I was fortunate enough just recently to have a complete “cooks tour” of the Sir Michael Beetham Restoration Centre, On enquiring about plans for the Hampden, our guide informed us of the following.
It will be only Half Restored,
The Left side completely so it can show an intact aircraft,
but the right side will be left as is to show the damage it suffered when it was shot down.
Personally i think its an interesting idea, but i,m not so sure its the right thing to do.
Thoughts ???
By: Ant.H - 24th October 2003 at 01:04
I have to agree that the decision surrounding the Hampden is pretty disappointing,particularly as it is probably the only oppertunity we’ll ever have of seeing a complete example in Europe,if not the world (the one in Canada,although a spectacular piece of work,has a number of ‘non-standard’ items to make it look complete-it’s also outdoors so doesn’t have a garaunteed future anyway!).
As for the Halifax,we’ve had this discussion before (a number of times!).As far as I’m aware,it would be an enormous task to restore the Halibag to full static standard.In a way,NA337 was a much better project to start off with than the RAFM example,which had been seriously bent and subsequently fire damaged during it’s crash landing.You’d probably have to make a complete new wing spar and a whole host of other pieces if you wanted to see the RAFM example on her feet.NA337’s wings were pretty much undamaged,and so she can bear her own weight whilst still retaining many original load bearing components.My feeling is that W1048 should be left as she is both in terms of her impact as a wreck and because of the financial imlications of attempting a full restoration.
By: Peter - 24th October 2003 at 00:38
truly what a half baked idea..!
I could see doing something like this to an aircraft that was quite plentiful but a Hampden??!
Cmon cosford Do it right!!!
By: Bluebird Mike - 24th October 2003 at 00:37
Sadly, once again of late my dear old fave RAFM is acting the pits; this Half-Hampden plan is simply unacceptable, and some form of campaign should be started NOW, before it’s over, done, and dumped on show like the Halifax was.
By: galdri - 24th October 2003 at 00:26
What an horrid idea!! The RAFM already has a “half restored” Halifax at Hendon. Who, oh why do it to the Hampden as well? If it all boils down to money, why don’t they get rid of the aircraft and send it to someone who will take good care of her. There are a lot of museums and private individuals who love their aircraft and display them in a manner befitting them.
Shame on you RAFM
Galdri
By: Shorty01 - 23rd October 2003 at 23:32
I quite agree, best to finish the job where time & funds permit. Thought undeniably a marvellious achievement, I was a bit disappointed to see that the Brooklands museum Wellington, R-Robert was left in a “half restored” state. Though I do understand the reasons it was done like this.
By: Der - 23rd October 2003 at 21:40
I agree. These half restoration jobs dont serve any purpose. Take a look at the Canadian Halifax for a lesson on how to do it properly.
By: Flood - 23rd October 2003 at 17:49
[I][U]Not again…[/U][/I]
Flood (mumbling Halifax under his breath…)
By: Mark V - 23rd October 2003 at 16:57
If it was anything less rare than a Hampden it may not be a bad idea but perhaps not such a great proposal in this case – restore the whole thing I say
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October 23, 2003 at 4:52 pm