Imperial War Museum London: Wings Over Lambeth!
Although most aviation enthusiasts will know Duxford is the main airfield for the Imperial War Museum, many will not be aware that the London museum in its old hospital building on Lambeth Road contains only a small collection of aircraft. However, some interesting aircraft can be found here including an example of a Battle of Britain aircraft, a Camel that shot down a Zeppelin, a named Lancaster nose, a Harrier that was used in 3 wars and a crashed Japanese Zero. Plus it is free to enter.
This is not an classic aviation museum in a hangar. The aircraft have been placed within the context of the wider impact of war on people. You will see them hanging from the ceiling, hidden away in galleries or just a section of fuselage. Duxford would be a better option if you want to see whole aircraft but if you want some context and a couple of proper rarities then this is a great option. There are regular changes in exhibits so it is always worth checking with the museum which aircraft you can see. The atrium has been updated since 2014 and now has 9 iconic pieces on display including a Harrier jet, a suspended spitfire, V2 rocket, T34 tank and damaged Reuters Land Rover. They have been hung at different heights so they can be aligned with the galleries on each floor. You can move around the floors to see them all.
Supermarine Spitfire Mk Ia R6915
This is the aircraft many visitors come to see. This was ordered in 1939 and was used during the Battle of Britain by No. 609 Squadron. It flew a total of 57 sorties during the battle according to one source by thirteen pilots. It took out a number of enemy planes, though the exact amount varies depending on the source. Some say it shot down four planes and damaged six. However, the museum states a less ambitious amount. The numbers are therefore approximate. This aircraft has a great human interest. Many of the sorties were flown by Flying Officer Noel Agazarian from 609 Squadron. He didn’t live to see peace but the aircraft did (Battle of Britain Memoir). The aircraft was later used for training purposes and was last used by 57 OTU at RAF Eshott. It has been in the care of the IWM since 1946. It was originally put on show sitting on its undercarriage before being put on the ceiling. It was lowered with its wings off in December 2012 as part of its redevelopment. The elliptical wing can be seen from underneath. The size of the aircraft is also quite small. It is a good combination with the Merlin engine on display nearby.
Harrier GR9
The Harrier was deliberately chosen to be displayed alongside the Spitfire. Both were revolutionary aircraft, with the Harrier family starting with the Hawker P.1127 which conducted its first tethered hover on 21st October 1960. The Harrier became the only western VTOL combat jet to enter front-line service. The aircraft gained fame during the Falklands campaign where Sea Harriers shot down around 20-23 aircraft with no aerial losses. Thie particular airframe at the IWM London was the second generation version of the Harrier. Delivered as a GR5 in 1992 it was upgraded to a GR7 and then GR9 variant, seeing action during the conflicts in Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan. The aircraft was damaged during 2010 in the United States and was written off as a piece of scrap. It was donated to the IWM during 2012. The aircraft was retired from British service in 2010 meaning it is a very modern piece of history.
Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka Model 11
The Ohka was developed to really make you think. It’s a small basic weapon and is made of plywood and aluminium. It’s one of the least comfortable items you can look at in the museum. It was first put on display at IWM London in 2020. The museum said they have placed it above their atrium along with the Harrier, Spitfire and V2 rocket. This was the first change to their atrium since it opened in 2014. However, the Ohka replaced the V-1 flying bomb as it was moved in the new Second World War galleries. The Ohka was a rocket propelled manned flying bomb, designed to attack allied ships. The name translates to cherry blossom, however the allies referred to it as Baka, meaning foolish in Japanese. It was intended to be carried under the wings of a Mitsubishi G4M2e ‘Betty’ bomber plane and deployed within range. There was only one operational model, the Model 11. Around 755 were built. The Ohka was essentially a 1200kg bomb with short wooden wings. It was powered by 3 solid fuel rocket motors, however they only lasted between 8-10 seconds. It was very quick, however had a very short range. The pilot would glide into position and fire the rockets.
Sopwith Camel 2F.1 N6812
Probably the most historically significant airframe in the building. N6812 was a naval variant and was piloted by Flight Sub-Lieutenant Stuart Culley. On 11 August 1918 a 2F.1 Camel piloted by Culley launched from a lighter being towed by the destroyers HMS Redoubt destroyed the last German airship shot down during the war, Zeppelin L53, in the Heligoland Bight. This aircraft was built by William Beardmore in spring 1918. Culley was awarded a DFC, and not the Victoria Cross as had been expected. The armament is interesting, with two Lewis guns mounted in a fixed mount on top of the upper wing. This version differs from the standard Camel with twin Vickers guns mounted in front of the cockpit. A great example of how dangerous and ad-hoc early Carrier operations were from lighters.
Avro Lancaster B.I DV372 (Old Fred)
This is only the nose section of the aircraft. It was constructed by Metropolitan-Vickers, and was allocated to 467 Squadron RAAF as PO-F in late 1943. It was then transferred to 1651 Heavy Conversion Unit in 1944. The complete airframe was struck off charge in October 1945, and the nose was preserved by 1958. It was noted that the complete fuselage was in a hangar at Croydon, and the nose was removed and sent to the IWM. It is referred to by its nickname 'Old Fred'. A book was written by one of the Australian crews entitled "We flew Old Fred" in 1997. In the display notes, it notes that it still retains its original wartime camouflage with damage to the paint. It is a great example to show how small the bomber cockpits were. It was stored at Duxford whilst the London site was being rebuilt.
Zero Wreckage
One of the main highlights for many enthusiasts is the Mitsubishi A6M Zero. It is displayed in the Second World War Galleries as part of the permanent exhibition Turning Points: 1934 to 1945. The museum map states that this is one of the key exhibits in this area of the museum. This particular Zero is an A6M3 ‘An unrestored wreck of an A6M3 recovered form Taroa, Marshall Islands’. According to the IWM, it was discovered in the Marshall Islands during the 1990s. It is believed to have been lost in 1943. Taroa was a heavily bombed Japanese airfield with the airframe being left in the jungles for almost 50 years. This isn’t a restored fighter plane. This wreckage has a red patched fuselage, no engine, wings or tailplane. This makes it so effective. As Japan’s war machine was so heavily destroyed there are very few intact aircraft remaining. This is the only Zero on display publicly in Britain. The museum also holds a cockpit section from another Zero. This was a late war A6M5 which was captured in 1945 and used for testing. This appears to be stored at Duxford. The Zero was very impressive for the allies in 1941 and 1942 for its range and manoeuvrability. It was, however, very light due to the lack of armour and protection.
Ikara missile
Whilst most visitors will come to see either the Spitfire or V-2, the Ikara missile is also a fantastic exhibit. This sleek, winged missile looks more like a model plane than a weapon. Its purpose was to attack submarines. Designed in Australia, the name comes from an aboriginal word meaning throwing stick. The weapon was developed by the Government Aircraft Factory in Melbourne as a ship launched anti-submarine weapon. It was developed from a previous anti tank missile called the Malkara. The Ikara was used by the Royal Australian Navy as well as the navies of Britain, New Zealand, Chile and Brazil. It was in service from early 1960s until the early 1990s. The concept behind the weapon was very clever. If a warship detects a submarine using their sonar but it is out of range for a traditional depth charge or torpedo, they can launch the Ikara. It uses a two stage solid fuel rocket, developed by Bristol Aerojet in Britain to propel it away from the ship. The weapon is then guided using radio commands to lock onto the sonar contact. When close to the target the tail fin and casing fall away to allow the weapon to release a Mark 44 or Mark 46 torpedo. This torpedo is acoustically guided and plunges into the water to pursue the submarine. Basically it is a flying torpedo launcher. According to the IWM Collection Record, this particular Ikara was a British/Australian test missile that was manufactured in June 1970. This is therefore a test missile and not one that was used on a frigate.
Why visiting this museum?
IWM London is fantastic because they show you planes as part of the human story, unlike a typical aviation museum. You can see a wide variety of planes, from a Camel from 1918 to a Spitfire from 1940, a Japanese Zero plane wreck, Ohka pilot bomb, V-2 and a Harrier which has been used in Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan. It really isn’t often you will find so many aviation history artefacts within a short walk away. The best thing about visiting is that it is free, it is a short walk from Lambeth North tube station and can be easily incorporated into your day within London. The First World War and Second World War Galleries, Holocaust Galleries, personal letters, uniforms and artwork really help you consider who was actually flying these planes and those who were on the ground beneath them. This makes the V-2 in the atrium stand out because there was one of the same type nearby at the museum in 1945 which killed 43 people.
Practical tips
There is no entry charge, however we would recommend you book for a specific time slot. At peak times there may be a wait if you do not have a booked slot. The main reason to book is for weekend/school holidays. It is open daily from 10am to 6pm (excluding 24-26 Dec) although these times can sometimes change so please check the website. The museum has recommended allowing at least 3 hours to fully take in all of the permanent galleries. If you are only interested in seeing the aircraft and large displays then the visitor map suggests about 1 hour. To give a focused look at the aviation displays then spend an hour in the atrium and upper terraces looking down at the Spitfire and Harrier. Then head to the Second World War Galleries to see the Zero wreck and Lancaster nose. Finally head up to the next level to see the Little Boy casing. The museum is quietest in the afternoons after 3pm. However, if there are large groups then it can be busy throughout the day. Weekdays (outside school holidays) will also be quieter in the mornings. If you want to avoid anyone behind you in the First World War and Holocaust galleries then get there as soon as it opens. It can get very busy at weekends and during school holidays. The café on Level 0 has great views over the atrium. They sell pizza, burgers, sandwiches and cakes. The outside terrace is open between March and October. During peak times the Park View room on Level 1 will also open. The School Lunch Room is open to the public at weekends and during school holidays. There is a bookshop/gift shop with an aviation section which is great if you want to buy any model kits or books related to what you have seen!
Transportation tips:
Tube/metro: The easiest way to reach IWM London on Lambeth Road (SE1 6HZ) is by tube. The nearest station is Lambeth North on the Bakerloo line, about 500 metres away, which is a 5 to 8 minute walk. Elephant & Castle, on the Bakerloo and Northern lines, is roughly a 10 to 15 minute walk, and it suits you if you’re coming from the City or north London on the Northern line. Waterloo is about 1.2 km away, a 15 minute walk, and is the best choice if you arrive by train, since you can also take the Bakerloo line one stop to Lambeth North. The museum is in Zone 1.
Bus: Several buses stop close to the entrance. The 12, 53, 148, 453, C10 and the night N155 stop on St George’s Road, and the 344 and 360 stop on Lambeth Road. Some sources also list the 3, 59 and 159 nearby, so check the TfL journey planner for your exact route, as services change. A stop is within about 150 metres of the door.
Text & photos: Kris Christiaens
Comments