Where shall I go? Fleet Air Arm or RAF Museum?

James,

Yeh you could be right. Dunkeswell ran a show for 3 or 4 years running in the early nineties and then stopped until the 2006 event.

Every year they had a ‘star’ attraction, IIRC it was the B-24, Catalina and Sally B but i don’t remember what order. I do recall that Diamond Lil was a bit of a coup due to the US Navy connection and shortly after blew an engine prematurely ending it’s UK appearances.

Edit: Yes Google says it was 1992.

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Pete,
Yep, 1994 was the year. I recall Bill Clinton’s visit, the carrier was in Pompey, and the Dunkeswell show was the same that featured the only UK appearance (?) of CAF’s Diamond LiL..

Diamond Lil also flew at Boscombe Down IAT (as did a Tomcat), but I thought that was ’92. Will have to dig out pics!

There were a couple of Tomcats at Mildenhall in 92, 2 at Fairford in 93, most likely scenario could be when the JFK took part in the D-Day anniversary in 1994….

Pete,

Yep, 1994 was the year. I recall Bill Clinton’s visit, the carrier was in Pompey, and the Dunkeswell show was the same that featured the only UK appearance (?) of CAF’s Diamond LiL.

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its free

Its not bad at all, service aircraft collection wise it must be THE collection and it must be seen. What lets it down (I haven’t been for 3 years now mind) is the stale atmosphere, poor lighting, official feel of the place, and yes some dust.
You must visit though, there are some truely unique sights there, especially the German and RAF WWII collection.
Is entry now free? If so there is no good reason not to go!

Its free, I think that they do suffer from funding issues which means some galleries etc are sometimes closed, staffing, maintenance etc, but for all of my chuntering – yes, its well worth a visit to see some lovely aircraft, intact, indoors

Not had chance to get to the RAF museum personally. Is it really as bad as the reports on here make it seem?

Its not bad at all, service aircraft collection wise it must be THE collection and it must be seen. What lets it down (I haven’t been for 3 years now mind) is the stale atmosphere, poor lighting, official feel of the place, and yes some dust.
You must visit though, there are some truely unique sights there, especially the German and RAF WWII collection.
Is entry now free? If so there is no good reason not to go!

Ah… Tomcats…., anybody here witness the completely unofficial display at Dunkeswell airday circa 1992 or 1993 (?)….?

I recall a carrier was visiting Portsmouth that summer, and this F-14 (from VF-84 ?) gave a truly memorable performance over mid-Devon, some of which was very low and very fast 😮

Scuttlebutt afterwards was the guy was reprimanded after complaints. Still have it on VHS somewhere, perhaps someone could transfer it to YouTube ?

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There were a couple of Tomcats at Mildenhall in 92, 2 at Fairford in 93, most likely scenario could be when the JFK took part in the D-Day anniversary in 1994.
I was lucky enough to be on the beach at Arromanches and could see the JFK launching it’s a/c just off the coast, they then assembled an epic flypast for the benefit of Bill Clinton at Omaha, which came sweeping along the coast over Arromanches consisting of F-14×4, A-6×4, F-18×4, B1, C117, impressive.
Prior to that we had seen B-17 Pink Lady with 2 P-51’s literally skimming the waves.
Our flypast at Arromanches for the benefit of HMQ consisted of an unusually untidy BBMF flypast, The Reds, of course, and Tornados, followed by a 21 gun salute offshore by what looked like half the Royal Navy.
Great Day!!!! Was any one else there that day with a vet and found themselves in the middle of all that trouble with the vets and Historic Vehicle Societies threatening to drive their Shermans over the French police on the beach at Arromanches.
I have some really good video of all this but my new camera won’t play it, has anyone got an old video 8 camera that they don’t want.
Sorry to hijack the thread, I got carried away, thats all.

Aside from all that, both museums are truly amazing, I just find the FAA Museum a bit less clinical and having more of an ability to interest both the GP and the enthusiast, the ‘Carrier Experience’ is very well done, I once took a 5 year old who really believed that he had flown out to an aircraft carrier by helicopter, if you have young kids, FAA every time.

Went a few weeks ago – somewhat stuck if you want to see a Bristol Bulldog anywhere else in the U.K. Complaining about dust on aircraft isn’t really my bag – however if you want to appreciate some unique aircraft you havn’t got much choice!

Not had chance to get to the RAF museum personally. Is it really as bad as the reports on here make it seem?

No one appears to have mentioned Brooklands Museum near Weybridge in Surrey. It has everything for all ages – Vickers aircraft collection, including the Loch Ness Wellington and the only production Concorde open to visitors in the South East (extra charge). In addition, there are old cars (somtimes doing rides on the old racing banking), motorbikes, Grand Prix cars and, even, the Raleigh bicycle collection. Some cockpits open to young and old and finish off with a visit to Mercedes-Benz World. See: http://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/
= John

Why would anyone mention Brooklands when the question asked was which to visit, RAFM or FAAM.

BEST MUSEUM TO VISIT

No one appears to have mentioned Brooklands Museum near Weybridge in Surrey. It has everything for all ages – Vickers aircraft collection, including the Loch Ness Wellington and the only production Concorde open to visitors in the South East (extra charge). In addition, there are old cars (somtimes doing rides on the old racing banking), motorbikes, Grand Prix cars and, even, the Raleigh bicycle collection. Some cockpits open to young and old and finish off with a visit to Mercedes-Benz World. See: http://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/
= John

Anytime Baby…!!

Ah… Tomcats…., anybody here witness the completely unofficial display at Dunkeswell airday circa 1992 or 1993 (?)….?

I recall a carrier was visiting Portsmouth that summer, and this F-14 (from VF-84 ?) gave a truly memorable performance over mid-Devon, some of which was very low and very fast 😮

Scuttlebutt afterwards was the guy was reprimanded after complaints. Still have it on VHS somewhere, perhaps someone could transfer it to YouTube ?

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maybe you are right Pagen…

How come you sometimes turn your threads into this Duxford F-14 debate?
I can’t see that it would be a particulary relevent exhibit in a British museum it being a type that had very little to do with these shores.
Don’t get me wrong, I like F-14s and loved their airshow appearences, it would even be nice to see one on display, but I just don’t see it as type desperately required over more relevant aircraft by a UK collection.
If Duxford did actually turn down one which was offered, I’m sure it would have been for a very good reason.
It certainly isn’t a type for Cosford.

maybe its because somebody else got the Chinese Stirling wave going before me !? Cosford, Duxford, my front garden… would just love to see one here but you are right, there are others more pressing, but hey, the wife won’t listen to me so let me have my occasional rants on here:diablo:

Just out of interest – if you were to have a rant like mine, what type would it be?

How come you sometimes turn your threads into this Duxford F-14 debate?
I can’t see that it would be a particulary relevent exhibit in a British museum it being a type that had very little to do with these shores.
Don’t get me wrong, I like F-14s and loved their airshow appearences, it would even be nice to see one on display, but I just don’t see it as type desperately required over more relevant aircraft by a UK collection.
If Duxford did actually turn down one which was offered, I’m sure it would have been for a very good reason.
It certainly isn’t a type for Cosford.

thats what I have heard….

Turned down an F-14? 😮 thats sacrilege if said rumour is true. Suppose an F-14 goes with the naval theme we’ve got going on down here in Yeovs, I for one would love one of them down here.

I love Duxford, but I mailed them to ask if they were having one when they were pulled out of USN service, and they said no, nowhere to put it and they didn’t want it left out to rot. The F-15 is on loan so not an issue…… have heard in many places since that IWM turned down an offer. If not Duxford, surely at Cosford….. nit picking or what, but if we had a forum bet on if a Jetstream or F-14 was a “cold war” aircraft I know where my money is. Hey ho, I’m ranting, Cosford & Duxford are top notch places so I’ll just wait until Duxford start on the F-105 !!

thats what I have heard….

Turned down an F-14? 😮 thats sacrilege if said rumour is true. Suppose an F-14 goes with the naval theme we’ve got going on down here in Yeovs, I for one would love one of them down here.

I love Duxford, but I mailed them to ask if they were having one when they were pulled out of USN service, and they said no, nowhere to put it and they didn’t want it left out to rot. The F-15 is on loan so not an issue…… have heard in many places since that IWM turned down an offer. If not Duxford, surely at Cosford….. nit picking or what, but if we had a forum bet on if a Dominie or F-14 was a “cold war” aircraft I know where my money is. Hey ho, I’m ranting, Cosford & Duxford are top notch places so I’l just wait until Duxford start on the F-105 !!

As i said in post #3, the ticket will get you free re-entry for the next 12 months, not just 2 days.

Details here

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Thats right provided your a UK tax payer and complete the Gift Aid form

Not been to the helicopter museum for ooooo, far too many years – if the budget is an issue, stick to FAA, I think the ticket is valid two days?

As i said in post #3, the ticket will get you free re-entry for the next 12 months, not just 2 days.

Details here

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I know, its not an ex RN airframe so no, I still want the names and addresses of the Duxford folk who (it is rumoured) turned one down:mad: 😡 😡

Turned down an F-14? 😮 thats sacrilege if said rumour is true. Suppose an F-14 goes with the naval theme we’ve got going on down here in Yeovs, I for one would love one of them down here.

tell ’em to bag an F-14 and I’m there….

Thats a tricky shout.

BSG, the Senior Service won’t disappoint :rolleyes: The Fleet Air Arm, Her Majesties finest 😉

Backlash inbound…..

I know, its not an ex RN airframe so no, I still want the names and addresses of the Duxford folk who (it is rumoured) turned one down:mad: 😡 😡

Isn’t that an Army Lynx as your avatar? 😉

:rolleyes: hehehe, no such thing now, Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) owns all the lynx mk7 and mk9 airframes to my knowledge. But the lynx in question is flown by 847 NAS with Royal Marines written down the tail. No Army that you speak of present :p 😀