I’ve very much appreciated the occasional “museum visit”-style threads in the forum, so I thought I’d repay the compliment with my photos from the excellent DHAM at London Colney last Friday.
This was my first visit, as this year is the first time I’ve lived anywhere remotely convenient to get to Hertfordshire.
It didn’t disappoint!
The three Mosquitos are the obvious focal point of the museum, and it’s very much appreciated that you can get up close to all of them and appreciate the skill of the restorations.
Restoration of both the FB.VI TA122 and prototype W4050 are coming on very nicely.
Apparently the new-build engine bearers for W4050 are away being sandblasted and primed, and it shouldn’t be long before she has her engines back again. The finished product should be stunning, if the detail on the firewalls, or the beautifully restored plumbing on TA122 are anything to go by…
It was lovely to be allowed to wander round outside and into the several airframes which were open. The German-registered Dove in particular was interesting, having been modified to test autoland equipment. I like the detail on the threshold of the cabin door, just in case you’ve forgotten what you’re getting into!
Also outside was a handsome Sea Vixen FAW2. From the steps up to the cockpit you can get a panoramic view over the other parked aircraft. I’m told the recently-restored Chipmunk is cocooned to keep it looking spick and span until it (hopefully soon) gets a roof over its head.
Comet 1a, F-BGNX was sadly not open to peer into, but the “bare metal foil” plus its new paint make the fuselage look very impressive.
The second, and much smaller hangar contains the pre-war aircraft and a very impressive Horsa section. I had no idea that the prototype Horsa was built at London Colney!
Since the demise of the Shuttleworth example, London Colney is the only place you can see the diminutive DH Humming Bird. The cockpit really is very basic indeed.
Heading back outside, there are very nicely presented sections of Trident and Comet 4 to explore. I was extremely envious of the BEA-branded leather jacket!
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DHAM is an excellent museum and a very pleasant place to spend a couple of hours. I was very glad to donate to their new hangar appeal; it would be wonderful to see the great majority of the exhibits inside and out of the rain!
By: AlanR - 28th September 2015 at 11:24
In that case I think you were in the Trident at the same time as me.
Rob
I keep missing out on saying hello to people. You at the DH Museum, and Paul at Duxford recently 🙂
At these museums, sometimes it’s the smaller items and displays that catch the eye. In particular, this
one regarding Guy Gibson’s last flight.
I think that pretty much rounds off our aviation visits this year. Hopefully we’ll get to see the Vulcan one more
time over Southend. With maybe a winter trip to Duxford if we are at a loose end on a nice day.
By: Tin Triangle - 28th September 2015 at 10:54
Also apologies to Tin Triangle for hijacking his thread, but I guess the more positive publicity for a museum the better!
Not at all! I quite agree.
By: charliehunt - 28th September 2015 at 10:40
I see from their website they close at the end of next month. With any luck we will be in Hertfordshire before then and these posts are seriously wetting my appetite for another visit, if I can fit it in before next season!! Thanks to you all!;)
By: Wyvernfan - 28th September 2015 at 10:34
A pleasure.
Also apologies to Tin Triangle for hijacking his thread, but I guess the more positive publicity for a museum the better!
Rob
By: Bruce - 28th September 2015 at 09:56
Thanks Rob – The panel has been at the museum since about 1990 – I saved it from the fire at one point.. During my tenure, no attempt was made at identifying which aircraft it came from, so that is new information to me.
Bruce 🙂
By: Wyvernfan - 28th September 2015 at 09:35
In that case I think you were in the Trident at the same time as me.
Rob
By: AlanR - 27th September 2015 at 23:31
Me too. Did you arrive on a motorcycle Alan?
Perish the thought !. I was in my Civic, wearing a dark grey shirt, and my wife a red jacket.
I’d really liked to have spent more time there.
By: DazDaMan - 27th September 2015 at 19:29
Great stuff.
By: Wyvernfan - 27th September 2015 at 19:07
Me too. Did you arrive on a motorcycle Alan?
Anyway have to concur about it being a great little museum. Spent ages talking to the guy restoring the Sea Venom about the work done so far (a real labour of love), plus Mosquitos and the mighty Molins gun with a couple of other volunteers.
Apart from the aircraft and numerous displays I was very impressed by some of the models and the attention to detail. Also for me seeing the Sea Hornet rear fuselage was a bonus.
For the benefit of Whitley_Project and Bruce I also took a pic of the BOAC display and the description.
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By: AlanR - 27th September 2015 at 17:12
Had a lovely day out today, beautiful weather too. Spent around three hours at the DHM, I could have spent longer there
as I like to read the text of the items on display. Then Lunch at the nearby Colney Fox.
What a great place the museum is, and the staff so friendly. Nice to be able to get close to, and inside some of the exhibits.
I’ll sort a couple of pictures out later, trying to avoid duplication.
By: Bruce - 26th September 2015 at 13:51
Its an underwing tank door from one of the BOAC Mosquito’s. Never did work out which one..
By: Whitley_Project - 26th September 2015 at 13:34
Can anyone tell me the story behind the wooden relic with the letter ‘A’ in the BOAC display please?
By: AlanR - 26th September 2015 at 10:00
As the weather looks set fair, I think we shall be making a visit tomorrow.
If anyone else from here is going, say hello. I will be wearing a red carnation on my lapel, and a copy of
the times under my arm. 🙂
By: CeBro - 25th September 2015 at 12:20
Gert,
You can also visit Fort Veldhuis, Heemskerk to see half a Mossie B Mk IV wing on display there.
Closer to home.
Cheers
Cees
(fellow Amstelveen resident)
By: aerovet - 25th September 2015 at 10:49
Having some time to spend while heading for the ferry, after this year’s RIAT, we decided to pay the DH museum a visit this July……..
And I totally agree with you all. It was a treat to see THREE Mossies in one hangar!
A fine museum with very dedicated volunteers.
Definitely worth a (long) detour!!!
Gert
By: Peter - 24th September 2015 at 13:25
Excellent pictures! The DH Museum is top of the list of places to visit..!
By: mmitch - 24th September 2015 at 09:06
I went there on Monday and I concur with Tin Triangle’s views. The detailed display ‘cards’ in particular.
Restoring 3 Mosquitos at the same time would tax even the large museums.
Having driven there from Hendon the difference could not be more marked. But I will leave my comments on that to a separate thread!
mmitch.
By: charliehunt - 24th September 2015 at 08:15
Excellent report and pictures, TT!;) I must try to get back there next year – haven’t been for a long time….
By: Bruce - 24th September 2015 at 08:04
Not for a long time; the pump packed up! The Sea Venom is currently in pieces in any case.
By: Wyvernfan - 24th September 2015 at 07:09
They used to demonstrate the wing fold on the Sea Vixen together I think with the Sea Venom. Does this still happen?
Rob
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September 23, 2015 at 10:18 pm