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The de Havilland Aircraft Centre at Salisbury Hall only about one mile south of London Colney has been having a good season so far despite the weather. A unique feature of the Centre is that not only can visitors touch the aircraft, but in some cases they are able to sit in the cabins of a Trident jet airliner, a Dove and a Heron as well as the cockpit of a Sea Vixen supersonic naval strike fighter. This is a unique experience in any aviation collection in Britain.
Since last winter the Trident Two jet airliner front cabin has been repainted and the interior is being refurbished for visitors to enjoy a 1970s regional jet airliner experience. The flight deck is accessible when guides are available. Entry to the Heron which once served with Rolls-Royce is by arrangement, as well as the Comet flight deck - an example of the world's first jet airliner. The de Havilland Canada Chipmunk is now structurally complete and work continues on the Mosquito Fighter Bomber and the original Mosquito Prototype which was conceived at Salisbury Hall in 1940. Both these historic aircraft are available for inspection by the visitors.
The Centre specialises in the products of the de Havilland World Enterprise, one of the first global manufacturing companies, and the exhibits include aircraft from a Tiger Moth to jet fighters, aero engines, propellers, guided missiles and space rockets.
The Centre is open from the first Sunday in March until the last Sunday in October on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons from 2 pm, and Sundays and bank holidays from 10.30 am, closing at 5.30 pm. During the winter months from 1 November until the end of February, the volunteers are working on winter site maintenance and aircraft restoration.
If any reader of London Colney News would like to visit on a Sunday morning during the winter close down, you would be most welcome and please bring a copy of the publication to qualify for a free tour. Otherwise why not come in the regular season and have a good time for the family experiencing aviation at close quarters.
Philip Birtles
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