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View Full Version : Excitement at the Museum Of Army Flying, U.K.



Ganter
June 15th, 2017, 00:06
Well, yesterday Ganter, being at loose end took himself off to the Museum Of Army Flying at the Middle Wallop Airfield here in the south of England. It's only a few miles up the road from me but I have overlooked it somewhat, my last visit being some fifteen years ago or so.

https://s17.postimg.org/5qkavtse7/DSC_8097.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/t4sa7rabf/)

The main halls were as I remembered them with a grand collection of old war birds going as far back as battlefield ballooning. The museum takes you chronologically through from 19th C to the present, is wonderfully laid out and has some excellent exhibits presented in context.

https://s11.postimg.org/hf7r0a9gj/DSC_8125.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/rcirtch27/)

https://s9.postimg.org/j00vnbp5b/DSC_8121.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/4tl4s3ea3/)

https://s16.postimg.org/msagujqhh/DSC_8101.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/fcb78r2s1/)

Ganter
June 15th, 2017, 00:07
This was intriguing, I'd only heard about the 'Wire Guided Missile' (BGM- 71TOW) - the pods mounted to the side wire guide from 500 Metres to 3500 Metres.

https://s15.postimg.org/q43ftke3v/DSC_8105.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/4uftipxt3/)

This was the the Museums Simulator (I wish mine was as simple sometimes!)

https://s3.postimg.org/z0x2c1dkj/DSC_8098.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/m9iw5j3sf/)

https://s4.postimg.org/pjiaalzjx/DSC_8107.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/z41wxhovt/)

My favourite aircraft of the day was this single seat glider trainer Kirby Kite suspended from the ceiling. It's such a beautiful looking bird.
I wanted to steal it. "Just tug me up to 5000' and let me go, chaps."

https://s17.postimg.org/x1jxxlbdb/DSC_8118.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/ytcwshuq3/)

Ganter
June 15th, 2017, 00:07
And then a great surprise whilst having tea out on the cafe balcony. Spotted this taking off in the distance.

https://s2.postimg.org/surc0fo6x/DSC_8108.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/5taquooj9/)

Then it closed the distance! and blew my hat off and caused havoc with some chaps having lunch at the next table.
It was only about 20 metres away.

https://s9.postimg.org/oz2q1hf9b/DSC_8113.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/lfgsbocjf/)

The next generation of Army Flyers?
As I made my way back to the car park I spotted this Grob G115 Trainer. (I wondered why the skipper was in the left seat - then I realised, the cadet was a Helo cadet - and should get used to flying from the right seat from the start of his/ her training.)

https://s23.postimg.org/nuwa43vkr/DSC_8129.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/t6b6othnb/)

A great end to a great day. I thoroughly recommend the museum as a fascinating insight into the long and adventurous history of Army flying and salute the brave souls, past and present who persue this form of dangerous aviation. :encouragement:

Jim (Ganter)

IFlySWA
June 15th, 2017, 05:48
Looks like a great day out. :encouragement: Thanks very much for sharing your pics, Ganter. :wavey:

Brian

TARPSBird
June 17th, 2017, 00:41
Great pics, Ganter. Thanks for posting. :encouragement: