I’ve just got back from the USA and took in Oshkosh Air Venture 2007 and the USAF Museum at Wright Patterson. While there I couldn’t believe how little people ( not just from the US ) knew about what there was to see in the UK.
A small percentage knew about Duxford but hardly anyone knew about Hendon, Cosford or Yeovilton and as for the many smaller musuems..
According to the EAA website, Oshkosh drew over 500,000 aviation enthusiasts during the week it ran and the only British presence I saw was “Aces High”. The Smithsonian and the Commemorative Air Force as well as several states had stands publicising what they had to offer so I have to ask why the UK Aviation community wasn’t represented.
I have no idea how much a stand would cost but with a captive audience of over half a million couldn’t something be done. There were enough UK visitors to provide a team of volunteers to man such a stand and keep costs down.
What do others think ?
regards
Phil Lou
By: Shorty01 - 14th August 2007 at 09:02
What you need is a flying attraction/advert that would help get peoples attention. What’s happened to the Shackleton, that is a distinctive British shape ? Vulcan would be good, but beyond the realms of reality.
By: Arthur - 13th August 2007 at 22:44
Maybe if Tom Cruise would star in a film on the Battle of Britain… :diablo:
By: J Boyle - 13th August 2007 at 18:46
U.S. and Canadian aviation fans are already well aware what’s available in England…thanks to magazines like FlyPast.
But increased marketing at North American aviation venues wouold not hurt.
However, I think the greatest growth would lie in letting “non-aviation” people know about some of the UK’s great aviation venues and events.
Example: many, if not most, U.S. tourists go to Cambridge. If they were made aware of Duxford and its close proximity, I think many would go. Either becasue some (men..at the risk of being sexist) might be interested as a change from the “usual” tourist stops…museums, gardens, etc. or as children wondering about their dad’s/grandfather’s activities in the war.
This is a bit more of a marketing challenge, but one fairly easily met.
It might be as simple as getting more brochures out in the UK, or increasing a venue’s presence in guidebooks and the like.
By: RPSmith - 13th August 2007 at 14:19
Hi Phil, and welcome to the Forum.
Interested to read your post about Oshkosh and I think you have raised a very good point.
This is probably something the BAPC should get involved in – talking/negotiating with the UK Tourist Board (or whatever).
There are, perhaps, two opportunities. The first, as you suggest, a small stand at Oshkosh. Secondly, the production of a giveaway leaflet specifically about Museums/collections in the UK to be available at US museums – particularly the NMoUSAF and Smithsonian (as well as at the Oshkosh stand).
Roger Smith.
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August 13, 2007 at 12:41 pm