I visited the dismantled aircraft in the BoB Hall. All very interesting, but, I am dumbstruck by the fact this wonderful hall is being closed and its items dispersed.
The signage gives a false impression that they are just checking the condition of the aircraft. There is no mention that the hall will close, the bombers will go in the bomber hall and the fighters in next to the cafe in the main hall. It does not mention that the Me110 and Ju88 are off to cosford with the defiant, nor that the jungmann will be disposed of. It doesn’t say what will happen to the art, the relics, the replica Uxbridge ops room, searchlight mannequins, art, medals and Churchill. All aircraft are effected except the Sunderland. Information is out there in the web, but not that readily available.
The hall gives context to the Battle of Britain, it is a national curriculum subject and also covered Evacuees as well as events leading to the war. The film was a big favourite of my non aviation enthusiastic family. One could readily see which were the main aircraft of both sides and the film made it easy to understand for all ages. I don’t care that the ju88, 87 and 110 and 111 were later models, they were examples. Besides joe public did not care. How can the BoB be told with the aircraft dispersed?
I asked a few visitors what the thought of the hall going. All were surprised. I left a comments slip but it sounds like no one will read it or care.
I feel aggrieved that whilst the RAF history is more than the Battle, it was the Finest Hour not only for the RAF but also this country. It was a huge turning point in those very very dark days.
Whilst a museum needs to be fresh and appealing to the public (not just enthusiasts), forgetting the Battle is not the way to do it. I would have expected the Battle to be a big part of the RAF 100th anniversary, not hidden away. It would be like the RN forgetting Trafalgar, Tarranto, Jutland etc or the Army forgetting Waterloo etc.
When I was a student in the 80s, I spent many days walking around that Hall and reflecting. In the years to today, I would spend at least two days a year there. it is a tragedy that this will no longer be possible
Sorry, but the RAF Museum have upset me with this. I cannot believe the wider RAF would be happy.
If I am wide of the mark or wrong please correct me. I will post some pictures of what we will be losing.
Please keep this discussion on track and not descend to discussion on lighting!
By: oldgit158 - 15th December 2017 at 14:45
They are hoping nobody will notice if they do it piece by piece 🙂
By: CeBro - 15th December 2017 at 09:50
If they keep moving exhibits away from Hendon nothing will be left…..
Cheers
Cees
By: Pen Pusher - 14th December 2017 at 17:36
The Sir Keith Park statue from the BoB Hall has been moved to Uxbridge.
https://www.facebook.com/rafmuseum/posts/10155956786612612
Brian
By: Aviart - 11th December 2017 at 10:36
“Do keep up :D”
Oh, I know :D! I just didn’t fancy looking through this mammouth topic. Thanks for the photo!
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 11th December 2017 at 10:20
In other news the Reds Gnat and the rescue Seaking have now arrived for the new entrance/emotional touching space/shop which used to be the BOB hall. Their FB page indicates that the new displays will be open mid summer, meaning they miss the 1 April date for the RAF 100.
Whilst I think the plans for the touchy feely space and the landscaping seem to be well know, less clear is the sort out in the main display halls – within this multimillion pound budget I would hope they would be able to ‘finish off’ the Bomber Command hall which has been ‘half done’ for some time- and perhaps do SOMETHING with the side and upper galleries!
TT
By: Pen Pusher - 11th December 2017 at 10:05
Do keep up 😀
Not their final resting place.
Brian
By: Aviart - 11th December 2017 at 09:16
Does anyone know what is the current status of the Bf109E is? Where is it and where will it be displayed in the long term?
By: Flying_Pencil - 2nd November 2017 at 18:27
LOL.
Will miss the BoB hall.
SOOOO glad I could see it in 2014!!
Ahh, memories….
By: Arabella-Cox - 1st November 2017 at 19:03
If they are going to display the 110 chasing the Lanc to be historically correct it should be below and behind. I never realised the Bomber Command hall had a cellar.
By: thedawnpatrol - 1st November 2017 at 13:20
Also being a collector of Flying Kit and Uniforms….this saddened me the other day on a visit to Cosford, where there is a selection of ‘some’ original kit for kids to try on………….i turned round to see a 10 year old tare this from his head and toss it to the ground……..! it very nearly went in my wifes hand bag !
By: DaveF68 - 1st November 2017 at 11:06
The lastest information about the 100 years project says the He111, Blenhiem, Ju87 and Bf110 are moving to the Bomber Command Hall, including the Bf100G which will be displayed ‘chasing’ the Lancaster.
I do hope they don’t mean suspended from the ceiling……
https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/whats-going-on/news/aircraft-conservation-and-redisplay/
By: Rat Acc - 21st October 2017 at 11:44
A mate of mine, knowing that I used to work on the other side of the fence, has sent me this link.
https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/about-us/job-vacancies/senior-exhibits-technician/
When I visited the workshops open week last year, there wasn’t much conservation going on as most of the techies were at Hendon, and had been for most of the year, and from what I’ve seen on this post, it doesn’t look like that situation has changed this year either, or for next year by the looks of the comment about the uk tour on the Harrier photo. Seems to me that they’re becoming more like Crash and Smash than a conservation/restoration centre.
So, if you like working away from home, living out of a hold-all, then apply… but I’ve had a good read of it and decided it’s not for me, too much like being back in the RAF…
Plus, with all the brickbats and comments tossed around on this forum, you’re going to need a thick skin…
By: Pen Pusher - 20th October 2017 at 21:33
RAF Museum @RAFMUSEUM 6h
More
#London: Our Harrier has been taken down and will be part of the #RAF100 display tour across the UK next year before returning to us in 2019
Brian
By: Black Knight - 20th October 2017 at 16:23
Baders legs should’ve been displayed too
By: bananasplits - 17th October 2017 at 06:19
Interesting comment regarding the moth eaten mannequin’s, I am a flying clothing collector as are my friends and while we obviously like to see the aircraft we want to see more flying clothing and not less. It was an important part of the history of WW2 and is sadly overlooked in virtually all museums.
The white prestige suit which used to be by the Gladiator is one of only three in the world, the GQ Parasuit is one of only ten in the world and as for James Nicholson’s flying clothing on the mezzanine floor among other things, not what I would personally describe as a few moth eaten mannequin’s.
By: WP840 - 16th October 2017 at 20:30
When will the work be finished?
By: Evalu8ter - 14th October 2017 at 17:13
Binbrook,
I think I’ll be in a similar state at 2330 tonight!!!!
Current plans are for all the 4s to become 6a versions (DAFCS upgrade). There is talk of another attempt at fleet coherence around the CH-47F Block II in the mid 2020s and that could (should) release ZA718 for display. It’s the one Chinook I really didn’t want to bend when I flew it…..
Bet you’re glad you didn’t take the job now!!!!
Cheers!
By: Binbrook 01 - 14th October 2017 at 16:23
At 23.30 last night I wasn’t sober enough to think of everything just about or post Falklands evalu8ter. I agree with you on all of that, and about BN.
But that depends on what the plan is with the current airframes. Are 718 which is currently a HC.4, due to go into the line with the other 4s to be brought upto HC.6 standard or are the penny pinchers going to strike again. I also saw something suggesting we might buy new Chinooks possibly giving the oldest airframes an earlier retirement maybe.
I now no longer care about the bloody job either.
By: WP840 - 14th October 2017 at 14:30
The RAF in an Age of Uncertainty With a German Tornado among the various RAF aircraft?
By: Creaking Door - 14th October 2017 at 10:40
Always loved that entrance at Cosford…
…’award winning’ architect at its best!
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May 31, 2016 at 9:41 pm