Time to liven up our old people's homes!

Its a good idea, and one which we have certainly looked at in the past. We have a Sea Vixen with folding wings, and also a Sea Venom, although thats packed up at the moment!

Generally speaking, I aim to return the better examples of the aircraft in our collection to as good a working condition as possible, so both of our Vampires are largely operational, with working radios, hydraulics and so on. We are also looking at getting the Doves and the heron into a working condition, though none of the aircraft will fly again.

The main problem with many of our museums is too many aircraft to look after, with too few people to do the job, and with very limited funds. Until we can all address these problems, I am afraid we are doomed to the lifeless old folks homes you speak of. I suspect however that the next ten years will see a contraction of museums in this country, as some airframes become no longer viable, and it will lead to more interest in the surviving airframes, and therefore more working exhibits. Time will tell…..

Cheers

Bruce (de Havilland Museum)

Moggy C,
I’m afraid I’ve lived your dream, as a volunteer at Hendon (which I’ve mentioned about before) I can say that I’ve sat in and around S-Sugar.
I’m currently doing some work on the Bomb bay doors etc.

Fluffy,
You are quite correct, BBMF do label bits they need and do in time return them. And there is corrosion as you say, we are currently working on it.

British Canuck,
You raise a good point about damage etc.

All,
Sugar is quite complete inside, but you have to remember that nothing last for ever. We have to conserve what we have for as long as we can. You have all raised some interesting points about access to exhibits and making museums that bit more interesting. Keep them coming I’m in a possition to pass them on to Hendon. But can’t promise anything however.

Hendon Lanc

Just to let you know yes BBMF did borrow the ammo tracking from the Lanc most of which was lying on the tailplane centre section, while we were there a note was taken of all the other bits and pieces that had been taken by BBMF in the past . When the new ammo tracking had been manufactured, using the original as pattern, and fitted into PA474. The originals were fitted along with the other items back into S for Sugar. She is fairly complete inside we even found some ‘window’ strips in the nose section, however she suffers from quite bad corrosion in areas and from not being assembled correctly transport joints only having half the bolts fitted and an elevator fitted with eye bolts that you would normally see tightening a chain link fence these are just two of many examples

We opened the museum one day and had 6000 people thru the gate…..we opened up several cockpits. One of our volunteers was treated to a tirade of abuse and threats from a dad when he suggested that little johnny did not pull the cockpit to bits…arghh!

I have seen quite abit of damage done to aircraft interiors by those with less appreication than most avaition buffs. So I think the pay per visit idea does seem to make sence given that it
might have fund the preservation of an airframe. But a few live aircraft at a musuem does add quite alot to the whole experience. And the idea of opening up a few hangars and bring out a few for the photo guys sounds great but I realize that it is hard to pull off..lack of funds seem to be the biggest problem.. I can’t photograph what’s hanging from the ceiling anymore!!

Today bad you couldn’t have a setup like Bruntingthorpe but with hangars..

As far as I know it’s not complete, for instance the BBMF were loaned the ammo tracking and I don’t think it was ever put back, but most of the crew stations are fairly well kitted out and you could also man the Elsan if you needed to. I’m sure Lanc Man could supply you with a list of what is missing.

Anne

Which aeroplane wouldyou choose?

S-Sugar, the Lancaster at Hendon.

1) There are a choice of places to sit and think in – rear turret, drivers seat, navs office etc

2) It’s been there, done that – over 100 missions

Moggy

I trust Lancman or somebody can inform me if it is stripped-out inside or well equipped

Would’ntyou want to be given the chance to sit in your favourite aircraft though , even if at was at the cost of a few £’s that went towards restoring that very aeroplane maybe ?
Yes , there are risks , but are’nt there risks with almost anything you want to do that involves more than sitting front of the TV or PC ?
I knowif i could approach a museum that noted a policy of opening it’s aircraft to genuine enthusiasts , and priced the privelege accordingly (most idiots/ vandals would’nt pay anything if they knew they were being watched ) i would take these minimal risks , and be satisfied that the aeroplane i had spent years dreaming about being in , was something to take a bit of a risk with !
A disclaimer maybe, it works for extreme sports, adventure days, etc etc. ?
Which aeroplane wouldyou choose?

TSR 2 ! no doubt !!

The last thing that I would want to see is hoards of people all trying to sit in the cockpit, please leave that to the enthustiasts who know what they are doing. As for the radio active problem of luminous dials in the cockpit, if (?) a problem exists then it should be sorted out. Unfortunatly the Manchester Aerospace Museum appeared to have over reacted, the last time I visited a large printed notice had been placed on the outside of the cockpit of their Spitfire, warning of radio active hazard. Not only did this destract from the photographs but must have unduely worried some visitors.

DOUGHNUT

Fantastic idea but as always it runs into the old problems of money, time and, probably the biggest one, Heath & Safety.

I can think of one museum where you are unable gain access to the aircraft because of radioactive and asbestos hazards. The risks are very low but if they are found letting unmonitored people into the aircraft they can end up with a four figure fine!

Ho-Hum nothing’s easy.

Anne

Your not “drivelling on” I agree with your ideas, a museum hangar full of aircraft is fine but most people, even enthustiasts will only visit once. So why not give us a reason to make a return visit, new exhibits are always good, as are new colours scheme. Some museums host open cockpit days and I understand that they are very popular, so why not open hangar days when sellected aircraft can be towed outside, positioned such that good photos can be taken, late the same day by all means add aircrew / ground crew and a prieod vechile. Various renactment groups do this, like at Legends. If it gets extra peolpe throught the gates its got to be good.

DOUGHNUT

Could’nt agree more sir , and having visited most of the museums in the midlands and north i think many of them strugle to keep the grass cut and the aircraft on their legs.
To get out of this financial rut ,including the lack of paying visitors ,i think more could be done by active mueum members, or their parent museums to benefit the overall vintage aircraft community, and tempt few people in with some activity !
I helped to restore a Vampire T.11 a few years ago , and an ex RAF electrician worked miracles with that aircraft , and got radio’s, navigation lights , cockpit lighting as well as control surfaces working again !You had to be there to witness the thing lit up, inside and out, on a summers evening !
There must be dozens of ex RAF personnel out there willing to give at least a bit of friendly advice , and perhaps even a bit of a hand ?
Our next door neighbour is an ex transport driver , and can tell me anything from refuelling Hunters to Harriers , and towing Chipmunks to Vulcans.
The fly boys aswell ! surely their wealth of experiece could benefit a few of the less airborne, and promote their own cause at the same time ?
Am i drivelling on, sorry ! 😮 :rolleyes:

I do see your point-I’ve long said that Hendon in particular seems very ‘dead’, but of course, that age old chestnut ‘money’ has a lot to do with this sort of thing. :confused: