Firstly, an apology. This IS a trip report, but not one of any flight I took. However, since I think it is relevant enough to this forum, I hope the moderators will permit me to share this little gem.

Secondly , apologies for the quality of the photos; I am not a professional photographer; neither did I take the photos with a standard camera, but with my iPhone 3G (2 megapixels).

Nevertheless , I hope at least some of you will enjoy the few photos (and even fewer words! ) contained herein.

Basically , I work for BA (British Airways) and , apart from that, like most other people here, I have a passion for aviation.

Few BA staff, and possibly fewer members of the public are aware that BA have a small museum and archive collection, open to BA staff AND the public, located close to Hatton Cross underground station, Heathrow Airport, London.

Although small by museum standards, the small building on one floor houses a REMARKABLE amount of BA-related material from a genuine Concorde nosecone to all the Imperial Airways posters, models, timetables etc. The collection includes many models old & new, menus, washbags, uniforms you name it. It really is a little gem and I recommend anyone that might visit London and is interested in airline memorabilia to pay a quick visit.

The museum is run by volunteers, all ex-BA staff. Due to this, the museum is only open certain days of the week by appointment. Give them a ring, they are very happy and pleased to see members of the public and especially airline enthusiasts.

Even if you don't have any real interest in British Airways, I believe you will find the museum interesting.   

Their number and opening hours are here http://www.bamuseum.com

Now some photos:

The early 80s crewmember greets visitors at the entrance:

A poster from the early days of "corporate responsibility" i.e. BA cares for the environment



Old Imperial Airways Empire routes across the world:



BSAA - British South American Airways (later absorbed by BOAC) - you can just see some of the cities served)



African Empire routes:



BA old and new everywhere:




Smaller models and a copy of last week's staff newspaper, BA News.



A BA DC-10. They were named after forests, i.e. New Forest, Sherwood Forest  



Menus galore, this one from a BOAC flight KHI-CMB with Mr. Harold Mcmillan, British Prime Minister aboard.



Washbags from BOAC and BA, through the years!



Of course timetables, the older ones are much more interesting as BOAC was like the great Pan Am, flying all over the world.



A slightly more recent poster celebrating the airline's heritage. (sorry about the cable)



Lots of archive material here!



One of the Utopia designs which wasn't adopted .





 



I think this is very nice!





Another nice photo from the days when BCAL use to fly some West African services:



The genuine paper dress worn for a short time by BOAC stewardesses on Caribbean flights.



Some info (much more in the museum):



I hope one day I will see this again painted on one of our jumbos to celebrate our heritage:



I hope you enjoyed this little trip, I am sorry it just focused on the heritage of one airline, BA. I realise that quite a few other airlines also have a long (sometimes longer) history than British Airways but since I work for this company I just wanted to share this with you; even if you don't much care for the airline I hope you enjoyed the photos and maybe one day you could visit this museum if you are passing through London.

I know their staff will be very happy to welcome you