The Travels of Tel's Tin Tent.

Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules

Thanks chaps.

Moving on to our visit to Manston, and the two museums next door to each other.
The first to be viewed, and the main reason for our trip, was the Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum, on the north side of the airfield's perimeter track, and I'll provide more info regarding the airfield, and cover the two museums in depth, in a separate thread in the "Warbird Displays" section.
We'd come not only to see the museums, but mainly to "fly" the superb Avro Lancaster cockpit simulator, and also the Spitfire Mk.XVI simulator in the first museum, of which more later.

Meanwhile, here are a few shots of the main exhibits, the Mk.IIc Hurricane, and LF.Mk.XVI Spitfire.
(Note:- There is some debate concerning the black fuselage band on the Spit, which I'll explain in the Museum pics thread.)
Also shown are the first of the Lancaster session, with Sqn. Ldr "Curly" Rochford getting to grips with the big bomber.
The Instructor / Flight Engineer is Steve Tinsdale, a former RAF Flight Engineer, who also served as F.E on the BBMF Lancaster, and his vast experience really showed during the sim sessions.

Back with more soon..............................


 
Some more of the Lancaster simulator, showing the attention to accurate detail in the Flight Engineer, Navigator and Radio Operator (W/Op) stations, a Navigator's "night" view of the H2s monitors, and Steve adjusting the throttles for the descent as Karl approaches the Dartford bridge over the River Thames, for the east to west pass beneath the span.
Note that the block of wood used as a foot rest for the FE is a non-standard, unit-level modification !!

Back soon with more ...................

 
We certainly did Glenn.
I'd pre-booked and paid for two sessions on the Lanc, one for each of us, with an option for sessions on the Spitfire too.
Unfortunately, on the day, I was far too stiff, and would have been unable to climb into and out of the Lanc's pilot seat, and no chance of managing the Spitfire cockpit, so I "traded" my session for a Spitfire session for Karl, and donated the remaining money from the fee to the Museum (it's free entry at this Museum, but donations are always welcome).

All being well, I'll post pics of the Spitfire session tomorrow, 'net connection permitting.
 
Whilst I have good 'net connection, I'm posting the first of the Spitfire simulator pics now.
This is a replica of the real Mk.XVI, displayed alongside the sim and, although all controls and instruments work,linked to the sim, the main instrument panel is a modern, electronic digital set up, unlike the real panel in the Lanc.

The first two pics show Karl familiarising himself with the cockpit layout and controls, and the "wraparound" screen arrangement during the start of the take off roll simulating the Manston runway.
The second two pics show the fearless Wg.Cmdr "Splasher" Rochford diving into a flight of fokkers, downing two of the Messerschmitts, and the gyro gun sight as fitted to the Spitfire Mk.XVI.

Back tomorrow with more from this Museum ....................


 

Users who are viewing this thread