We caught the fast train to Folkestone (55 minutes) and then a taxi . We told the driver that we wanted to go to the Battle of Britain Memorial. He asked "Which one?" We told him, and then I asked, "Is there another one?" "Yes", he said. Kin Mun's heart sank! Indeed, there IS another one at Hawkinge, also nearby, but we didn't have time nor energy for two visits.
There were the replicas of a Hawker Hurricane and a Supermarine Spitfire (in that order).
And a bust of Sir Keith Park, a kiwi, who commanded the squadrons that defended London.
All this is on the edge of the white cliffs. We ventured closer to the edge and had a glimpse of Folkestone.
There is also a visitors centre, but didn't take any pics of it. All in all, it was an evocative memorial. Uxbridge was the opportunity to view a piece of history, BoB was just one part of the aviation story at Duxford.
And lastly, they do have some nasties in England. The sign said so.
BTW, ever heard an Englishman pronounce Folkestone? Not "ou" as in "folk" but "ʌ" as in "but".
This memorial has been developed in stages. First to open was the statue of the young seated pilot looking over the white cliffs towards France.
There were the replicas of a Hawker Hurricane and a Supermarine Spitfire (in that order).
Also The Wall, where the names of "the few" were listed. The few were indeed a lot.
And a bust of Sir Keith Park, a kiwi, who commanded the squadrons that defended London.
All this is on the edge of the white cliffs. We ventured closer to the edge and had a glimpse of Folkestone.
There is also a visitors centre, but didn't take any pics of it. All in all, it was an evocative memorial. Uxbridge was the opportunity to view a piece of history, BoB was just one part of the aviation story at Duxford.
And lastly, they do have some nasties in England. The sign said so.
Seen a lot of Spitfires during this trip, photos and replicas included. I can almost tell the difference between the models.
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