On or way back from Battle, we stopped in at Headcorn for a couple of hours on Sunday afternoon.
Watched a bit of the air racing, and had a look around the museum. A very good museum, with good displays.
I was rather put off by the no photography policy, as well as a number of other “don’t do” signs. Not something
which encouraged me to make a donation. I think they would do better if they charged a small entrance fee, and
allowed photography, or charged £1 for people to take pictures. Surely they can’t be that precious about copyright ?
There not being any restrictions at most other museums.
I also thought the state of the two aircraft outside, (not owned by the museum) bordered on the criminal.
By: adrian_gray - 11th September 2013 at 12:12
Adrian sorry we don’t hold anything from that aircraft.
I feared not, but thank you for checking!
One day I will get down to have another look. I’ve been to Headcorn a couple of times since, but I suspect the last time I was in the museum was probably 1988…
Adrian
By: ericmunk - 11th September 2013 at 08:03
Yes, I came across that when looking around a military museum in Delft.
Ah yes. I hear they had some of their very extensive collection of small arms go walk about, and they reappeared in various criminal proceedings where they had been used in semi-anger (no good firing a deactivated weapon, but great to threaten people with). Hence the extra security. As an aside, this collection also supplied the .50s that are now flying in the Dutch B-25.
By: AEROHISTORIAN - 11th September 2013 at 06:45
Adrian sorry we don’t hold anything from that aircraft.
By: Arabella-Cox - 10th September 2013 at 18:03
I think, generally, such ‘behaviour’ tends to be limited to museums that are, in effect, private collections that are open to the public and, again generally, do not follow or adopt the usual conventions of curatorial stewardship nor encourage or assist in education, learning or serious historical study.
By: AlanR - 10th September 2013 at 15:53
There are museums with far more stringent rules of entry, and even have people follow you about watching you.
Yes, I came across that when looking around a military museum in Delft.
By: AlanR - 10th September 2013 at 15:46
Alan,
I am pleased that you liked the museum, If I may correct your observations re the taking of photographs in the museum we do allow photographs to be taken in the museum all we ask is that visitors seek permission first & that the photos are for their own personal use.
Trevor
Trustee & Administrator
Lashenden Air Warfare Museum
Thank you for your reply Trevor, that wasn’t clear to me at the time. Perhaps a sign stating that would clear any confusion ?
Again, I found it a surprisingly good museum. Well laid out with exhibits nicely conserved.
As far as the shop is concerned (and this is my personal view of many museums, not only those of an aviation nature),
I like to see items for sale, directly connected with that particular or surrounding area.
For instance, a nut, bolt or other item from a particular aircraft. Mounted on a piece of polished wood, with a label saying
where it came from.
I’m sure they would sell very well, (at say a fiver a time) assuming of course you had a supply of items not suitable for display.
By: adrian_gray - 10th September 2013 at 13:04
Trevor, if I may tangentialise* a mo, does Lashenden have any relics from the Dornier 17 at Cole End, Wimbish, Essex? I know another well-known Kentish museum beginning with H has a large chunk of wing, but I stand more chance of flying in the RAF Museum’s Dornier than getting a photo of that – despite one of my Dad’s cousins capturing the crew**
Adrian
* must have swallowed a dictionary!
**Well, 50% chance it was that aircraft.
By: Junk Collector - 10th September 2013 at 12:04
Either very few visitors, or a lot of volunteers, I would say 😉
No, its a deliberate policy, and not even done in a subtle way
By: Clint Mitchell - 10th September 2013 at 11:16
I have been permitted to take photographs at the Headcorn museum in the past and found the staff to be very helpful and welcoming. I just had a bit of common courtesy and asked first. It goes a long way…. 😉
By: ericmunk - 10th September 2013 at 10:17
… museums … even have people follow you about watching you.
Either very few visitors, or a lot of volunteers, I would say 😉
By: Arabella-Cox - 10th September 2013 at 10:14
Just to back up Trevor (AEROHISTORIAN) I have visited the museum he is involved with when people have asked to take photographs and I know it is not refused. In the case of that particular museum it is simply to prevent photos being taken for commercial purposes of dissemination through any other medium without the museum having some control over things.
By: Junk Collector - 10th September 2013 at 09:42
There are museums with far more stringent rules of entry, and even have people follow you about watching you.
By: AEROHISTORIAN - 10th September 2013 at 07:34
Alan,
I am pleased that you liked the museum, If I may correct your observations re the taking of photographs in the museum we do allow photographs to be taken in the museum all we ask is that visitors seek permission first & that the photos are for their own personnal use. As for other Do Not signs these are no dogs (except guide dogs), food or drink and a request not to touch the items on display as many of them have very sharp edges.
As for the two jets outside we agree with your comments unfortunatley they belong to the National Museum of the USAF and we have been waiting for them to be removed for 5 years since the F100 was damaged by a crashing Turbo Beaver.
Trevor
Trustee & Administrator
Lashenden Air Warfare Museum
Sign In
September 9, 2013 at 10:44 pm