. Don
If you can stretch her a bit more, into Belgium, the Brussels Museum shouldn’t be missed.
Roger Smith.
By: megalith - 22nd June 2009 at 08:53
How could you possibly miss a Shuttleworth display. Everything from Pup to Lysander.
If possible go on a flying evening when you are more likely to see the pre first world war aircraft fly.
Beats every static collection in the world hands down!
Steve
By: MJW - 22nd June 2009 at 08:51
As you intend to visit Paris the Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace at Le Bourget airport should be top of the list! A wonderful museum.
Kind regards, Malcolm.
By: Moggy C - 22nd June 2009 at 08:21
And where that’s evocative of WW1 … Amiens or similar … my grandfather fought in France.
The sunset ceremony every night at the Menin Gate, and/or the subterranean museum at Albert.
Moggy
By: JDK - 22nd June 2009 at 06:28
With a bit of luck and subject to cashflow we hope to squeeze in 4-6 weeks in Europe in April/May next year. The timing relates to a birthday and our intentions were centred around the Monaco GP … but, well … thanks a lot Max!
So now we have to balance the tension between me seeing lots of fabulous aviation stuff and us meandering about France and Italy with Paris being about as “north” as my better half probably has in mind. Somehow I need to plan a short sharp excursion to places interesting, including a nod to my uncle (Lancaster rear gunner, 619 sqdn).
In the UK I’m thinking …
• The RAF Museum in London (is that what is also described as “Hendon”?)
Yes. London also has the Science Museum (Sth Kensignton) and the IWM (Lambeth) and lots of other stuff, obviously. IWM Lambeth has the nose of RAAF Lanc ‘Old Fred’.
• Duxford
And Shuttleworth. In April-May, with planning, you should be good for a show at each. Essential I’d say. Build round them.
• East Kirkby … a real live Lanc and opportunity to taxi in the rear seat!
• Woodhall Spa … my uncle flew from there in 1943
Sounds good. The Lincs Aviation trail, including RAF Coningsby (PA474 etc) is in the same patch.
How far apart are those locations? And how time should I allow at them? I grossly underestimated NASM a few years back.
Could be rushed in a day or so, or done proper over a few days.
What have I foolishly overlooked?
Chuck a brick, hit an air museum in S England. Other ‘essentials’ I’d suggest trying to get to would be Fleet Air Arm Museum Yeovilton (one of the best, IMHO) if Science Museum Wroughton has an open day, you’d like it for more than just the aircraft… RAF Cosford would be another high on the list that I’d suggest.
In Europe
• Italy … I want to see the MC-72 at Vigna de Valle (near Rome)
Yes, you do! Good train ride, I think we had a discussion on getting there on WIX.
• Germany … there has to be stuff in Germany! If I could I would head all the way up to Peenemunde. But it’s not exactly adjacent to the South of France.
I picked Munich for the Sciences Museum, given we could have two days in Germany last year – the Oberschlissheim (sp?) airfield was also visited. Berlin would be another pick, and there’s more.
I don’t think the show dates have been released yet, but most are relatively fixed (anyone?) For Paris, the la Ferte Alais show in May is cool for diverse flying, and Le Bourget has the main museum, a European must stop, IMHO.
You have a PM.
cheers,
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June 22, 2009 at 6:04 am