Within a 20 minute drive from where I live is the Fleet Air Arm Museum at the Royal Navy Air Station, Yeovilton. After living here for 9 years I felt it was about time I paid it a visit, especially with Op Nostalgia now underway! I have absolutely no idea why I have left it so long. One of those things on the 'to do' list but never seemed to get around to it.
For anybody who has not had a chance to visit the museum, it is very impressive spread over 4 halls. Unfortunately I ran out of time for the Carrier experience which lasts about 45 minutes. Here are a few photos from that visit.
Continued -
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| Hall 1 |
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| Walrus Seaplane (now these look like fun!) |
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| Walrus Seaplane |
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| Swordfish |
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| Fairey Fulmar |
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| Seafire |
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| Grumman Martlet |
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| Grumman Martlet |
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| Corsair |
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| de Havilland Vampire. First jet propelled aircraft to make a landing on an aircraft carrier in December 1945. |
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| Overview of Hall 4. |
The museum has many good looking models spread through all its halls. Here are some examples:-
The 3 photos of HMS Furious partially converted to what was to become the first aircraft carrier. Following these trials it was converted with a full flight deck installed.
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| Empire Macalpine |
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| HMS Argus |
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| HMS Fencer |
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| HMS Fencer |
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| HMS Ark Royal |
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| HMS Ark Royal |
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| HMS Eagle |
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| HMS Ocean |
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| HMS Victorious |
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| HMS Vengeance |
The last photos are of a huge model of HMS Indomitable. The photos do not really do it justice.
If anybody is down in this area I thoroughly recommend a visit. Children are amply catered for with plenty for them to do. There is a cafe, shop and restaurant on site and there is also a viewing area of activity on the base.
There are plenty of other aircraft and models, I have only given a snapshot here.
Very, very cool, Jon!
ReplyDeleteThanks Peter.
DeleteI used to be taken for visits there by my Grandad when I was a child, so these pictures have brought back a lot of good memories. Now if only I had try space to be able to game with those ship models...
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the pictures
Thanks Richard. Always a good sign when museums have plenty of models.
DeleteI think you would need a medium sized pond to game with those! That's a neat photo tour, Jon.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Scott. Yep, a pond and a half!
DeleteJon, thanks for the photos, particularly Empire MacAlpine; my dad served on E.MacKendrick, am trying to build a 1/350 half-scratchbuilt model of her. Cheers!
ReplyDeletePleased you enjoyed the photos. Best of luck with the scratchbuilt model. It must be very satisfying to have the talent and patience to build such a model.
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