Huge changes in the pipeline for Duxford, which seem destined to change the historic profile of the airfield, including a six storey hotel and multiple industrial facilities.
On the aeroplane front, there are plans to permanently display the York and the Sunderland outside, which must come as a huge disappointment to the volunteers at the Duxford Aviation Society, who worked tirelessly to restore both these airframes to their present immaculate condition. To place them outside immediately starts a process of water ingress, corrosion, mould, fading of paint, all undoing the work of years.
The RAF Museum put the Cosford Catalina outside some years ago, and it has suffered terribly, with torn fabric and corrosion taking hold.
We seem to be in an era where the mangers of our aviation museums see the aircraft as very much secondary to grander visions, eclipsed by plans for hotels and industrial parks and other lucrative avenues.
Article on Sunderland restoration here. https://www.key.aero/article/preservation-history-iwm-sunderland
By: bazv - 21st September 2024 at 20:57
You only have to look at the disgusting state of the poor old Catalina left outside in the elements at Cosford to see how unfeeling/vandalistic large collections have potentially become.
We recently visited the Bodo Aircraft Museum in Norway and by comparison their Catalina is well preserved indoors and looking splendid,the Museum building is quite striking and handsome as opposed to the ‘Fallen Down Hangar’ look of the monstrosity that was built at Cosford a few years ago 🙁
By: Scramble Bill - 21st September 2024 at 20:50
Had to log in for this (after failing many times after forum changes)
If it’s true that these RARE RESTORED aircraft are being moved outside, then….I am speechless……TOTAL INSANITY… It’s an AVIATION MUSEUM ffs!…..what the he’ll is going on??????
Something stinks.
By: Scramble Bill - 21st September 2024 at 20:37
Had to log in for this (after failing many times since Forum changes)
If it’s true… that these RARE aircraft are being moved outside…….then…..I am speechless………TOTAL INSANITY….it’s an AVIATION MUSEUM ffs!…….what the he’ll is going on????????On
Something stinks.
By: trumper - 19th September 2024 at 21:20
No self respecting museum should ever put artifacts in a worse situation that will make them subject to deterioration and damage.The exhibits in the Land warfare museum are being moved on as well. Surely with all the money being spent on the new buildings there is room to do what a museum should be doing. As a member of the IWM i wonder if there is anything we can do to say how concerned we are.
By: hypersonic - 19th September 2024 at 20:48
There is an article in the Oct 24 Aeroplane magazine P 6-7. You have to read between the lines of what the IWM have said in that article. But they seem to be saying that those two aircraft can no longer stay under cover. Others are having to move outside as well.
The plan is to construct a Cold War display it seems. As a Cold War historian, I sort of support that plan. However, I can’t support moving the Sunderland and York outside for what seems to be forever. The irony here is both types have a history related to the Cold War any way.
H
By: Sabrejet - 19th September 2024 at 17:44
Anyone actually seen anything that says the York and Sunderland are being “permanently” (whatever that means) moved outdoors?
By: Peter - 19th September 2024 at 17:38
Displaying the york and sunderland outside is rediculous. Both are historically significant airframes and deserve to be indoors
By: hypersonic - 19th September 2024 at 16:39
There move is part of a different project, on the site. See Key Aero website for details..
H
By: Sabrejet - 19th September 2024 at 16:18
I don’t see anything regarding the York or Sunderland.
By: Arabella-Cox - 19th September 2024 at 12:28
Hypersonic – I completely agree with you about parking them outside. Totally stupid idea!
Last time I looked the RAF museum had one of each.
By: hypersonic - 19th September 2024 at 12:05
It would appear the development is not actually on the Duxford site (as we know it) but along side.
A six storey hotel is going to dominate the skyline of this historic airfield. Some of the buildings, of which, are “Grade Listed”.
As for putting the Sunderland and York outside, that is unforgivable. There are only two of each still in existence in the UK.
H
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September 19, 2024 at 9:25 am