Kent Battle of Britain Museum acquire the BPA Defiant.

re;

To anyone who doesnt understand the need for replica a/c – does anyone think there are enough originals to go on show?

If a 5 year old sees the sights and is stunned by a Spitfire, and eventually brings his own children into the hobby many years later that cannot be a bad thing.

And if its good enough for the veterans, thats good enough for me.

Do they sell a brochure with photos in?
Alot of art works are protected by copyright and also protects them from damage by flashes .

That is a perfectly reasoned and concise way of putting it

A well thought out photo essay by a pro photographer using a variety of lenses and good postwork could produce a really good way to raise the profile of the museum. They could brief the photographer how to avoid highlighting areas of security concern. The FSMs could have a great impact if tied in with good captions.

You could argue that photographs of the likes of the Clive Du Cross Spitfire and the Gotha G.IV replica from Manston would stimulate interest in people visiting .
Not everyone relies on ownership of a copy of W &R!

I do wish some here would quit harping on the photo ban. I’ve been to several museums…not necessarily aircraft…but art, private auto collections, etc…that have bans.

Get over it.

Well said Mr Boyle, it does get a touch boring…

Its not really a photo ban – the museum did allow some photographs to be taken a few years ago for an article in a magazine . It might be an idea for them to take some pictures once a year which show the collection and don’t compromise security.

I helped build part of the lower rear fuselage of the Defiant when I had been made redundant a few years ago. As Wulfie I think would agree it gave Cyril and the lads a focus point and all were/are rightly proud of their creation. At least it will be on display for the public now to see which is in my opinion a good thing

I do wish some here would quit harping on the photo ban. I’ve been to several museums…not necessarily aircraft…but art, private auto collections, etc…that have bans.

Get over it.

The hangar is fine ! There are just too many aircraft to appreciate what your looking at ! The Defiant will only make that worse. Either a new hangar or a weeding out is required!

When I went I think the FSM’s just show confusion, I can understand maybe one to give an idea, but the main emphasis of the museum is original artefacts, mostly recovered ones, Plastic and replica aeroplanes I just have no interest in whatsoever. The museum just doesn’t in my opinion need these, it is successful for the original content, not large Airfix kits

I have to admit i personally like the replica Spitfire/Hurricane aircraft.as wasnt these in the 1969 “Battle of Britain” feature film please correct me if im wrong.

To me they give a good feel to this particular hanger, but as always just my opinion…….

Very good to hear Clint and bears out my own experience.

Stuart – precisely. I think we are apt to forget that knowledgable enthusiasts are probably the minority of visitor numbers.

To the contrary of what is being described here I have always found the guys down at Hawkinge to be courteous and extremely helpful. Just respect the rules for what they are and for the reasons they are in place and you’ll thoroughly enjoy your visit. During my latest visit accompanying a respected author I enquired about the new Stuka artefact displayed quite high. I asked whether I could take a closer look to to try and ascertain the correct identification of the airframe. Out came the 10ft tall step ladder and up I went with my face literally 5cm away from the relic. You can’t say much fairer than that can you…. The relics have to be seen to be believed. There is not a finer collection of real BOB artefacts anywhere….

I think there is a fine line between being able to display something well so people can enjoy and appreciate it and having duplicates that mean real items cannot be viewed or assembled.

Sadly half the people (just an expression, not to be taken as an accurate assessment of visitor numbers) can’t tell the difference, so I suppose for them it increases their enjoyment! I have always wondered why the BAPC bother to list FSM’s them giving them their own individual number, after all they aren’t aeroplanes are they?

When I went I think the FSM’s just show confusion, I can understand maybe one to give an idea, but the main emphasis of the museum is original artefacts, mostly recovered ones, Plastic and replica aeroplanes I just have no interest in whatsoever. The museum just doesn’t in my opinion need these, it is successful for the original content, not large Airfix kits

I recently visited the museum – I think the problem they have is an accumulation of too much ! The FSM Spitfires are fine but it means the likes of the Tiger Moth sits in a corner dismantled ! Its really time they took stock and remodelled the museum a little – loosing two Spitfire FSM’s would mean far more room -room that doesn’t seem to exist for the Defiant!

I forgot about the other Dornier thread David – it’s been a long week! 😮

A possible misread of a post – IIRC there was an earlier post (that I cannot now see) that suggested a photo opportunity of the Defiant with the Dornier at Cosford, might be a good idea before the Defiant headed south

Yes, having re-read it, I have edited my comment. I can’t imagine the RAFM would put the Dornier on loan having taken so much time to raise and preserve it.

TC……..

Yes, that was suggested and in my view was a good idea.

Incidentally your museum does a great job and, I know, goes out of it’s way to be inclusive. Spent a while chatting to the guys working on the Monospar a couple of years ago. Was welcome to examine the airframe closely. I didn’t take photos, not particularly my thing but I know I could have done had I wished to.

Planemike