With all the comment regarding Duxford hanging aircraft from the ceiling I thought I start new thread.
So cutting holes in aeroplanes appears to be the in thing, in general I have no problem with this, as from an instructional and engineering view this can be both interesting and educational. Many muesums have done this, Halton had a Jet Provost with most of the skin removed and this looked very good, Le Bourget has an similar Mirage F1, even Hendon has left parts of one of the biplanes uncovered. What I find hard to accept is that IWM intend making a cut away model of the Shackleton, Ok so the Shackleton needs a bit of time and effort spending to make her a top notch exhibit, but do the IWM not owe that to the many hundreds of aircrew who flew the Shack though its long service history. It has been said that this aircraft does not deserve presevation because others of the type existing elsewhere, OK but neither the IWM nor the RAF own a MR3 variant. Indeed the only Shacks still in ‘public’ ownership are the AEW2 at Manchester, on loan from RAFM and a poor example on gate guard duties at St Mawgan.
So what can Duxford cut open to allow the Great British public look at ?
How about a WW2 bomber that served British and Commonweath forces at home and overseas, as well as being used extentively by the Americans and many other foreign armed forces. No I am not wanting to chop up Sally B or the Lancaster. All of us on this Forum have at times bemoaned the state and ultimatily the fate that awaits not one but two examples of this particular twin engined bomber.
I refer to the B-25 Mitchell.
If IWM are so keen to show the insides of an aeroplane to the public, then B-25 has it all, Bomber Aimer in a glassed nose, Pilot seated high, Radio operator and Gunners in upper turret, waist and tail positions. Added to this small scale of the Mitchell would allow alot to be fitted into small space.
I know that the IWM do not yet own either the Sandtoft or North Weald aircraft, but maybe their owners would be interested in some which the IWM does have?
DOUGHNUT
having set the ball rolling I am now of on holiday toddle pip.
By: Willow - 5th August 2003 at 15:19
Well, it is anti-submarine, does have four engines, and IS British. However, the Sunderland has taken 28years so far and isn’t quite finished yet. I doubt if most of the crew have another 30 years of restoration work in them (no offence, my friends).
It’s a nice idea though. As a crew, we’d always talked of either rebuilding a Stirling from parts – we’ve got the hang of Shorts aeroplanes by now – or building a Walrus.
Maybe the Shackelton would be a good third choice. It must have been one of the first aeroplanes to arrive at Duxford for the IWM.
I agree, save the Shackelton. Although I still say that the Lincoln at Sandtoft deserves saving as well. Now that’s already sectioned, why doesn’t the IWM purchase whats left of that (cost surely wouldn’t be too much considering whats left) and use that as a sectioned display? It is a bomber, which goes along with DOUGHNUTs comments, and is a British type which saw action, that the IWM doesn’t already have.
Willow
Willow
By: DOUGHNUT - 5th August 2003 at 13:51
Back from a short ‘family’ holiday so thought this thread should be moved to the top. I consider this to be a realistic idea that would be of greater interest , ie a WW2 bomber, to the visiting public than a large, mostly empty fuselage. Does the IWM not have a collection of guns, radio, navigation, bomb aiming equipment that could be displayed along side the sectioned B-25, Add an audio presentation and some flashing lights and the public will love it. The best bit of course is that the Shackleton will remain in one piece, OK it will take money and many years of work, but just consider what the Sunderland was like thirty years ago, could the Sunderland crew not be given a new mission ?
RESTORE THE SHACKLETON
DOUGHNUT
By: MarkG - 1st August 2003 at 22:54
Originally posted by Lancman
That used to be a highlight of the old RAF St Athan ‘At Home’ days, get there early enough and you got first dibs on the Vulcan cockpit……..Then you had to get out quick and go and catch them ground-running the Me 410 that now just gathers dust at Cosford.
Ah, happy days! 🙂
Here! Here! to that Lancman you fellow Welshman you! 😀
By: Bluebird Mike - 1st August 2003 at 18:49
That used to be a highlight of the old RAF St Athan ‘At Home’ days, get there early enough and you got first dibs on the Vulcan cockpit there, no queing, no hurry to get out again, and some years, they even had it plugged into the ground power too, so it was sort of humming and twinkling in there…magic.
Then you had to get out quick and go and catch them ground-running the Me 410 that now just gathers dust at Cosford.
Ah, happy days! 🙂
By: AlexisLambert - 31st July 2003 at 21:53
That looks like the nose section at Cosford.
By: LesB - 31st July 2003 at 21:39
The RAF themselves were not beyond “sectioning” aircraft. This is a Vulcan cockpit that was doing the rounds with the RAF Recruiting Unit in the mid to late 70s. Took this photo in the market place in Derby in ’76/’77-ish.
Bet the Vulcan crews would have liked side entrance doors. :rolleyes: Makes you wonder what bits were removed to allow for those two doorways. Professionally done though.
Wonder where this thing is these days?
By: Yak 11 Fan - 31st July 2003 at 20:47
With an armed Mustang by any chance, or maybe one of the lost Tempests.
By: DIGBY - 31st July 2003 at 20:32
I wouldn’t mind cutting holes in ” Sally B “
By: Yak 11 Fan - 31st July 2003 at 17:18
Good grief,
As long as payment for building the Shackleton it’s own hanger and the extensive restoration work it now requires, plus the acquisition and restoration of a second B25 comes from your taxes Doughnut and not mine I really don’t mind what happens. :p
By: BlueRobin - 31st July 2003 at 17:02
The Vic.
Hardly worth preserving intact given it’s current condition.
Although it would probably disintegrate into dust if moved. 🙁
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July 31, 2003 at 4:53 pm