Buck Rogers Harrier

Not too sure it was the Uk Government that got it right about free admission to museums. I seem to recall it was an European missive to do with not charging for the nation’s heritage. Which doesn’t explain why Duxford still charges. Do they charge at the Manchester IWM?

It was the UK Government who are responsible for it, but it’s only for certain national museums, who were able to afford it because of changes to the VAT laws.

The full story is here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/2183071.stm

Cheers

Alistair

Not too sure it was the Uk Government that got it right about free admission to museums. I seem to recall it was an European missive to do with not charging for the nation’s heritage. Which doesn’t explain why Duxford still charges. Do they charge at the Manchester IWM?

Yes it was a while now that I think about it. 🙁 I went to Duxford and Hendon in December 1993, and the Imperial War Museum Lambeth in early 1994 and early 1997. I also went to the Science Museum in early 1997 (Jan/Feb ish), and i got some nice home fideo of the place too.

What a great idea making these wonderful places free. The British Government has got something right at least.

The Auckland War Memorial Museum here in NZ used to be free, then they began to charge but they still let you in for free with an encouraged donation if you’re only visiting the war memorial part… a very very confusing system. I’d probably pay to go in there too, it is really a very good place to visit. Not too many museums where you can see a Zero, a Spitfire, a V1, a Blue Whale and an Elephant in the same place.

Just a small, pedantic point. As a national museum, the Science Museum is one of several museums throughout the UK funded by central government and which are free at the point of entry, ie you don’t have to pay to get in. This list includes the Imperial War Museum and the RAF Museum (although the latter may charge for the new Milestones of Flight – I don’t know ‘cos I’ve not yet had the opportunity to visit).

That’s interesting. I have been to all three museums you mention and I paid to get into each one. Is that because I am a ‘foreigner’? I’m not complaining, it was worth every penny to visit each. I do recall that the Science Museum, Victoria and Albert (which I didn’t get to see) and one other, maybe the National Gallery, was free between 4.30 and 6.00pm – but I decided i needed longer time than that to see the Science Museum, and I’m glad i did allow it because it was incredibly interesting. I have been to the IWM at Lambeth twice and the one at Duxford once and all cost money to get in.

Yo Dave

Thanks Dave 🙂 , I one day hope to visit N.Z. again, last Visit I was 2/3 years old, Only two things I remember are a Tin man like fountain, Barrel body with funnel on his head holding a cup, My mother has just sent me a pic of it in Christchurch, and other pics of my Dec fathers life in N.Z., Looks like he was a Table tennis champ, The only other flash I have was passing the Warhine(sorry forgot the spelling), Not long after it sank, 3 older sisters looking though the top bunk port hole, And nobody let me see what all the fuss was about 🙁 , I hope to get in contact with my Auntie and cousins to see if a visit would be alright for accomodation, I have to do some of your great Airshows 😀 while I still can get around, And a visit to the Solent as well, Cheers 😉 , Tally Ho! Phil.(P.S. The S.C.1 looks very sad and dejected in that shot).

I think it was very creditable for the museum to even display it when they obviously lacked the room to put the whole plane in there, and when it is so unattractive and is an insignificant aircraft on the scale of aviation development to the public at large who pay to enter the museum.

Just a small, pedantic point. As a national museum, the Science Museum is one of several museums throughout the UK funded by central government and which are free at the point of entry, ie you don’t have to pay to get in. This list includes the Imperial War Museum and the RAF Museum (although the latter may charge for the new Milestones of Flight – I don’t know ‘cos I’ve not yet had the opportunity to visit).

This is how it was displayed at Fairford, just left on the grass. 😡
phil

Yes the Short Solent is still at Motat in Auckland. It is the only Mk IV Solent in the world, and one of only two of the type extant (an earlier model is in Oakland California – which is the flying boat seen in Indiana Jones’s Raiders of the Lost Ark).

And our NZ Solent is stunningly beautiful, restored faithfully by about 50 of its ex engineers, pilots and cabin crew in the 1980’s and 1990’s, it is now better than new. It is displayed in the hangar with a walkway beside it so the public can peer through all the windows on the starboard side, on both decks, and inside they have every detail including matchboxes, glasses, TEAL souviners, etc on the tables. It is the height of luxury flying. I’d love to take a trip in that bird, pity she’ll never fly again.

Good point Dave

Good point Dave 😎 , My Dec father came from Petone N.Z., And as a child I can remember him talking about a Solent 🙂 , Which is in Auckland I think, Is it still there and is it still in good repair :confused: , Cheers, Tally Ho!, Phil 😉

Well at least it is still in existence and wasn’t scrapped. I’d almost wager the wing is probably stored somewhere safe.

I think it was very creditable for the museum to even display it when they obviously lacked the room to put the whole plane in there, and when it is so unattractive and is an insignificant aircraft on the scale of aviation development to the public at large who pay to enter the museum.

Also, only a minority of Shorts Bros products are ugly – their products like the Sunderland, Empire, Solent and even the Stirling were gorgeous, and the Tucano ain’t bad either (or was that designeed by Embraer, I can’t recall who bought the design from whom).

Poor girl

How barbaric 🙁 , Poor girls lost a wing 😮 , Another person out there who thinks Shorts plane are not very attractive :rolleyes: , Why, Cheers, Tally Ho! Phil 😉

but where would twiggy sit ?

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Should.nt this be in the ugliest plane thread ?
a good contender ……….