TheBuchans

We were due to go to Oxford this week, but didn't because the weather looked as though it wouldn't be too good. So we had a day out in Southampton today. I had wanted to see the Hall of Aviation for some time, because it has a lot of information about the flying boats that used to fly out of the Solent.
The centrepiece of the exhibition is a Short Sandringham IV VH-BRC flying boat. This is the only commercial four engined flying boat in Europe. Whilst Sue and I were looking around the flying boat a volunteer offered to show us the flight deck which is only accessible up some narrow ladders (not everyone receives this invitation). The chap was very knowledgeable and we both sat in the pilots seats. It was all very Heath Robinson up there. If you are in Southampton the Hall of Aviation is within walking distance of West Quay, the shopping centre.
Needless to say I was dragged off to West Quay, but it wasn't as bad as I thought, because it was warm inside. We also managed to do a geocache which was hidden in a holly bush, in a park we had to walk through.


Mignet HM Flying Flea


Technician (model) servicing the engine on the Sandringham


Sue in the cabin of the flying boat - rather spartan