National Cold War Exhibition RAF Cosford

Quote: know the building is huge.I spied it on the horizon last year form about 6 miles away on our approach from the Potteries to the airshow.I remember thinking “What the hell’s that over there?” and as we got closer I realised
it was the new building on the airfield.

Was up the Wrekin a few weeks ago and had a religous moment. It was cloudy but with breaks and whilst taking in the vista the sun broke through and hit the hanger. It was like a diamond!! Very impressive. Took my mind off nature trying to send me airborne to Shrewsbury!!!

I’ve not been myself yet but it sounds good.

I know the building is huge.I spied it on the horizon last year form about 6 miles away on our approach from the Potteries to the airshow.I remember thinking “What the hell’s that over there?”:eek: and as we got closer I realised
it was the new building on the airfield.

On this rust buisness,it sounds like there’s been a shortage of funds.
I’m a paint sprayer by trade and use industrial coatings a lot.A full 3 coat offshore finish,that is a coat of zinc rich primer to 75microns thick,a “filler” coat of highbuild primer to 125microns thick and finally a topcoat to 75microns thickness,giving a total of 275microns minimum DFT and in 2k material costs around £12 per litre of paint.

Some of our customers like a very high gloss polyurethane topcoat finish.
For that we use C137v2 Resistex which is a Military spec paint(yes,I’ve used
BS 381C paint.356 Golden Yellow,RAF Rescue Yellow to most folks,only last week) and costs around £18 per litre.

I’m hoping to go next month for a look-see and take son-in-law to look at real aeroplanes instead of the ones he goes on holiday on.:diablo:

Mark:)

Does not look like “natural” rust to me. Is it some kind of application to resemble rust? ie protect the steel but give visual impact that a coat of Dulux would not provide? (the poster would like to point out that other manufacturers paint products are available, just in case any american lawyers are reading!! :dev2: )

The rusty finish on the frame work in the cold war building is to protect it, I am told it is some sort of chemical process.

The chemical process is called corrosion [rust].

I have been told by managers at Cosford on two separate occasions that this finish is a design feature to represent the state of much of the former eastern bloc equipment / infrastructure! I don’t believe either of them was joking.

The only part that I have seen that is protected is at floor levels; where a clear varnish of some sort has been applied to stop it brushing off onto clothing.

I fully agree with you about the building Ivan as some one like yourself who visits regular I believe Cosford has a winner

Autotrader?

😀

I could have donated mine if I knew. Would have made room in the garage for my U-Boat restoration (its a big garage and we are next to the canal!) (honest) 😉

Autotrader?

Ivan you are right the damage was caused by high winds movivg the aircraft.
The rusty finish on the frame work in the cold war building is to protect it, I am told it is some sort of chemical process.

Could the high winds recently have caused the roof leaks aswell? As regards the building itself, I did notice that the suspended walkway was a bit wobbly with people walking on it. Never felt seasick on a bridge before!!! It was just little things like spattered building materials, loose covers on the floor and such like. It is just a few minor niggles on my part. It really is a gem and as an already regular visitor, I think I will be far more regular from now on (that’ll be due to the fruit and Ex-Lax then!!!! 😉 )
I’ve heard that todays suspect “package” was left in a vehicle? Was it the Mini, I saw one prawn opening the door yesterday. As a Mini man myself, it was nice to see an old friend from mini shows as a museum exhibit. How did the Museum source it??

Ivan you are right the damage was caused by high winds movivg the aircraft.
The rusty finish on the frame work in the cold war building is to protect it, I am told it is some sort of chemical process.

The ‘rusty’ metal finish seems starnge inside the new building, but you have to remember it is part of the design along with the ‘dark’ and ‘light’ sides to the building.

The darker side (no window lights) represents the darker side, MAD, Nuclear Bombers etc, whilst the light side represents the lighter side of the cold war if thats possible, the humanitarium stuff like the Berlin AIrlift and the fall of the Berlin Wall etc. Do think they need one of the old Gatow flight Chipmunks in there though to complete the East West Germany story.

More piccies at http://perspective-ihalfpennygreen.photos.gb.com/c1180588.html

Any of you get caught up in the bomb scare at Cosford today?? Probably some French backpacker leaving his rucksack lying about. Is it true the UXB boys carried out 25 controlled explosions in the Missile Collection exhibit? :diablo:

Slightly off topic, does anyone know what caused the crack in the Belfast’s starboard main gear? I know she was damaged many years ago in the gales, was this the cause?

Very impressive, although some of the buildings “finish” is a bit shoddy.

and the roof was leaking in one corner of the building

Dave the Vulcan nose has gone over to the storage hangar on the far side of the airfield

Just come back with little’un. Very impressive, although some of the buildings “finish” is a bit shoddy. Busiest I have seen Cossie outside of Airshow Day!! will be back there on Thursday as my daughter has not been today. Fantastic to see the 3 V’s together. All this on my doorstep….. I’m a luck b*****d! 😉

Mark,

Any idea where the walk through B.1 nose is then ?

I couldn’t see it on site either last September or November when i was there, and as it’s quite big, i assumed it was in the new hall.

Cheers…….

Dave, afraid not suspect its gone into ‘cold store’ somewhere over the far side with the other undisplayed airframes, I’ll make some enquiries.

Is this the open access cockpit ? I was told by one of the staff that the cockpit which you were allowed access to will not be put back out as there had been two accidents.

Ridiculous. Someone must have sued for a broken nail or something like that… 😡

No the Vulcan nose is no longer in Hangar 1, in fact there are no cockpits on display in Hgr1 anymore., big space to hold a hangar party though……….

Mark,

Any idea where the walk through B.1 nose is then ?

I couldn’t see it on site either last September or November when i was there, and as it’s quite big, i assumed it was in the new hall.

Cheers…….

XA893

Is it no longer in hangar 1 then? :confused:

No the Vulcan nose is no longer in Hangar 1, in fact there are no cockpits on display in Hgr1 anymore., big space to hold a hangar party though……….

Is this the open access cockpit ? I was told by one of the staff that the cockpit which you were allowed access to will not be put back out as there had been two accidents.