Displaying static Aircraft

Hi

Yes the display side all has to do with planning and professionalism and not just arranging a few old aircraft in an old shed- flat tyres and all – as you very well put it like dumped cars. It doesn’t always have to cost a fortune especially if you are starting off with good surroundings and suitable buildings – it’s about creating a sense of time and occasion – drama in the pure sense – when it works it’s magic.

I don’t know where things are up to in NZ with future fuselages now that the first one is in Canada – I hope all is progressing well – the next one was supposed to be for an airworthy project – perhaps Dave or Turbo or Dave 2 can give us an update.

Love to catch up with you

I will be down your way in a while

Kindest rwegards
John P

Look’s Great turbo

Yes John Totally agree 🙂 , Just wish full thinking on my part :rolleyes: , Seen a few flats here in Vic, Mostly on outside displays, Not a good look, Like its been abandon and forgotten, Like a dumped car 🙁 , So thats the trick inside for displays, Hopefully with the Chap building Mozzie fuselages in N.Z., We might see a few more in the air 😀 , But how many Merlins/packards are really left for these and other projects ? :confused: , The well must run dry some day, Cheers everyone, Tally Ho! Phil 😉 (p.s.hopefully one day Chris I will take you and Dave up on that offer :p )

Phil,

Have you been to the Wigram AFM ?
If you haven’t it is a definite must !!! 🙂

And if you do, hop across to Wellington and drop in to say hi 😀

Cheers
Chris

Hi Stormbird 262

Good Post

As far as flat tyres go Museums traditionally use axel jacks to carry the weight of airframes – usually on the inside if the wheel so as not to be as noticeable.

I share your keeness to see aircraft flying but the fact remains that aircraft – especially older aircraft are valuable and rare and the modern trend toward the construction of replicas / total rebuilds satisfies most people – how much of the average Spitfire rebuilds of the last few yerars is original material?

As for the Canadian Mossie – keep her on the ground – get a Bowser truck, some ammo belts, bombs and rockets or whatever and every now and then burn some oil in a saucepan and stick it nearby to smell correct etc – you get the idea!!!! – then you will have some idea of what it looked like not some sort of artifical stuffed toy hanging from the ceiling.

Kindest regards
John P

Me too Chris and John

I like it when you can walk around the aircraft at a close but safe distance for the aircraft 😀 , Good lighting is important and just a few little extras seem to help you go back in time, And almost feel and smell the history around the craft :rolleyes: , But I know its not possible, But I would still like all of them to be flying not stuck inside or rotting outside on some pole 🙁 , FLY FLY FLY :p , Sorry on their own wheels too if possible, Not a good look with flat wheels ether maybe solids or something can be done to prevent this, I keep pestering the old boys re-building Our Aussie Mozzie down at Point Cook for a flyer or taxiing job 😎 , But it all comes down to Dollars, Dollars and more Dollars 🙁 , Good luck with the display 😉 , Cheers everyone, Tally Ho! Phil 🙂

Placing it in a hanger with an imaginatve display environment adds a lot to the viewing experiance such as displays at Wigram RNZAFM in New Zealand – A real little gem of a place and getting better all the time.

What needs to happen to all Museums is a lot of attention in the planning phase –
1) What are you trying to achieve
2) What do customers value and appreciate
3) What is the context of the display and the aircraft(what is the aircraft and what environment should it be displayed in as a result)

My thoughts.

Kindest regards
John Parker

I concur. The Wigram displays are absolutely brilliant. The lighting does a lot for the atmosphere of the aircraft and sets the mood.

Cheers

TNZ

Hi

This is all a bit subjective .

The new display hall at the AWM in Canberra has their mosquito in level flight with a platform around it and it leaves me a little cold – it is not in any sort of context and just sits there like a preverbial (the really disturbing thing is that people can easilly touch it – which they frequently do). I much prefer the hanger based approach as in Yorkshire or even the way the Duxford IWM machine was displayed even though it was a little crowded. Placing it in a hanger with an imaginatve display environment adds a lot to the viewing experiance such as displays at Wigram RNZAFM in New Zealand – A real little gem of a place and getting better all the time.

What needs to happen to all Museums is a lot of attention in the planning phase –
1) What are you trying to achieve
2) What do customers value and appreciate
3) What is the context of the display and the aircraft(what is the aircraft and what environment should it be displayed in as a result)

My thoughts.

Kindest regards
John Parker

My vote is to leave her on the gear. I just think airplanes look more natural that way, as if you’re walking up to her getting ready to climb in and fire up the engines. Add some sandbags and a jeep and you can really travel back in time. I really enjoy that aspect of Kermit Weeks “Fantasy of Flight” in Florida.

Whatever you do, don’t hang them from the ceiling. Or, if you must, figure out a way to get people at eye level. The new Air and Space Annex at Dulles does a very good job of this.

Good luck!