Obviously our aviation heritage isn’t as important an issue as saving the planet or fighting poverty or indeed improving everyone’s heath, but how important is our aviation heritage? Furthermore, what do you think needs to be done to improve our lot and also [if needed] how do you improve awareness?
We go on about this aircraft being scrapped and that aerodrome being bulldozed and I certainly go on about RAF Driffield, but is it really important an issue to bang a drum or get worked up over?
That said, I really have a problem with Spitfire culturati – those who are appeased or won over (or indeed conned) by the sight and sounds of the icons of the Battle of Britain. Our aviation heritage extends beyond the contours of the Spitfire and indeed beyond the majesty of PA474.
I despise many who see our decaying aeronautical heritage as nothing more than a reason to adventure out in the country – more than willing to drink from the cup without ensuring the well doesn’t run dry.
Off course, there are our heroes – both minor and legendary – all of whom have added to (or rather have saved, rescued, maintained) the total (remaining) sum of our aeronautical heritage. But is it really worth it?
I wouldn’t for one moment suggest that I am on the verge of a nervous breakdown over Driffield or the enevitable demise of G-BEPS (?) but I do feel that (a) I could have done more and (b) those we rely on could have done more. I am tired and in need of a break from it all. I am tired not because it’s a hopeless cause. I am angst because (a) no one cares or listens and (b) those I rely on (English Heritage, et al) have sold our heritage down the river (that’s putting it very mildly).
I’m neither suggesting that we run riot or take up the exploits of Fathers for Justice, but we are starting the beginning of the end. Our aeronautical heritage is clearly defined. We know the start date (early 1900s) and as our aviation industry is a shadow of its former self, we know that there will be little to add beyond what still flies today. Yet, the few aerodromes that remain intact (less than a dozen) are on the verge of redevelopment, while the last of the few remaining transport aircraft await the chop. Whereas the arts (inclusive of theatre, ballet and galleries) rely less on begging and more on those holding the purse strings being closely associated with (or being part of) the arts establishment, we have to fight for every penny. Unless we act now that little that does remain will be lost.
We can all dream. I can easily spend £50m year in – year out – for ten years. I would like to see the RAF Transport Museum at Brize Norton or how about National Aviation Gallery (an extension of the Science Museum) – as mighty (100 plus airframes) and popular and iconic as the NASM in Washington DC. There are established museums in dire need of financing.
We could have all these and more – not because our aerodrome heritage is as important an issue as saving the planet or fighting poverty or indeed improving everyone’s heath, but because our aerodrome heritage IS IMPORTANT as the arts or sport or other sectors of our heritage (transport or industrial). We simply need to fight for a larger slice of the cake, without being apologetic or subservient. Sadly, no one is prepared to bang the drum. That said I honestly don’t blame them. From a personal perspective there is nothing more soul-destroying that being ignored or ridiculed for fighting for what is right.
By: merkle - 20th September 2008 at 09:59
Heritage ?
I agree, It is a good thing to preserve our heritage, But over the years ,especailly in the south west, I have found the Museums, Council, and archaeologists are more concerned with saving ancient history than, modern history,
Most of the aviation collections are small private run museums, gangs of people who have worked hard to save all they can,
But how many of these Museums, have been for a better word, Closed down due to redevelopment etc, and when have the local authorities jumped in to save them, Look at the Gloster collection, or the Jet age Museum, or Bournmouth museum, there are many who have been forced to shut there doors, indefinately, truth is in this day and age i feel it is almost UN-PC as it is modern history and worst of all Military, there seems to be more on Arts than old Enginneering, i feel even the Lotto commision arent interested really,
yet if they found the remains of a 17th century slave ship or a museum of slavery etc it would be supported, just the political climate i think and what is fashionable, I wonder in future years, if we look back ,we realise just what important heritage we have lost over the years to developement.
Where I live is a very ancient dock, it has been here since roman times, and they have systematically destroyed anything here related to our old industry ,the cranes are gone, Sheds, bunkers, railway history, all wiped out, Just to build this massive housing estate ,it is now filled with “Modern art statues, nothing that relates to its rich industrial past, instead we have silver Spheres, Poles with names on which are suppoed to represent “The Waves”
Giant Copper Nails over 7 ft tall, in a park, to represent our industrial heritage, (on the old Nail factory site) all bought a made at Extreme cost to the tax payer, The people of portishead, have bemoaned this from the start ,But it falls on deaf ears of Our politically correct ,Luvvy council every time,worst of all, they developed the dock,destroyed the “Public” slipway, so now you have to pay to use a boat lift, and minimum of 2K a year to keep a boat there, the infuriating thing about this is hundreds of years ago, the Dock was Given to the People of portishead, and it is a PUBLIC wharf, yet Big Bussiness has moved in and can charge high rates to stay there, and any boat that does not fit in with there “Type” gets moved out, as all they want in there is White Sunseeker types, they want a mini Rich Marbella type port, when we used to have a old lifeboat, industrial ships, fishing ship, all sorts of types, Now it looks like some sort of Model Boat Tinsel town, its sad because it was such a diverse little dockland,and it has been taken from the Parish , and only really used by the rich, I live right next to it, Ive personally allways wanted a little boat, and would have kept it in the Public wharf, But now it does not exist, and me and a boat, well it will never happen, because i cant afford the 2K a year to keep it there,
the same with bristol dock, the old industrial Museum, from what i can see is pulled down, and they are replacing it with one of these “Glass Palaces” which is not in keeping with That lovely stretch of industrial heritage along the Quay ,with its little steam engine, Boats, and cranes, I just dont understand what they are up too?? .
Councils have done more damage than what any german airforce could do, I feel personally, this is a era like the sixties, where they can build as many monstrositys they wish, only for the future generations to realise what a mess they have made of it ,
I am sure too, weston super mare airfield is close to being built on too, it is owned by a major developer,there are so many that have gone in these past FEW years,
is it just me ??, or is this a sign of the times ??:(
By: stuart gowans - 20th September 2008 at 09:09
Saving the planet, and fighting poverty, are intrinsically linked to saving airfields; most airfields are or could be used in agricultural production, be it arable, or livestock, or even just cut for hay to feed livestock, there is a world wide food shortage, and much of the land lies fallow.
This would also mean that having a new found use, they wouldn’t become housing estates, and lets be clear, Britain doesn’t need any more houses, because Britain doesn’t need anymore people; when people say, that it, (Britain) isn’t getting any bigger, I think they are missing the point, coastal errosion on the eastern side, has claimed hundreds of houses throughout this, and the last century, in real terms Britain is getting smaller.
An overall trend towards conservation, would benefit both our aviation heritage, and the place we live, and as with anything, this interest has to start somewhere, and if that is as a result of seeing a $pitfire either in the air or on the ground, then surely that would be a good thing.
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September 20, 2008 at 4:21 am