Grahame-White Factory, RAFM Hendon ~ 04Dec14

I notice its a temporary exhibition. What will replace it?

In 6 years time? I doubt the museum have planned ahead that far, they have ambitious plans for the rest of the site in the meantime

I just had cursory glances at the other artifacts…

You missed a lot of very interesting items, well worth spending the time to take a look the next time you visit.

re;

I notice its a temporary exhibition. What will replace it?

I did notice that all the ‘hung’ RFC aircraft are heading in one direction towards the Fokker DVII which is heading towards them. 😀

Brian

Brian

Your report and SUPERB photos have whet my appetite to go and experience this exhibition. Although I’m no fan of suspended historic aircraft this does seem to be an intelligent presentation overall.

Tim

There were more museum staff wandering around the factory than members of the public. Apart from a few school parties, the main museum was pretty empty as well. Mind you the weather was cold/misty/mizzling at the time.

I just had cursory glances at the other artifacts in the display cabinets but I though the interior of the ‘Nissan Hut’ was a bit sparce and I nearly missed the dog in an RFC Jacket as the cupboard door at the back was shut. Curiosity made me open it.

Brian

re:

[QUOTE=Pen Pusher;2187199]The ‘First World War In The Air’ exhibit in the Claude Grahame-White Factory at the RAFM Hendon, which runs from the 4th December 2014 to the 31st December 2020, opened to the public on Thursday. I quite like what they have done in here. Photography wise, there is a bit more access to some of the aircraft, with a ramp up to the cockpit area of the Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8, and different views of other First World War aircraft that were once just sitting on the ground and now hanging from the rafters. The drawing office, on the first floor, is open to the public although a few period drawing boards and equipment would have been more appropriate than a few tables with drawings scattered on them. It does give you acces to a balcony looking down into the factory though. The lighting conditions appear to be about the same as before although there are now spotlights picking out details. There are mannequins in some of the cockpits but rather than being dressed up in period costume, their overall grey appearance gives them an almost ethereal and ghostly like appearance of aviators long gone. One annoying thing is the rather loud noise, engines/gunfire, coming from the moving map display on the floor between the hanging Camel and Fokker DVII. It’s at shin height, ouch if you hit it, I nearly tripped on it as I was looking up

Thanks for sharing. I remember going in there on the old site thinking what a waste, and wishing they could get it sorted. The drawing office looks great. I wonder if the Graham White Theatre survived?

Very nicely done Brian. What did you think of the other artefacts and displays they have set up?

It looks as though it was almost empty when you visited, I’d have expected it to be busier on the opening day.