Duxford Blues

Yes, Hendon is the RAF Museum, but I do see Phillip’s point; Elvington no longer has an official RAF presence, so how do they still manage to fly the Ensign? Or is Elvington’s runway still a MEDA? Hmm… check my Pooleys when I get home I think…

For what it’s worth though, I’m not entirely sure that Duxford needs an RAF Ensign. Let me explain why. Firstly, I don’t think it would be right to single out the RAF Ensign for Duxford; the place has been home to such an eclectic mix of nationalities over the years. How far would we go, the national flag of each airman who served? Of course not, that would turn the place into some kind of fairground with lines of flapping flags. Far too gaudy.

Secondly, there is a huge amount of history at Duxford already; you have only to walk behind the hangars, along past the workshops and the Ops Room, to find yourself immersed in the history and atmosphere of the place. The north side isn’t usually accessible to the public, but that’s even more evocative.

Okay, having the RAF Ensign fluttering away would be a nice touch, but in all honesty, how many people would really notice? Problem appears to be that most of the public visitors just jump on the ‘train’, or amble along what they think is a road, between the hangars and the flightline, and unfortunately that area has become rather sanitised over the years. Maybe if most of them were to come off the beaten track a bit, they’d find out just how historic Duxford really is?

Isn’t Hendon the “RAF” Museum though, maybe this has a bearing on it ?????

Both Elvington and Hendon are no longer RAF Stations, yet both are allowed to fly the RAF Ensign. I just thought it would be appropriate – moving, even.

A point (or a way of looking at things) which has been missed is that IWM Duxford is, today, a world class museum. It is not a USAAF station, nor an RAF station, nor an RFC base, nor farmers fields, nor still a film set. It is therefore perfectly reasonable that it does thhings that a museum does, and doesn’t do (some of) the things it used to do when it was something else!

What is good is that it does a remarkable number of the things it used to do, rather than missing the things that it used to do, but does not. (Personally, not having to take cover when the air raid siren goes off, or watching out for flying bits of belfast hangar is rather a bonus.) Oh, and there’s a remarkable number of new and extra things…

Cheers!

The Royal Air Force Ensign must be raised to the jackstaff 30 minutes after sunrise and lowered 30 minutes before sunset (well that is how it was in my day), the flag must not touch the ground in that time. The Station Duty Orderly Officer and the Orderly Sergeant must be in attendance at such a ceremony and as neither of these personages are stationed at IWM Duxford I fail to see this ever happening. The Station Commanders pennant would also be required to fly above the ensign.

That is the tradition and traditions die hard in the UK 🙂

RAF Ensign

Perhaps the RAF Ensign is not flown because Duxford is no longer a serving RAF Stn. There are clear regulations regarding the use of the RAF Ensign (for example it can never be used to cover a coffin) and it is not normally flown at a site that does not have an official RAF presence. Hendon is the RAF Museum and would therefore qualify. Elvington airfield belonged to the MOD until fairly recently but no longer does. Perhaps Elvington has received official permission to fly the RAF Ensign – good for them, its an excellent place! Perhaps the IWM could make the same request.

Maybe “they” don’t have the guts to fly the “Stars & Stripes” 😉