Newark Air Museum Briefing – 2024

From NAM – “A gentle reminder that we’re closed on New Years Day (1st January) but will be open again at 10am on Thursday 2nd January 2025 

http://newarkairmuseum.org/latest-news “

Good luck with your endeavours on Christmas Day, it sounds quite rewarding. The inter-country goodwill is also very strong from within the British young people.

Thank you for your good wishes to those at NAM, which is always appreciated – the outlook for 2025 is quite exciting.

They certainly could….

On Christmas Day I will be serving a traditional British Christmas lunch to a number of Ukrainian refugees. With two added ingredients Yorkshire Pudding and a large mug of “Builders Tea”.

A few of the young people have asked if they can bring their Polish school friends to the event. There is clearly a close bond between the youngsters of the two nations. So I know what you mean in that regard.

Anyhow, seasons greetings to you, and all at NAM. Keep up the good work in 2025.

H

On a personal basis one of my most uplifting experiences is listening and learning from the young people who participate in education visits to Newark Air Museum (NAM) – more than 1,000 during 2024.

Their optimistic, thoughtful and generally caring approach is a joy to behold; something that has been apparent by how they look out for Ukrainian classmates – ‘adults’ could learn a lot from their ways!!

Season’s greetings from NAM.

No probs..

Whilst it is well known, within the aviation community, that very aircraft flew in the Russian AF. I would have thought “the general public” would not be so aware.

The type was used by the polish AF, in the 1980’s throu’ to the 2000’s. That may have led the Trustee’s to make the decision re Polish markings that they did back in the day. Allied with the opportunity to remember the Polish AF personnel, of the past, of course.

I’m pleased to say I have learnt a lot in this conversation.

H 

For clarity, regarding the previous comment:

“The original intent with the Polish markings was as way of remembering the early Polish squadrons that were based at RAF Winthorpe – again this was not seen as being positive.” 

What I should have mentioned, was that whilst the remembrance of the Polish squadrons was appreciated, it was not felt appropriate to recognise this by painting Polish markings on an ex-Russian aircraft. In contrast the Polish markings on the homebuilt Zurowski ZP1 are deemed to be acceptable.

Apologies for the earlier rushed lack of context.

Indeed there is always something to learn….

I will bow to your greater knowledge of how different communities see or receive the exhibits.

H

Newark Air Museum hosts regular visits from Polish Saturday School Groups, which are usually combined with a visit to the Polish War Graves at Newark Cemetery. I typically host these visits, one particular group springs to mind, where a very strong debate ensued along the lines of revisionism and the importance of not forgetting / remembering the past. It really highlighted the divisive nature of the Soviet occupation of Poland and the impacts that are still felt today.

The original intent with the Polish markings was as way of remembering the early Polish squadrons that were based at RAF Winthorpe – again this was not seen as being positive. There’s always something to learn!

The aggressor scheme comment is correct. However the ‘biggest’ sell to all of the younger visitors is that both MiGs were featured in the Marvel film, Black Widow!!

It is indeed a very emotive subject. I have seen it in its former Polish markings – but didn’t think that would be an issue for the Polish visitors. As I’ve said many times before, on this forum, Cold War history is my specialism.

“Based on a US Air Force airframe” I believe you mean an aggressor style colour scheme. A guide taking the young people around would have to explain that fact. They, the young people, wouldn’t know what an aggressor colour scheme is – but they will certainly recognise the red star markings.

It is for the Trustees to manage the situation going forward I guess.

H 

The choice of colour schemes is a very emotive topic and not least surrounding the MiGs. 

On behalf of the museum I have dealt with a number of communications regarding the previous markings on the MiG-23. Those were from Polish visitors and we had many requests to remove those markings as it reminded them of the “oppressive conditions that their friends & relatives had endured under Soviet occupation!”  To be honest this was a viewpoint not considered before applying the markings.

Given those previous views & the fact that many school groups include Ukrainian young people, it was decided to opt for Russian markings, but based on a US airframe; as opposed to Ukrainian AF markings. Whether similar offence would have been caused is a debatable topic, but that was the decision was made by the trustees.

I understand the MIG 23 has been repainted as “RED 44” of the Russian AF.

A small question thou’ – could it not have been repainted in Ukrainian AF colours?

H

Nice to see Newark Air Museum featured again: https://www.key.aero/article/ashton-repaint-among-ongoing-jobs-newark

We didn’t get any notification here in the East Midlands – by the time the museum closed today the windspeed seemed higher than had been forecast! 

I don’t know whether you will get the same notice (or had the same notice) as us, in the West Country. But at about 19.00 last night c 3.5 million mobile phones suddenly came into life at the same time.

As it happens the BBC weather man was presenting the forecast live on air at the time – that his went off.

H

Thank you H.

In other news from Newark Air Museum: “We are in Weather Watch mode due to Storm Darragh however we plan to open as normal at 10am – but we will be monitoring the situation!

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/latest-news “

Indeed, lest we forget….

H

“On this day 80 years ago (04.12.44) Stirling EF186, from 1661 HCU crashed near Grantham, while on a training flight from RAF Winthorpe. 

The 9 flowering cherry trees in the Memorial Garden commemorate the airmen who were killed in the crash http://newarkairmuseum.org/Memorial_Garden

Lest We Forget!”

News from Newark Air Museum: “The space applications are now available for new sellers for our Spring 2025 Aeroboot / Aerojumble sale on Saturday 12th April, 2025

Details in here http://newarkairmuseum.org/Spring-25-Aeroboot “

A new book detailing the Aviation History of Nottinghamshire is now available from the Newark Air Museum Shop; further details can be found in here: 

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/Notts_Aviation_Book_2024 

It’s a pleasure & in other news: “Heads-Up to advise that the museum aims to re-open on – Wednesday 20th November, 2024! 

http://newarkairmuseum.org/Weather_Watch  

We will reassess the site conditions first thing in the morning! “