My father was a test pilot for the Victor bomber and he sadly passed away in jan 2010. His log books date from 1942 through to 1981 which was his last commercial flight.
The books contain all of his flights in the Victor and also Canberra Display Team of which he was part of in 1950’s onwards.
We thought that we would offer photocopies of the info within the logbooks to Duxford IMP… so contacted the IMP in London, but alas they would only accept the originals and as a family these books are too precious to give away….
Shame really as there is some awsome history in them.
By: JDK - 27th June 2010 at 11:47
I chose my words carefully. What I said was “……..if I was cynical…………”.
Aren’t we all lucky just to be talking about it. 😀
By: avion ancien - 27th June 2010 at 11:36
It might help your cynicism to consider most such organisations wouldn’t be able to be commercial enough if such an opportunity was actually on the table
I chose my words carefully. What I said was “……..if I was cynical…………”.
By: JDK - 27th June 2010 at 11:25
I’d suggest that a more natural ‘home’ anyway would be the RAFM.
However the critical thing is to ensure that the current custodian has made it clear what is to happen to these logbooks on his or her demise. Otherwise they could (and often do) just end up on the rubbish heap when the current generation passes on.
Sometimes I despair – but if I was cynical, then I might say that when the cuts start to bite and the museums have to downsize their collections, original log books will fetch a great deal more than photocopies or scans!
Not a factor in the IWM’s calculations. One of the reasons for being picky about taking material aboard in the first place, and it’s not how such museums work, or are mandated to work. (It might help your cynicism to consider most such organisations wouldn’t be able to be commercial enough if such an opportunity was actually on the table.)
I’m mildly surprised they rejected the offer of logbooks, but I don’t know what their policy is. Whatever it is, it need to be tight and adhered to as most museums have inadequate resources for archiving, and endless offers (although not in this case) of remarkable junk and rubbish foisted onto them. I’ve seen some amazing offers – to both extremes.
Regards,
By: buccaneernut - 27th June 2010 at 10:26
The Handley Page association would probably like copies of some of the material i have sent you a PM
By: Lyffe - 26th June 2010 at 21:22
I think you will find that the RAF Museum would take the same approach as the Fleet Air Arm Museum and would be delighted to have copies.
Brian
By: GrahamSimons - 26th June 2010 at 20:41
Sometimes I despair – but if I was cynical, then I might say that when the cuts start to bite and the museums have to downsize their collections, original log books will fetch a great deal more than photocopies or scans!
and if I was not so cynical I would argue against you!
By: avion ancien - 26th June 2010 at 20:03
Sometimes I despair – but if I was cynical, then I might say that when the cuts start to bite and the museums have to downsize their collections, original log books will fetch a great deal more than photocopies or scans!
By: Lee Howard - 26th June 2010 at 19:45
That’s very disappointing of IWM. The Fleet Air Arm Museum encourage individuals to either donate their originals or, if not, allow them to borrow them to make photocopies. By turning individuals away like that they are not ensuring that the originals will eventually come their way. Much better to have a copy and then later down the line replace it with the originals than to have neither.
Who was your father, out of interest?
Lee
By: Gamekeeper - 26th June 2010 at 19:18
Shame:confused: I’m sure many of the public would be interested regardless of whether they were copies or the original.
May be someone on here knows the Curator at Duxford you could approach directly.
Would you be able to scan and post some details on here – I’m sure there will be plenty of interest, particularly the types flown.
All the Best.
Sign In
June 26, 2010 at 5:14 pm