Hendon Today

You aren’t alone!

re;

Quite so.

Maybe the mistake is calling it The Battle of Britain Hall?

Perhaps when the cotton bobbin is built and the BoB exhibits moved into there it can be renamed the Stuffy Dowding hall and just have done with it?

Moggy

am I alone in hoping they dont get that ludicrous ammount of money. Besides hanging the a/c up in a glass building goes against the argument that light damages them, surely?

Nice shot of the two-seater FW190.Is that the one that was at St Athans 20 years ago? .If it is, they used to run it at certain times,which was fantastic and I was lucky enough to see it on one of those days,very impressive.

To deny access to the BoB museum is DISGUSTING, hope you complained Anna

Yes I did pass my view on to them 😉 Anna

That’s a fair point.

My interest in nightfighters is less all-encompassing than yours. I’m perfectly happy to examine them for what they are for the 15 minutes each side of the presentation and allow them to fulfill their slightly dubious role as type representatives for the benefit that the show brings to the non-specialists. Most, on arrival wouldn’t know a nightfighter from a Ryan Air 737, but may leave knowing a little bit more about the BoB than static aircraft alone could ever achieve.

Moggy

Point taken, Moggy – and believe it or not, I do understand why they are there. I just feel there’s a more appropriate way they could be displayed, with other exhibits that are in the museum. I guess one thing that got my back up about it was that the display boards describe the history of the Ju88A and Bf110C, and just mention the nightfighter role in passing. I completely accept that my interest in the bomber offensive 1942-1945 is a fairly obscure one compared to the Battle of Britain, but given that there were almost a hundred Bomber Command aircrew who perished for every RAF pilot who died in the Battle of Britain, I’d say it’s worthy of taking the nightfighters away from the Battle of Britain hall to be shown in context.

We were told we would have to wait 45 mins before we could go in.

Given that the two (late war!) German Nightfighters are the only two Nachtjagd aircraft on display in Europe (the only other two are the FW190 and Me262 in South Africa), it’s kinda frustrating when you’re trying to get a proper look at them for what they are (German nightfighters) when you get kicked out every 15 mins so they can be used as stand ins for a day fighter and a bomber.

That’s a fair point.

My interest in nightfighters is less all-encompassing than yours. I’m perfectly happy to examine them for what they are for the 15 minutes each side of the presentation and allow them to fulfill their slightly dubious role as type representatives for the benefit that the show brings to the non-specialists. Most, on arrival wouldn’t know a nightfighter from a Ryan Air 737, but may leave knowing a little bit more about the BoB than static aircraft alone could ever achieve.

Moggy

I agree completely Jonathan, that if you have a complaint you should voice it.

I found the “Our Finest Hour” display incredibly irritating on all the occasions I’ve been. Given that the two (late war!) German Nightfighters are the only two Nachtjagd aircraft on display in Europe (the only other two are the FW190 and Me262 in South Africa), it’s kinda frustrating when you’re trying to get a proper look at them for what they are (German nightfighters) when you get kicked out every 15 mins so they can be used as stand ins for a day fighter and a bomber. I was given this response by the RAF Museum – “While I readily accept that not all of the types of aircraft and other objects in the Battle of Britain Hall participated in the Battle, they are all associated with the era and they fit in as well here as anywhere in the Museum.” Ho hum. I think he’s wrong – they’d be better in the bomber hall with their historical adversaries, but as you say, if you don’t voice your opinion, they won’t realise that some people disagree with their policies.

On several other issues I raised, such as adding the parts to the Halifax that have been removed since the aircraft was recovered (eg cowlings, transparencies etc), my opinion was referred to as a “lone voice” – so if more people commented on such issues, maybe the priorities have changed. I believe that the bomber command hall lighting was being reviewed after the complaints about low lighting levels.

Sorry, my mistake. The point stands though; let them know what you think. You can complain to us lot all day long, and nothing will change for the better. At the least you will receive an official reason for each problem you highlight, and at best a change will be effected. The reality will be somewhere in between of course, but surely if its worth the effort to highlight here, it’s worth actually calling RAFM about? Or writing a letter?

Anna states in the first post that this was for filming to take place. Unless you would suggest the museum not accept film crews and thereby deny a source of funding and PR, this must simply be put down to bad luck. I find a call in advance avoids disappointment in any museum visit.

It was a film show not filming.

To deny access to the BoB museum is DISGUSTING, hope you complained Anna

Anna states in the first post that this was for filming to take place. Unless you would suggest the museum not accept film crews and thereby deny a source of funding and PR, this must simply be put down to bad luck. I find a call in advance avoids disappointment in any museum visit.

Seems as if there is always some part of Hendon closed for whatever reason – The Graham White building being a regular culprit.
I think its just a plan to get you to go back again !

Thanks for posting the photo’s Anna.

To deny access to the BoB museum is DISGUSTING, hope you complained Anna

And don’t forget the Battle and Fiat CR42.

Cheers

Cees

common as muck LOL LOL
(note my signature below)
Roger Smith.

😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀

I suppose the truth is that as this is a discussion forum, if we didn’t hold opposing views it would be a very dull place.

Now should I have posted this? :confused:

Moggy

Yes Moggy you should have posted this 😉 It is and was a purely a personal view!!! I like to express my opinion and if people don’t like it!!! well not my problem 😉 Anna 😉

Sounds about right.

Anna, maybe we should get rid of the Spitfire and Hurricane FSM’s outside while we’re at it? And perhaps strip the non-original bits off the Bulldog and return it to how it looked post-Farnborough 1963? And bin the Tristar simulator because that’s not a real aeroplane? How about the interactive learning zone, which mine and Seafuryfan’s kids had a huge amount of fun in a couple of months ago, should we bin that too, because it’s not a genuine historical artifact?

Sorry guys, but I really don’t get the point of some postings. Complaining about the RAF Museum’s choice of exhibits? Let’s take a look at some of what they have in there:

Typhoon (real one, with a Napier Sabre in it)
Stranraer
Defiant
Valiant
Ki100
Bulldog

Cor. Six UNIQUE (!) surviving aircraft types there alone.

Ju88
Stuka
Me110
Beaufighter
Halifax

Don’t get many of each of these to the pound either, do we?

Themed displays showing First World War aircraft in a relevant, and ORIGINAL setting, and another display hall housing the primary protagonists of the Battle of Britain all under one roof, and with an explanatory film showing the story behind the Battle, how it was fought and what it meant, and highlighting the aeroplanes themselves.

Sections of the museum highlighting the contributions made by the Air Sea Rescue guys, the role of the helicopter, the way bombing and strike roles have evolved, how the RAF fulfilled maritime roles…

Presenting exhibits in a thoughtful and informative way – my son was intrigued to see what aeroplanes first flew in the year of his birth, or the year of my birth, or the year of Grandad’s birth. He learned what happens when you move a control column left, right, forward or back. He saw how aeroplanes manage to refuel in the sky.

But that’s because he was looking, and learning.

Anna – did you see the annual timeline in Milestones building? Because that’s where Haydn saw what flew in what year.

Did you see the interactive learning zone? Because that’s where the next generation of pilots will come from.

Did you walk round the back of the aeroplanes and see the displays that are round there? Because that’s where Haydn learned about inflight refuelling.

Hendon isn’t perfect. But that’s because it’s in a constant state of change, and that’s a good thing. Without change, we all stagnate. And stagnation is no good for an establishment that seeks not only to preserve, but to educate.

So what if the Eurofighter model is plastic? It still gives kids that WOW! factor, and gives them the image of something that maybe one day, they will grow up to fly.

So what if the silver Spitfire on the wall of Milestones is plastic? It’s another striking image – the iconic, eliptical wing of the Spitfire, the most famous aeroplane ever to have flown with the Royal Air Force.

Maybe instead of constantly complaining about the RAFM, we ought occasionally to congratulate them on what they are trying to do?

And don’t forget the Battle and Fiat CR42.

Cheers

Cees

I guess it’s much like customer service – the better it is, the more likely you are to complain when it doesn’t reach the standard. Maybe we are spoiled in comparison with some and don’t appreciate what we have. Just give a thought perhaps to those who can’t get to Hendon and the like very often because of the distance involved – I’m sure on those rare occasions they visit they enjoy it. Also (and the point has been made elsewhere before), these museums have to cater for all-comers as well as enthusiasts and so a balance must be struck to get the punters through the doors and hence spread the word. Sure, it may not be perfect, but I for one am grateful that Hendon and the like exist at all.

And by my reckoning I shouldn’t have sent this – Nermal

😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀

I suppose the truth is that as this is a discussion forum, if we didn’t hold opposing views it would be a very dull place.

Now should I have posted this? :confused:

Moggy

Yes indeed. If they are not complaining about a museum, they are complaining about those complaining about a museum. Or they are taking potshots at people because it is fashionable to do so.
Great museums – as with anywhere open to the public – need good press to generate interest. A problem with this forum is that people hold different views on a range of subjects, yet unless you hold the same opinion as the vocal majority you will be frowned upon: look at the banter whenever someone mentions they aren’t overly enamoured with Spitfires or Mustangs. One person might think that the plastic Eurofighter shows a modern aircraft in scale with the older, non flying items; others will ask why include it. Some moan that the Me109 and the Mustang ought to be flying and others will enjoy seeing them in the flesh. A few will believe that the bombers need to be viewed in the dark to capture the mood whilst others will insist it is too dark. Then there is the knocking of members for whatever they do, whatever they say.
Maybe we should ask ourselves if the post we are about to send is constructive, and whether it adds anything to the discussion; if it is just countering a point with ‘no its not’ or mumbling the same ‘Duxford is fantastic, full stop’ line again and again, who is it you are trying to impress?
And by my reckoning I shouldn’t have sent this – Nermal

There are those who only ever enjoy themselves if they are whining about something.

We’ve two truly great museums in Hendon & Duxford, but you so frequently hear, not praise, but complaints. Hanging aeroplanes, lighting not to their taste, no room for tripods, landmark architecture instead of a big shed. (Yawn smiley)

There’s so much that is right about these two places.

Moggy

I think you will find that Anna means the airfix eurofighter and spitfire.

Sounds about right.

Anna, maybe we should get rid of the Spitfire and Hurricane FSM’s outside while we’re at it? And perhaps strip the non-original bits off the Bulldog and return it to how it looked post-Farnborough 1963? And bin the Tristar simulator because that’s not a real aeroplane? How about the interactive learning zone, which mine and Seafuryfan’s kids had a huge amount of fun in a couple of months ago, should we bin that too, because it’s not a genuine historical artifact?

Sorry guys, but I really don’t get the point of some postings. Complaining about the RAF Museum’s choice of exhibits? Let’s take a look at some of what they have in there:

Typhoon (real one, with a Napier Sabre in it)
Stranraer
Defiant
Valiant
Ki100
Bulldog

Cor. Six UNIQUE (!) surviving aircraft types there alone.

Ju88
Stuka
Me110
Beaufighter
Halifax

Don’t get many of each of these to the pound either, do we?

Themed displays showing First World War aircraft in a relevant, and ORIGINAL setting, and another display hall housing the primary protagonists of the Battle of Britain all under one roof, and with an explanatory film showing the story behind the Battle, how it was fought and what it meant, and highlighting the aeroplanes themselves.

Sections of the museum highlighting the contributions made by the Air Sea Rescue guys, the role of the helicopter, the way bombing and strike roles have evolved, how the RAF fulfilled maritime roles…

Presenting exhibits in a thoughtful and informative way – my son was intrigued to see what aeroplanes first flew in the year of his birth, or the year of my birth, or the year of Grandad’s birth. He learned what happens when you move a control column left, right, forward or back. He saw how aeroplanes manage to refuel in the sky.

But that’s because he was looking, and learning.

Anna – did you see the annual timeline in Milestones building? Because that’s where Haydn saw what flew in what year.

Did you see the interactive learning zone? Because that’s where the next generation of pilots will come from.

Did you walk round the back of the aeroplanes and see the displays that are round there? Because that’s where Haydn learned about inflight refuelling.

Hendon isn’t perfect. But that’s because it’s in a constant state of change, and that’s a good thing. Without change, we all stagnate. And stagnation is no good for an establishment that seeks not only to preserve, but to educate.

So what if the Eurofighter model is plastic? It still gives kids that WOW! factor, and gives them the image of something that maybe one day, they will grow up to fly.

So what if the silver Spitfire on the wall of Milestones is plastic? It’s another striking image – the iconic, eliptical wing of the Spitfire, the most famous aeroplane ever to have flown with the Royal Air Force.

Maybe instead of constantly complaining about the RAFM, we ought occasionally to congratulate them on what they are trying to do?