RAFM Hendon Replies!

Hi Guys.

I e-mailed the RAFM using their Web Response form, regarding some of the issues that have been raised on the forum – lighting, Halifax, BoB hall etc.

I thought you might be interested in the response I received (posted with permission from the author):

Starting with the lighting level in the Bomber Hall, this is increasingly a cause for concern to visitors, exacerbated perhaps by the opening of the new Milestones building in which we took care to introduce some natural light, breaking with tradition. When the Bomber Hall was designed (1982-3) the idea was to introduce some dramatic effect in tune with the predominantly night role of the RAF Bomber Command force. In this year’s financial plan there is provision to review and improve the lighting level in response to the trend in feedback. That said, indoor photography at a distance usually requires professional equipment and much more light than we can sensibly provide continuously.

The Halifax continues undergo conservation rather than restoration, thanks to the volunteer effort of members of the Society of Friends. The addition of transparencies, cowlings or other parts which we have retained in store is always an option but not I believe a priority at present. Nevertheless, it is useful to know that there are other views. It would be, however, entirely against our conservation and preservation ethos to distress the forward turret and blend it in with the associated aircraft. Again your view is respected but at present it is a lone voice.

The Battle of Britain Hall was substantially changed in 2000 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. It was previously redeveloped in 1989 after the original opening of the Hall in 1978. Several then innovative aids to interpretation, such as the talking heads of Churchill and “Girtie”, and the maze of diorama to set the scene, have yet to percolate to other areas of the Museum. The present set-up chimes well with school group needs in particular.

Operation of Our Finest Hour requires some give and take by the diverse range of visitors we receive, some of whose requirements conflict. We need to advertise a steady programme of showings to permit potential viewers to plan their time at the Museum and for other users to do likewise. With so much to offer between the 13 minute showings both in the Battle of Britain Hall and elsewhere, I think we have the balance about right. I have reviewed the statistics which show that on average during the past 10 weeks the show has had an audience, albeit sometimes small, at every showing except for 10 so the potential gain by non-users from cancelled showings would be small. That said, if there are no takers for a show, it does not make sense to run it needlessly and I will check that this is understood by staff.

While I readily accept that not all of the types of aircraft and other objects in the Battle of Britain Hall participated in the Battle, they are all associated with the era and they fit in as well here as anywhere in the Museum.

Thank you again for your interest. I hope that you will visit us again in due course.

Yours sincerely,

Henry Hall

Gp Capt A V Hall RAF (Ret’d)

Director Curatorial Division

I hope you find it interesting – I don’t agree with some points he makes, but full marks to them for a detailed reply from a senior official at the museum.