I recently returned from a visit to my old stamping grounds in the Old Country. I used to live extremely close to a famous 'Battle of Britain' RAF airfield - RAF Biggin Hill. I spent many a happy day there in the past and various airshows and air displays. Alas, the RAF has moved on and Biggin Hill airfield is now a busy hub of business aviation. However, history is not totally lost as also present on the airfield is the RAF Biggin Hill memorial Chapel & Museum which I have visited several times on past trips, and the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar. The hangar is a working renovation and refurbishment company that rebuils, and returns to flying condition old WWII aircraft, some of which they own, and some that are shipped in from all over the world. As part of their business, they offer tours of the facility where you can both see and photograph aircraft in various stages of restoration.I have visited the hangar in the past and taken the tour, but on this occasion, my brother and I wanted to book our places to actually fly in two of their dual control Spitfires, later in the year on 'Battle of Britain day', the 15th of September. Yes, you actually get to fly the aircraft!, (it's not cheap!) We also took the opportunity to grab another quick free look around the hangar.

So, on to the pictures:



Memorial at the airfield entrance



Spitfire under full check and rebuild to maintain airworthy status





Me 109E under restoration to flight, awaiting DB engine from the US



Mk IX Dual control Spitfire (ex - Irish Air Corps T.9) undergoing engine overhaul and checks.









P40 Warhawk, under restoration to flight status - this will have dual controls fitted.



Dual control Spitfire under conversion



Mk1 (Battle of Britain survivor) - undergoing annual checks to retain flight status.







Hispano HA1112 'Buchon' (Me109 replica - ex Spanish Airforce - with Merlin Engine)



Hawker Hurricane Mk1. 1940 Battle of Britain era survivor.



USAAF Spitfire MKIX


If you ever get the chance, the visit is worth your time.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Pyker, April 05, 2023 10:52 AM

I guess there’s no way you can resize those photos, Pyker; they’re so big, it’s difficult to enjoy them.

All you gotta do is scroll. Or just save them to your phone and the picture viewer will resize them to fit the screen.

Great pics!!! I would LOVE to go there.

You can resize offline using Irfanview or other free photo editor and re-upload.

I'd do it but I'm running out of room on my host.

Thanks for sharing, I've been fascinated with WW2 planes since I was a kid.

Pics fixed.

Thanks for the pics and the description of your visit. Seems very clear someone had a great time!

Great photos! I was in London a few years ago and visited all of the area air museums. Biggin Hill was harder to reach so I skipped it.

quote:

Originally posted by Sigmund:
Great photos! I was in London a few years ago and visited all of the area air museums. Biggin Hill was harder to reach so I skipped it.

There's actually two hangars of exhibits on the tour, but it was closed when I was there this time. I'll try and dig out the photos from the trip back in 2018/19.

quote:

Originally posted by Pyker:
Pics fixed.

Thank you, and they’re fantastic!

I found 65 more pix of the visit I took back in 2019 if anyone's interested in seeing them.


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I often wondered what your 'old stomping grounds' looked like.

Enjoyed your pics of the museum, fascinating place. Flying in one of those old Spitfires is certainly an experience to look forward to.

Thanks for posting!

Amazing they can still be flying after almost 85 years.

Great pics!

There is an awesome place just outside of Norfolk, VA as well. All their aircraft are still not only flyable, but are regularly flown.

I know the Spitfire is the Darling of the BOB folks, however I prefer the unsung Workhorse of the Hurricane. Not fancy, definitely not frilly, just a classic design which served throughout the war.

Well, did you fly any of the planes?? When the WW 11 planes come here they fly you at a pretty steep price. Thanks for posting.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Well, did you fly any of the planes?? When the WW 11 planes come here they fly you at a pretty steep price. Thanks for posting.

Spitfire flight booked for September 15th. It is not cheap. It's only money tho.



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