Planning a trip to Europe

[Bill Greenwood]

Bradburger asked by PM, I'll answer here ina case othere are intrested. I use the official Pilot Notes for MkIX, XI, XVI, the small grey green booklet. It is designed for an average service pilot, not a novice or ace. It gives entry speeds, not power settings. Roll 206knots, loop 260k, half roll off the top of a loop 285k. At sea level you may get the Indicated( not true) air speed with perhaps +7lbs boost and 2650 rpm. When I do a loop at home I'd be at 12,000 to 14,000 feet msl and would use +10 or 12 and 2850 rpm. I wondered about the comment by Neil W, I have not found the need for a lot of rudder over the top, but you do need some as speed changes form 265 to about 125 and back up. I use about 3 ot 4 gs goin up and a gentle patient pull over the top. If left alone a Spit will climb on its back inverted. Make sure you have lots of altitude and the correct speed, as well behaved as the Spit is, it is still a fighter and no toy.Also take my advice in form, I am not an acro expert. The elevator is very powerful, don't pull inverted too hard. Rolls are no sweat, can be done without even rudder, I have passengers do it with only aileron. If there is a warbird with better stall and low speed handling I have not seen it.

[Bill Greenwood]

Once again this got on the Europe site, I don't know why it keeps doing this!

[Bill Greenwood]

In London itself one can take an hour or two tour on top of a 2 decker bus and get to see the city, if it is not raining. Shop carefully for housing as even an average place can be very expensive and many were full of smoke when I was there. Fish and chips in pubs was usally ok, much of the food is none too good. For non aviaton the British Museum is top notch and their plays are affordable, I saw Phantom and it was great. Hendon is grat to see, but no fling like Duxford. Get off the underground one stop befor the one that says Hedon and it is a short walk. If you get to Southhampton, the Spitfite Hall right in town is small but good. I would like see the south coast and the D day departure ares did not get there. I flew a glidder west of London.

[bdk]

If you get to Southhampton, the Spitfite Hall right in town is small but good.

Southampton Hall of Aviation I believe. A most excellent museum!

http://www.spitfireonline.co.uk/

Click on "The Hall of Aviation" and then "Current Exhibits."

Last edited by bdk on Tue Jun 19, 2007 4:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Mike]

Yes, they moved to a new, larger building some years ago. It's a little further out of the town now, but well worth a visit.

[Jiggersfromsphilly]

Mudge the thirsty,

While in London, you might want to stroll over to a bar by the name of the COAL HOLE. It is across the street from the Strand Palace Hotel and it is the favorite of Bill and Babe when they are in town.

Jiggers the envious!

[APG85]

I'm surprised more haven't recommended the Science Museum in South Kensington.

The Science Museum is neat. The Apollo 10 Command Module use to be there...

[Baldeagle]

I second the sentiments about Normandy and the beaches, all Americans should visit there sometime (the British and Canadians also of course-).
If you time it right, the airshow at La Ferte Alais, south of Paris, is often near June 6. http://www.ajbs.fr/index-uk.php One of the best, along with Duxford Flying Legends.
Another good pub near Duxford is the Chequers at Fowlmere, just west of Duxford. Fowlmere Airfield is still nearby, still grass, a Battle of Britain station during 1940, and later home to US P-51s. Lots of interesting photos on the walls of the pub. http://www.thechequersfowlmere.co.uk/ch ... re%201.htm
Also, the suggestion about the WW1 battlefield at Verdun is an excellent one, it's the most sobering place I think I've ever been. Go to the fortresses, and see the Ossuary, where through windows at the base of the building you can see the bones of 130,000 unidentified soldiers!

[Mudge]

To get to RAF Hendon, Take the Northern line (Edgeware branch), get off at Colindale, out of the station, turn left and follow the signs. About a 10 minute walk.

Mudge the tour director

ps. Look to your RIGHT when you start to cross a street.

[bdk]

Unless you are staying in downtown London, I would just rent a car. Of course personally I would avoid London at all costs, but I'm just antisocial I guess. The countryside is so picturesque! Other than the IWM on Lambeth Road all the other aviation sites are in lower traffic areas. Of course I was last there in 1999, so things may have changed.

[Firebird]

Of course I was last there in 1999, so things may have changed.

Just a bit.....traffic is about 100% worse and everything is about 5 times more expensive.........

[mustangdriver]

Normandy would be awsome. I would also love to see the area of Bastogne. I think I am going to need more time!

[REGINALD VON GLEASON III]

Yeah, Normandy is awesome,dude. Ask my Dad how awesome it was. Bad choice of words...unless youre 12 years old or something.

[mustangdriver]

I meant visiting Normandy would be awsome, not fighting on it. The meaning of the word awsome is, something which inspires awe. I can think of no better word.

[Mudge]

Driver...I'm pretty sure 99.999% of us knew what you meant. SHEESH

Mudge the thesaurically adept