Bentwaters Cold War Museum has just had this Hawker Hunter GA.11 ‘XE707’ delivered this week expanding on their collection of airframes at this great museum.
Further info here; http://www.bcwm.org.uk/
Also on display is Jet Provost T.3A ‘XN629’
In the workshop is Jaguar ‘XX741’ which is currently being restored.
By: TwinOtter23 - 6th July 2010 at 19:55
…. A collecting policy isn’t a prerequisite however they do give museums
credibility and in some ways help in reducing needless duplication….
As an accredited museum it will be! 🙂
By: David Burke - 6th July 2010 at 19:48
Pagen – A collecting policy isn’t a prerequisite however they do give museums
credibility and in some ways help in reducing needless duplication. Whilst a policy is difficult to stick to – if I was in a position as a funder it would be something I would look long and hard at. It’s worth pointing out that museums can take a popularist view and only acquire aircraft that they perceive will bring in visitors and this can be harmful to preservation.
From another point of view the best way to tell a story is with the real thing i.e the trenches of Flanders- the Mulberry harbour in Normandy – and bringing it closer to now the potential of Phantoms and Lightnings sitting standing guard in a HAS buildings are the best ways to tell these stories.
By: RPSmith - 6th July 2010 at 19:38
……..Ben I think the Voodoo cockpit has been discussed previously, I seem to remember that the fire section won’t relinquish it!
I don’t think it’s theirs to relinquish
Roger Smith.
By: Nashio966 - 6th July 2010 at 19:23
such is life i guess 🙁 gotta be a damn rare cockpit in the uk!
By: pagen01 - 6th July 2010 at 19:19
I must admit I don’t see the issue about a collection policy, I’m pleased to see any collection of any aircraft.
Ben I think the Voodoo cockpit has been discussed previously, I seem to remember that the fire section won’t relinquish it!
By: J Boyle - 6th July 2010 at 19:19
As a former officer at Bentwaters, I’d love to see the musem get some ex-USAF airframes.
But the chances of getting an single seat non-recce F-101 are slim, just a few are left.
A F-16 might be eventually available from another NATO member and it could be painted as a 427th AS example.
HH-53s are out of USAF inventory so there would be quite a shipping charge from Arizona if you want one. 🙂 And given its size, it would take most of a C-5 or C-17 load, so there may not be much chance of a free “space available” airlift opportunity.
I’d think a F-4 and A-10 would be doable IF the NMUSAF can be persuaded. But I’d guess that the museum would have to be a charity or trust, the USAF won’t sign over airframes to private people no matter how well intended.
Too bad all the former commanders are now retired, a general’s word might be just what is needed at Wright-Patterson.
Still, by going over a list of former commanders, even though retired, might have some “pull” if you can contact them. Some local VIPS may have some current home addresses.
Better yet, contact the senior USAF officer in the UK (at what used to be called the 3rd AF HQ) via the public affairs staff, and perhaps he can help in the name of US-UK relations and to “honor the decades of American involvement at the Twin bases”…they love stuff like that. 🙂
By: Bruce - 6th July 2010 at 19:04
A free Hunter, in good complete condition.
A HAS to keep it in.
What’s not to like?
Good on yer guys…….
Bruce
By: Nashio966 - 6th July 2010 at 19:00
Spares use is what they said to me, and that something to do with that US Phantom treaty (will never know what it is?) is something to do with why it won’t be moved.
you should see the voodoo cockpit at coventry the fire lads use for practice 😎 The whole place is upside down lol
By: pagen01 - 6th July 2010 at 18:59
I did forget the confused smiley!
By: David Burke - 6th July 2010 at 18:56
Do many parts wear out on a static display aircraft besides tyres and canopies perishing??
By: pagen01 - 6th July 2010 at 18:33
How about the F-4C 63-7414 at Coventry air muesum thats in store? when i last spoke with a chap there they did’nt have any plans for it:rolleyes:
Spares use is what they said to me, and that something to do with that US Phantom treaty (will never know what it is?) is something to do with why it won’t be moved.
By: Pure Lightning - 6th July 2010 at 17:38
How about the F-4C 63-7414 at Coventry air muesum thats in store? when i last spoke with a chap there they did’nt have any plans for it:rolleyes:
http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1234005/
all the best Matt
By: David Burke - 6th July 2010 at 10:28
Unfortunately having seen the MDAP aircraft at Cardiff scrapped and various others it doesn’t surprise me! It’s an aircraft certainly worthy of preservation but at entirely the wrong location!
By: pagen01 - 5th July 2010 at 21:51
Pictures like that kind of put the UK vs Aus Meteor debate in to perspective!
By: Last Lightning - 5th July 2010 at 21:48
Very little chance of it leaving Lashenden in one piece
Some recent shots
http://www.flickr.com/photos/faversham-gallery/4499451453/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/faversham-gallery/4499452109/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/faversham-gallery/4500087780/in/photostream
By: David Burke - 5th July 2010 at 21:33
I think ‘written off’ is maybe a little strong . The aircraft was damaged by a Turbine Beaver take off incident. Sadly it was fatal for the Beaver’s pilot but I don’t think the accident was really any fault of where the F-100 was.
I would suggest that the wheels of the USAFM work very slowly – for example the Mystere IV on USAFM charge at Andrewsfield has been without a museum to support it since 1986! I should imagine that there are people within the USAFM who can make something positive happen in some cases.
By: ghaynes - 5th July 2010 at 20:56
David,
A private museum is one that is not government-run or sponsored. We are open to the public, are a registered charity and an accredited museum. None of that makes any difference to the USAFM.
The F-100F at Lashenden was written off following a fatal accident involving another aircraft. There are a number of posts on this forum about it, including this one.
Graham
Graham – I would very much like to see the displays on ‘Hazel Flute’ as I was on it! We would have liked to have used the HAS buildings but it was ruled out on cost!
As for your status as a ‘private’ museum -does that mean you don’t have charitable status or are not open to the public? I am not sure what exactly it means.
As for the F-100F last noted intact in April this year. I should imagine someone posting on her as seen her recently or a F-100 shaped gap where it used to be!
By: David Burke - 5th July 2010 at 20:20
Graham – I would very much like to see the displays on ‘Hazel Flute’ as I was on it! We would have liked to have used the HAS buildings but it was ruled out on cost!
As for your status as a ‘private’ museum -does that mean you don’t have charitable status or are not open to the public? I am not sure what exactly it means.
As for the F-100F last noted intact in April this year. I should imagine someone posting on her as seen her recently or a F-100 shaped gap where it used to be!
By: ghaynes - 5th July 2010 at 20:00
David,
This avenue has already been explored by us on numerous occasions. The loan of MDAP airframes is still a no-go as far as privately-run museums go. Back in 2002 we tried to acquire an F-4C from the Spanish Air Force (these were mostly ex-81st TFW jets). We gained permission from the Spanish Air Force & Government to acquire one of these stored airframes from Torrejon only for it to be blocked by the USAFM. If we had begun this task a couple of years earlier we would have been successful. Unfortunately for us, the USAFM’s policy regarding loans to private museums changed in 2001.
As far as I’m aware the F-100F at Lashenden has been scrapped?
Additonally, it is against USAFM rules for UK Museums to loan on their USAFM airframes to private Museums. Another avenue we’ve explored and failed to get round!
Regards.
Graham Haynes
Museum Manager
Bentwaters Cold War Museum
Bod – I think if you explore options with other museums the aircraft on your list of Bentwaters/Woodbridge machines isn’t completely impossible!
Its worth considering that a number of machines were supplied under MDAP to NATO countries and a number of these are now in fairly parlous condition!
For example in Denmark there is a straight wing F-84 at a civil defence company that dearly should be preserved ! Indeed a number of years ago I recall looking at a F-101 cockpit in use for fire evacuation training at Coventry . Another machine that springs to mind is the F-100 at Lashenden .In all this it would be great if U.K preservation groups could have a long hard look at what they are preserving and maybe be generous with U.S agreement in transferring a machine or two to you!
By: ghaynes - 5th July 2010 at 19:45
I suggest you visit the museum where you will find quite a lot of info and displays regarding Hazel Flute 94! Nothing has been left out or forgotten with regards the the history of Bentwaters I can assure you.
Graham Haynes
Museum Manager
Bentwaters Cold War Museum
Looking at the museum airfield history it misses out the use of the airfield by Harriers from Wittering and Germany for two weeks who were the last
military aircraft to use the airfield.
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July 4, 2010 at 2:27 pm