Visit to Museum of Berkshire Aviation

I fully agree: a lovely collection, done well and with great staff to go with it!

Seconded (or is that thirded lol) Definitely on my favourite museums list 🙂

Fabulous museum. I’ve always had a fondness for smaller collections based on a company or local area. It seems this museum has quite a focused collection policy and not over stretched themselves like some museums that have gone quantity over quality. Personally if rather see five fabulously restored aircraft than a line up if ten sad looking Cold War jets.

I fully agree: a lovely collection, done well and with great staff to go with it!

Fabulous museum. I’ve always had a fondness for smaller collections based on a company or local area. It seems this museum has quite a focused collection policy and not over stretched themselves like some museums that have gone quantity over quality. Personally if rather see five fabulously restored aircraft than a line up if ten sad looking Cold War jets.

There’s also a good page on the Student 🙂

http://home.comcast.net/~aero51/html/exhibits/student_restoration.htm

Whilst not wanting thread creep I would be very interested in seeing any photos of the Martinets early restoration at the MBA.

Tim

Just checked the museum’s website – there are quite a few on there up to 2009 –

http://home.comcast.net/~aero51/html/exhibits/martinet_restoration.htm

Do you mind if I ask what your own Martinet project is, Tim?

I have a couple -I will dig them out!

That’s great, David – I’d love to see them too!

Many thanks for posting MM, another one for the bucket list.

I have a couple -I will dig them out!

Whilst not wanting thread creep I would be very interested in seeing any photos of the Martinets early restoration at the MBA.

Tim

From Peter Amos’ second Volume (Vol.3 imminent I hear!):

27MU 21Oct43
Shawbury- 76MU Wroughton 18Nov43
Shipped to Iceland on SS Isobell 18Dec43
Arrived Reykjavik 08Jan44
To 251 Sqn (AD-X) 19Jul45
To Reykjavik for Stn Flt 01Nov45
Sold to Akureyri Flying Club and reg’d TF-SHC 18Jul49 (painted silver overall).

Hi Rob,

Yes indeed the team at MBA have been very helpful and welcoming it is a smashing museum and Ian Simmons has been a great help with my wee efforts. MM thanks for the photos they certainly illustrate what has been achieved.

Tim

You are right, Tim. The Martinet joined the Flying Club in Iceland (Akruyeri?) in 1949. It was used for some herring spotting too, I believe but crashed in 1951 and lay there till ’77. I photographed the display board but it’s a wee bit fuzzy to say the least. The pic of the wreckage isn’t too bad so have posted it anyway but please no-one rush to Specsavers 🙂

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Good luck with your own project. Nice knowing there’s another survivor.

Ok cheers. It’s a beauty that’s for sure, and no doubt spurs you on with your Martinet project.

Thanks for posting up the pics, MM.

Rob

Hi Rob,

MS902, post war, formed part of the Icelandic flying club and I believe this is her Icelandic civil registration.

However I stand to be corrected.

Tim

Looks a sound little museum and I must get over to there at some point as I’ve never been. Agree re the comments about the Marathon section though – it does warrant being under some sort of weatherproof cover IMHO.

The Martinet looks absolutely fantastic, congrats to all involved.

Hi Tim, what’s the story re the Martinets reg?

Rob

Thanks! The Student has come a long way!

Any more of the Miles Student? love that aircraft 🙂

Totally agree re the Student. Really pleased to be able to get up so close to it. It’s looking lovely 🙂

Is the Gannet still there ???

Yes it is –

The Martinet looks absolutely fantastic, congrats to all involved.

Opening times

i REMEMBER GOING ONCE AND WAS VERY DISSAPOINTED AS IT WAS CLOSED
It was a Wednesday I think…..anyway…check before you go !

Is the Gannet still there ???

Oh dear another museum with an aircraft I’ve flown in, and no its not the Herald.