May 6, 2001 at 1:43 pm
With the hiatus of activity now over regarding the SR-71 Blackbird and Eagle/Thunderchief. Exactly which way is the collection going to go? In the past year we have seen the departure of the Firefly F.1 to the FAAM Yeovilton.Are more FAA aircraft next on the disposal list?
The is clearly not enough room at Duxford to house the new additions and even with a enlarged ‘Superhanger’ I am beginning to wonder exactly how they can achieve the seemingly imposible.
The American Air Museum will no doubt have a reshuffle but how can they fit in a Liberator and Blackbird without it taking on the appearance of a multi-story car park?
The Dakota will I am sure be suspended but I would argue that it is far more significant to the U.K than the Blackbird ever was. No matter what anyone says about suspension of aircraft they do not benefit from being ‘hung’.It reduces the ability to monitor corrosion and also imposes new stress paths through an aircraft.
I understand the desire of Duxford to have the best collection of American warplanes outside of the U.S but is that really true?
The collection has gaps in terms of machines like the PBY Catalina (amazingly significant in the war against the U-boat) the humble Piper L-4 and Stinson L-5 and the Waco Hadrian .
Instead of carrying on the acquisition of USAF machines I think now is the time to actually work out where the collection is going. The U.S Navy is poorly represented in the AAM-will we now see a rush to acquire machines such as the A-4 Skyhawk,A-Corsair and the Tomcat?
By: Bruce - 28th August 2008 at 20:07
Whoa!
This must be the oldest thread resurrection ever!
Hindenburg, please start a new thread with your enquiry – and no, as far as I know there is no truth in it.
Bruce
By: hindenburg - 28th August 2008 at 20:01
Speaking of Museums is there any truth in the rumour that Hendon has just scrapped alot of aircraft stuff that was held in store ?