I know after the sad passing of Peter Vallance the collection at Gatwick is undergoing a bit of a ‘streamlining’, but a look at the museum’s web page shows what appears to be more of a major cull happening!
http://www.gatwick-aviation-museum.co.uk/
Let’s hope that the powers that be now running what remains of the collection don’t decide to cut any deeper into the aircraft displayed there, or there will be precious little incentive left for visitors to pay their good money to visit and support the museum.
Personally I think it’s a shame to dismember an interesting collection this way, getting rid of more than a third of the aircraft can’t bode well for the future of the collection. It’s certainly not what I understand aircraft museums to be about.
I just hope that all the airframes under threat find good homes rather than face the scrapman.
By: HFL - 5th September 2013 at 12:20
Sea Prince fuselage arrived St Athan safely. wings to follow
By: TonyT - 2nd September 2013 at 11:49
Hope they fit, sad this has to happen and one hopes that they will eventually find a home undercover in a museum, they have managed to survive this long, its a shame if they meet their demise now. As for dismantling the Shack, surely the old girl would be better preserved in one piece until a decision is made to her future, as once you open them up parts the weather couldn’t previously reach are now open to the elements.
By: HFL - 2nd September 2013 at 11:32
The intention is to use parts from the aircraft to use as a pattern for new approved parts for XL500 but also to keep the aircraft as cosmetically complete as possible so that externally it will eventually be able to go back on display somewhere.
By: Rob68 - 1st September 2013 at 23:33
Bit slack there, should keep up to date shouuldnt I. 😉
By: Wyvernfan - 1st September 2013 at 20:43
is it confirmed the Gannet will be restored and not used initially as a Christmas Tree?
Post from the previous page;
I can confirm that the Gannet will be making its way to St Athan as a source of spares for XL500. The spares will be used as a pattern for certain items that have to be made for XL500 and the intention is to keep the spares gannet as complete as possible once the parts have been manufactured from pattern, so that the Gannet from Gatwick can still remain as a possible gate gaurd on completion of XL500 when she returns to the air. Without the help of museums like Gatwick i am sure that a lot of aircraft will not be flying today. Along with the Gannet the Sea Prince and the Pembroke will also be making their way to St Athan
Rob
By: Jon H - 1st September 2013 at 20:39
HFL,
I don’t suppose you guys have any canopy rails going spare? The Aeroplane Collection ( http://www.theaeroplanecollection.org/ ) are looking for two sets to help fit out their T.2 cockpit BAPC.309.
Jon
By: Rob68 - 1st September 2013 at 19:46
is it confirmed the Gannet will be restored and not used initially as a Christmas Tree?
By: Wyvernfan - 1st September 2013 at 17:03
Good news all round i think. Well done to GAM for the sensible decision to let her go and slim down the collection, and also to the guys at St Athan for taking her on and continuing her preservation.
Rob
By: HFL - 1st September 2013 at 12:34
Two AEW3 Gannetts in the hangar side by side at St Athan. Long time since two stood together
By: D747 - 30th August 2013 at 19:16
[ATTACH=CONFIG]220310[/ATTACH]
XL472 Left GAM at 1830 today for its new home.
By: HFL - 30th August 2013 at 15:46
Due to arrive at St Athan 0800 sunday morning. No police escort through Wales on Saturday
By: Trolly Aux - 30th August 2013 at 10:17
Great news, what a nice easy way to transport an aeroplane.
TA
By: Peter Mills - 30th August 2013 at 09:28
On Thursday the 29th August Gannet XL472 was loaded onto a low loader ready for her journey to S.Wales.
If all goes to plan she should leave the museum at about 7 p.m. today (Fri) and make her way across country to arrive at St. Athan in the early hours of Saturday.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]220294[/ATTACH]
Also, Sea Prince WF118 is also just about ready to make the same journey.
By: Bellarine - 21st August 2013 at 11:10
Have the other parts as mentioned in an earlier post been put up for sale yet? Missed out on a couple of things in the original list, curious to see what else is listed… kudos to the museum for being sensible and managing a large collection in a realistic way, probably saved a few airframes as a result of this process….
By: WebPilot - 21st August 2013 at 10:40
I’m pleased to see this collection being managed in such a realistic and responsible fashion. The realisation that the resources to maintain the existing collection aren’t available is a hard pill to swallow and so many others have ducked it with results that are always the same – Blackpool Vulcan etc etc. Maintaining a pair of Shacks is really a hiding to nothing. Disposing of airframes to help with other projects or dismantling and storing is the right thing to do. Top marks.
By: richw_82 - 21st August 2013 at 09:11
.. or Coventry! 😉
Yeah. Without using the towbar and tractor next time..
By: pogno - 21st August 2013 at 07:44
For those who are interested I have just updated the website with the latest information.
http://www.gatwick-aviation-museum.co.uk/news/news.htmlPM
I believe the disposal of some airframes from this collection to be an entirely sensible choice as having duplications just adds to the workload while adding little to the attraction value. A good decision that will help towards the future of the museum and its exhibits.
Richard
By: TwinOtter23 - 20th August 2013 at 21:00
.. or Coventry! 😉
By: Runway06 - 20th August 2013 at 20:52
Would be great to see a Shack thundering down the runway at Bruntingthorpe!
By: Mr Merry - 20th August 2013 at 20:37
It is sad.
But I hate to say it in this months Flypast feature on the Gatwick museum it looked like a bone yard.
Reducing the number of airframe can’t be a bad thing. Volunteers can only do so much.
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May 29, 2013 at 3:18 pm