I came across some photographs taken when the museum was started up about 1971-2. The hanger was very dark (thats my excuse) and the aircraft were in bits. The Aircraft Preservation Society of Scotland was set up then to assist the Museum to get the planes into some semblance of order.
I have lots more but perhaps some others could contribute 🙂
By: Robert Whitton - 17th January 2005 at 15:11
Now if only the Museum had held onto the BAC221 all these years ago they would have 2 planes to put in the same hanger.
By: grow45 - 15th January 2005 at 16:22
A couple more from the early days. de Havilland Dove up on jacks whilst being reassembled after transport and privately owned Saab Safir which was on loan to the collection for a while. Both taken in Hangar IV which is now the main Hangar (where Concorde) is but in the early days was the Storage and Restoration Hangar.
Apologies for the poor quality – they are scans from v small prints.
g45
By: Robert Whitton - 14th January 2005 at 21:22
Lucky you being there on the Vulcan arrival. I was stuck at work.
By: grow45 - 14th January 2005 at 21:13
Slightly later than Robert’s photos was the arrival of Vulcan XM597 seen here taxying into the Museum grounds after landing at East Fortune in 1984. Hope its of interest. More to follow in due course.
grow45
By: RadarArchive - 14th January 2005 at 16:44
Robert,
There was a thread about this some considerable time ago. The decision not to allow access to cockpits was not made lightly and is due to legislative measures. If the Museum of Flight did not comply we would be in serious trouble. Times have changed a lot since the museum was first set up in the mid-seventies and we have to accept that fact. The Museum of Flight is not by any means the only aviation museum affected!
By: Robert Whitton - 14th January 2005 at 16:36
Look here is a novel idea the museum might like to try. Letting people into the cockpits. Oh no they used to do that and then it was discovered that the radiation in the instruments could melt a person in the 60 seconds they were in the cockpit. You may then ask what about the Bomber and Fighter pilots in the war or the APSS boys and girls who “supervised” the public getting in and out on the open days.
By: Robert Whitton - 14th January 2005 at 16:09
In todays “Scotsman” Newspaper there are 2 jobs advertised for the Museum of Flight, an Aircraft and Technology Conservator £19-25K and an Assistant Conservator £17-23K both should be on the NMS website. The Conservator need to have ideally experience in managing staff and VOLUNTEERS!!!!!! The museum has been running for 30 years and now they are looking for the right types of people. Just imagine if at least one of these people was an Aircraft Enthusiast. A pity I dont have the qualifications they specify also I am a bit old and the salary is a bit low but it is working with aircraft.
By: Robert Whitton - 14th January 2005 at 15:55
Thanks I will remove the large photos and leave yours on. I will keep trying to get the sizes correct. The next photo is the Aeroplane Collection Rapide that was on display for a number of years before going to Manchester Air and Space Museum
By: Archer - 14th January 2005 at 14:24
Fascinating shots Robert!
It might be worth replacing the two largest ones with these resized versions though. Saves people having to scroll the page from right to left 😉
By: jbs - 14th January 2005 at 13:56
Robert,
Excellent shots, thanks very much for posting them
Regards,
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January 14, 2005 at 1:35 pm