My visit to London

**Nightbomber** · 04-23-2014 14:09

Some time ago the decision was made to spend the coming Easter in London

Bearing in mind I have not seen some interesting places 8 years ago, during my first trip there, this time my primary goal was to spend a day at RAF Museum in Hendon

.
Since my Father (WoG player and an aviation buff) and Mother were traveling with us, the whole Magnificent Five some interesting missions to complete.
The secondary, but important targets were: HMS Belfast, Science Museum, St. Paul's Cathedral, Shopping, The Churchill Arms Pub in Notting Hill and many more

. We also planned to have a traditional Easter Breakfast with a Polish lady we had met in Egypt before. So we invited her to our apartment at Tower Bridge Road where we had a traditional Easter blast!

All of the missions were successfully completed, for only some rain drops fell on our heads in the meantime

We started at HMS Belfast. My almost 10 year daughter loved the inside of the ship!

Oh! Look at the fancy papal red shoes (joking). My father and me onboard.

The whole Five enjoying a rainless beautiful weather ashore

Taking the tube to Colindale station on Saturday morning was a piece of cake. When you get off the train, you can't miss the way

A warm welcome inside! We really joined the incredible! Right at the entrance of the main hall you see the men of 303rd.

They bought us right from the start!
I hope you recognize my t-shirt

Hey, look at this gunner's original pants

All right, this is the Polish nightfighter, Boulton Paul

Meanwhile, my Father is studying Beau's armament specifications. He could not believe his eyes! I had to brief him on some special deadly Aussie Beau users then...

Poles, Poles and even more Poles!
A helpful Museum Assistant who had seen my shirt immediately showed us the way to some interesting sites like this:

...and this:

Now some classics...

...and some beauties!

We left the heaven to see the sun shining over England! The Battle for your freedom and ours has been won again!

Next day I took my daughter alone to the Science Museum. She LOVED the place ... and the Hurry...

All Daddy's planes!

Churchill War Rooms on Monday. Stay calm and keep going.

And Churchill Arms for a beer or two. Incredible

But now you can see a secret mission goal.
That was a sentimental trip as well.

Below you can see my mother with my grandmother in London in 1954. My mom is 16 years old. It's the place: Whitehall Number 15.

Thanks to Steve, AKA Guntruck, I could find the very same place 60 years after. Exactly the same pavement. My Grandma has died in 1995, but my mother could stand there, now with my Father. She had tears in her eyes. She loves England, so do I.

Thanks for watching

Andy.

**grumpybear** · 04-23-2014 14:43

Great pictures, London is a great place I only wish I could have spent more time there.

**Flying Helmut** · 04-23-2014 14:48

I live on the edge of London, and you've been to more of those places than I have!

**Boney10** · 04-23-2014 15:25

Great pics Andy, I am sure your Mother has many happy memories and the place you found would have brought back many.
I greatly look forward to making your acquaintance in Sept, the first beer is on me my friend.
When we do meet remind me to tell you about the Polish memorial at Monte Cassino in Italy, a very beautiful and poignant place.

**BobP** · 04-23-2014 15:31

Excellent pictures. You document your travels very well.

**gully_raker** · 04-23-2014 16:23

That was a wonderful story of your travels supported by some fantastic photos!

So glad you mum was able to revit that special place from her youth.

Well done mate.

**ptownhiker** · 04-23-2014 17:49

That looks to have been a great time. I love the story with the photo recreation at Whitehall number 15.

**Marechallannes** · 04-23-2014 21:17

Nice travel report, Andrzej.

Good pictures of the planes there wingman.

I like especially the Bf.110 night fighter version.

**OldGuy59** · 04-23-2014 21:40

Been there. Didn't take pictures.

That was 24 years ago. Got to go back!

Looks like you and yours had a wonderful time, Andy.

Mike

**Thomatchef** · 04-23-2014 23:14

Great trip! Went to Hendon during a 2-day school trip in London. loved the place but then knew little of the airplanes. Would love to go back now seeing your pictures. Maybe one day with my children. Our son is already point upwards when a plane flies over so that looks promising.

Looking forward on meeting you again in Prague and to listen to the stories! Meeting each other and beeing able to talk feels so much better than conversating online!

**Sulring** · 04-24-2014 00:33

Great pictures Andrzej!
Looks like it was quite a trip for you and your family. And on top of it, you seem to have enjoyed beautiful weather, which is always a bonus at this time of year.
Cheers,

Eric

**flash** · 04-24-2014 01:54

Glad you had such a great time and the weather was kind to you Andrzej !

**CappyTom** · 04-24-2014 02:51

Fantastic Andy, really moving trip. Thanks so much for sharing. I felt as if I was there with you all. Miss you buddy.

Thomas

**Lt. S.Kafloc** · 04-24-2014 03:44

Great story and pictures Andrej. Poignant to say the least. I now need to travel back to London and visit all those places I have never seen.

Neil

**Jager** · 04-24-2014 05:23

Looks like you had a wonderful trip with the family. And your Father is looking well

Thanks much for sharing.
Karl

**Guntruck** · 04-24-2014 05:43

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip, and glad to be of assistance Andy. Your mother was a handsome lady back in the day, and still is. Love the T-shirt by the way.

**Naharaht** · 04-25-2014 09:46

Those are great pictures. I am glad that your whole family enjoyed the trip to London, Andrzej.

**Nightbomber** · 04-25-2014 14:44

I have been wondering if I should post that picture, but it is at least funny

So...here we go.
Below you can see Nightbomber flying a kind of famous red scout in the middle of an aerial engagement

(The photographers from the Science Museum in London are professionals!)

**Jager** · 04-25-2014 14:57

Karl

**Dan-Sam** · 04-25-2014 15:17

Cool Andrzej, you look like you are 25 years old. Oh, en evil one, of course!

**Teaticket** · 04-25-2014 15:41

Very nice. Thanks for sharing. I should be visiting Britain in September if all goes well. This will definitely be on my list of stops!

Better get that HA off your six!!!

**Marechallannes** · 04-25-2014 23:58

What a cool picture!

**Flying Officer Kyte** · 04-26-2014 00:32

Great picture Andy, but just one small feature gives it away as a fake.
You have no silk scarf.

Rob.

**flash** · 04-26-2014 01:15

Is that you on his six Rob ?!

**Lt. S.Kafloc** · 04-26-2014 01:24

Andrej you should have had at least one with goggles on leaning slightly forward with a stern(er) grimace on your face. Looks like you're out for a leisurely stroll!

**Guntruck** · 04-26-2014 01:44

Originally Posted by Nightbomber

I have been wondering if I should post that picture, but it is at least funny

So...here we go.
Below you can see Nightbomber flying a kind of famous red scout in the middle of an aerial engagement

(The photographers from the Science Museum in London are professionals!)

Right, that's me up the Science Museum then

**Flying Officer Kyte** · 04-26-2014 02:20

Do they do a Camel version?
Rob.

**Flying Officer Kyte** · 04-26-2014 02:40

Originally Posted by flash

Is that you on his six Rob ?!

Can't be me Dave. The plane's not on fire!

Kyte.

**Nightbomber** · 04-26-2014 02:42

Originally Posted by Flying Officer Kyte

Do they do a Camel version?
Rob.

They have 2 basic backgrounds for a photo taken. This one and the second one, when you are placed in front of an aircraft on an aerodrome. I do not remember if there is a Camel, however!