Destination Star Trek London 2014: Day 2, part 1

Saturday October 4, 2014: Destination Star Trek, Day 2.

Part 1

Len and myself were back at the Greenwich Peninsula by 09:30, where we had breakfast at Costa Coffee, before catching the Emirates Air Line (cab 13) across to the Royal Victoria Docks.

The first thing we noticed, on entering Destination Star Trek 3, was how many more people there were, compared with the previous afternoon. There were couples and families, some in casual clothes but many wore costumes of various Star Trek personnel and aliens. Some were obviously homemade, while others were hard to differentiate from original and shop-bought ones. Even some of the kids were dressed up.

Once we had had a quick look around I headed off to Photo Shoot Area B, for my photo with an actor who portrayed my favourite Star Trek character, Chief Miles Edward O'Brien. A certain Mr Colm Meaney. And he was only here as Jonathan Frakes had cancelled his appearance, so there was no way I was going to miss this photo opportunity. Exactly on time the line began to move forward. Within a few minutes we were shaking hands and, as he clasped his hand on my back, the camera clicked. Feeling great I nearly walked out of Photo Shoot Area B without my photo!

After placing the photo in a protective cover, Len and I went off for a look around. Len bought a large Tribble for his wife, Emma Jayne, and I bought a small enamel pin badge, of the Klingon symbol. Unbelievably we ended up at the Klingon Zone.

After a drink, we stood by the Voyager Stage and listened to Bruce Greenwood (Christopher Pike from the JJ Abrams Star Trek reboot) talking about Star Trek, movies and taking questions from the audience. It was a highly entertaining thirty minutes.

We then went for another wander, before heading off to get our photo taken on the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D Bridge. I had previously had my photo taken on this bridge, at Star Trek: The Adventure, back in 2003. On that occasion I had been sitting in Counsellor Deanna Troi's chair, not the Captain's chair. Plus I hadn't been wearing a uniform, unlike today. Luckily the queue wasn't very long and, after Len had posed for the camera, I took my place in the Captain's chair. Once I was comfortable the camera clicked, and another moment was captured, forever.

After this I had my photo taken with a Borg.

We then headed over to the Excelsior Stage, to watch the Costume Parade and Contest. Some of the costumes were absolutely amazing and there were some worthy winners. We were even treated to a dance from Ilia and Commander Willard Decker, which I managed to catch on video. Here's the link.

We then watched Nicholas Meyer (writer & director) give a talk on the Voyager Stage, where he discussed his time working on Star Trek, before taking some questions from the audience. This was another excellent and informative thirty minutes, where we learnt a lot.

As we passed the Klingon Zone a Klingon warrior was sitting on his throne with his feet up on the table. I tutted at him and motioned for him to remove his feet from the table, but his response was just to growl, which made Len and I laugh. That was not a good move on our part, as you will discover. Continuing on our tour, Len purchased a photo of Bruce Greenwood, for his wife, before I had my photo taken with Vegas Spock. 

Another look at some of the exhibits and stalls followed.

I was then approached by a beautiful pale blue Andorian female requesting to have her photograph taken with me. Of course I obliged her, as keeping up intergalactic relations is a core principle of Starfleet.

Then, as we headed back through the museum, the aforementioned Klingon warrior accosted us. Glaring at the two of us, he bellowed, "You two Pahtak were laughing at me! Who do I hit first?" Before I could even open my mouth to answer, Len pointed at me and said, "Him." The Klingon laughed and said, "Some friend.", before clapping me on the shoulder and wandering off. Feeling a little shaken up, we headed to the Klingon Zone for a drink. At the main table Jadzia Dax, in her wedding dress, was arm wrestling a Klingon female. Jadzia won.

We followed this by watching Suzie Plakson (K'Ehleyr) take to the Voyager Stage, with John Paladin (special makeup effects artist), to show us how she is transformed into the Klingon, K'Ehleyr.

Just before she finished, on stage, I headed over to Photo Shoot Area C, so that I would be close to the front of the queue, when she arrived as K'Ehleyr. As I moved in for my photo, Suzie took my hand and asked how my weekend had been so far, and thanked me for coming. I thanked her for being there and then the camera clicked. Yet another moment caught forever.

With our day at DST 3 almost over, we took one more look around and managed to purchase the last Federation of Beer gift bag, which contained two bottles of Orion Seductress Sindicate Lager, two Federation of Beer glasses and some Star Trek beer mats.

At this point we left, but our adventure had not finished... 

Destination Star Trek London, 2014: Day 1

Friday October 3, 2014: Destination Star Trek, Day 1.

Myself and my friend Len headed off to London's ExCeL Centre for what looked to be a great day. We arrived at North Greenwich, where we took a look around the O2, before catching the Emirates Air Line (cab 28) across to the Royal Docks. Being typically early we stopped at The Fox at Excel, for a cold beer, before heading in to join the queue inside ExCeL Centre. At exactly 14:00 the doors opened and the queue began moving swiftly towards the entrance and what lay beyond.

After handing over our tickets we immediately set about orienting ourselves with the layout. I needed to find Photo Shoot Area C, as I had booked to have a photo taken, at Photo Shoot Area C, at 14:30. As is completely logical Photo Shoot Area C was as far across the hall, from Photo Shoot Areas A & B, as it possibly could be. As I queued we arranged to meet at the Klingon Zone and, before Len disappeared off for a look around.

I cannot quite express how nervous I began to feel as the line began moving forward, and I got my first glimpse of her. I felt almost giddy and I wasn't the only one feeling this way. The excitement was palpable. The fans in the line before me gradually diminished, until I was next. As I moved to sit beside her, she reached out and gently shook my hand, while asking my name. I answered and said what a pleasure it was to meet her. She smiled and then the camera clicked. I thanked her for her time, before heading off to collect my photo, with a smile stuck to my face. Nichelle Nichols is a legend.

I found Len waiting for me in the Klingon Zone, where we had a cold beer, before headed off to find something to keep my photograph safe in. Unlike at DSTL 1, there was no one selling ready made frames, so I settled for a hard plastic case, which only cost 50p. I bought two, as I knew Len would need one for his photo, later in the day. We then went for a proper look around.

Directly opposite the Klingon Zone was the Museum, which was full of costumes and props,

personal belongings of Gene Roddenberry,

the El-Baz type-15 shuttlepod,

Worf's bat'leth and boots.

We then took a good look around at the various stalls, which sold everything Star Trek, science fiction and more. We then took a look at the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D Bridge Photo Area, on which we would have our photo taken tomorrow.

Then it was off to look at the Borg Regeneration Chamber Photo Shoot Area, which was opposite the Voyager Stage. Max Grodenchik (Rom), Aron Eisenberg (Nog) and Casey Biggs (Damar), from Star Trek Deep Space Nine, were just taking to this stage, so we stood and watched them as they welcomed everyone to DSTL 3, before telling stories and keeping the crowds happy. Then we went back to the Klingon Zone.

We grabbed a Star Trek Orion Seductress Sindicate Lager and headed to a long wooden table, with high wooden chairs, to sit for a while. A man, who was already sitting at the table, asked us what we thought of the beer, to which we replied it was quite nice. He then went on to explain that he had had it specifically brewed for DSTL 3. He had travelled to various brewers, throughout Europe, before deciding to use a Czech company, as they were really enthusiastic about the idea. The name and label were then agreed upon and designed, before the beer was even ready. The man then gave us his card, before heading off, back to work, which for DSTL 3 was selling, with a bit of trying, Sindicate Lager. His name is Vern Raincock, CEO of Federation of Beer.

Pretty soon it was time for Len to queue up for his photo shoot. I decided to have another wander while he waited patiently in line. Soon, though, wearing jeans and a pink, silk shirt Len's star arrived. Jeri Ryan (Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix 01), from Star Trek Voyager.

With his photo firmly in his hands, we headed off for one last drink, before heading home. Once more we boarded the Emirates Air Line (cab 29) to North Greenwich, where we took the Jubilee Line to Baker Street. Here we stopped for a pint at the Metropolitan Bar, before catching a Metropolitan Line train back to Watford.

Tomorrow looked to be even better.

MillenniuM Dome (O2 Arena)

A new 'Dome of Discovery'.

Friday October 3, 2014.

The MillenniuM Dome, or the O2 Arena as it is currently known, is one of my favourite places, in the Unfinished City. Whether I am there to see a concert or an exhibition, grab a bite to eat or to have a drink, or just to wander around, there is always something to see. 

This shot was taken from the Emirates Air Line, as the sun was setting behind Canary Wharf.

Heritage Open Day: BRE's Möhne Dam Test Model

Me with the Möhne Dam Test Model.

Sunday September 14, 2014

For many years I had wanted to visit the BRE's Möhne Dam Test Model, at their site in Watford. This is because of a fascination with The Dambusters, which partly stems from the fact that a relative of mine was a Dambuster. 

Len and I arrived at the BRE site just before 10:00 and, after parking the car, joined a small group of people who had also come to see the model. We were given a quick introduction by Peter White, BRE Marketing and Communication Manager, before he led us past some of the BRE test buildings and in to a wooded area, in the centre of the site. Here, our group, of about a dozen, listened intently as Peter began to explain why the test model was built, how it was built, and by whom, with the aid of some large 'A' boards, which had further information and photographs on them.

Möhne Dam

When we reached the model itself, we were allowed to walk all around it and explore the local area. A muntjac deer peered through the trees, while a green woodpecker flitted through the branches, as I took photographs of the dam, from all angles. 

We then went up to see the Prince's House. The Prince's House was designed by HRH Prince Charles and can often be seen as the test house in BBCs Watchdog programme. 

The Prince's House

We then wandered back down to the model, before looking at some of the BRE test houses, that range from the 1960s through to the ECO-friendly houses, of the 21st century.

BRE Test Houses

On our way out of the site, I managed to get a photo of Bucknalls House. Bucknalls is a Victorian house, built in 1855 for Henry Creed, that stood at the centre of the 180 acre Bucknalls estate. Frank Thomas, the last owner of the house, made substantial extensions to the building, during 1878 and 1903. The estate itself was sold off in six lots, in 1924.

Bucknalls House

Brief History.

It all began back in 1938 when, even before World War II had begun, Dr Barnes Wallis came up with the idea of destroying the dams of the Ruhr valley with a ten-ton bomb, dropped from a height of 40,000 feet. The bomb would bury itself in the ground and cause a massive 'earthquake' that would destroy the dams. There were three problems with this scenario:

1. No bomb of that size could be manufactured
2. If it could be manufactured no aeroplane could carry it
3. No current aeroplane could fly anywhere close to that height

Undeterred, Dr Wallis continued to work on a way to destroy the dams, working out the size and type of charge and its location in relation to the dam.

In October 1940 Dr Wallis was invited to a secret meeting with Norman Davey and William Glanville, where it was discussed that a scale test model should be built and tested, to see exactly what size charge would breach the dam.

This meeting was so secret that it is still impossible to find out where it actually took place; Either at the British Research Station BRS, now BRE, Watford, or at the Road Research Laboratory RRL, now TRL, Harmondsworth.

The actual Möhne Dam was opened in 1913 and its highly detailed schematics were easily obtainable, by the British Research Station, allowing the plans to be meticulously recalculated, so that a 1/50 scale model could be built. 

Möhne Dam Schematics

On Monday November 25, 1940 work began on clearing and excavating the site. The stream was widened and deepened and channelled through a pipe, that would flow beneath the dam. On Friday 29, the concrete foundation was poured, with the towers being cast on the following Monday December 2. The side wings were then added.

Under Construction

The model took four men, Norman Davey, A J Newman, A B Stapleton & A Smith, just 7 weeks to complete and, considering that the British winter was particularly harsh, with temperatures close to, or below, freezing on some days, this was no mean feat. Roughly 2 million scaled bricks measuring 0.4 inches long x 0.3 inches wide and 0.2 inches deep (10.2 x 7.6 x 5.1mm) were used to build the model, along with poured concrete.

Despite the best efforts of the planners, the model is not entirely correct. One of the measurements was incorrectly scaled, when they converted it from metric to imperial.

The model was completed on January 15, 1941 and, six days later, the reservoir was filled with water. Explosive testing began the following day, January 22, 1941. The model was then subjected to ten explosive charges from distances of three feet, two feet and one foot. 

Where the charges were placed

After the eighth detonation the model was damaged, which allowed water to seep through some cracks. After the tenth detonation the model was severely damaged. 

The 8th detonation 'cracked' the dam

These were the first, and only, tests to be conducted on the dam. All further tests were completed at RRL Harmondsworth, using cast concrete dams. These tests made it possible to work out that a 7,000 lb bomb, placed against the side of the Möhne Dam, would be enough to breach it.

The model was then left to the elements and remained secret, until 1954, when the Air Ministry issued a news release.

" 'Dig-for-Victory' allotment holders at Garston, near Watford, were bewildered and annoyed, early in 1941, when a mysterious and sudden onrush of water swept down a nearby hill and inundated their plots. The flooding at the Hertfordshire allotments came from the breaching of the first detailed scale model of the Möhne Dam which was tested at the Building Research Station".

Air Ministry News Release, 1954

The truth is that there was no breach of the dam, that would have resulted in water flooding out the allotments. As it turns out, the news release was issued as the final scenes of The Dambusters film were being shot, hence no mention of the British Research Station in the finished film.

At some point, possibly in the 1960s, the model was restored, and altered. The repairers took a piece of poetic licence when they decided to add a 'breach' in to the top of the dam.

All of the test models at Harmondsworth were destroyed by the testing. 

The Nant-y-gro dam, in Wales, was blown apart during large-scale tests.

The ship testing tanks, at NPL, were broken up, in 1996.

The BRE Möhne Dam test model, is the only piece of this amazing story to remain intact. 

In 2002, the model was scheduled by English Heritage as a historic monument of 'not just national but also international importance'.

For further and more detailed information, follow the links below.

BRE's part in the Dambusters' Raids

BRE's Flickr channel

Details of the scheduling by English Heritage

Information about the NPL ship's testing tank

Information from the TRL

The Dambusters Raid from the RAF Air History Branch 

Walking with friends: Imperial War Museum to Borough Market... and beyond

Bethlem Hospital

Saturday September 6, 2014

As is customary, Len and myself, and whomever else wants to join us, take a stroll around London, taking in the sights and sounds of the great city, when it is someone's birthday.

This year, Len, myself and Stephen Brown, who works with me, met at Watford Metropolitan station and headed off for Len's special day.

At Finchley Road Len and I changed on to a Jubilee Line train, while Stephen headed off to Baker Street, as he had a few things to do before meeting up with us again, later in the day.

Len and I got off the train at Westminster and headed towards our first destination; The Imperial War Museum. As we headed down the road, talking and generally catching up, I missed the correct turning, which we didn't even notice until we were on Borough High Street. Oops! After a quick drink, at The Trinity, we headed back towards the Imperial War Museum, arriving there just after 11:30.

The new 'improved' atrium.

I had last visited the Imperial War Museum in 2012, with my eldest, Alysha. Since then it has undergone a £40 million refurbishment. This has resulted in a completely remodelled, and enlarged, atrium where some of the museums larger exhibits can be seen. Other work carried out has seen the galleries increase by three times their original size and, with more than 1,300 objects on view, there is something for everyone, covering nearly every conflict, war and terrorist attack.

Katana.

Armour representing the differences between the people in Northern Ireland.

Iranian Embassy Siege, 1980.

Window frames from the World Trade Centre.

Unfortunately, the World War I galleries required a ticket, which we were issued with, but our allotted time was so far in to the afternoon that we would have to had spent the entire day at the museum, thereby missing out on seeing the rest of the sights. Instead, we walked around all of the other exhibits and saw;

• Rommel's map of northern Africa
• An Italian 'human' torpedo
• Various bomb shelters
• A Taliban motorcycle
• A Humber 'pig' from northern Ireland
• Wreckage of a Japanese fighter aircraft
• Katana swords
• An Exocet missile
• A piece of the Berlin wall
• The cockpit from a Lancaster Bomber
• Plus lots more

Then there were the various rooms, containing;

• The history of MI5, MI6, SOE and other Intelligence services
• The history of the war in Afghanistan
• Britain's SAS
• The war at home
• plus many more

A Sherman Tank

Wreckage of a Japanese fighter aircraft

The fuselage of an Avro Lancaster

A Harrier Jump-jet

We then went up to the very top floor, which is empty, except for the 'holocaust' exhibit which didn't interest either of us in the slightest, so we headed back out into the afternoon sun. 

We made our way down to Elephant & Castle and headed to Borough Market for some well deserved food, washed down with a well deserved pint. We ate at Hobbs, where Len had a roast pork bap, with stuffing, and I had the BBQ pulled pork on a bed of 'slaw' in a baguette. This was washed down with a pint in The Barrowboy and Banker.

Suitably fuelled, we continued on our way by dropping down on to Montague Close and heading westward. It wasn't long before we stopped again, this time at The Old Thameside Inn. We then headed to The Anchor, where we sat outside and sipped another refreshing beer, before continuing alongside the River Thames, taking in the sights and sounds.

Outside the Globe Theatre I spotted a Book Bench sculpture. There are fifty of these dotted around our great capital, celebrating London's literary heritage.

One of the fifty Book Bench sculptures

Our next stop was The Founders Arms, where we stood outside, with a beer, watching the myriad boats shuttling tourists back-and-forth along the River Thames. The sun had brought everyone out and, with Bankside getting busier, we decided to head in a different direction. We reached Stamford Street and followed it along until we came to The Thirsty Bear, where we stopped for some light refreshment, before continuing on to the Southbank, where we watched the street performers and took in the atmosphere.

Camouflaged for war

Snoggers like it on top

Len the champion

With it almost time to meet Stephen, we took a slow walk to Westminster Bridge and headed on to Parliament Street, where we waited for Stephen in The Red Lion.

With us back together we headed off up Parliament Street, up St Martin's Lane an onto Great Newport Street and on to Chinatown. From here we headed below the streets of London, by heading into Waxy O'Connor's. On leaving Waxy O'Connor's, we went to Ed's Diner, on Rupert Street, for some food. The burger was delicious, tasting even more so as Stephen decided to pay for dinner as a treat. What a guy!

Ed's Diner does amazing burgers.

From here we headed towards The Montagu Pyke, but not before Len purchased a present for his wife and a hat for himself. Now, The Montagu Pyke is a JD Wetherspoon pub, which is in the building that was The Marquee Club, from 1988-1996.

Len sports his new hat in what was The Marquee Club.

Leaving The Montagu Pyke, we meandered our merry way passed Soho Square and on to Great Marlborough Street, where we saw Michael Flatley getting mobbed by fans as he left the London Palladium.

Reaching Oxford Circus, we headed down and caught a train back to Baker Street and then on to Watford.

It's all too much for the old boy.

I believe that Len and Stephen had a great time, as I did, and I can't wait for my next visit to London.

Distance travelled:

• Bus - 0.0 miles
• Cable Car - 0.0 miles
• Car - 0.0 miles
• DLR - 0.0 miles
• Ferry - 0.0 miles
• Overground - 0.0 miles
• River Boat - 0.0 miles
• Taxi - 0.0 miles
• Train - 0.0 miles
• Underground - 41 miles
• Walking - 10 miles