Royal Air Force – The Inkwell

A Busman’s Holiday – In Cosford

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Shared journeys

Old Trafford, Manchester , 5th August

Time : Zero Nine Hundred Hours.

Location : Imperial War Museum North, Old Trafford, Manchester

Destination : RAF Museum, Cosford, Shropshire

Bill by the RAF Twin-propped Bomber – and it wasn’t raining!

Having done the Great Orme (see here) Bill Nigel and me meet up for a trip to the Royal Air Force Museum in Cosford, Shropshire.

Travelling down the M6 from Manchester and then the M42 we reached our destination, despite queues and roadworks.

Upon arriving at RAF Cosford, we enjoy a bite to eat in the form of soup and a roll in the café. I had the Tomato (V.Nice!)

Then we hit the Galleries. Each hangar told the tale of planes that flew in the first and second world wars, as well as some of the individuals that took part in their operation. A mini timeline, similar to that of IWM North’s Main exhibition space (only a lot smaller) told the history of the RAF from its earliest time as the Royal Flying Corps all the way to the role played in more recent conflict in the Middle east.

Experimental Aircraft

I particularly enjoyed the Test flight Gallery. This explained the developmental process behind Planes like the Spitfire and the Harrier Jump Jet .

Nigel taking shots of the aircraft….

War in the Air had both Allied and German Planes on display as we read how they came to be, and their roles in the Battle of Britain and beyond. I’m pleased to say I saw a Supermarine Spitfire up close whilst walking round the exhibit, and the one I saw was the oldest surviving model in the world

All planes have to have something to make them tick – and Cosford’s collection delves deep into many of the engines that got them going.

I also viewed the artillery used by the RAF Regiment – The Air force soldiers who are assigned to protect the airfields.

It was a most enjoyable day – a pin, bookmark and mug – as well as my photos will remind me of viewing some great pieces of aviation history….just need to get the photos off the camera now 🙂

Something for Historical scholars to spot – my pic shows a statue of Lenin in the distance – but can you spot the other Russian leaders in this pic ?

Fish and Chips at the Great Orme

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Shared Journeys

Date : 19th May 2016

Location : The summit complex, Great Orme country park, Llandudno, North Wales

“If you can find them…and no-one else can help….maybe you can hire – THE A-TEAM”

A fateful but most enjoyable trip to a tall point of North wales

Enjoy the view – i walked up a very tall hill to get to it 🙂

A bit like the fellow who walked up a hill and came down a mountain 🙂

The funny thing is Me, Bill, Nigel and Joe weren’t even supposed to be here – we headed off from our meeting point at Imperial War Museum North and somehow we missed our junction for the M6 and Buxton (our intended destination). So we Headed for the M56 North Wales road instead, with all the delights that the country parks of wales could offer.

(I’m smiling about it now…..)

Walking up the Great Orme, led us to the Summit Complex, with Educational facilities, Museum, Hotel and restaurant. Our reward for reaching the summit ? A really nice Lunch plate of Fish and Chips in the restaurant.

There was a plaque dedicated to the forces who served at Great Orme when the Cafe was a Royal Air Force Radar Station, defending the nation against Nazi air attack in World war II – All four of us volunteer at Imperial War Museum North in Manchester – so i guess it was fate that we’d eventually end up somewhere with a connection to the armed forces…

Inside the Visitor centre – there was a display of the Great Orme Landscape, its terrain – and the sea birds that reside there.

Guillemots say Hello!

Being indoors in the restaurant – Our Lunches were safe from these regular visitors 🙂

A Bench with a view