Just off the aeroplane from a family trip to Ireland. Attended a big wedding (wife's youngest sister, this making this trip a "must-do"!). I did manage to down a few Guinness's whilst there - hey, when in Rome right!
I managed to sneak away from the fam for a couple of days. My ancestors were calling, so I went to the UK for 2 days, mainly to see Westminster Abbey (overwhelming!) and spend more time up at the IWM Duxford museum. I had been to Duxford back in 1997 and it was a flying trip with me literally running from hangar to hangar. This trip was a bit better, as I had two hours on-site this time, but sadly discovered even this amount of time is still not enough Duxford I'm sure all those reading this who have been there is mind-blowing! Last time I visited, the American museum had not been built. I have finally realised a dream and touched a SR-71! The ol' Habu was dusty with the bang seats and engines removed for display, but what a proud bird she still is! It was as mentioned a dream come true to see this incredible aeroplane up close and it still very much does not look of this planet. Kelly Johnson and his team were just so way ahead of themselves with the SR.
I got to walk through the Concorde there, this one being the "101" bird, the first pre-production test aeroplane. It was used for icing testing amongst other tests. It is full of instrumentation, which was of great interest to me. I also got to spend time with another of my all time fav aeroplanes, the E.E. Lightning F.1. It still looks like it's doing Mach 2 standing still. This is the ex-74 Sqn bird with the tiger head on the side.
Anyhoo, lots more to report on my Duxford visit. I will post photos soon!
Still a very much jet-lagged Adam