I’ve been to the Air and Space Gallary at the Manchester museum and I was dissapointed in the exhibits and the absence of any ‘theme’ in terms of the exhibits (I was there 10 years ago and I don’t think anything (or much) has changed).
I appreciate the need to inform the general public but I do not see a coordinated approach amongst individual museums that both satisfy local interest and commercial need
This appears to be more so in the ‘provincial’ museums as I would applaud the efforts of the RAF Museums (Hendon and Cosford) in engaging the non aviation visitor
By: RPSmith - 25th August 2006 at 11:58
The Musee de L’air et de L’espace claim to be the first truly aeronautical collection in the World having been formed in 1919. Perhaps that should be qualified as being the earliest surviving collection as Britain formed a collection of WW1 aircraft which was assembled in the Royal Agricultural Halls, London at about the same time. Although some of the aircraft survived, the collection did not.
With the Smithsonian, it is perhaps necessary to differentate between collecting aeroplanes for (then) present-day teaching purposes and collecting to preserve for future generations to look at (and learn from).
Roger Smith.
By: Steve T - 25th August 2006 at 02:45
Hi Dave–
Hm! Interesting topic. Can’t claim to have definitive answers but here are some candidates…
*The Science Museum in London had aircraft in its collection before World War I.
*The Smithsonian, given ill-starred experimenter Samuel Langley’s headship, also began acquiring aviation artifacts very early.
*The US Army Air Corps had a display of airframes and engines at McCook Field in the late twenties.
*Richard Shuttleworth’s aircraft collection was begun circa 1932.
*The Deutscher Luftfahrtsammlung (Berlin’s famously ill-fated air museum) was certainly well-known by the late 30s, and presumably began some time prior.
Looking forward to following the responses on this one!
Cheers
S.
By: gbwez1 - 11th February 2003 at 23:26
MSIM
I was quite impressed when I first went to Manchester – maybe ’95. The collection is a good reflection of Manchester’s contribution to aviation.
However last time I went (02) I was quite struck by how far downhill it seemed to have gone in such a short space of time – the place had an air of neglect about it that wasn’t there the first time I went.
By: David Burke - 10th February 2003 at 21:52
RE: MUSEUMS – Large aircraft policy.
Willow – you can add the previous Varsity which was scrapped as well to your ‘In Memorium’ ref Duxford
By: Willow - 10th February 2003 at 08:51
MUSEUMS – Large aircraft policy.
Don’t worry. I’m sure that when Duxford section their MR3 as a walk through exhibit, it (or the remains of it) will be kept indoors.
Still, this is probably better than the fate that awaits the Varsity.
I’m sure someone like Aeroventure at Doncaster would love the Varsity, but I guess the transport costs would be huge. A shame because Varsitys are getting rare now and this one used to be a flyer.
It just shows what happens to large aeroplanes that are left outside and not looked after.
Not at all bitter and twisted
Willow
Can I just add ‘Comet R2’ and ‘Convair VT29A’!
By: Der - 8th February 2003 at 09:46
RE: MUSEUMS
At least their exhibits are warm and dry.
Its a disgrace that this is the only Shackleton under cover in this country.
By: Paul Cushion - 8th February 2003 at 01:12
RE: MUSEUMS
It’s not really big enough to have themed areas really though is it? I mean the Shackleton dominates the hall and really all the other airframes are shoehorned around it!
It’s not bad though considering that there is little else in the North West aviation wise for people to see.
Paul.
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February 7, 2003 at 11:32 pm