De Havilland Museum update (and ULEZ)

Following the debate over whether it is inside or outside the controversial London ULEX zone (it’s outside) the de Havilland Museum at London Colney, near St Albans, is keen to be acknowledged.    See September TNU.

Called Salisbury Hall it claims to be Britain’s first dedicated aviation museum, opened in May 1959. It is the only place in the world where the visitor can see three de Havilland Mosquitos in one place, including the prototype, put together on the site, transported to the Hatfield aerodrome, making its maiden flight 25 November 1940.

Often called “The Wooden Wonder” some 7,781 were assembled in Britain, Canada and Australia.

One of the Mosquitos is in the final stages of finish painting, and a WWII combat veteran which served with 605 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force. A major work programme will then start on the Mosquito B.35, taking some five years, progress of which will be on view to the visitors.

The aircraft, and its major parts on display, are impressive.  They include a fuselage section from the square (and ultimately fatal) window Comet I, an Air France example, plus a Comet 2 flight deck.  

The earliest aircraft in the museum is a DH54 Humming Bird which first flew from the original de Havilland airfield in Stag Lane, Edgware.  There is an example of a DH82 Tiger Moth to be seen, plus de Havilland’s first jet, the twin boom Vampire, in all over 20 aircraft, including a DH 146-100 fuselage, evolving as Britain’s most successful passenger jet, the Avro RJ.  

The de Havilland Aircraft Museum is outside the ULEZ area and not far from Junction 22 on the M25. The Coffee Shop/Cafe has recently been improved and visitors can enjoy coffee, tea and gourmet sandwiches without having to pay the museum entry.  It is situated on the flightpath to the former de Havilland Hatfield aerodrome and factory, and one mile from Junction 22 of the M25, itself not far from Junction 21 and the A1 interchange at South Mimms.

www.dehavillandmuseum.co.uk

www.dehavillandmuseum.co.uk/dehavilland-aircraft/transport-aircraft

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