If you read any of the historic aviation mags you’ll probably have seen the adverts for the ‘Warbird Restoration Courses’ at Tom Rielly’s restoration workshops at Kissimee,Florida.What I’m wondering is whether something like this couldn’t be done in the UK,and whether it would benefit the UK preservation scene.I’m pretty certain the majority of us here on the forum would love to get our hands dirty,even if we had to pay for it.Aswell as the enjoyment & reward in learning the skills,might it not also make a ‘graduate’ a more useful volounteer with a museum,as opposed to signing up as a ‘rookie’ and having to spend months and years learning things in dribs and drabs?
I realise that you can’t be a master craftsman/craftsperson after just a few lessons,but wouldn’t it be an advantage to know the basic techniques and to have had atleast some experience of them in practice?
Just a thought for your consideration and possible derision!
By: DIGBY - 8th December 2003 at 22:19
What a nightmare thought
By: Eddie - 8th December 2003 at 14:48
An interesting discussion on when to restore and when not to restore, too, I think! Dare I say it – it makes the Hendon Halifax seem a lot more justifiable.
By: Mark V - 8th December 2003 at 14:42
Yes – a very good read (Mikesh book).
By: Chipmunk Carol - 8th December 2003 at 11:45
Thanks Eddie for your speedy response.
By: Eddie - 8th December 2003 at 11:39
“Restoring Museum Aircraft”, Robert Mikesh.
Clearly it doesn’t deal specifically with stuff for airworthy aircraft, but it’s got a lot of useful information in about project planning, sourcing materials, coatings etc, etc.
By: Chipmunk Carol - 8th December 2003 at 11:28
Originally posted by Mark V
Yes, a good wood working tool will always be useful.
Ah yes! You must be referring to the plane to which gbwez1 refers!
build yourself a plane
On another note, I believe there is a relatively recent book available specifically on the preservation of aircraft. Does anyone have a copy it? Is is worth it? What is the title/author etc?
By: Steve Bond - 8th December 2003 at 08:34
True, Hawker Restorations have been planning courses, and our university has had some discussions with them about joining forces. We also run courses in safety management of historic aircraft operations – vital once the initial restoration work is done.
By: Mark V - 8th December 2003 at 04:09
Yes, a good wood working tool will always be useful.
By: gbwez1 - 8th December 2003 at 01:57
No school is required. Join your local strut of the PFA and build yourself a plane. Anyone can do it.
By: Yak 11 Fan - 7th December 2003 at 23:42
Re: UK Restoration School
Originally posted by Ant Harrington
a more useful volounteer with a museum,as opposed to signing up as a ‘rookie’ and having to spend months and years learning things in dribs and drabs?
Don’t knock it, never did me any harm 😉
Seriously though it’s not a bad idea, I think Hawker Restorations / AJD were looking to do something along those lines this year allowing people the opportunity to learn the techniques involved in WW1 restoration, can’t see any of these type of courses being cheap though.
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December 7, 2003 at 11:36 pm