October 21st, , 2011: Part II: London on Pass - Royal Airforce Museum

My last stop on the London Pass was a place that reminded me why I am inspired by my Dad - and also why I wanted to be in the Air Force so much. I spent the rest of the afternoon at the Royal Air Force Museum.

I have to admit I was not prepared for the four hangers worth of aircraft that was at the Museum. However, there are definitely impressive pieces of machinery that would be amazing to see in the aiar and in use. 

Of course they have - wall mounted - the most important aircraft in Biritain: The Spitfire. 

Spitfire - aptly named - is responsible for saving England in the Battle of Britain in 1940. In terms of build and hanldling the Spitfire was the best  one pilot aircraft of it's time in terms of speed and maneuverability.

 Also present in the museum is a board explaining the emblems of the planes and models as well as the emblem for who would be flying them.

The emblems are above are for: Royal Flying Corps Roundel (1915-1918)/ Early War Modified  RAF Roundel (1939-1941) & the Royal Australian Air Force Roundel (1942-1945).

Listed are: Royal Naval Air Service Roundel (1914-15)/ Royal Flying Corps Roundel (1916-1918)/  RAF Fusalage Roundel (1942-1947) & Royal Aircraft Establishment Roundel (1945).

Modified Royal Naval Air Service Roundel (1915)/ Royal Flying Corps Roundel (1916-1918) / RAF Under-wing Roundel (1942-1947) & Post Royal Air Force Roundel (1947 - Present). 

I am all about the Bombers!: Night Flying Roundel (1916-1918)/ RAF Upper-wing Roundel (1937-1945 & Royal Air Force V-Bomber Roundel (1955-1964).

(I'm always wanted to be bomber pilot) Night Bomber Roundel (1918-1938)/ South East Asia Command Roundel (1942-1945) & Modern Low Visability Roundel (1990 - Present).

You may be wondering: Why are these symbols important?  I will tell you! Every plane used in ally ship or by the British Royal Air Force and Navy has one of these symbols on them - even the American Bombers. The symbol denotes who flew them and which branch of the Force they were affiliated with. 


As you see above, with the Spitfire, the museum is laid out like a base. The planes are kept in hangars which can be closed off from on another by doors. There are four hangers worth of planes and other aircraft - inducing replicas of The Wright Flyer and Parachute Balloons. Aside from those there are aircraft from all eras and each has an explanation of the innovation it brought to flying and warfare. 

The Wright Flyer. If it weren't for them aviation wouldn't have kicked off.

Hawker Hart is one of the most adaptable bi-planes in existence. It was used mainly in the 1930s and could out maneuver just about any fighter planes. This plane allows the Royal Air Force to operate in countries that were previously closed to them.

The Lancaster Heavy Bomber. This is another  reason I love bombers. Look at that craftsman ship.

Hopefully you can see the back of the plane so you can get some perspective on the size of it.

Along with the jets and combat and rescue aircraft there is a short board-exhibiton on the WAAF - the  Woman's Air Force. Two of the most influential woman are pictured below. The WAAF is one of the reasons I've always wanted to be a pilot of a bomber - and also because they pioneered a change in the way women were viewed. 

Dame Katherine Trefuesis- Forbes was the first female Commandment and Director of the WAAF. She worked in the organization from 1939-1943.

Commanndent Dame Helen Gwynne-Vaughn director of the WAFF from September 1918 to December 1919.

Along with information on the WAAF the museum also has a great children's centre that gets kids involved and interested in Aviation. There are also a few simulator rides at the museum - although I was hoping for an actual Flight Simulator but oh well it was still fun.


The museum is worth a visit for Aviators and those interested in war history alike.There's even a hanger showcasing aviation milestones in American aviation. 

The Thunderbolt above was introduced to the RAF in 1944 and had proven itself beforehand in the American Army Air Force. This was milestone because it was a fighter/bomber that could perform well on low altitudes and in long range making good for Hurricane fighting.  It was used against the Japanese Fliers.

This is the Harvard the first American aircraft to be comissioned for use by the RAF. They were used until the 1950s.

So, as you can see, there is just about everything to entertain aviators and their families. It is worth the visit. 


~ H.C.

October 21st, 2011 - Part I : London on Pass - Wimbledon!

Today, I skipped out on the Chiswick Gardens. But, I took the spiderweb path on the tube to the quaint and wonderful town of Wimbledon. And you guessed it! Wimbledon Tennis Club.

This is the infamous centre court. The location actually changed from the first time the Club was built. Due to the expansion First and Centre courts were shifted to be more central to the design of Wimbledon. 

To become a member of the Club you either win Wimbledon or you contribute to the overall organization. At the outset, Wimbledon uniforms were either pink or white. That mostly had to do with the supplier of the uniforms contributing money to Wimbledon. All the companies that sponsor the tournament remain the same except for the uniform supplier, at least until recently when Ralph Luaren took over. 


The courts are all grass. They remain unlined for most of the year until Spring.  There are at least 20 courts used during Wimbledon each year. They all look like the above court.  However, the court pictured below is important  because the longest game of tennis in history was played on it - a match lasting 11 hours and 5 minutes.

Court 18 saw the longest game of tennis in history. It lasted from 22nd-24th June 2010. John Fishner (USA) emerged the victor Nicholas Maut (France). 

The scores for John Fishner and Nicholas Maut were: 6-4 / 3-6 / 6-7 (7-9)   7-6 (7-3)/  70 -68. 


The most amazing factor in this was the Commentator who had to sit in the Hawk Eye for the duration of the match. Hawk-Eye is the system created to track the tennis ball as well as the players footing. It is used to call if a ball is out of bounds or in-boudns a common argument that will stop up matches. 


Anyways, there is so much about Wimbledon that the public doesn't see or know. For example - there is a system of underground tunnels which allows players to move from court to court without being seen. The main courts also have a set of door in the right-bottom corner which the players emerge from to begin a match. 


One of the areas we got  to see was the Press Chamber. I was excited because I've always been facinated by the press and the atmosphere of the Press Room. The desk in front is where players sit to be interviewed. It felt cool to step foot in a place no other public have gone (expect other tour junkies). 




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I thought of my friend and rabid tennis fan  Rambow when I set foot in this room. I thought - he'll be totally jealous.

My non-lived dream as a child was to be a professional footballer and sit at desks like this. I am happy, however, to settle for some fake-tennis star photo op.

Another great aspect of Wimbledon is the hill - on which people with tickets will sit to watch the matches on screen. The Hill is known by many different names depending on the reigning victor of Wimbledon. The view of London from it is spectacular. 

Other memorable areas in terms of architecture and design are below.  The building of  Centre Court was done by a man using an astrolabe and sketch book to determine the angle of the sun. Then in 2004 a computer programme came up with the exact same design. What's cool about the newer design is the retractable roof. If the weather is going to turn horrible buttons are pushed in succession and  metal panels rise up to form a ceiling.  This helps to keep matches at the correct length and not have to stop them like the Court 18 match for volatile weather conditions.

This is Centre Court. In the right corner are the doors present at all courts from which the tennis players will emmerge as if  by magic.

The commentators box to the left of the score board belongs to the CNN sports commentator. Above this box and below sit the families of the players - and it is tradition - that whomever wins jump into the seats and hug their family.

Me at centre court.  An interesting fact - they have a tournament for the children in school districts around Briian. Whoever is the reigning champion of their district's tennis competitions is allowed to play at Wimbledon in an overall tournament.

  Another way, besides the overall District Championship - played by the winning children of local Tennis Clubs in Britain - another way tennis is being introduced to children is through the Ball Runners Camp. Children interested in tennis with exemplary grades are allowed to train at Wimbledon to be ball runners. Without these kids there would be loose balls all around the court. It takes good character, discipline and drive to be a ball runner.  They also get to watch matches during the tournament. 

Also, last but not least, is the Wimbledon Museum.  It is worth going through if you can. It explains the start of the sport and it's modern day popularity.  Tennis began as a male dominated sport started by two men bored with cricket who decided to hit a ball around. Once their club got poplar it expanded and tennis became Britain's past time. 

Some cool museum treasures are below:

This is the mind behind the game Walter Wingfield and first victor of Wimbledon. He is also one of the men who inspired companies to manufacturer tennis oriented decor and furniture.

The original trophy for the Gentleman's Singles tournament of Wimbledon. It was presented as the Challenge Cup to the victor of Wimbledon by the Field newspaper.  The Champions of 1877 - 1883 are engraved upon it.

The second place Silver Cup awarded to William Marshall in 1877.  The engraving reads : "W.C. Marshall, Winner of  the Silver Prize, Lawn Tennis Championship Meeting, Wimbledon, 1877.

This grandfather clock - of cheery or oak wood (I forget which) was manufactured as a tennis-themed decor item. Above the gold -engrafed framed clock face is a strip containing tow tennis players - which would move and hit a ball back and forth as the pendulum swang and the clock struck the hour.

Even if you aren't a fan of tennis - as I am I love watching it in season and during Wimbledon and Olympics - or you don't play the history and beauty of Wimbledon is worth the visit. The history is interesting and the view of London is beautiful from the Hill.

This is the hill on which people - lucky enough to get tickets to  Wimbledon - sit upon to watch the televised matches. It's quite beautiful.

 Also, taking a tour in the off season allows you to see one of the worlds' most famous sporting arenas without a ticket. It is well worth the journey.

~ H.C. 

October 19th, 2011: Part V - Westminster on London Pass - The Royal Mews

 So, Mews were enclosures used to keep ravens which were molting. However, as London expanded and horses became necessary for travel - pulling carriages and riding daily - the streets on which Mews were located were the new homes of stables. 

The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace is  a working stable! :-D The stable houses two main breeds of horses: Windsor Grays and Cleveland Bays. These horses have been proven to be the most outstanding and capable to draw carriages and have more even temperments that the previous breeds used at the Mews.

Here is the Cleveland Bay! I couldn't get a much better picture than this!

The beautiful Windsor Gray. Sorry for the fogginess.

These horses are employed to pull carriages for special occasions, like Prince William and Kate's wedding. Or, when the Queen goes out - for example for her upcoming Diamond Jubilee. The people who work at the Mews live above the stables as the horses require twenty-four-hour care. 

As you follow the walking tour you pass the carriage houses. The magnificent works of artisan ship vary in size, durability, craftsmanship and origin. Below are some of the ones that I thought were most beautiful. 

This is the model for the Semi-State and State Landau. This coach conveys high ranking ambassadors to Buckingham Palace to present their credentials to the Queen. The first landau was purchased by Queen Victoria for her coronation.

Queen Alexandra's state coach. This coach is used to convey the Queen's affects to the opening of Parliament. The State Crown is placed upon a red velvet cushion at the center of the carriage and the other affects - The Sword of State and the Cap of Maintenance are put on the seats.

The Scottish State Coach weight less than all the other coaches kept in the Mews. The bottom portion of the coach is the original build and frame of the 1830 glass coach. The glass windows were added to the coach in 1969 and it is still used today when the Queen makes a state visit to Scotland and is also used in the U.K. for other occasions.

The coach above is rarely used and requires four specially trained horses to pull it. It weighs four tons, measures twenty-four feet long -eight feet wide and twelve feet high. Joseph Wilton carved the decorations on the carriage: four seas gods (to represent England's naval power), three cherubs on the roof  (represent the union between England, Scotland, and Ireland), and palm tree branches - in the four corners which rise from a lion head (and are decorated to symbolize Britain's victory or France in the Seven Year's War. 

 These coaches are kept and maintained by the staff that live and work in the stables. Most of the carriage houses are in a newer part of the stable. The oldest part includes the Tack Room and the Original Stables. 

The harnesses kept and cared for in this tack room are used for ceremonial occasions. Some of the harnesses have over fifteen attachments and parts, including gilded connectors that need to be mended, oiled, cleaned, and polished after every use and before every occasion. Work is being done now on harnesses for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

John Nash designed the stables - which are the oldest part of the Royal Mews, to house thirty-two horses. All horses - whose names appear on green plaques (like the ones pictured below) were born in the stable and named by the Queen.

The Queen names all the horses and in 2004 Portsmouth was born.

I believe I took a picture of Likely Lad's plaque because he was born in 1990.

There are also other artifacts - such as the carriages used to transport the Princes and Princesses when they were children - which are elegant and simple versions of the gilded ones. Also on display in the Royal Mews are the cars - Rolls Royce Phantoms. They were introduced- to the dismay  of many barn hands and members of the royal family - King  .

This is a Rolls Royce Phantom IV. It is driven by the head Chauffeur and was used to transport Kate Middleton to her wedding.

Me with the Rolls Royce!

As you can see there are many beautiful coaches and other things to learns about when you go to the Royal Mews. There is a lot of information given in the audio tour -which is what you pay for when you enter. I recommend a visit to the Royal Mews for anyone who loves Monarchy History, Horses, and is a craftsman of any kind. 

It is only 7 pounds for students and 9 pounds for adults. It is definitely worth the trip down to the Westminster area. 

~ H.C.

October 19th, 2011 - Part IV: Westminster on London Pass - Artillery and Guard's Museum

I promise to fill this in more - after I actually read through the museum. so this is just going to hold the place for it.

October 19th, 2011 - Part III: Westminster on London Pass - Churchill War Rooms

My third stop of the day was the Churchill War Rooms. Going there reminded me why I am inspired by Winston Churchill a Conservative from the House of Commons.

Not only did he see England through World War II he had amazing energy working 18 hour days most of the week. He actually hated being underground. His wife also had a room on the first level of the war rooms. The basement of the building was converted into the sub basement everyone else - stenographers or people with other jobs slept in The Dock - the sub basement rooms below the war rooms.

The room in which the next moves of England's fate were decided.

Apparently, Churchill was so determined to complete his goals he would pretend to be deaf. If one of his cabinet members was telling him an honest opinion about why a plan wouldn't work he would fake not being able to understand him. Often, his long hours and high goals resulted in Churchill's temperment being short and snappy - earning him the nickname Bulldog.

And the iconic pose with the cigar held loosely in his mouth? He never actually inhaled while smoking the cigar. I thought that was a fun fact.

All his men had rooms underground. They lived in close quarters on the first part of the basement - which was converted to a sub basement - below the basement called The Dock - which included sleeping chambers and non-running toilets.

This leads to The Dock. I'm assuming it's structurally unsafe for too many people to go down there. Those were rooms used by stenographers and other people who worked in the tunnels but weren't on the main panel or cabinet.

The men that made up the war cabinet were in close confines with Chruchill - which according to most of them could be exhausting and frustrating. The men were:

The above men were the main panel that dealt with Churchill. Besides them there were many others including soldiers, guards, secreataries, his wife, and others who worked or stayed in the underground bunker. No one truly understood the danger they were in - the building could collapse at any minute.  Among the present day artifacts in the museum are type writers and other machines used by people working and living in the bunkers, as well as machines used by the Axis.

Used by stenographers to document the discussions in the War Rooms.

This typewriter - the Remington "Silent Typer" - is my dream type writer in the modern day. They were so amazing that Churchill had them imported to all his offices from their manufacturers in the United States.

This typewriter - the Remington "Silent Typer" - is my dream type writer in the modern day. They were so amazing that Churchill had them imported to all his offices from their manufacturers in the United States.

The other bunks in the War Rooms are set up and can be viewed - as everything is -through glass. Here are some of the rooms.

Mrs. Camille Churchill's room. She often stayed above ground, though.

Clement Attlee's room.

You can imagine living in a room smaller and more meagerly furnished than these. That is what The Dock rooms were like.

Luckily for the people who lived in rooms like these - the cabinet members mostly - had access to the basements only bathroom with running water.

Dining and lounging took place here - when such things were thought of. And boy did Churchill eat wonderful food. He had a particular taste for venison.

 There are many more things to see- like the Map Room - which I could not get a good picture of - but is amazing! I did get a picture of a portion of a map, though. There the planning for attacks and reviews of defense took place on the large scale maps. 

I highly recommend visiting the war rooms. It will remind you why Churchill had a statue at the House of Commons at Parliament - as well as why he's an inspiration to us all - even after his political demise. 

I was reminded why he's an inspiration to me. 

~ H.C.